Jonathan Kellerman - Alex Delaware 06 by Private Eyes

Author:Private Eyes [Eyes, Private]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

19

When I got home I was still wound up. I went down to the pond and found clusters of spawn clinging bravely to some of the plants at the edge of the water. Heartened, I climbed back up to the house and wrote. Made myself drowsy in fifteen minutes and barely got my clothes off before tumbling into bed.

I awoke at six-forty A.M. Friday and called Melissa an hour later.

“Oh,” she said, sounding disappointed it was me. “I already talked to Mr. Sturgis. Nothing new.”

“Sorry.”

“I did exactly as he said, Dr. Delaware. Called every airline at every airport— even San Francisco and San Jose, which he didn’t mention. Because she could have headed north, right? Then I phoned every hotel and motel I could find in the Yellow Pages, but no one had any record of her checking in. I think he’s starting to realize it might be serious.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because he agreed to talk to McCloskey.”

“I see.”

“Is he really good, Dr. Delaware? As a detective?”

“Best I know.”

“I think he is, too. I actually like him better than when I first met him. But I’ve really got to be sure. Because no one else seems to care. The police aren’t doing anything— Chickering acts as if I’m wasting his time by calling. And Don’s gone back to work— can you believe that?”

“What are you doing?”

“Staying right here and waiting. And praying— I haven’t prayed since I was a little kid. Before you helped me.” Pause. “I keep going back and forth between expecting her to walk in at any moment and feeling really sick to my stomach when I realize she could be— I’ve got to stay here. I don’t want her coming home to an empty house.”

“Makes sense.”

“In the meantime, I think I’m going to try some hotels up north. Maybe Nevada, too, because that really isn’t very far by car, is it? Can you think of anywhere else that would be logical?”

“I guess any of the bordering states,” I said.

“Good idea.”

“Is there anything you need, Melissa? Anything I can do for you?”

“No,” she said quickly. “No, thanks.”

“I’ll be coming out there today anyway. To get my car.”

“Oh. Sure. Whatever.”

“If you want to talk, just let me know.”

“Sure.”

“Take care, Melissa.”

“I will, Dr. Delaware. Better keep this line open, just in case. Bye.”

• • •

The phone barked: “Sturgis.”

“Well,” I said, “it’s a lot better than “Yeah?’ ”

“Hey, I’m a working man now. What’s up?”

“I just got off the phone with Melissa. She told me the two of you conferred.”

“She talked; I listened. If that’s conferred, I guess we did.”

“Sounds as if she’s been keeping herself busy.”

“She worked all night. Kid’s got energy.”

“Adrenaline overdrive,” I said.

“Want me to tell her to cool it?”

“No, it’s okay for the time being. She’s dealing with her anxiety by making herself feel useful. I am concerned about what’ll happen if her mother doesn’t show up soon and her defenses start to crack.”

“Yeah. Well, she’s got you for that. Any time you want her to ease off, just let me know.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.