Like Sheep Gone Astray by Lesile J. Sherrod

Author:Lesile J. Sherrod [SHERROD, LESLIE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC000000
ISBN: 9780446555180
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2008-12-21T05:00:00+00:00

Uncertainty swept the car clean of any conversation the entire return trip to Councilman Banks's office. Anthony pulled into the small parking lot a little after eight-thirty. When a nearby church bell tolled nine o'clock, the three of them, Anthony, Walter, and Gloria, were still sitting speechless in the midnight-blue BMW.

“I think we need to go inside and discuss strategy.” Walter was the first to break the silence. “If the police are not on our side, we need to deepen our own detective work to convince them we're not the bad guys. Or at least come clean about any prior action we may have taken which might not have worked in our favor.” Walter's eyes met Anthony's in the rearview mirror.

Anthony could only feel small in his seat. Why did I accept that bribe six months ago?

“Gloria, why don't you go on home. Anthony and I can stay here and talk awhile to formulate a quick and effective plan of action. Don't you worry about a thing, Miss Randall. None of this concerns you, so it should not affect you in the least.” Walter tried to sound cheery, but even as Gloria unlocked the passenger door and got out of the car, the strain on his face mirrored that of Anthony's.

“Have a nice weekend, Gloria,” Anthony managed to mumble. He watched expressionless as she headed in the direction of a nearby bus stop before he jerked back to attention. “Gloria, wait. I can give you a ride home.”

“You don't want to stay to figure out what to do next?” Councilman Banks's words were tinged with fear.

“Walter, honestly, right now I just want to go home. Give me a night to clear my head, and I'll contact you first thing in the morning.”

Walter sighed before nodding his head. “Okay, Anthony, but we really need to get things straight as soon as possible.”

“I know, I just need some time by myself to make sense of all this.”

Walter slowly got out of Anthony's car as Gloria got back in. When Anthony turned back onto the boulevard, he could see the councilman sitting on the curb next to his office suite.

“I'm sorry, everyone.” He could not think of anything else to say.

After seeing Gloria safely into her apartment, Anthony headed home, landing straight in his favorite leather recliner.

“I don't want to think about anything at all right now.” He reached for the remote control and the two-story family room soon began to flicker in a trance of dancing black-and-white shadows. Even with the television muted, he felt a headache brewing. He clicked off the set and sank back into the uneasy darkness of the room.

When was the last time you talked to Me?

The voice, so quiet and tender, cut into his thoughts. He grabbed the remote again and turned the TV back on, this time keeping his thumb on the volume button until the top-of-the-line speaker system thundered under his skin. But the voice did not stop speaking.

When was the last time you talked

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