Return To Parlor City by Arno B. Zimmer

Author:Arno B. Zimmer [Zimmer, Arno B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-10-20T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A Treacherous Ride Home

The day after Braun’s death, the coroner concluded that he had expired from “natural causes”. Chief Braddock, after discussing the situation with Meacham, had sent out another detective to complete a cursory examination of the hospital room to gather any evidence of foul play. Nothing was found, not even any fluids on the pillow case which briefly confounded the coroner but did not prompt him to raise any suspicions or complete an autopsy.

Driving home from the Institute later that same day, Gwen Meacham was thinking about Braun and feeling guilty about the relief she felt that he had finally died. Yes, he was a detestable man but he had been Woody’s grandfather and she wanted to believe that he has some redeeming qualities. She had told Woody the grim news and he had hardly showed any emotion.

As she descended Round Top Hill, she was jolted back to the present when the steering wheel started to tremble. Gwen grabbed the wheel tightly with both hands but the vibrations became violent and she felt a chilling fear spread throughout her body. She tried to steer to the side of the road but had no control as the car careened toward a tree at the edge of the park, the same tree where Woody had hidden the gun that had created such havoc in Parlor City a year ago. She was staring at the tree, frozen and helpless, when the car suddenly lurched left. She looked over her right shoulder before being enveloped in total darkness.

***

When Gwen awoke, she saw Billy leaning over her with Woody in the background. She had facial contusions and a separated shoulder but was otherwise okay. Her head was throbbing but she was fortunate not to have suffered a concussion. It took her a few moments to realize that she was back at the Institute, lying in a hospital bed.

“You’re going to be okay, dear. Nothing serious but the doctor says that for the next few days you will feel like you were in a fight with the tree and got pummeled. Here’s Woody,” Meacham said gently before stepping back. Woody approached the bed and knelt down by his mother’s side and wept silently as she pressed his hand.

Meacham was working hard to stay calm but was seething inside. He had been at the Institute earlier and was told that Gwen was still out from the sedative but that she would be coming out of it in a few hours. Before picking up Woody and heading back to the Institute, he drove to Belvedere Motors where he had been immediately accosted by Glen Perkins before he could walk to the service area. They had been friends way back to high school but Perkins could tell immediately that his buddy was not in a sociable mood. Well, he was going to feel even worse in a few minutes.

“Billy, sit down before I tell you something that I know is going to make you furious” said Perkins.

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