Shrink Rap by Parker Robert B

Author:Parker, Robert B. [Parker, Robert B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sunny Randall
Published: 2011-06-04T00:27:21+00:00

If I weren’t a heroic girl detective, I might have been a little afraid of him.

“Can I get you any more coffee?” Kim said.

What she meant was It’s time for you to go now. I don’t want to talk with you anymore.

“No,” I said. “Thanks, I’ve got to run.”

I reached over carefully and scratched the Akita behind his right ear. I don’t know if he liked it. He permitted it.

“Dr. Melvin isn’t in some kind of trouble, is he?”

“What kind could he be in?” I said.

“He couldn’t be in any kind, unless some patient is lying about him.”

“What kind of lies might they tell?” I said.

“I don’t know. There isn’t anything. I mean he’s a fabulous shrink.”

“I’m sure he is,” I said. “Do you see him regularly?”

“Twice a week,” Kim said. “Mondays and Thursdays.”

“Mornings?” I said.

“Evenings, actually.”

“I didn’t think he had office hours in the evening,” I said.

Her faced pinched again. “Dr. Melvin makes time for me in the evening,” Kim said. “It’s more convenient.”

“That’s good of him,” I said.

“Yes.”

“What does your ex-husband do that he can pay you all this alimony?” I said.

“He’s a real estate broker,” Kim said.

“In Concord?”

Kim shook her head. “Arlington,” she said.

“Well, it’s good he can afford it,” I said.

“He’d better,” Kim said.

Kerry Crawford, Arlington.

Chapter 38

Sonya Burke crossed her legs in the straight armchair across from Dr. Melvin, aware that she was showing a lot of leg.

“He dumped me a year and a half ago,” I said.

Dr. Melvin wore a beautiful black suit with a white shirt. The shirt had a Windsor collar and French cuffs. His cuff links were black onyx with a small diamond chip in the center. He nodded gently.

“But he’s paying for it,” I said.

He raised his eyebrows.

“Alimony,” I said.

“Ah,” he said and smiled a little. “Does that make you feel less angry toward him?”

“I’m not angry toward him,” I said. “But if he’s going to dump me he’s going to pay for the privilege.”

Melvin nodded.

“Besides.” I tried a grim smile. “It supports me while I look for another man.”

Melvin nodded.

“It seems that all the men I like are gay. The straight men are jerks.”

“And you need straight men,” Melvin said.

“Of course.”

“Because you need sex.”

“Sure.”

“More than occasional sex with Richie?” Melvin said.

“Yes.”

“You’re an attractive woman,” Melvin said. “That should not be an issue.”

“I don’t want to sleep with jerks,” I said.

“Who do you want to sleep with?”

I felt a tiny thrill in the center of my stomach. The bait was out there, floating on the surface.

“Men with brains,” I said, “and maybe a little style, some authority.”

“Talk about that a little more.”

“I like men I can respect,” I said.

“What do you respect?”

“I like men I can look up to. It’s probably what drew me to Richie.”

“What did you admire in him?” Melvin said.

He was perfectly still, watching me closely, his legs crossed at the ankle, leaning back in his chair, his hands folded over his stomach. I thought a minute.

“He was, he is, so in control of himself and his own life.

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