Burn Up by Joe Klingler

Author:Joe Klingler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cartosi LLC
Published: 2020-04-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 27

“NO, MRS. BIRK, WE DO NOT SUSPECT your son of any wrongdoing,” Qigiq said.

The woman had been waiting when they arrived at the office. She was barely five feet tall, adjusted a maroon hat constantly, and carried a slender cane she didn’t appear to need except to bang against the table to emphasize her point. Her face had long ago solidified into a wrinkled scowl. She squinted at him as she said in a smoker’s alto voice:

“Then why aren’t you looking for his killer?”

Kandy caught Qigiq’s eye from across the conference table and pressed her lips tight together.

He said, “We are seeking information that will show us where to look.”

“I can tell you where to look.” Her bright brown eyes flicked from Kandy to Qigiq, scanning to see if the foolish police officers understood. “In the hills where my little Allen worked with those government spooks.”

“Allen didn’t work in San Francisco?”

She rapped the cane against the edge of the table. “No no no. He worked at the labs. He lived in that tiny apartment only because he enjoyed the cultural life of San Francisco. Especially the symphony; he was...” she paused, stared down at her cane. “Allen was a sensitive boy who loved Mozart and worked hard. He needed the emotional release of high art.”

“Which labs?” he asked.

She frowned at him. “Where are you from, sonny?”

“Alaska.”

“Well that explains it. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Best in the country. Only one good enough for my Allen.”

“What was his job, ma’am?” Kandy asked.

“Bugs. That’s all he would say. Bugs.”

“Insect research?” Kandy asked.

The woman shook her head. “Smaller. Little invisible stuff. He called them nano-clouds.”

“Where did Allen go to college?”

“Harvard, of course.”

Kandy looked to Qigiq, then back to Mrs. Birk. “Do you know why anyone would want to murder your son?”

The woman took a long time before saying: “His father.” They waited for more. “He’s jealous of my success. And Allen’s. I bet the dirtbag did this to get back at me for the divorce. It disturbs me every day that I have that bastard’s last name. But I kept it for Allen.”

“How long have you been divorced?” Kandy asked.

“Allen was five.”

Qigiq looked down and took notes on a sheet of paper.

“Anyone else?” Kandy asked. “Old girlfriend? Run-in at work? Financial trouble?”

“Allen didn’t have time for girls. He loved the beauty of formulas and math. And he was floating in money.” Qigiq looked up, remained quiet, kept writing. “And he loved God. He showed up to meet me every week so we could thank Him for our good fortune.”

“Except today,” Qigiq said.

“Well...he missed sometimes.”

“How often would you say he missed?” Kandy said.

“He wasn’t in the city every week. If he was busy, he would stay at the house in Pleasanton to be closer to the lab.”

“How often did you see him?”

“At least once a month.”

“When was the last time before you found him today?”

She bumped the cane softly against the edge of the table. “Two weeks ago. He met me for service and took me to lunch at a little restaurant that serves those puny plates where you share food.

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