J.P. Bowie - Portrait 2 - Portrait of Emily by J.P. Bowie

Author:J.P. Bowie [Bowie, J.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

chapter 14 s

Peter and Jeff got the news around five o’clock. After Peter and Jerry had parted company outside the cafe, Peter had driven down to Jeff ’s office to say hello. Jeff had just been finishing up, so they decided to go for a walk on the beach. Jeff listened in amazement as Peter recounted the events of the day.

“Jesus, what a family!” Jeff stooped and picked up a pebble, flinging it into the sea in exasperation. “How the hell do people find themselves in this kind of mess? These kids certainly deserve better lives than this.”

“Well, at least Jerry is going to be there for Emily,” Peter said. “Thanks in no small part to you,” Jeff observed, squeezing Peter’s arm “I knew he’d do the decent thing. He’s that kind of guy. He was just torn up

by what Emily had been through.”

“She’s going to need him now more than ever, after last night’s scene,” Jeff

said. “God, what a grotesque individual Hastings is. Where do you suppose his

mind was when he was letting that other creep rape his son? How can he live

with himself?”

“He’s just a total degenerate, Jeff. But I agree, it’s unbelievable that someone

could willingly do this to his own family.”

When they got back home they listened to the message Gloria had left them

on their answering machine.

“You will not believe what’s happened!” Gloria’s voice gabbled excitedly.

“Uncle Charlie was found murdered in his office today. Aunt Patricia is under

sedation. I’m here at their house with Emily. Anthony is no where to be found!

Jerry’s on his way over. Please call me at Emily’s when you get this message.”

- 105 The message was timed at three thirty. Peter and Jeff looked at each other in disbelief.

“My God,” Peter exclaimed. “So someone finally had enough.”

“Call Gloria and see if we can do anything,” Jeff said. “I don’t think they’ll be in mourning, but it’s got to be a shock nevertheless.”

“Right.” He picked up the phone and dialed Emily’s number from the rolodex he kept handily nearby.

Gloria answered. “Hi, Peter. Thanks for calling.”

“How is everything there? Is Emily all right?”

“She’s better now that Jerry’s here. Looks like things are back to normal with them. I left them alone for a heart to heart. The police have been all over, of course. They’re trying to find Anthony to let him know.”

“You haven’t heard from him yet?”

“Nope. Patricia said he’d gone to speak to his father. Left around ten this morning, but the secretary says he never came to the office…at least while she was there.”

“Is there anything we can do?”

“Not really. Patricia’s still zonked out, and there’s a nurse in attendance. Emily has Jerry…and between you and me, Peter…” she lowered her voice somewhat before she continued. “…the world is one hell of a nicer place today, now that bastard is dead.”

Peter could not find it in himself to contradict her, as cold as she had sounded. Jeff was right. No one was going to mourn the passing of Charles Hastings.

“Gloria, be sure to call if you need anything.

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