Shadow Puppet by Jeffrey Round

Author:Jeffrey Round
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2019-02-02T05:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

Dangerous Things

DAN HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME when Ked came in the door brandishing a DVD.

“I let mom pick the movie,” Ked proudly informed him. “I didn’t think she wanted to watch Zombieland.”

“Good thinking.” Dan grinned as Kendra walked in behind him, cool and collected, a fresh breeze wafting through the room.

“I told him I didn’t mind. Woody Harrelson is cute,” Kendra said, “but he insisted.”

“Argue not with the youth of this generation,” Dan advised.

“So anyway, we got Terminator Salvation,” Ked informed him.

“A huge improvement, I’m sure.”

They settled in. The movie opened on a present-day execution before throwing forward to a time when machines ruled the earth, ruthlessly hunting down the last humans. They were so lethal, in fact, it would have been a miracle if anyone survived their relentless destruction. Lost lands, savaged hopes, the future of the human race heading for the dustbin. Ho-hum, Dan thought.

Afterward, they tuned the TV to the local news. It was the third item in. Dan reached for the remote as Randy Melchior’s smiling face filled the screen.

“That’s Prabin’s friend,” he explained as the volume swelled.

The chief had been as good as his word. The newscaster detailed the arrests of two young people charged with the doctor’s murder. Grainy footage showed a pair of ordinary-looking teens, a boy and a girl, inside a convenience store a block from where Randy’s body had been found. Seconds later they left right behind him.

“The suspects will appear in a Toronto court on Monday on charges of first-degree murder.” The newscaster turned to face a second camera. “Police are also investigating the disappearance of a man from the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood …”

Dan’s interest was piqued as Joe’s face flashed on the screen. It was the photo from the poster.

“… Saleem Mansouri was last seen at a bar called Zipperz in April of this year. Known to friends as Joe, Mansouri’s disappearance is not believed to be related to the murder of Doctor Melchior. Police are asking anyone with information that might help trace his whereabouts to come forward.”

There was no mention of a Muslim connection or of other missing men. The chief was playing it safe. The newscaster moved on to a contentious vote at city hall.

Dan turned off the television.

“Does first-degree murder mean it was planned?” Ked asked.

“Yes, it does,” Dan said. “You saw those two people leave the store right after the victim. What the prosecutor will have to prove is that they planned to kill and not just rob him. Otherwise it’s second-degree murder.”

“You said he was Prabin’s friend?” Kendra asked.

“An ex, actually. Prabin and Randy went to Queen’s together. They had just got back in touch recently after not seeing each other for ten years.”

Kendra looked at Dan. “At least he can be thankful they got back in touch before he died.”

“I don’t think Prabin sees it that way. He’s concerned that he didn’t make a better effort to spend time with him.”

“And now there are others missing,” she said quietly, finishing his thoughts.

“Yes, and they won’t be the last.

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