Билл Пронзини - In an Evil Time

His son, his flesh and blood — a killer. How do you reconcile a thing like that? Answer: In an evil time, evil things happen — good people are driven by both external and internal forces to do things they would never do in ordinary circumstances. Maybe that was a rationalization, not really an answer at all, but there was no other way to look at it that would allow him to hold himself together. He was a sadder, more bitter, somewhat diminished man today, and he suspected Eric saw himself in the same way.

Rakubian’s death made no real difference in how he felt about his son. Still loved him as much as ever, would do anything to protect him. Twinges of disappointment and shame, no denying that, but none greater than his own. He could live with what Eric had done. But could Eric?

Conscience and anger management, those were the keys. The anger was something they could talk about, but at another time — not this close to all that had happened yesterday. For now, they’d each keep their secrets and go on telling the lies they’d have to tell...

“Dad? You okay?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Funny look on your face. Like you’re in pain.”

“Just thinking about Angela and Kenny.

“Yeah. Me, too.”

Hollis asked, “You planning to drive back to San Luis today?”

“No, I thought I’d leave in the morning when they do. Make sure they get on the road okay. I only have two Monday classes and I can blow them off.” Pause. “Your prostate giving you trouble?”

He frowned at the abrupt change of subject. “What makes you ask that?”

“The way you walk, sit, the look you get sometimes — like just now.”

One secret he didn’t have to keep any longer, at least from Eric; one lie he didn’t have to go on telling. “Yes, it’s giving me trouble.”

“Same symptoms?”

“Mostly.”

“What does Dr. Otaki say?”

“I haven’t been to see him recently.”

“Christ, why not?”

“Too many other things on my mind. But I’m going to make an appointment this week. You haven’t said anything to your mother about this?”

“Uh-uh. I guess you haven’t, either.”

“I didn’t want to worry her. I’ll tell her after I see Otaki, have a new batch of tests run.” But it occurred to him that if the signs had been obvious enough for Eric to pick up on them in just a couple of days, they surely must have been obvious to Cassie all along. Then why hadn’t she said anything?

“Will you let me know the test results?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“No reason. Making sure, that’s all.”

They had nothing more to say to each other after that. Just sat there sipping coffee and not making eye contact — conspirators alone with their secrets in the spring sunshine.

When he was sure Gloria had had enough time to get home from church, he shut himself inside the garage and called her on his cell phone. Trip to Tomales Bay canceled: he wanted to spend the day with Angela and Kenny, he said, since she’d decided to leave tomorrow. Gloria was sympathetic. She said to give them her love, she’d pray for them every day. Pray for Eric and me, too, Hollis thought. We’re the ones who need it now.

He made quick work of emptying the Lexus’s trunk. Pick and shovel into a corner of the garage behind some other tools; Colt Woodsman into the locked storage cabinet; overalls and galoshes and gloves and soiled khaki shirt and Cal Poly blanket into a trash bag. He stuffed the bag into the bottom of one of the trash barrels.

Nothing left to do now but wait.

Sunday Afternoon

Two visitors, to say good-bye to Angela and Kenny.

One was expected. During breakfast she had said tentatively, “Ryan is going to drop by this afternoon. He asked and I said I thought it’d be all right. Please don’t be angry with me, Daddy.”

“I’m not angry.”

“He won’t stay long. Just to see Kenny again before we go.”

Hollis promised he’d be civil to Pierce and he meant it. Little enough in the way of a favor, if it would help ease her through the next twenty-four hours. She seemed raw-nerved today — not because of the long drive to Utah or the prospect of living with strangers, he thought, but because she was apprehensive that Rakubian might show up at the last minute, do something crazy before she could escape. He longed to take her in his arms, tell her she never had to be afraid of David Rakubian again, tell her escape was no longer necessary. Keeping up the pretense was almost as painful as what Rakubian alive had put them through.

The other visitor, the first to arrive, came unannounced. Gabe Mannix. Hollis was in his study with Kenny playing Pokémon on the computer. The boy was much less animated than usual; resigned to the move — Angela had had a long talk with him — but not really understanding or liking the idea.

“I don’t want to leave you, Granpa,” he’d said, his thin arms tight around Hollis’s neck. “I wish I could stay here with you and Granma.”

“I wish you could, too. But it’s only for a little while.”

“Will you come and visit us?”

“Maybe we won’t have to. Maybe you and your mom will be back home before it’s time for a visit.”

“Really?”

“Cross my heart.”

“How soon? Two weeks?”

“Not that soon.”

“Before the Fourth of July fireworks?”

“We’ll see. If you promise to be good and take care of your mom.”

“I will. I promise, Granpa.”

More longing, more painful pretense.

When Hollis heard the doorbell he thought it was Pierce and stayed where he was. Then Cassie appeared and told him it was Gabe. He left Kenny to his video game and went out to the living room.

Mannix was seated on the couch beside Angela, holding her hand and talking earnestly. Whatever he was saying had spawned a wan smile. She’d always been fond of him; said more than once that he was like an uncle to her. The expression on Mannix’s craggy face was anything but avuncular. If any other middle-aged man had looked at his daughter with that kind of wistful yearning, Hollis would have resented it. Not so with Gabe. They’d been friends too long — and his feelings for her were not only unspoken but close to worshipful besides. He was a lusty bugger with every woman except Angela. And Cassie, too, of course.

He gave Hollis a crooked grin, still holding her hand. “I was in the neighborhood,” he said.

“Sure you were.

“Well, I couldn’t let them leave without saying good-bye, could I?”

“No, and I’m glad you didn’t. If I’d been thinking straight, I’d’ve invited you. Cup of coffee?”

“You don’t mind, I’d rather have a little hair of the dog.”

“Big night?”

“Big night with small people. Scotch, single malt.”

Hollis poured three fingers of Glenlivet for Gabe, resisting the urge to do the same for himself. In his fragile and volatile state, alcohol was a dangerous additive. The four of them sat talking desultorily, each avoiding the subjects of Rakubian and the temporary relocation. After a time Eric came downstairs to join them.

Then Pierce showed up.

At least he wasn’t as scruffy-looking as last week. Hair trimmed, clean-shaven, an old corduroy sport jacket and slacks in place of the western outfit. Ill at ease, though, and seeing both Gabe and Eric didn’t help him any. Eric had nothing to say to him; ignored his tentative greeting and went back upstairs. Mannix’s reaction was a surprised double-take and then a fixed scowl. Pierce seemed to sense that offering to shake hands was inviting rebuff. He didn’t try it with Hollis, either.

He perched on a chair nearest Angela, who moved away from Gabe and closer to him. Cassie, the social arbiter, went to fetch Kenny, but the boy’s presence did little to ease the strain in the room. He seemed no more pleased to see Pierce than the rest of them.