Jonathan Kellerman - True Detectives

“True,” said Merry. “Older I get, the less I get.”

Mr. Dmitri said, “How much do I owe you?”

“I have to add it up.”

Dmitri returned to his Russian newspaper. The factory was buzzing. On the way to the boss's office, Aaron had made sure to pass Maitland Frostig's cubicle. Frostig was away from his station.

Dmitri looked up, as if surprised Aaron was still there. “Thank you, Mr. Fox. I will call you when the next problem arises.”

“I'm looking forward to it, sir.” Aaron sat there.

Dmitri put the paper down. “What, Mr. Fox?”

“Sir, this may be presumptuous, but I'm getting the feeling that what I learned about Caitlin doesn't surprise you.”

Dmitri smiled.

“I also noticed that Mr. Frostig wasn't at his desk.”

“Probably in the bathroom,” said Dmitri. “Tomorrow there will be another explanation for his absence.”

“Sir-”

Dmitri laughed. “I am not Russian Mafia, Mr. Fox. Maitland's work product has been poor. He will be terminated.” Chuckle. “His position at the company will be terminated. What happens to him is no longer any concern of mine. Did I ever tell you what my wife does?”

“She's a psychiatrist.”

“ Regina is excellent psychiatrist. In Moscow she was head of hospital that specializes in sexual deviancy. Before they imprisoned her for not poisoning dissidents. She is woman of great insight.”

“I see.”

Dmitri fingered his mega-Rubik's. “I see numbers, she sees people. I am proud of her.”

“You should be.”

Dmitri's eyes twinkled. “I'm thinking, Mr. Fox, I should be proud of you, too.”

Jonathan Kellerman is one of the world's most popular authors. He has brought his expertise as a child psychologist to numerous bestselling tales of suspense (which have been translated into two dozen languages), including thirteen previous Alex Delaware novels; The Butcher's Theater, a story of serial killing in Jerusalem; and Billy Straight, featuring Hollywood homicide detective Petra Connor. His new novel, Flesh and Blood, will be published in hardcover in fall 2001. He is also the author of numerous essays, short stories, and scientific articles, two children's books, and three volumes of psychology, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children. He and his wife, the novelist Faye Kellerman, have four children.