Jonathan Kellerman - The Web

"The cops who got fired," I said. "Were the leaks directly related to the cannibal murder?"

"I had trouble getting details. The press doesn't believe in full disclosure when it comes to the press. But the firings took place right after the arrest."

"Did you get any names of fired cops?"

I heard paper rustling. "White, Tagg, Johnson, Haygood, Ceru-"

"Anders Haygood?"

"That's what it says."

"He lives here. One of the guys who likes to cut things up. His buddy's been whipping the crowd up against Ben. Likes to pee when women are watching."

"Wonderful."

"So he and Creedman got booted at the same time- they know each other. Ten to one they're both on Stasher-Layman's payroll. Same for my next-door neighbor. She claims to be a scientist, but both she and Creedman are carrying guns that they picked up in Guam."

"Jesus, Alex. Just sit tight till the boat comes in. Don't try to find out any more."

"All right," I said. "But now I'm starting to think Moreland could be right about Ben being innocent. Not that he's got much of a story."

" 'I wuz framed'?"

"Ten points for the detective."

"It's always "I wuz framed' unless it's "I blacked out' or "He started it."'

"Ben's two for three, claims he was choked out, the rest is blank."

"Brilliant."

I told him the rest of Ben's account.

"Beyond lame," he said. "Needs a four-prong walker. You know, Alex, a real bad smell's coming through the line. Even with Creedman and Haygood in cahoots over some development deal, that doesn't get Benjy off the hook- hell, for all you know he's on Stasher's payroll, too. You watch your back."

"What should I do about the info on Creedman and Haygood?"

"Nothing. If the lawyer Moreland hired is really so sharp, let him do something with it. I'll tell him, not you. Name?"

"Alfred Landau. Honolulu."

"When's he getting over there?"

"Two or three days."

"Perfect timing. I'll wait till you've left."

"Meanwhile Ben sits there rotting?"

"Ben ain't going anywhere no matter what anyone says or does. They found him lying on the goddamn body."

"Convenient, isn't it?"

"Or stupid," he said. "But that just makes it typical. I had an idiot last month carjacked and killed some citizen, then drove the car for a couple of days before taking it to the dealer to complain about the fucking brakes. Funny, except the citizen's just as dead. Don't deal with it, Alex. I'll call Landau as soon as you're off the island. And don't feel bad about Ben. From what you're telling me, that jail cell may well be the safest place for him right now."

"I'm not sure of that. We're not talking maximum security, just a hole at the back of the building. The victim's family visited the police station today. I saw the look in their eyes. It wouldn't take much of a mob to pull him out."

"Sorry about that, but where else can he go? How's security at the estate?"

"Nonexistent."

"Just stay put, Alex. Stay in your goddamn room- pretend it's a second honeymoon and you don't even want to come out."

"Okay."

"You definitely have your passage booked?"

"Definitely." If the storm didn't stall things.

"See you soon. Enough of this paradise shit."

Cheryl brought dinner up to our room and we picked at it. Darkness made its entrance virtually unnoticed. The rain got stronger, relentless, slapping the sides of the house.

But still warm. No lightning. The air was flat, deenergized.

As I sat there and did nothing, time's edges melted.

Time … Einstein a magician… bending reality.

Relativity- Moreland, a moral relativist?

Trying to excuse himself for something?

"Guilt's a great motivator."

All these years- all his accomplishments- propelled by a troubled conscience?

Milo was right. It wasn't my battle.

Robin smiled from across the room. I'd told her what Milo had learned and she'd said, "So it's good we're leaving."

She was curled up now with some old magazines that had come with the suite. Spike snored at her feet. Peaceful scene, damned domestic. Pretending was fun.

I pointed to a wet window. "Listen to it."

She let her hand drop to Spike's head. "It was a dark and stormy night."

I laughed, went over, and kissed her hair.

She put the Vogue on her lap and reached up to stroke my face. "This isn't so bad, huh? When you get down to it, making the best of a bad situation is the heart of creativity."

She teased my tongue with hers. Our mouths collided. All the electricity, here.

We were slow-dancing toward the bed, fumbling with buttons, when the knocks on the door added thunder.

Pam's voice on the other side: "Is anyone in there?"

We opened the door.

"Is Dad with you?" She stood, dripping, in a khaki raincoat drenched black, face shiny-wet under a snarl of running makeup.

"No," said Robin.

"I can't find him anywhere! All the cars are here, but he isn't. We were supposed to get together an hour ago."

"Maybe Dennis or one of the deputies picked him up," I said.

"No, I called Dennis. Dad's not in town. I've searched the outbuildings and every square inch of the house except your room and Jo's."

She hurried next door. Jo answered her knock quickly. She had on a bathrobe but looked wide awake.

"Is Dad with you?"

"No."

"Have you seen him at all this evening?"

"Sorry. Been in all day- touch of the stomach bug." She placed a hand on her abdomen. Her hair was combed out and her color was still good. When she noticed me studying her, she stared back hard.

"Oh God," said Pam. "This weather. What if he's outside and fell?"

"Older people do tend to spill," said Jo. "I'll help you look." She went inside and returned wearing a tentlike transparent slicker over a black shirt and black jeans, matching hat, rubber boots.

"When's the last time you saw him?" she said. I followed her eyes down to the entry. Water had pooled there. Gladys and Cheryl were standing next to it, looking helpless.

"Around five," said Pam. "He was in his office, said he just had a little work, would be in soon. We were supposed to have dinner together at seven and it's already eight-thirty."

"I spoke to him just before that," I said, thinking of Moreland's tumble in the lab.

"Hmm," said Jo. "Well, I'm sorry, haven't noticed a thing. Been out of commission since noon."

"Bad stomach," I said.

She gave me another challenging look. "Could he have gone off the grounds?"

"No," said Pam, wringing her hands. "He must be out there- Gladys, get me a flashlight. A big powerful one."

She started for the stairs.

"Let's look for him in a group," I said. "Is anyone else here?"

"No, Dad sent the staff home early so they wouldn't get caught in the rain." To the maids: "Did anyone stay behind?"

Gladys shook her head. Cheryl watched her mother, then imitated the gesture. Her usual stoicism was replaced by a rabbity restlessness: sniffing, rubbing her fingers together, tapping a foot.

A sharp glance from Gladys stilled her.

"Okay," said Jo, "let's do it logically-"

"Did you check the insectarium?" I said.

"I tried to get in," said Pam, "but couldn't. The new locks- do you have the keys, Alex?"

"No."

"The lights were out and I pounded hard on the door, no answer."

"Doesn't he work in the dark sometimes?" said Jo. "Doesn't he keep things dark for the bugs?"

"I guess so," said Pam. Panic stretched her sad eyes. "You're right, he could be in there, couldn't he? What if he's lying there hurt? Gladys, any idea where we can find a duplicate key?"