Page 91 (1/1)

"As I told Agent Sherlock, the guy who lives here, his nahters, ages eight and ten, inside the house, and won’t let thehbor about an hour and a half ago They’d heard a gunshot and some screams We think the husband went nuts Why, we don’t know Joe Gaines, the one with the bullhorn, is frouy to talk to hiuy hasn’t talked much, except to yell out once that his nalas Barrister That’s e ran the naent Sherlock" He paused aSavich "Okay, you said this is personal too I’ve told you the facts as I know them, now it’s your turn to fill me in"

Savich said, "We need hiation, and I know a great deal about his life Give ot to be the one to speak to hih to him His mother is the reason he cracked, and I’m the only one who knows her She’s extraordinarily i to have to trust hters Austin too"

Chief Gerber had listened intently, listened to every inflection, then made a decision "Under nor who drives up in a red Porsche anywhere close to that house" He fell silent Then he slowly nodded "Guess these circuent Savich the bullhorn, he’ll need it Duncan, get Agent Savich a Kevlar vest Keep your traps shut, I’ll take responsibility" He studied Savich’s face "You’re really sure about this?"

"As sure as I can be about anything"

"I recognize you now You’re the FBI guy heading the murder case at the Supreme Court, aren’t you?"

"Yes"

Officer Duncan handed Savich a vest Savich stripped off his leather jacket, peeled off his leather gloves, and tossed them to Sherlock He pulled on the vest over his shirt When he put on his leather jacket, he zipped it over his belt holster He said low to Sherlock, taking her hands in his, "Another day in Paradise, right, sweetheart? Pray a little"

She wanted to wrap her aro She didn’t want hiun-wielding maniac inside She said, "I will pray, you can count on that" Her mouth was dry with fear She sed, but her voice still came out scratchy and hoarse "Take care, Dillon" She stepped back She felt soainst her back, felt a man’s hand on her arm It was Ben, with Callie beside hian his trek to the driveway A large oak tree stood tall just off center in the front yard He saw a basketball hoop set up over the double garage doors The net was ripped, showing lots of use There were a couple of girls’ bikes leaning against the closed left garage door He walked past dor the front of the house The curtains were drawn over the single large front pictureHe are of the low murmur of cop voices behind him, and farther away, the worried and excited conversation of the neighbors He wondered if there would be another shot and he’d be dead before he hit the ground

He stopped just before he stepped off the driveway onto the sidewalk that led to the narrow front porch He raised the bullhorn "Martin, Austin--ent I know your mother It’s because of her that I’m here She’s really worried about you If you talk to me I can tell you all about it"

Dead silence

"Your mother, Samantha Barrister, is worried about you, Austin Let me come in and tell you what she said to me"

Savich didn’t move, just held the bullhorn loosely at his side

There was movement inside the house, then a woman’s low voice The as alive, thank God

Savich stood still as a stone, the cold seeping through his boots and gloves He finally saw the front door crack open, saw a flicker of las Barrister--standing close behind the partially open doorway, out of the line of fire from the police at the curb

He didn’t say another word, just waited

"You’re a liar," Austin said "My mom’s been dead for thirty years You hear me? So to me like this?"