Page 36 (1/1)

I pulled into the narrow drive, following it until it opened out into the ehts as if a ress, but there was no sound and not a soul in sight, no cars visible I parked and moved toward the entrance One of thedevice, opened the door as I approached She stepped back, ad me without comment

"Where’s Mrs Callahan?"

She closed the door and started down the hall I followed She tapped at the door to Glen’s study and then turned the knob and stepped back again, letting me pass into the room

Glen was dressed in a pale pink robe, huddled in one of the wing-back chairs, knees drawn up She raised her face, which ollen and waterlogged It looked as if all of her e over, cheeks washed with tears, her nose running Even her hair was damp For a moment, still in disbelief, I stood there and looked at her and she looked ather hand I crossed and knelt by her chair I took her hand-sainst my cheek

"Oh Glen, I’ acknowledg a low sound in her throat, not even a clearly articulated cry It was a sound more primitive than that She started to speak, but she could only lish, devoid of sense What difference did it e it She began to cry as children cry, deep, shuddering sobs that went on and on I clung to her hand, offering her a rief

Finally, I could feel the turbulence pass like a battering rain cloud o ofin a deep breath She took out a handkerchief and pressed it against her eyes, then blew her nose She paused, apparently looking inward, much in the way one does at the end of an attack of hiccups

She sighed "Oh God, hoill I get through this?" she said, and the tears welled up again, splashing down her face She regained control after aher head "Jesus Shit I don’t think I can do this, Kinsey You know? Its just too hard and I don’t have that kind of strength"

"You want me to call anyone?"

"No, not now It’s too late and what’s the point? In the et in touch with Sufi She’ll come"

"What about Kleinert? You want me to let him know?"

She shook Her head "Bobby couldn’t stand hih Is Derek back?" Her tone was anxious now, her face tense

"I don’t think so You want a drink?"

"No, but help yourself if you like The liquor’s in there"

"Maybe later" I wanted so, but I wasn’t sure what it was Not a drink I was afraid alcohol would eat through the thin veneer of self-control The last thing in the world she needed was to have to turn around and coe flashed into ht to her just two nights ago He had turned autoood side of his face It had been one of his last nights sleep on this earth, but neither of thelanced up at her and she was looking at lanced away, but not quickly enough Soing door Sorrow shot through the gap, catching uard, and I burst into tears

Chapter 12

Everything happens for a reason, but that doesn’t htmare, the eantry of Bobby’s death Because I’d appeared in the first rief, Glen Callahan seeht provide a solace for her pain

Dr Kleinert agreed to release Kitty until after the burial, and an attempt was made to reach Bobbys natural father overseas, but he never responded and nobody seeh the funeral hoh-school classmates, fanitaries, members of the various boards Glen served on The Who’s Who of Santa Teresa After that first night, Glen was totally co to every detail of Bobby’s funeral It would be done properly It would be done in the best of taste I would be on hand throughout

I had thought Derek and Kitty would resent my constant presence, but both seele- prospect to them