reading.
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C harles called the detective handling the local murders to ask about Shannon Pitcher, and Gordon knew from his face that she hadnât been found yet.
âI think I made a mistake,â he told Gordon. Â âIâm sorry, man.â
âWeâll find them,â Gordon replied, refusing to give despair a foothold.
Charles nodded. Â âWeâll start in Normal Hills. Â Her father-in-law might know where she is. Â Even if he doesnât, itâs the logical place to start.â
âHer ex-husbandâs house?â
âThatâs what I was thinking, if itâs still empty.â Â Charles pulled his gun from the desk drawer and began the cleaning ritual. Â âEven if sheâs not at her exâs place, Normal Hills is her home. Â Sheâs only been in Riverside for a few months.â
âIf sheâs running, itâs probably back home,â Gordon concluded. Â âFamiliar territory?â
âYou catch on quick, Gordon,â Charles said. Â Finishing with his gun, he reloaded and tucked it back into its holster. Â âYouâve been spending too much time with me.â
âYouâve been spending too much time with me, I think,â Gordon replied, hating what he was about to say next. Â âItâs not like you to screw up.â
Charlesâ brown cheeks darkened, his mouth pulled into a frown. Â âLook, friend, I said I was sorry. Â We should have followed her.â
âDonât be sorry,â Gordon said. Â âDo me a favor and itâs forgotten.â Â He handed the book over.
Charles looked uneasy as he accepted it. Â He read the cover, then looked back at Gordon. Â âStill havenât got that bug out of your butt?â
âJust indulge me,â Gordon said. Â âPlease, I promise to shut up about it.â
âSure,â Charles said, shaking his head. Â âWhat do you want me to do?â
âSee if you can find the author for me, Iâd like to talk to her.â Â Gordon braved Charlesâ disbelieving stare and continued. âAnd Iâd like you to read some of the passages. Â Iâve marked the pages for you. Â I know you think Iâm losing touch, but I think youâll be surprised.â
âIf I do this and Iâm still not convinced, youâll leave me alone, right?â
âSwear,â Gordon said.
âFine,â Charles replied and dialed his secretary back east. Â âI have been around you too long. Â I canât believe Iâm doing this.â Â He cradled the receiver between his shoulder and chin, opening the cover with obvious distaste. Â âDeeâs going to think Iâve lost it.â
Gordon waited silently.
âDee, itâs Charles,â he said, bracing himself against her wrath. Â Â Why havenât you called, and you need to let me know whatâs going on, etc. Â âYeah . . . I know, Dee.â He rolled his eyes. Â Gordon knew she was an asset to Charles, but sometimes she acted like his keeper. Â âI know, Iâm sorry. Â Listen Dee, I need you to do something for me.â Â He paused, rolled his eyes again, and said, âOkay. Â Â Please , could you do me a favor?â
There was another pause, and then he grinned and shook his head again. Â âYes, I know . . . and yes, you are.â
Gordon couldnât sit any longer. Â As foolish as it all seemed, it felt very important to him.
Charles watched him pace for a second and looked back at the book. Â âI need you to locate someone. Jeannine Carter, a writer, she wrote a book called Legend Of The Bogey Man: The Truth Told In Centuries .â Â More silence, then he frowned. Â âYeah, I know,â he said, giving Gordon an annoyed look. Â âShe may know something.â
Gordon paced, feeling more foolish as
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