Play Dead by Harlan Coben

Gloria.'
    She nodded.
    'My name is Stan Baskin. I'm David's brother.'
    'I'm so sorry about your brother. I loved him very much. He was a wonderful person.'
    Stan lowered his head in a nod. 'I loved him too, Gloria.'
    'It's not fair.'
    'I . . . I just can't believe my brother is really dead. I keep asking why this happened, if I did something . . .'
    'You?'
    'The truth is we fought a lot the last few years. You can't imagine how much I regret the past. I wonder if I had been a better brother . . .'
    'You shouldn't torture yourself.'
    'I never had a chance to say I was sorry,' he continued, 'to tell him how much I loved him.' Stan took her hand then, his wet eyes finding hers. As much as she did not want to think such a thing right now, Gloria couldn't help but be attracted to him. He was very handsome, with looks that were similar to David's. And the way he had opened up to her, the way he had not been afraid to be emotional in front of her . . . just like David.
    She could see now that he was on the verge of tears again. She reached out to hold him but he drew away. 'I'm sorry to be troubling you, Gloria.'
    'Don't be silly.'
    'You're so beautiful and you've been so kind to me. I hope we can see each other again soon.'
    'I hope so too.'
    'I'm a stranger in Boston, and I feel comfortable with you and your sister. I . . . I hope you don't mind if I call you once in a while.'
    Why did her heart leap so when he spoke? 'I'd like that, Stan. I'd like that very much.'
    Stan turned away from Gloria and began to walk away.
    Did you see that body? I thought ol' Stan My Man was going to pass out! A rollercoaster doesn't have that many curves. And Gloria digs me, no doubt about that. I can always tell ---
    Bam!
    Somebody bumped into Stan with a significant amount of power. The blow knocked Stan out of his daydream. When he focused, he saw a face he had not seen in almost a decade.
    T.C. glared at him. 'What the fuck are you doing here?' he hissed.
    Stan quickly recovered. 'Why, it's little Terry Conroy. Long time no see. You've put on a few pounds, old buddy.'
    'I asked you a question.'
    'Can't a man mourn the death of his only brother?'
    'A man, yes. A piece of shit like you, no.'
    'Big talk from the city cop. You are a policeman now, aren't you, T.C.?'
    'What are you doing here?'
    'Is this an official interrogation?'
    'Call it what you want.'
    'How about none of your business?'
    'How about I smash your head through a window?'
    'Good idea, T.C. Why don't you make a big scene in front of everyone and disturb their mourning? How does that sound?'
    'If you dare bother anyone -- '
    'Please, T.C., would I do something like that?'
    'Get the hell out of here.'
    'Oh, I'm sorry. I was under the impression this was the Ayars's house. I never realized it was yours. The Boston Police Department must pay very well.'
    'What are you doing in Boston anyway?'
    'Paying a condolence call to my lovely sister-in-law.'
    'Let me warn you, shithead, that if you harm her in any way -- '
    'T.C., can't you see I've changed? I'm a new man.'
    'Shit doesn't change its stink. It only breaks down into nothing.'
    'Colorfully put. I must remember that. Anyway, as much as I've enjoyed this conversation, I really must be going now.'
    'Back to Michigan?'
    'Not yet. I thought I might hang around Boston for a while.'
    'I wouldn't advise it, Stan. This city can be awfully tough on strangers.'
    'A threat? How nice. If you'll excuse me . . .'
    T.C. grabbed his arm. 'I'm warning you, Stan. Don't try to pull any of your shit. I remember what you did to David.'
    For the first time, Stan's eyes grew angry. 'You know nothing about what happened between David and me.' He pulled away but T.C. hung on. He pulled harder. 'Let go of me now, you tub of shit,' he half whispered, half yelled. 'I happen to be his brother. I'm part of his family. You, on the other hand, are just another in a long line of people who sucked up to my brother for personal gain.'
    T.C. let go. 'Get out, Stan. Get