Night Moves
Page 35
“I’ll pass along the message.”
“Good…”
Silence.
“What’s up, Felice?”
“This might be awkward but I’m calling about my boy. Bretty’s started having problems. I knew it would happen, he’s been too unemotional about…Chet…losing his dad. He was the one who really loved Chet. Chet cared about him…as much as he could anyone…anyway, Brett’s having problems.”
“Hold on,” I said. “I’ll go somewhere private.”
“Not necessary, Dr. Delaware. Lieutenant Sturgis already knows more about my family than anyone, right?”
I walked away, anyway. “What kind of problems?”
“Like I told you, he cried a bit at first but then stopped. Now it’s all the time. Sobbing. He thinks he’s hiding it from me but I hear it. Loud sobs. When he’s alone. After he’s gone to bed. In the morning, he’s been looking ghostly, has no appetite. His schoolwork was never great but it’s gone totally to pot, he won’t even pretend. And sports, his favorite thing? Forget that, no interest—he’s getting gaunt, Doctor. He doesn’t even torment Chelsea anymore. She’s being nicer to him but that’s not it, he ignores her. Ignores me. It’s like he’s become this sad, old, diminished man.”
She sniffled. Said, “Sorry,” and began sobbing. When she spoke again her voice was a burning pile of twigs.
“So anyway, Dr. Delaware, that’s the story with my Bretty. Would there be any way for you to see him? I’ve had so much bad luck with therapists and you know the situation. I know I wasn’t gracious when Chet tried to get you—”
“Let’s set up an appointment.”
“Oh. Great.” Sighing. “When?”
“Sooner’s better than later,” I said.
“Thank you, Doctor. I can’t tell you what it means to me. Is there any chance even today?”
I checked my calendar. “I can make it at six.”
“We’ll be there. Thank you, thank you.”
I notated the appointment. Returned to Milo.
He said, “People to do, places to meet?”
“You know me, Big Guy. Popular.”
“Bet you actually were in high school. What, a custody case?”
I said, “Another story.”
To Zoe
Books by Jonathan Kellerman
FICTION
ALEX DELAWARE NOVELS
Night Moves (2018)
Heartbreak Hotel (2017)
Breakdown (2016)
Motive (2015)
Killer (2014)
Guilt (2013)
Victims (2012)
Mystery (2011)
Deception (2010)
Evidence (2009)
Bones (2008)
Compulsion (2008)
Obsession (2007)
Gone (2006)
Rage (2005)
Therapy (2004)
A Cold Heart (2003)
The Murder Book (2002)
Flesh and Blood (2001)
Dr. Death (2000)
Monster (1999)
Survival of the Fittest (1997)
The Clinic (1997)
The Web (1996)
Self-Defense (1995)
Bad Love (1994)
Devil’s Waltz (1993)
Private Eyes (1992)
Time Bomb (1990)
Silent Partner (1989)
Over the Edge (1987)
Blood Test (1986)
When the Bough Breaks (1985)
OTHER NOVELS
Crime Scene (with Jesse Kellerman, 2017)
The Murderer’s Daughter (2015)
The Golem of Paris (with Jesse Kellerman, 2015)
The Golem of Hollywood (with Jesse Kellerman, 2014)
True Detectives (2009)
Capital Crimes (with Faye Kellerman, 2006)
Twisted (2004)
Double Homicide (with Faye Kellerman, 2004)
The Conspiracy Club (2003)
Billy Straight (1998)
The Butcher’s Theater (1988)
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Silent Partner (2012)
The Web (2012)
NONFICTION
With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars (2008)
Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children (1999)
Helping the Fearful Child (1981)
Psychological Aspects of Childhood Cancer (1980)
FOR CHILDREN, WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED
Jonathan Kellerman’s ABC of Weird Creatures (1995)
Daddy, Daddy, Can You Touch the Sky? (1994)
About the Author
JONATHAN KELLERMAN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than forty crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher’s Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, True Detectives, and The Murderer’s Daughter. With his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, he co-authored Double Homicide and Capital Crimes. With his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman, he co-authored Crime Scene, The Golem of Hollywood, and The Golem of Paris. He is also the author of two children’s books and numerous nonfiction works, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children and With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association, and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. Jonathan and Faye Kellerman live in California, New Mexico, and New York.
JonathanKellerman.com
Facebook.com/JonathanKellerman
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