Free When Darkness Falls by James Grippando Page B

work and carefully opened the victim’s mouth with a long, probing instrument. “What this bump tells us is that there is something lodged in her throat.”
    Alicia took a half-step closer. Dr. Petrak was right: This was getting interesting.
    “Of course, the X-ray didn’t hurt my diagnosis much, either.” The doctor shined a laser of light deep into the victim’s gaping mouth. The front teeth were missing, though it was difficult to tell if that was a result of the beating or of simple neglect over the years. The shattered molars, though, were clearly the work of the same lead pipe that had demolished her cheekbone. Dr. Petrak probed with his forceps, his hand as steady as a heart surgeon’s. The bulge in her throat was due mostly to the missing molars, but Dr. Petrak seemed to be searching for something else. Finally, with a turn of the wrist, he had it. He carefully removed the object and placed it on the dissection tray.
    “What is it?” Alicia asked.
    He held the tray before them for a closer look. “What does it look like?” he asked.
    Alicia studied it for a moment. “A metal bead,” she said. “Like those add-a-bead necklaces that preppy girls used to wear.”
    “Except that this one is lead, not gold,” said Dr. Petrak. “I found six others just like it inside the victim’s stomach.”
    “You mean she swallowed them?” said Detective Barber.
    “Apparently so,” said the doctor.
    “Why would she do that?” said Alicia.
    “You can answer that as well as I,” said the doctor. “Think in very simple terms. To do this work, you must constantly remind yourself not to skip over the obvious. So, she swallowed them because…”
    Alicia wished otherwise, but she had no idea where the doctor was headed.
    “Think in the most basic sense,” he said. “Why do we do anything in life?”
    “Because we want to?” she said.
    “Very good,” said Dr. Petrak. “Or?”
    Alicia considered the possibilities. “Because someone forces us?”
    “Excellent,” said the doctor.
    “But why would anyone force her to swallow metal beads?” said Alicia.
    “Ah,” said Dr. Petrak as he switched off the spotlight. “That’s where my job ends. And yours begins.”

chapter 13
    F alcon was on the run. Or, perhaps, “in flight” was a better way to put it.
    One foot in front of the other. That was his mantra. Had to keep moving. The night air was cold, but he didn’t feel it. In fact, he was sweating heavily beneath his layers of clothing. He was wearing everything he owned-two T-shirts, a sweatshirt, a windbreaker, and his winter coat. The layers did more than fight the cold. He was a veritable walking suitcase, packed up and moving on to a more hospitable corner of the uncivilized world. He knew he would never see his car again. Going back to the river was not an option. Standing still was a luxury that he could ill afford. He had to keep moving farther and farther away, until his legs gave out and he could travel no more. What was that saying-just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you? Maybe it was time to leave Miami. Maybe even the country. But how?
    The money. His Bahamian safe deposit box held more than enough to take him anywhere he wanted to go. True, he had vowed never to touch it. Many times over the past several months, he had even tried to give it to the rightful owner. The fact that Swyteck had been able to withdraw ten thousand dollars for his bail, however, told Falcon that his offer had been rejected and that the money was still sitting there. Unless Swyteck stole it. He wouldn’t do that, would he? Ha! Who could resist that temptation? There was absolutely no risk of ever being caught.
    Where’s my money, Swyteck?
    What money?
    The cash in the safe deposit box.
    There was no cash in that box.
    I had two hundred grand in there!
    Yeah, right. Tell it to the police, pal.
    “Damn you, Swyteck! You stole my money!”
    Falcon was cutting through a parking lot