Fzzt! Beer tab tops flipped across the room. The case of Bud that Lyon had brought was rapidly dwindling. Half a dozen pairs of hands reached into the case of beer, shook cans, ripped off tabs with a flourish, and spurted beer toward the ceiling. Beer spewed past his ear as someone cackled. Lyon ...
The turreted brownstone building seemed to squat between the hills. It dominated the surrounding fields and woods like a feudal castle, but without the warmth of an English manor. It was a bleak house, with high flat walls broken only by an occasional window or small ornamental balcony. A line of...
The Shirley Temples were almost identical, although one wore a white dress with red polka dots, the other a sailor suit. Sonja Henie, her skates glinting in the sun, seemed not at all awed by the company, and sat most regally while the other little girls arranged the curve of her feet in order th...
Bea stood before the small mirror over the dresser in the hospital room putting the finishing touches to her appearance. Lyon had brought fresh clothing from the house. She had taken a long hot shower and done her hair, and now she gave a final few brushes to her short-cropped hair as she examine...
Garland’s Mistress? CHAPTER SIX There were splotches of dark in the turquoise ocean as the reefs and shallows sloped upwards from the ocean floor to form the island group. With a gull-like sweep the plane circled the islands. They both gave a start as the engine tempo changed dramatically and the...
It was located almost directly across the river from Nutmeg Hill. Its high perch overlooking the valley demanded broad expanses of window. The recent return to the area of a few eagles provided further amusement for the inn’s customers. These large birds, in their predatory circling over the rive...
She gazed blankly ahead with the haunted look of a combat-weary soldier’s 1,000-yard stare. Lyon wondered if she were in shock, although her respirations seemed to be within normal limits. He decided she was well enough to leave for a few minutes and hurried from the gym to the phone in her offic...
As if by mutual agreement, the children appeared along the walk and moved toward the patiently waiting Rocco, positioned in the center of the street. The little girls moved in small, serious clusters, while the boys hung back, engaged in the conspiratorial formation of secret clubs that would eng...
She was a squat woman with black cropped bangs. Her dark eyes set in a square face were partially distorted by thick glasses as she squinted toward L.C. “Yes?” “It’s L.C. Converse, Mrs. Strickland. I wonder if I could talk to Herb a minute?” Recognition finally passed over the other woman’s face....
Tears brimmed in her eyes. Her hands hung loosely at her sides, and she tilted slightly forward, her head lowered against her chest. “I know I’m being dumb,” she said in a voice he could barely hear. “This sort of thing sometimes happens when you’ve been married a long time. I know it’s not the e...
The small earphone was inserted in his right ear. He leaned across the desk and supported his head with both hands. His palms were clammy. The sound fidelity of the small machine centered on his desk filled him with wonder coupled with revulsion. The voices swirled around him. The man’s guttural ...
The shot glass clattered into the bar sink where its contents seeped through the drain. Although he had served in two wars—including three Viet Nam tours—was a holder of a bronze star, a purple heart, and a combat infantryman badge, Sarge Renfroe was frightened by Rocco Herbert. ‘What’s your nigh...
“I thought you’d rather talk.” “I’VE GOT TO HELP THEM FLY THIS THING. LET ME CONCENTRATE.” Bea griped the armrests, braced her feet on the flooring, and pushed back against the cushion. The 727 shivered and then streaked down the runway. He reached toward her right ear and adjusted the hearing ai...