Daniel Hecht_Cree Black 02 by Land of Echoes Read Free Book Online Page B

desperate, and it looks like it could be a really important case. There's this kid who . . . Well, I shouldn't
     really talk about it. But I won't be showing up this week after all. I'm hoping we can reschedule my visit, maybe put it off.
     . . oh, three weeks? Can you get some time free then?" With all her hesitations, this was becoming a lengthy message, and
     it was all wrong anyway, no emotional weight. Hurrying, she tried again: "I'm really disappointed. I was really looking forward
     to seeing you sooner. I miss you. I hope you've had a fabulous day. Call me, okay?"
    Bleep.
    Relationships in the technological era! she cursed.
    She put down the phone and got a can of Coors from the minibar. Back at the window, she popped it and took a cold swig. If
     only she'd taken an immediate dislike to Julieta McCarty. If only Mason hadn't piqued her curiosity despite her fury at him.
     If only it didn't involve a kid whose life really did seem to be on the line.
    Down on Central, a police car sparked as it swerved through slower traffic, turned onto a side street, and finally disappeared
     into the maze of neighborhood streets. A moment later, an ambulance sped from the other direction and turned onto the same
     street. Some desperate human situation out there in the sprawling city. It was a lonesome view.
    She put down the beer to dial Deirdre's number. Nine o'clock on a Thursday night—no, eight in Seattle—they wouldn't be in
     bed yet at her sister's house.
    One of the twins answered. Hard to tell which on the basis of one word.
    "Hi," Cree said tentatively.
    "No, this is Zoe."
    "I didn't mean 'Hy' as in Hyacinth, I meant 'Hi' as in 'hello.'" This was ritual vaudeville they went through whenever Cree
     got Zoe. When she got Hyacinth, the stock response was, "How did you know it was me?"
    In the background, Cree heard the cacophony of some TV show. She could picture Deirdre and Don and the two girls, sitting
     in their snug Craftsman home, the lights warm on the nice fabrics Dee had done their living room in. A low-key Thursday night,
     some family time. Probably watching the Discovery Channel—it was something about crocodiles—and munching microwave popcorn.
     The image offered an unsettling contrast to the blank, black hotel room window and the naked urban sky.
    "Are you still in New Mexico?" Zoe asked.
    "Yeah. Actually, the reason I called was to tell you guys I won't be able to make your birthday party on Tuesday."
    "Just a minute," Zoe ordered. "Can you guys turn it down? " Back to Cree: "What did you say?"
    "I said I've got to stay on here for a few days, maybe longer. Kind of an emergency. I won't be able to get there for your
     birthday party."
    "Oh, man. Mom's going to be p—. . . um, peeved." Zoe muffled the receiver, but Cree could still hear the scowl in her voice
     as she called out to her family, "Great! Aunt Cree isn't coming to the party!"
    "I'm really sorry, Zoe. I've got some presents for you girls, though. I miss you like crazy. Hey, you should have seen where
     I went today—this tram ride that went up the mountain here? Like being in an airplane. Zoe, seriously, you'd have loved it."
    Zoe didn't answer. Cree heard the noise of the receiver being handled and then Hyacinth was there. "Hi, Aunt Cree. Why can't
     you come?"
    "Oh, there are some people who need my help here. It's an emer­gency."
    "A ghost emergency?"
    "Yeah," Cree said, wondering if that was quite the way to describe it.
    "Well, I hope it turns out all right for them. Do you think it's significant?"
    The two girls were identical twins, yet they were as different as the Fourth of July and Easter. As always, Hy had gone to
     the heart of the issue, instantly feeling concern for the client. Just going on eleven years old but so adult. "Significant":
     She'd heard Cree use the word before.
    "Could be, yes. I should talk to your mom now, Hy. Sorry I can't make it Tuesday. Have a great party. I love you girls like
     a pile of elephants, okay?