Death In Paradise by Robert B. Parker Read Free Book Online Page A

lighted. People sat, mostly on the afterdeck, and drank cocktails.
    They looked at their menus. They both ordered lobster salad.
    "You know what my shrink told me?" Jenn said.
    Jesse smiled. "No," he said. "I don't."
    "He said that the bond between us was truly impressive."
    "Even though we're divorced," Jesse said.
    "Maybe more so because we're not together."
    "So the bond has to be strong," Jesse said.
    "It's all there is to hold us," Jenn said.
    "Maybe it shouldn't," Jesse said. "Maybe we should move on."
    "We should," Jenn said.
    "But we don't," Jesse said.
    "We can't," Jenn said.
    "But we don't get married."
    "I can't," Jenn said.
    "And we're not monogamous."
    "When I think of it," Jenn said. "You and me, till death do us part… I feel claustrophobic."
    "You and the shrink figured out why that is?"
    "Not yet," Jenn said.
    Jesse looked at Jenn's face. He knew it so well. He felt the need begin to rise like water filling a glass. He wanted a drink. Something more than cranberry juice. He felt that need rising too, and the needs became one need. He took in some air.
Hang on
. He took in a big breath and exhaled slowly, trying not to let it show. Jenn put her hand out and rested it on his hand.
    "But we will," she said.
    "I hope so," Jesse said.
    His voice was flat with the effort of repression.
    "I do too," Jenn said.
    "Maybe you and he will find a way to break the bond," Jesse said.
    "I don't think so," Jenn said.
    "Good."
    "This is very hard," Jenn said.
    "It is."
    Jenn's hand was still resting on his forearm.
    "But we're still here," Jenn said softly.
    "We are," Jesse said.

Chapter Sixteen
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    "What makes you think she'll show up here?" Molly said.
    She sat beside Jesse in his unmarked car, parked across from an ice cream stand on the Lynn Shore Drive, above the beach.
    "Lilly Summers told me the kids hang out here."
    "The principal?"
    "Un-huh."
    "Did she also tell you that school records show Billie Bishop's parents to be Henry and Sandra Bishop?"
    "Actually," Jesse grinned at Molly, "she told you that when you called her."
    "Nice to be remembered," Molly said. "So why don't you just confront them with the record?"
    "I thought I might learn more by talking to the kid first," Jesse said, "before everybody shuts down because they're scared or mad or defensive or whatever they'll get."
    "You only saw her that one time," Molly said. "You sure you'll recognize her?"
    Jesse smiled.
    "Of course you will," Molly said. "Cancel the question."
    It was a still July day. There was no air movement. The foliage in the little park looked thick and permanent. The ocean was still. Insects hummed. Around the ice cream stand young kids gathered in a colorful confusion of tee shirts, shorts, high-priced sneakers, and expensive bicycles. Occasionally someone bought ice cream.
    "They're the right age group," Jesse said.
    "Twelve to fourteen," Molly said. "I got a couple."
    "Tough being that age," Jesse said.
    "Tough being a kid," Molly said.
    Jesse nodded. He looked steadily across the street at the kids.
    "This principal," Molly said, "Dr. Summers?"
    Jesse nodded.
    "How's she look?"
    "Good," Jesse said.
    Molly waited. Jesse kept looking at the kids.
    "Anything there?" Molly said.
    "You mean sex?" Jesse said.
    "Sure," Molly said. "Or romance, or companionship, or fun."
    "Not while you're still around," Jesse said.
    Molly laughed.
    "I'm a married Irish Catholic," she said. "I don't do any of that stuff."
    "So how come you got four kids?"
    "I have to sleep sometime," Molly said. "What about Doc Summers?"
    Jesse smiled.
    "If she presses me," Jesse said, "I may have to sleep with her."
    Carla Bishop pedaled up on a black mountain bike with green striping.
    "There's the sister," Jesse said.
    Carla was talking with some animation to three other girls near the corner of the ice cream stand. The two cops got out of the car and moved across through the crowd. Molly was in uniform. Jesse was not. Those kids that noticed at all eyed the