Jupiter's Bones by Faye Kellerman Read Free Book Online

a little internal maneuvering, but eventually Marge was given the go-ahead to interview Venus. She had expected her bedroom to adjoin Ganz’s, but it was located on the other side of the compound. She was led to the chamber, flanked by two gendarmes in white robes, each one looking very grave. One had facial hair, the other was clean-shaven, but both had close-cropped haircuts. The bearded man knocked on the door. It was answered by a smoky, female voice asking who was there. After Marge identified herself, the voice told her to come in. Beard opened the door, but didn’t dare cross the threshold—as if restrained by an invisible net.
    Marge went inside, then took a moment to look around. Spare but bright, the room held a double bed, a Shaker-like chair and a bookshelf. Venus was propped up by pillows, her legs stretched out atop the bedcover.
    Talking to her guard, she said, “You may go now, Brother Ansel.”
    The man hesitated, then spoke in a nasal voice. “Are you sure you want to be left alone with a violator, Mother Venus?”
    “Yes, I can manage. Thank you for your consideration. You may go.”
    “As you wish.” He left, throwing Marge a hostile look as he shut the door. The two women made eye contact.
    Marge said, “Thank you for seeing me, Ms….”
    “Just call me Mother Venus. Or just Venus.” She’d been reading a paperback. She put it down in the spine-up position, and pointed to the chair. “Have a seat.”
    “Thank you.” Good-looking, Marge thought. Even with red eyes and no makeup, her features were striking. Appearing to be around thirty, Venus had shoulder-length, chestnut hair that framed an oval face. Translucent green eyes were shaded by enormous lashes. Her silken complexion was wan—to be expected—but Marge detected a hint of pink at the cheekbones. She wore a bright blue robe that plunged at the neckline and fell open mid-thigh, exposing graceful legs. She wasn’t wearing a bra, but even without the support, she had cleavage. Her feet were bare and her left ankle was adorned with a gold bracelet. She lowered her gaze, then flung the bottom of the robe over her uncovered legs. Crossed and recrossed her ankles.
    Marge felt funny addressing her as Venus, although if one needed a model for the goddess of love and beauty, this one could fit the bill. She craned her neck and managed to read the paperback’s title— Faith and Beyond . She couldn’t make out the author. Extracting a notepad from her jacket, she said, “Would you mind if I took some notes?”
    “Why would I mind? I have nothing to hide.”
    Marge digested her words, translating them. She has something to hide . “I’m sorry if I have to probe into sensitive areas—”
    “You’re just doing your job.” Again, Venus recrossed her ankles.
    “What are you reading?”
    The question seemed to momentarily stump her. She glanced at her side and picked up the paperback. “This?” A shrug. “Something in Jupiter’s library. The metaphysical part is interesting, but the science is complex.” She tightened the robe around her neck. “That was Jupiter’s forte—science…physics…cosmology. Thevery origins of existence. But you know that already, don’t you.”
    “Yes, we know who Jupiter was.”
    “He was a great, great man.” Venus’s voice tightened. “I can’t believe…” A sigh.
    Marge said, “How long have you lived here, ma’am?”
    “Venus, please. Ma’am is for your world, not ours.”
    “Venus, then. How long have you been here with Jupiter?”
    “Around ten years. When Jupiter took me in, I was really messed up—drugs, alcohol, two abortions. I had no faith, no beliefs, no…nothing. Just a self-destructive idiot. Jupiter saw right through me.”
    She looked at the ceiling.
    “Anyway, this isn’t relevant to your investigation. I’m telling you this because…” Tears fell from her eyes. “You don’t know what a savior he was. I truly mean that. That’s what Jupiter did. He dropped a