One Fine Day You're Gonna Die by Gail Bowen Read Free Book Online

through the talkback is tight with excitement. “This is the real thing. The caller’s name is Paulina Terzic. She’s a member of the janitorial staff at Lakeshore Hospital. She just came off her shift and tuned us in.”
    My hear t is pounding. “Put her through,” I say. I reach for my on-air voice.
    â€œMrs. Terzic, hello.”
    â€œHello, Charlie. Two things. Have I got time for two things?”
    The woman sounds old and kind. Her accent is pronounced.
    â€œYes, but quickly.”
    â€œI understand. One: Dr. Ireland is a good man. Two: he and the little girl are in the old morgue at the hospital. Dr. Ireland and I used to meet there to talk when I was having problems with my grandson. The doctor helped me through a bad time. That’s all I have to say.” The line goes dead.
    Robin bolts upright. “The old morgue. Of course. That sound we’ve been hearing is the bell on the freight elevator. Tell the police to get in there now!”
    The Tord Gustavsen Trio beg ins another number. Nova has the phone cradled between her ear and shoulder. As she talks, she keys a message on her computer. The words appear on my screen: Cops heard Mrs. Terzic. They’re reluctant to storm the morgue in case Gabe gets spooked and injects Kali. You’re their best option. You have to convince Gabe to give himself up and let Kali live.
    Robin has pushed her chair toward me so she can see the screen. When she reads the final sentence aloud, her voice is ragged. Her eyes meet mine. “Please,” she says. “It’s up to you.”
    I inhale, lean forward and flip on my microphone. “We’re back. And once again, it’s the Gabe and Charlie Show. That means no calls please. No emails. No texts. But prayers and good thoughts are welcome. Is that okay with you, Gabe?”
    Gabe’s laugh is edged with sadness. “Prayers and good thoughts are always welcome,” he says. “Now I need your help with something, Charlie. I’m certain the authorities are monitoring your show tonight, but could you remind them that if they force my hand, I’ll have to move very quickly and that will frighten Kali?”
    â€œThey’re listening, Gabe. But I will remind them to exercise extreme caution. We’re all jumpy, but nobody wants to make a mistake.”
    â€œThanks. Right now, we’re on schedule. Kali’s already reached the Candy Castle. I’ve lost my last game. Are we having fun, Kali?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œAs long as no one tries to come into our hiding place, we’ll keep on having fun.” Gabe’s pleasant tenor is soothing. “Kali knows exactly how it’s going to be. She’s wearing her magic pajamas with the stars that shine in the dark, and…Kali, why don’t you tell Mummy what’s going to happen?”
    â€œWon’t that wreck the surprise?” Kali asks.
    When she hears her daughter’s voice, Robin bows her head.
    â€œNo,” Gabe says. “Because Mummy doesn’t need to see us getting the surprise ready. She just needs to see what we’ve done.”
    â€œSo it will still be a surprise for her,” Kali says.
    â€œIt will still be a surprise,” Gabe agrees.
    â€œOkay. Mummy when the clock strikes twelve, Gabe’s going to turn out the lights so we can see the moons and stars on my pajamas light up in the dark, and we’re going to watch them until we fall asleep.”
    â€œOh god!” Robin’s moan is primal—the cry of a trapped animal.
    â€œTime to get ready,” Gabe says. “Let’s turn out the lights. Wow, Kali—the moon and stars on your pajamas really do glow in the dark.”
    â€œWhen I move my arms, I can turn the stars into shooting stars,” Kali says. “Look Gabe!”
    â€œThat’s so beautiful, Kali. Now I’m going to push your sleeve up just a tiny bit. I’ll bet the moon and the stars