Parker 05 - The Darkness by Jason Pinter Read Free Book Online

sources confirm that the brutality
    with which the killer or killers ravaged Mr. Tsang's body
    was done with some sort of message in mind. And since
    the city medical examiner Leon Binks has confirmed that
    over one hundred of Mr. Tsang's bones were broken
    before the body was found in the river, that message will
    be heard loud and clear."
    Amanda shook her head. It was still hard to fathom just
    how much evil there was in the world. How normal
    people seemed to be at risk leading normal lives.
    And then she realized why Darcy had taped the segment.
    The Darkness
    47
    Standing by a yellow line of police tape, talking to a
    uniformed officer, was Henry.
    Amanda watched. Henry was just doing his job, but
    something about him being so close to death always
    unnerved her.
    When the clip ended, Amanda walked back into the
    guest room and grabbed the cell phone. She dialed Henry's
    number at work. It rang through and went to voice mail.
    Then she tried his cell again. Right to voice mail.
    "Henry...it's me. I know I just called, but I just wanted
    to say I love you and please be safe."
    Amanda hung up the phone and put on her pajamas.
    Then she tucked herself under the warm covers and
    turned off the light. Not for sleep. That wouldn't come.
    Not until the phone rang. Not until she knew for sure
    Henry was on his way home.
    When I got home it was close to midnight. I sloughed
    off all the detritus from the day: wallet, keys, loose change,
    cell phone. The phone was off. I'd forgotten to turn it back
    on after Jack and I had left the crime scene. I turned it back
    on, saw there were two messages waiting for me.
    My heart sank when I heard Amanda's voice on both
    of them. In the first she seemed relaxed. The time stamp
    meant she'd likely sent it just after getting home from
    work. The second was sent less than half an hour later,
    but she sounded worried, hesitant. I had no idea what
    could have happened in that short time frame, but the
    moment I erased the messages I was calling her back.
    She picked up before the first ring was finished.
    "Henry?" her sweet voice said.
    "Hey, baby, it's me."
    "Are you home?"
    48
    Jason Pinter
    "Sure am. Pretty exhausted, but it's been a hell of a
    day. I'll fill you in tomorrow."
    "Are you home for good?"
    "You mean tonight?"
    "Yeah."
    "Yes...just getting ready for bed."
    "Do me a favor. Make sure your door is locked."
    "Is everything okay?" I didn't know where all of this
    was coming from. "Do you want me to come over?"
    "No. Just promise me you'll stay safe."
    "I promise," I said.
    "Good. Thanks, Henry. Now get a good night's sleep.
    I'll talk to you tomorrow."
    She hung up, but something gnawed at my gut. Like
    Amanda knew something I didn't.
    6
    Tuesday
    I was on the corner of Fifty-seventh and Sixth. It was
    seven-thirty in the morning. Jack had told me to meet him
    at eight-thirty. So unless he showed up an hour early just
    to prove a point, I'd be the first one there. Of course you
    could make the argument that I showed up an hour early
    just to make my own point, but that was semantics. I
    wanted and needed Jack to respect my work ethic. If my
    professional accomplishments hadn't yet convinced him,
    he'd just have to witness it firsthand.
    I was still a little on edge from my conversation with
    Amanda. We'd spoken briefly this morning before she left
    for work, and something was definitely wrong. Again
    she'd told me to promise that I'd stay safe. She'd never
    done anything like that, at least not without cause or some
    psycho killer breathing down our backs. I'd see her tonight.
    We'd talk, and hopefully everything would be all right.
    They needed to be. I needed that much stability in my life
    right now, and I needed her to know that I was reliable.
    At eight-fifteen the familiar tweed jacket rounded the
    corner. Jack was clutching a large coffee and munching on
    50
    Jason Pinter
    a bagel. Cream cheese was stuck in his beard. He nodded
    as he drew close, said, "Henry. Way to be on