Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway Read Free Book Online Page A

dressing must be kept dry during the recovery period.”
    â€œWhich is?”
    â€œAbout two weeks,” I said, dispensing my newfound knowledge.
    He grimaced.
    â€œI’ll be over early in the morning to change the dressing—and run that print job.”

    He stared at me hard. “Why?”
    â€œWhy what?”
    â€œWhy are you doing all this? You have my gun. I’m helpless. You can leave us anytime.”
    I shrugged. “It’s for Lolly. She was a big help to me today.”
    Lolly beamed. “It’s true, Daddy.”
    â€œOne good turn deserves another.” I began packing up my equipment. “Do you need anything? Food? Supplies? I could bring them tomorrow.”
    â€œLolly can take care of that.” His tone was sharp again.
    I was relieved by the return of his gruff manner. The very submissive patient is often a very sick patient. I turned to Lolly. “You remember those pills I gave you in the kitchen?”
    She looked blank.
    Uh-oh. Short-term memory might not be one of Lolly’s strong points, I realized. “I’ll show them to you again before I go.” I scribbled my cell number on a prescription blank and handed it to Max. “Call me, no matter how late, if the pain increases, your hand begins to throb, or if you think you have a fever. Anything at all.”
    He took the slip of paper with his left hand and stuffed it in his shirt pocket.
    I went with Lolly to the kitchen and found the two Percocet tablets on the table where I’d left them. I filled a glass with water and carried the glass and the tablets back to the parlor. “These are for pain. Don’t be afraid to take them. Do you want me to help you with the stairs?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œOkay. Okay.” Overkill, I thought. Back off, Jo. Time to leave.
    Â 
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    I was going out the door when Lolly said, “Will the police be back today?”
    I froze on the threshold.

    â€œThey came this afternoon—to talk to Daddy.”
    So that’s what upset him, I thought. Since my throat was paralyzed, she went on. “They said they were asking all the neighbors about the body down the road. They wanted to know if Daddy knew anything about it.”
    â€œDid he?” It came out before I could think.
    Lolly frowned, trying to remember.
    â€œDid your dad know anything about the body?” I asked in a quieter tone.
    She shook her head.
    A wave of relief washed over me—until I realized this didn’t prove anything. What else would Max say?
    â€œIf they come again, call me,” I told her. “Promise?”
    She nodded, her expression solemn.
    â€œDon’t worry.” I gave her a quick hug. I wanted to tell her everything was going to be all right, but I couldn’t be sure of that.

CHAPTER 13
    As I trolled down the darkening road, mulling over this latest development, I spied two small figures walking along the side. As I drew nearer, I recognized them. Bobby and Becca, two young friends of mine. I shut off my motor and coasted up to them.
    â€œHi, Jo!” Becca’s face lighted up.
    Bobby, more reserved, gave me a cautious smile.
    â€œWhat are you two guys up to? Isn’t it a bit late to be out on a school night?”
    â€œWe’ve done our homework,” Bobby said hastily.
    Becca, the older—and cooler—of the two, didn’t deign to answer my question. “We’re planning something,” she said enigmatically.
    â€œOh?”
    â€œWe’re planning a magic show,” Bobby said, letting the cat out of the bag.
    â€œWe’re deciding what tricks to do. We have a book. See?” He held up a tattered paperback bristling with colored markers. I could just read the title in the twilight. Magic Tricks: Fool Your Family and Friends.
    â€œSounds good. Where are you going to hold this show? In a barn?”

    â€œWe’re performing in a talent show at the junior high school