The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay Read Free Book Online Page A

reminiscent of Barry White.
    “Yeah.”
    “But,” he said, “his brother donates a shitload to this department.”
    “Is that a warning to be nice?” I finally looked at him as the Motts disappeared around the corner.
    “It is what it is, Madigan. We make nice with the folks who provide us with state-of-the-art weapons and funding. So, you wanna tell me what happened in Underground?”
    “Just defending myself. They seemed to have a grudge against ITF.”
    He chuckled. “Who doesn’t? Listen, the doc is looking for you.”
    “But—” I had to talk to him about a transfer.
    “No buts, Madigan. You’ve missed the last two psych evaluations. Make sure you stop by her office on the way out.” He turned back to his office, but paused and gave me the infamous eye—a piercing black stare no one could take for more than a few seconds. “And I’m not asking.”
    I inhaled deeply. The last thing I wanted was to be analyzed by some Ph.D. who didn’t know the first thing about tracking a crook, facing a ghoul with a bad attitude, or dodging a bullet. Emma would be home from school soon, and I didn’t have time for this. Screw the doc.
    As I started down the hall, the chief stuck his head out of his office, holding a cell phone a few inches away from his ear. “I mean it, Madigan. Go see her.”
    Great.
    I did a one-eighty and headed back the other way with a sharp glare at the chief, but he’d already shut his office door.
    Fine. But I was going to make this as quick as possible.
    Doctor Berkowitz, or Doctor Berk, as we called her, peeked over the upper rim of her stylish horn-rimmed glasses as I entered the Loony Room … er, office.
    “Officer Madigan, please have a seat.” She set aside the papers on her desk, folded her delicate hands on the polished surface, and waited for me to comply.
    The brown leather chair begged me to sink down into its comfy cushions and lay open all my deepest and darkest fears. I perched on the edge, not falling for tricks. My hands fell limp in my lap, and I had to concentrate damn hard to keep them relaxed and to keep my pulse normal. “No offense, but I don’t have a lot of time.”
    I wasn’t trying to be a bitch, really. I actually liked Katherine. Despite her soft appearance, she was as tough as nails. Maybe in another life we would’ve been friends, but the fact that she wanted to probe my mind and my past kept her eternally at arm’s length.
    Leaning back in her chair, she studied me for a long moment. I couldn’t look her in the eyes, so I chose a spot over her left shoulder. Okay, so I had somewhat of a phobia when it came to therapists. At least I wasn’t in denial about it.
    “I’ll take whatever time you’ve got, Detective. Now, let’s see,” she began, rummaging through the files on her desk, pulling mine out to open it.
    You should pick up some milk on the way home, I thought.
    “Last time you came to see me, you still struggled with exhaustion from the nightmares. How’s that been going?”
    Ooh, and maybe some chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Oh, my God. Good stuff.
    “Detective?”
    “Oh, um, better. It’s been better.” God, this was like being on trial. “Still have them, but they’re not as bad or as frequent.” What else are you forgetting? Laundry detergent. Deodorant. Maybe you should get a new kind this time. The Fresh Rain scent is getting old.
    “That’s good. And how are you doing with the meditation I recommended?”
    “Fine.” Ooh, or maybe that new pear one. Pear Seduction. No, that’s not it. Pear … something.
    She frowned at me. “Did you try it at all?”
    I didn’t answer, just gave her an apologetic smile. Pear Seduction? Jeez. How lame is that? Man, you really need to get laid.
    Katherine removed her glasses and leaned forward. “Listen, Charlie, it’s important to take care of yourself here.”
    Pear Abundance …
    “You still have a long way to go if you want to totally recover from your death experience.