The Violet Crow by Michael Sheldon Read Free Book Online Page B

Mr. X declined to speculate.
    When asked to explain the basis for this deduction, Bruno X revealed that he uses the Kabbalah to process the evidence he receives from psychic sources. Readers will recognize the Kabbalah as the mystical form of Judaism that has become high-profile since it was adopted by sex symbol Magdalena. Magdalena performed most recently in London on behalf of the starving millions in Africa. She also has authored a children’s book that reflects her experience of the Kabbalah
    The next 10 inches of the article were about Magdalena, female sexuality, and children’s literature, except for the concluding paragraph, which stated:
    Bruno X claims that in addition to physical clues, a crime scene contains psychic clues as well. Strong emotions leave a residue that can be detected by those who know what to look for. Psychic evidence needs to be evaluated scientifically just like other forensic evidence and the Kabbalah is the “technology” that he uses.
    Bruno X adds that he did not study at the Kabbalah Co-op in L.A. and he does not know Magdalena personally. Or Tiffany Pupik. We commend Chief Black for his prompt action in bringing in such well-qualified outside resources. The investigation is already moving again and we look forward to a speedy resolution.
    The reaction to Peaches’ article in the Pest was swift and fateful.
    Fully 66.6% of the families enrolled in Gardenfield Friends called Master Quentin’s office to ask him what he was planning to do about security.
    Against his better judgment, Master Quentin called Chief Black and asked him what security resources might be available from the town, as he still preferred not to entertain the offer from NewGarden Biosciences.
    Chief Black hadn’t read the story when Master Quentin called. As soon he got off the phone, he read the article and then angrily called Bruno to demand a meeting.
    While Chief Black was on the phone, he missed receiving an angry phone call from Rabbi Nachman, of Philadelphia’s oldest Orthodox congregation, Temple Emmanuel. The Rabbi was upset about the mischaracterization of the Kabbalah and was frustrated because he couldn’t get anyone to take his call at the Pest .
    Finally, Icky called Alison. He thought she’d be amused by all the Magdalena references. Instead, Alison became even more worked up than she’d been the day before regarding her term paper. She slammed down the phone and called her professor, Nathaniel Littlejohn, to make an appointment later in the week.

Chapter 13
    â€œDat Peaches, she’s some piece a woik,” said Bruno, squirming under Chief Black’s angry glare.
    â€œYes, I know,” said the Chief, not willing to let him off the hook.
    â€œShe tracked me down, like a … like a …” Bruno couldn’t think of an analogy.
    â€œLike a scared rabbit?” the Chief suggested.
    Bruno looked hurt. “Like a pickle in a barrel. She cornered me in my trailer. She defeated my security system. I was vulnerable. She threatened me. I had to think fast. It was the only way out.”
    â€œSo you fed her this story to get her out of your hair …”
    â€œThat’s right,” said Bruno, thinking he was off the hook. “I fed her alla dis bubbe-meise —old wives’ tales—about da blood libel. Actually that’s not so bad, if I do say so myself. Pretty quick thinking. Anyway, she hears Kabbalah, right away she’s thinking Magdalena. So we got pretty good exposure, right? She says we’re on the right track.”
    The Chief glowered.
    â€œOK. That business about ‘casts doubt on police theory’ wasn’t so good. But I didn’t write that. I didn’t say it. The headline writer made it up. You know that’s not what I think.”
    Chief Black laid down the hammer. “I know you didn’t write the article. But you knew that Peaches did. Yet all you cared about was the fact that