He saw the flash before he heard the pop. The percussive ppffft that almost drowned out the moan. The head snapped back, lolling from side to side, then finally found a resting place slumped over the right shoulder. As blood dripped from between the eyes, he wondered if the bastard had ever felt a thing, heâd been so dead drunk.
The thought didnât quell the shakes, his hands clay cold and stiff. For a while he heard nothing. Then he became aware of his own breathing. He crept out from his shelter and swallowed dryly. Tried to walk, but his knees buckled.
He melted to the floor.
Stayed that way for a long time. It could have been minutes, it could have been hours. Time was a black hole, a stupor of sleep and restlessness. Everything was shadowed and fuzzy.
Slowly, things came back into focus. The room, the floor, the bound body, the hole between the eyes. Blood had seeped onto the carpet, pooled around his shoes.
He stared, hoping tears would come. But they didnât. They never did.
With great effort, he hoisted his gawky frame upward, nearly tripping over spindly legs. The curse of being tall at such a young age: He was all height, no muscle. Light-headed, sick from the smell of gunpowder, he let go with a dry heave.
He tried to walk but again fell forward.
He needed airâclean air.
He crawled on his hands and knees out the back door, pushing open the squeaky screen. Wrapping his hands around the porch column, he raised himself to his feet. His bicycle was still resting against the apple tree, leaning against the trunk because it didnât have a kickstand.
He knew he had to tell someone. Even though she hated the jerk, Mom would still freak. That left only his uncle. Joey would take care of him. He had to get over to Joey.
He straightened his spine and inched his way over to his transportation. He gripped the handlebars, swung his leg over the seat. Pressing down on the pedal. Propelling himself forward.
Down the driveway and out onto the street.
Faster and faster, harder and harder, until wind whipped through his platinum hair.
He did a wheelie. He felt all right.
Pages 7 and 8 of the paper were missing. National news section. Specifically, national crime stories. Decker laid the thin sheets down, his stomach in a tight, wet knot. âRina, whereâs the rest of the paper?â
Rina continued to scramble eggs. âItâs not all there?â
âNo, itâs not all there.â
âYouâve checked?â
âYes, Iâve checked.â
âMaybe Ginger got to it,â Rina said casually. âYou know how the dog loves newsprint. I think she uses it for a breath freshenerââ
âRinaââ
âPeter, could you please distract Hannah from the dishwasher and get her seated so I can feed her? And take the plums out of the utensil basket while youâre at it.â
Decker stared at his wife, got up, and lifted his pajama-clad two-year-old daughter. She was holding a plum in each hand.
âYou want a plummer, Daddy?â
âYes, Hannah Rosie, Iâd love a plum.â
âYou take a bite?â She stuffed the fruit in her fatherâs mouth. As requested, Decker took a bite. Juice spewed out of the overripe plum, wetting his pumpkin-colored mustache, rills of purple running down his chin. He seated his daughter in her booster and wiped his mouth.
âYou want a bite, Daddy?â
âNo thanks, Hannahââ
âYou want a bite, Daddy?â Hannah said, forcefully.
âNoââ
âYou want a bite, Daddy?â Hannah was almost in tears.
âTake another bite, Peter,â Rina said. âEat the whole plum.â
Decker took the plum and consumed it. Hannah offered him the second plum. âHoney, if I eat any more plums, Iâll be living in the bathroom.â
Rina laughed. âIâll take the plum, Hannah.â
âNo!â the baby cried out. Her face was flushed with emotion. âDaddy take the plummer.â
Decker took the second piece of fruit. âWhy do you keep buying plums?â
âBecause she keeps asking for them.â
âThat doesnât mean you have to buy them.â
âAs if you can resist her requests? I noticed the other day she was playing with your gold cuff linksââ
âShe likes shiny things,â Decker interrupted. âI like how you skillfully changed the subject, darlinâ. What happened to the newspaper?â
Rina set a dish of eggs in front of Hannah and poured her orange juice. She shrugged helplessly. âWhat can I tell you?â