Read Online Attachment Strings by Chris T. Kat - Free Book Online Page B

sympathize with—some of the arguments as to why they shouldn’t be allowed to live and so on, but it sounds so, I don’t know, evil that someone is out there killing those people.”
    “We both know that some people are evil. They don’t need an understandable reason to kill someone.” Deciding this time was as good as it got to be, I asked, “Why are you so… you know toward disabled people?”
    “It’s called being prejudiced, Jeff.” Parker put the knife aside, seemingly collecting himself. “I have five siblings, did you know that?”
    Not sure where this was heading, I shook my head. Parker nodded, to himself probably, and I waited. He looked down at his hands while he cleared his throat. “One of them was severely disabled. I hated my parents for always doting on Preston—that’s my brother’s name—but at the same time, I was okay with spending time with him. He was actually a nice kid. There was just no money left for us because of all the medical bills.”
    “He was?” I asked for lack of anything more profound.
    “Died from pneumonia years ago. He was always sick because he got every bug.” Parker shrugged. “So, I guess, whenever I see such a kid or adult, it triggers something. Which brings us neatly back to our earlier conversation. Why would anyone threaten those children or adults? Don’t they suffer enough by being trapped in a dysfunctional body? That Albridge guy, he was downright ugly. Wasn’t he punished enough already?”
    I was still reeling from the glimpse into Parker’s past. More or less on autopilot, I reasoned, “We don’t know why he was killed. Maybe it doesn’t have anything to do with the threats Mrs. Anderson received.”
    “My gut feeling tells me a different story.”
    “I thought you didn’t think we had a case.”
    “I changed my mind. I still can’t wrap my mind around this threat. Is there some Third Reich campaign going on? Clear the world of all unworthy human beings? Who are they to decide whose life is worthy of continuing or not?”
    Parker was talking himself into a rage. I worried it was my fault for somehow bringing up the memory of his brother.
    “Hey, hey, slow down. We don’t know what’s going on and you’re already talking about a conspiracy and what have you,” I said.
    “You were the one who said it’s worth looking into.”
    “I never said anything about a conspiracy. I still think there is someone who has a personal agenda with the Andersons. That’s the most likely scenario, don’t you think? It would fit with some of what Mrs. Anderson told us,” I argued.
    “She said some other things, which lead us in a different direction.” Parker stood there, his arms crossed over his chest and glowered at me.
    I glowered right back. “Let’s keep an open mind, how about that? Don’t accuse anyone of anything because that’s what usually gets you into trouble.”
    “Man, I remember a time when I was the senior detective and the more grown-up of us two. It’s really disconcerting how much has changed during the last year.”
    Silence stretched out between us. What did he want me to say?
    He had screwed up more than once and for whatever reason, he started to lose his cool way too often. Come to think of it, he had also changed outwardly. During the last year his waistline had grown; his hair had receded obviously and grayed at the temples. He looked older, worn out. Ice filled my gut suddenly. Was that how I’d be looking in a few years?
    “What happened yesterday? Why can’t you face your day off at home?” I asked. It was the first thought that sprang to my mind. Impulse control wasn’t something I was terribly good at either.
    “What about our agreement on not wanting to talk about yesterday?” Parker shot back.
    “Just thought I’d make conversation.”
    “What happened to you and Alex?” Parker asked bluntly.
    “Found out he has a lover at home.”
    “Oh, fuck. I’m sorry, Jeff.”
    “It wasn’t anything