Read Online Blindman's Bluff by Faye Kellerman - Free Book Online

experience that multiple murders mean multiple, multiple suspects. “Are you awake enough to drive, Peter?”
    “I’m fine.” He smiled to prove the point. “Really, I’m fine. I was probably out for around twenty minutes. I feel remarkably refreshed.”
    “One of my fellow jurors wants to know all the juicy details of the Kaffey homicides.”
    “Tell her to read the papers.”
    “I shall.” Rina took Peter’s hand. “I’m glad you made it to the concert. Hannah made a point of asking about you.”
    “Lord only knows why. She hides herself as much as possible in the back row. I wouldn’t even notice her except that she’s tall. She never has any solos. Does the teacher have something against her?”
    “Mrs. Kent is Hannah’s biggest fan.”
    “So why doesn’t she ever have a solo?”
    “I don’t think she wants one. She likes to see her father in the audience. It makes her feel like you care.”
    Decker shrugged. “I keep wondering with the kids, including Cindy who is in her midthirties, how long will I have to jump through hoops just to prove I love them?”
    “Oh, I don’t know…” Rina shrugged. “Probably the rest of our lives.”

SEVEN
    D ECKER WAS DEAD to the world from twelve midnight until six-thirty the next morning when the alarm rang out. The bed was empty, but he heard noises coming from the kitchen. He showered and shaved and dressed and walked into the breakfast room at seven where coffee was already brewing.
    “Good morning,” Rina said. “How do you feel?”
    “Not too bad.” He poured a cup of java from the drip machine and took a sip. “Wow, that’s good. Do you want me to wake up the princess?”
    “I’ve already done that. She’s in a good mood.”
    “What’s the occasion?”
    “You. She told me—and I quote—‘It was really nice for Abba to show up. I know he must be swamped at work.’”
    “That’s lovely.” A pause. “How long do you think her appreciation will last?”
    “In the short run, it won’t last very long at all. But in reality, it’ll last a lifetime.” Rina kissed his cheek. “I’ll take her to school on my way to court.”
    “That would be great.” He checked his watch. “I need to go. I’ll stick my head in the lion’s den and say good-bye.”
    “This morning, you’ll probably have more of a lamb than a lion.”
    “Whatever I get is fine.” He put down his mug. “She’s a good girl. She’s my baby and I love her dearly. If I’m a safe target for some of her frustration, so be it. If God’ll just keep her safe, I’ll take all those slings and arrows.”
     
    OLIVER KNOCKED ON the doorjamb and without waiting for an invitation, he walked into Decker’s office. He had a mug of coffee in one hand and was holding a sheet of paper in the other. The man looked positively drained.
    “Get any sleep last night, Oliver?”
    “A couple of hours, but I’ll be all right.” He handed Decker a neatly typed up paper that resembled a family tree. “I’ve outlined Kaffey Security 101. If you look at the top of the sheet, I have Neptune Brady in the starring position because he’s the head honcho. Then I branch off.”
    “Well done,” Decker said.
    “Not too bad for a zombie.” Oliver smiled. “I divided it into two categories—guards at the ranch and personal bodyguards. Personal bodyguards—which I’ve abbreviated as PBG—are or were used mainly when Guy and Gilliam went out in public—restaurants, charity functions, business functions, parties. At least one PBG was with them at all times.”
    “What about if they went out individually?”
    “Don’t know about Gilliam, but there was definitely one on Guy. When no one was home, the security guards, or SG, watched the properties. So far I got fourteen names, but you can see there’s overlap. Rondo Martin, Joe Pine, Francisco Cortez, Terry Wexford, Martin Cruces, Denny Orlando, Javier Beltran, and Piet Kotsky worked as personal bodyguards and security