Read Online Frames Per Second by Bill Eidson - Free Book Online Page A

standing there, bowed under that bag, worrying about him.
    When Ben opened his eyes, Kurt was there. Ben saw his mouth tighten.
    Andi sat up and saw him, and wiped her eyes. “Caught us,” she said, wanly. “We’re just feeling bad about Peter.”
    Kurt nodded. “All of us are.” He looked at Ben. “How’s the patient?”
    Andi interjected. “Could you tell the nurse he’s awake? And then bring the kids in?”
    Kurt hesitated, and then turned away abruptly.
    Ben flashed back to Kurt clearing people away, his worried face hovering over Ben.
    Ben said, “He came through for me.” He told her about Kurt keeping people back, about calling for an ambulance.
    Andi smiled. “That’s the kind of a guy he is.”
    Ben sipped more water and then asked, “Do the police know anything?”
    “About who did it? No. In fact, they were here a while ago and then they said they’d come back to ask you some questions. But give the kids a few minutes first, they’re beside themselves with worry.”
    And indeed, when Kurt walked them in, Ben could see it in the paleness of their faces. Both moved toward his bed slowly, acting diffident. Perhaps steeling themselves for what they would see.
    Ben took a look down at himself, the bandages covering his legs, arm, and side.
    “You know how much glass they found in me?” he said.
    Both stopped and then Lainnie looked at her brother, a smile touching her lips, and said, “How much?”
    “Enough that some guy came around with a stencil to spray paint me, ‘Glass—Handle with Care.’ I told him to get lost.”
    Lainnie giggled.
    Jake said, “Buh-dump-dump.”
    Lainnie said. “That stinks.”
    “What do you want, a van blew up in my face. Now come here and find a spot to kiss that doesn’t have these overgrown Band- Aids.”
    Lainnie climbed up onto the bed and leaned over Ben to give him a kiss. It was apparent Jake was feeling too old to kiss his dad, but he stood closer and put his hand on Ben’s shoulder.
    Lainnie said, “Is it true about Mister Pete?”
    Mister Pete. Ben had forgotten that name.
    Peter had been a guest in their home often before the divorce, and the kids loved him. “Call me Mister Pete,” he’d growl with mock ferocity. “I’m too mean to be anybody’s uncle.”
    “I’m sorry, honey.” Ben stroked Lainnie’s hair as he saw her eyes fill. Jake’s mouth worked, and Ben could see him trying to pull himself together.
    “Hey, I could use another hug down here,” Ben said, and Lainnie flung herself on his chest. Jake took Ben’s hand, and stood with his head down. Ben closed his eyes and held Lainnie tight. Breathing in her warmth, the scent of both of them. Well worth the pain to his left arm that the movement cost him.
    “I miss you, Daddy,” Lainnie said into his chest.
    “I know,” he said.
    “I want you to come home!” she cried. “I don’t care who Mommy married, I want you to come home!”
    “Lainnie,” Andi said, sharply.
    “Sssssh.” Ben ran his hand up and down her back. “That can’t happen. But you’re still my girl.”
    “I don’t want him,” she said.
    “Sssssh.”
    She said no more. But her tears were hot, soaking through Ben’s hospital gown. Jake tugged at Lainnie’s shoulder and said, “Come on, Lainnie, cut it out.” Ben looked past them to Kurt watching. A good man. Steady. Holding his hurt, if any, well in check.
    How did I let this happen? Ben thought.
     
    Soon after the doctor made his examination, he sent the police in. Both cops were big, but otherwise as different as possible. One was fat, with a big hard gut that stuck out aggressively past his blue blazer. He had a square face and brushed back white hair that Ben tended to identify as a politician’s look.
    The other was tall and gawky thin, with a bald head and sharp eyes in deep sunk sockets. He moved well despite the impression of awkwardness.
    The guy with the gut showed Ben his detective shield and said, “I’m Calabro, he’s Brace. I