Read Online Henry Wood Perception by Brian D. Meeks - Free Book Online Page B

interesting cases? I really liked helping you that one time. If you ever need anything, I'm at your service. You think you'll need some help?”
    “I don’t know…”
    A brief, sad look flashed across his eyes, then it was gone. “That’s okay; I understand you're busy. I won’t keep bothering you.” He gave a quick smile, but didn’t look at Henry. Bobby disappeared into his office.
    Henry was stunned, but he didn’t have time to dwell. He walked down the hall and opened the office. He went to put on some coffee, but they were out. Celine wouldn’t be in until 9:00 a.m., so he decided he would wait until Alan arrived, let him get started, then pop out and grab a couple of cups.
    Alan knocked softly. Henry opened the door. Alan raised his finger to his lips. Alan carried a black doctor’s bag and set it on Celine’s desk. Henry, not wanting to talk, showed him an empty coffee cup, performed a rudimentary mime. Alan mouthed "two sugars". Henry left him to his search.
    The morning paper was one of Henry's favorite routines. Henry turned to the sports page. He read about the Pirates who would be taking the field in a few short hours to face his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers. He knew that Erskine would be starting for the Dodgers and read that the hard-throwing Max Surkont would be taking the hill for the Pirates. Not being in a hurry, he read the rest of the sports section and bought two cups of coffee. When he walked back into the office, Alan was sitting on the desk looking at the receiver.
    “I'm just finishing up.”
    Henry noticed the talking ban had been lifted. “Here, two sugars.”
    “Your wiring is fine as are the phones. I searched the office and there aren't any sign of bugs. Well, I saw a cockroach in the corner, but it looked like it had been dead for a while.”
    “How do you explain the clicking?”
    “I can’t, but you mind if I make a call?”
    “Go ahead.”
    Alan dialed and said, “Roxanne, how are you this morning…I know…yes…I meant to, but I'm calling now. Hold on just a minutes, let me talk. I'm calling to ask if you want to have lunch. I know, I'm sorry, but I've been busy. Sure, that place on Broadway, say 11:30? Now, I need you to do me a favor and be quiet. I want to listen to the line.” There was ten seconds of silence. “Great, thanks, Roxanne. I'll see you later. You’re a doll.”
    “Roxanne?”
    “She’s a good kid but somewhat clingy. I should have called, though, but she’ll forgive me.”
    Henry smiled and said, “You're a charmer.” Opening his wallet and handing a twenty to Alan, “Did you hear the clicking?”
    “Nope.”
    “Let me make a call.” Henry dialed and Amy answered. “Hey, I was wondering if you had time to meet me tomorrow? I want to ask you a few things.”
    Henry motioned to Alan to lean in and listen. The soft crackling noise could be heard clearly.
    “How about over my lunch hour?”
    “Noon then?”
    “Can you come to the office?”
    “Sure, I'll see you then.” He hung up the phone.
    Henry looked at Alan. “What do you make of that?”
    “I’d say her phone is bugged. You said it happened twice and both sounded just like that?”
    “Yep.”
    “Then it seems you happened to call two people who have their phones bugged.”
    “Who was the other person?”
    “Her name was Cynthia Pollard.”
    “Was?”
    “She was murdered last night.”
    Alan was paranoid by nature, but this was too much for him. He closed his bag. “It sounds like you have gotten yourself into a mess. I was never here, but if you need me, stop by. Don’t call, though.”
    “Got it, buddy, thanks.”
    Celine walked in with a box of donuts and a can of coffee. “What did you do?!” Her tone was unmistakable. She was angry.
    “I didn’t do anything. I was with Luna when she was killed,” Henry said, surprised she would assume he was involved.
    “What? I mean to Bobby.”
    “Oh, I didn’t do anything. He was going on, then he...”
    “I just talked to