Read Online Madman on a Drum by David Housewright - Free Book Online Page B

desk. “Karen, it’s always a pleasure to see you,” he said, and from the way he said it, and the way his eyes swept over her body, I believed he was telling the truth. He took her hand and said, “You look wonderful, as usual.”
    Karen said, “Thank you, Roger.”
    Agnes smiled brightly, said “Okay, then,” and left the office.
    â€œYou’ve done something to your hair,” Roger said.
    Karen glanced at me. “No. I just let it blow around in the wind a bit.”
    â€œVery becoming.”
    â€œYou’re too kind.”
    Roger led her to a chair without releasing her hand until she was safely seated. He went to his own chair and tucked himself behind his desk. His grin reminded me of one of those middle-aged guys who won something in high school and still display the trophy.
    â€œYou’re not here on a social call, are you?” he said.
    â€œI’m looking for Scottie Thomforde,” she said. “Is he here?”
    Roger shouted, “Agnes.” Agnes poked her head into the office. “Has Scottie reported in yet?”
    â€œNot yet,” she said. She smiled benignly as though she expected him at any moment.
    â€œLet me know when he does.”
    â€œYou betcha.”
    â€œTight ship you run here, pal,” I said.
    Roger looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time. “Do I know you?” he asked.
    â€œHe’s with me,” Karen said.
    â€œAre you going to violate Scottie?” he said. “Why?” He was staring at me when he spoke, giving me the impression that he thought I was a cop serving a warrant. Neither Karen nor I corrected him.
    â€œI don’t know that I’m going to do that,” Karen said.
    â€œI’ve had no problems with him,” Roger said. “He’s gone to all the meetings. He’s never missed a counseling session. He hasn’t broken a rule.”
    â€œI did a spot check this afternoon. He left his job around one and hasn’t been seen since. Do you know where he is?”
    Roger leaned back in his chair; his left hand beat a monotonous rhythm on the desktop.
    â€œIs that a yes or a no?” I said.
    â€œHe’s on Huber,” Roger said.
    â€œWhat’s that mean?”
    â€œWork release program. It allows offenders to leave the house to go to work as long as they return to the house immediately afterward. Scottie’s not supposed to leave his place of business, but you have to understand”—he was lecturing me now—“it’s our job to help prepare offenders for the outside world. We can’t do that solely within these walls. You can’t teach offenders how to behave in a free society unless you give them some freedom.”
    Yeah, sure, my inner voice replied.
    â€œI give Scottie thirty minutes’ travel time by bus,” Roger said, “plus an additional hour’s grace in case he has to work overtime and doesn’t have a chance to call in, before I become unduly anxious.”
    â€œWhen does Scottie get off work?”
    â€œFive thirty.”
    â€œAdd ninety minutes in case he wants to get his ashes hauled or score some blow—”
    â€œThat’s unfair,” said Karen.
    â€œAnd Scottie should be under your personal supervision no later than 7:00 P.M. Right?”
    â€œThat is correct.”
    â€œWhat time is it now?”
    Roger glanced at the clock on the wall behind me. “Seven forty-five,” he said.
    â€œAre you anxious yet?”
    Roger slouched in his chair, disappointment etched across his face. He turned his head reluctantly and looked at Karen. “What do you want to do?” he asked.
    â€œNothing, for now,” she said. “We don’t know that he’s in the wind. Maybe he was hit by a truck. You men”—she was looking at me now— “if you expect the worst, you’ll usually find it.”
    Roger shrugged. “He could be at his