A Killing Rain Read Online Free PDF Page A

sometimes I’m not.”
    Susan let out a snort.
    “It’s an up-and-down business,” Austin said, looking at her. “But right now, it’s up. That’s one reason I came by.”
    Austin reached back and pulled something out of the black bag. He held out a bill to Benjamin.
    “Merry Christmas, Benny.”
    “A hundred dollars!” Benjamin yelled. “Is that real? Is that for me?”
    “Yup.”
    Benjamin sprang from his chair and threw his arms around Austin’s neck. Austin patted Benjamin’s back, but was looking at Susan.
    For what? Louis wondered. To see if the gesture had impressed her? From the look on her face, it had pissed her off.
    “Christmas was three weeks ago. You missed it,” Susan said.
    She pushed away from the table and rose, picking up her plate. She snatched up Austin’s plate and went into the kitchen. Louis heard the clatter of dishes in the sink.
    “Ben, why don’t you go put your money in your room?” Louis said.
    “Yeah, good idea.” Benjamin disappeared down the hallway.
    Louis debated what he should do. Go into the kitchen? Disappear with Benjamin and let these two slug it out? Or knock Austin on the seat of his nice Italian pants?
    Austin reached back for his purse. He pulled out a big fat cigar and a lighter. He was about to light the thing when Susan came back to the table. Her eyes were flashing as she looked down at Austin.
    “Get out,” she said, her voice low.
    “Okay, I won’t light it,” Austin said with a smile.
    “I don’t care about the damn cigar. I just want you out. Now. I’ll tell him you had to leave suddenly. Just like you always do.”
    “Baby, you don’t mean that. It’s only money and it made him happy.”
    Austin stood up and went toward her, arms spread. “Look, maybe I come on too strong sometimes, but I’m just trying to make things up to you.”
    “You’re pathetic,” Susan said .
    Austin reached for her, slipping his hand around her waist.
    Louis stood up. This was enough. He was out of here.
    Suddenly, Susan drew back and slapped Austin. Austin touched his face then stepped backward just as Benjamin came back into the room. He was holding a Star Wars piggy bank.
    His eyes moved slowly from his father to Susan. “Are you two fighting again?” he asked softly.
    Susan wiped her face. “No, Ben. We’re okay.”
    Austin’s pained expression changed quickly back to a smile. He still had the cigar in his hand. He slipped off the paper ring and held it out to Benjamin. “Want to wear Daddy’s ring?”
    Ben took it and slipped it on his index finger. Louis could see the label. It was a Macanuda cigar. Expensive.
    “What do you say we go for ice cream?” Austin asked Ben.
    “He hasn’t finished his hamburger,” Susan said.
    “Who needs burgers when you can have Fudge Ripple? Is that little ice cream store still over on McGregor?”
    “Yeah, and they have blue bubble gum ice cream now,” Benjamin said. He looked at Susan. “Can we go, Ma? Huh? Can we go?”
    Austin didn’t wait for an answer. He carried Benjamin from the room and set him on the sofa to help him with his shoes.
    Louis watched Susan. Her eyes brimmed with tears and she was shaking.
    “I’ll have him back in an hour,” Austin called out, slipping on his coat.
    Louis waited until he heard the front door close, then he went to Susan. She closed her eyes and leaned forward into his arms.
     
     

CHAPTER 4
     
    Friday, January 15
     
    A cold front was on the way. Louis could feel it, feel the subtle change in the night air. One moment it had been a sigh of a breeze, coming soft and warm from the gulf. Then a pause -- almost like an inhalation —- before the wind shifted. The auger shell chimes on the porch were doing their click-clack bone dance and the temperature was beginning to fall.
    Louis got up and went inside. He returned with a sweatshirt and a Heineken and sat back down in the wicker chair. Issy jumped up into his lap and began kneading his stomach.
    Louis took a long