Devil With a Gun Read Online Free PDF Page B

it.
    â€œDo you have any idea who this stranger in your bedroom was?” I ask.
    Surprisingly, she answers, “Yeah.”
    Bailey lifts her purse off the floor and digs around inside. Removing a fake crocodile-leather wallet, she opens the compartment designed to hold family photos. There’s only one: a young girl with blond hair and an untamed fringe that nearly covers her large blue eyes. She can’t be more than five, but her face is softer and more oval than Bailey’s.
    â€œThat Roxanne?” I ask.
    â€œYeah,” Bailey says dismissively.
    From one of the plastic sleeves, she slides out a decade-old newspaper clipping, unfolds it, and hands it over.
    The newsprint is yellowed with age, but it’s still clear enough to read the article. Printed beneath a one-column, head-and-shoulders mugshot of a dapper-looking gentleman with an Errol Flynn moustache and distinguished gray temples, the headline reads: Crime Boss Cleared of All Charges.
    I point at the mugshot. “This is him? You’re sure?”
    Bailey nods.
    â€œDid you ever talk to him?”
    â€œI tried once, after Leslie died, but I couldn’t get close. From what I was told, he isn’t interested in girls after they hit puberty.”
    â€œCharming,” I say.
    â€œThat’s not the word I’d use.”
    At another time, I would have high-fived her in agreement, but I can tell she isn’t receptive to female bonding. I lean back and scan the story. The facts are bare, but between the lines is everything I need to know.
    I exhale quietly and lean forward. “Would you mind if I looked into what happened to your dad?”
    Bailey’s eyes lock onto mine; she’s probing again, digging deep.
    â€œWhy?” she asks.
    â€œThe honest answer is I’m looking for a Father’s Day story to appease my publisher, but that’s only part of it. The other part is I’m curious, and I believe that finding out what happened will help bring you some closure. We don’t know each other, but I’d like to do this.”
    I gauge her response and continue. “I don’t know where I would be today without the love and support of my own father. He isn’t perfect, but I’ve never felt safer or more secure in my life than when I’m in his arms.”
    I reach down my leg and pull a small, pearl-handled switchblade out of my boot. I show it to Bailey.
    â€œHer name’s Lily. This may seem odd,” I say. “But when I’m feeling scared or lonely or just in a damn foul mood, I like to hold this knife. Smell the oil he used to lubricate its hinge and know that part of my dad is in here and that he gave me this not just because he loves me and worries about me, but because he wants to be close to me at all times.” I smile. “Silly thing to say about a knife, huh?”
    Bailey’s eyes are moist as she shakes her head. “I don’t even know if he’s alive or dead.”
    â€œLet me find out.”
    â€œHow?”
    I place my finger on the newspaper clipping. “With the person who walked him out of your life. Krasnyi Lebed,” I read.
    â€œHe won’t talk to you. I’ve tried.”
    My smile is thin and sharp. “You might be surprised.”

Five
    I find a pay phone on the corner and let Stoogan know that I’m following a few leads on a Father’s Day piece that will make for a nice cover.
    â€œWhy am I suddenly worried,” he deadpans.
    â€œBecause I’m not breaking your balls about it?”
    â€œYeah, why aren’t you?”
    â€œBecause I always do what—”
    â€œYou never do what I ask,” he interrupts.
    â€œFirst time for everything.”
    â€œNow I’m not just worried, I’m petrified.”
    I laugh. “Trust me.”
    â€œYeah, I can see that engraved on my tombstone: He trusted Dixie .”
    I laugh louder. “I like it. Catchy yet