Helen Hanson - Dark Pool Read Online Free PDF

angle.” He demonstrated the technique employed. “As they bounced along the sand to the car, the knife jabbed him repeatedly in the back. None of the wounds looks very deep, but the knifepoint is sharp. It had to hurt like hell.”
    Everyone turned to Daddy. He stroked the corner of a shirttail between his thumb and the first two fingers. Travis reached over and rubbed his father’s upper arms as if trying to shake off a chill.
    The officer’s mouth turned downward. When his eyes met Maggie’s, he said, “We also found a gun at the scene. We think the attacker had it as back up. When your father took the knife from him, he pulled the gun. Your father responded to the gun with one stab wound to the chest. The county coroner will have the final say, but it looks like self-defense.”
    Inside Maggie, a great settling occurred. Another anxiety finally found a place to land. “So we’re done here?”
    Travis’ face lit with hope.
    “We are. For now.”
    Anxiety. Airborne, again. “What do you mean for now?”
    “Your father will have to appear before a judge, but we don’t expect the DA to file any charges. We don’t know who the dead man is yet. He didn’t carry any identification, and the plates on the car were stolen.”
    “So?” Maggie caught herself. Chalk it up to the long day. “I mean, what’s that got to do with us?”
    “We don’t have a motive for the attack. We like to think crime isn’t entirely random.”
    “I see.” She said it, but she didn’t see. Too late to think. She wished Travis could drive, so she didn’t have to make any more decisions. She didn’t let Daddy near the keys anymore.
    “Was he trying to kidnap your father? Kill him. If so, why?”
    Travis’ foot started dancing. He did that whenever he was tense, or as a toddler, he had to pee.
    Maggie stood up. “Look, we’ve had enough. The day is spent, and I’m taking my family home.”
    Sergeant Garcia surveyed Travis with a compassion few in law enforcement displayed toward her brother. The Half Moon Bay Hacker. Just another too-bright delinquent with high-speed internet access and a dearth of coherent adult supervision.
    “I’m sorry, Ms. Fender, but you have to consider the possibility that this attack wasn’t random.” He closed his folder and met her stare. “Did your father have any enemies?”

 
     
Chapter Six
     
     
Travis eased out the beachside door into the dark. He’d sprayed WD-40 on the hinges the night before to make sure they wouldn’t squeak. Not that Maggie would’ve woken easily after yesterday. They’d tended Dad’s wounds before putting him in bed, and she looked wiped. Every time he lay down on the thin mattress at Cumberton, Travis had imagined his first night back home. His old bed welcomed him with cool sheets and the quilt made by his mother. When his head finally landed on goose down, he stayed awake to plan.
     
    The morning fog enveloped the beach in a crisp-cold that made Travis’ clothes feel moist. Six months wasted in the mountains, the cool mist energized him like a mainline to AC. God, he’d missed this place.
    Low-tide ripples slapped the shoreline. Seagulls assembled early for the unlucky crabs, squawking and jostling for position on the rocks. Plants and creatures from earth and sea met at the sand. The salty brew on steady churn. Each scented the air with its heavy perfume. The mix, a living memory.
    Travis stood on the beach alone—not that he could see beyond ten feet—but alone with his thoughts. The first morning back was all he’d desired. There would be more. For now, he was content.
    A chill massaged his spine. He checked his watch—4:57. Javier would be expecting him.
    He walked along the sand to the road and took the long way around to Unit 105 of the Modesto’s apartment building. The tenant moved out last week. Javier’s father planned to repaint it but not until he finished repairs to the stairwell.
    Unit 105 was ideal because it was the lower corner