The Liar's Lullaby Read Online Free PDF Page A

in danger of being silenced. If that happens, I won’t be the last.”
    Her speaking voice was bold, ringing, and rushed. “Searle, my love, my baby boy, Mister Blue Eyes with the silver tongue, listen close. Turn your ear, turn your heart, turn your head. Because I might not make it.”
    Jo glanced at Tang. “Lecroix?”
    Tang nodded.
    “Things have gone haywire,” Tasia said. “I can’t tell you more than that. Telling you more would kill me. But if I die, it means the countdown’s on.”
    A chill inched up Jo’s neck. She glanced at the tarp on the field.
    “It means time’s running out like a train headed for a wreck. My death will be the evidence.” Tasia inhaled, like a swimmer coming up for air before plowing on. “I was confused, but not anymore. I thought I got away without being followed. But they’re after me. Robert McFarland makes that inevitable.” She paused. “Publish this in the event of my assassination.”
    She played a heavy chord on the piano, and began to sing.
    You say you love our land, you liar
Who dreams its end in blood and fire
Said you wanted me to be your choir
Help you build the funeral pyre.
     
    The chill crept across Jo’s shoulders.
     
    But Robby T is not the One
All that’s needed is the gun
Load the weapon, call his name
Unlock the door, he dies in shame.
     
    The melody changed up and went into the refrain.
     
    Look and see the way it ends
Who’s the liar, where’s the game
Love and death, it’s all the same
Liar’s words all end in pain.
    Tang stopped the playback. “There’s another verse, but you get the gist.”
    “That’s the creepiest song I’ve ever heard.”
    They stood above the field, silent under the harsh lights and the wind.
    “ ‘They,’ ” Jo said.
    “Unfortunately. And no, I don’t know whether it was just a paranoid rant.”
    “Did she have a psych history?”
    “Manic-depression. But that’s not my point.”
    “She was bipolar? That’s huge. It’s—”
    Tang raised a hand. “It’s not my point.”
    Jo thought about it. “If she genuinely feared for her life and brought the gun for self-protection, it argues against an intent to commit suicide.”
    “The stuntman claims she said, ‘He’s out there,’ and ‘It’s life or death.’ Maybe she was acting. Maybe she was delusional. But maybe not.”
    “Are you suggesting somebody really wanted her dead? Why—because she was once married to Robert McFarland?”
    Tang turned to her. “Will you perform the psychological autopsy? Are you in?”
    “You bet I’m in.”
    “Good. I need you to find out why Tasia McFarland was carrying a pistol that, according to California firearms records, is registered to the commander in chief of the United States.”

6
    You can take my cash, but if you won’t shake my hand, I’ll light a fire up your ass. . . .
    T HE MUSIC RAGED THROUGH THE PARKED TRUCK. IVORY TURNED IT UP. “You tell it, Searle.”
    The man sang about the hardest life around, Ivory thought—being a white American. Work yourself into the grave, while the government confiscates your wages and an ungrateful world demands handouts or tries to blow you up.
    She stared across the street at the ballpark. “It’s time to launch a rocket up somebody’s crack.”
    Behind the wheel, Keyes chewed on a toothpick. “Unbunch your panties.”
    “Searle Lecroix’s woman just got shot down like a dog. Two choppers got taken out—you think that wasn’t to cover the shooter escaping? You should put on a pair of tighty-whiteys yourself, and bunch them so tight you squeal.”
    “Like you know how to fire a rocket launcher?” he said.
    “You’ll teach me.”
    That finally earned her a look from him.
    “Tasia dying wasn’t any accident. It was a government hit, no joke.” Government came out “gubmint . ” “Government brought down the twin towers, Keyes—they wouldn’t think twice about killing McFarland’s first wife.”
    Keyes looked away again. He watched the