The Texas Twist Read Online Free PDF Page B

circlesit was called the Magic Bullet.
    A shiver ran through Radar. Have I done things like that?
    I have done things like that .
    Radar studied Sarah. She’d moved into the complex a few months ago, shortly after they had. She was relentlessly peppy, despite her son’s condition, and always had a cheery greeting when they met in the elevator or laundry room, or in the parking lot beside the building. Then their pets became playmates—whether Boy liked it or not—and she became a fixture among them. Radar had been leery at first, for it was ever his policy to hold citizens at arm’s length. But Sarah and Allie had a relaxing, chatty gal-pal friendship of a type Radar had never known Allie to have before, and for that alone he was willing to make room for Sarah in their lives. For his part, Radar found Sarah’s fluffy nature soothing, like dog fur in its way.
    Now she’s facing a Magic Bullet, and how do you break that bad news? “This Adam Ames,” he began, “don’t you think it’s a pretty big coincidence that his son had your son’s same rare disease?”
    â€œBut he explained that,” said Sarah. “He’s been looking for people like me.”
    â€œHe’s always looking for people like you,” said Radar. “He knows how desperate you are.”
    â€œI don’t understand.”
    Vic cut bluntly to the chase. “Sister, he’s a con artist. He doesn’t have a cure. He’ll let you believe he does, and make you pay for your belief. Has he asked you for money?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHe will.”
    Sarah’s mouth formed a small o as the allegation sank in. “But that’s horrible,” she said. “Who would do a thing like that?”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter,” said Radar a bit too quickly. “The important thing is to cut him off right away. Don’t initiate contact. If he contacts you, tell him you’ve lost interest. You can’t let him get his hooks in.”
    â€œBut what if he really does have a cure?”
    â€œHe doesn’t.”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    â€œWe…” said Allie, “we know people like this.”
    â€œYou associate ?” With a word, Sarah conveyed her shocked contempt.
    â€œHey, now,” said Vic, but with a look from Radar he put his affront back in his pocket.
    â€œSarah, I’m sorry,” said Allie. “He’s selling smoke.”
    â€œBut what if he’s not? I can’t leave this stone unturned. I can’t leave any.”
    â€œSarah.…”Allie reached out a hand.
    Sarah practically slapped it away. “No. No, I have to know.”
    â€œYou’ll just be wasting your money.”
    â€œSo? I’d spend every cent I had to save Jonah. Wouldn’t you if it were your son?”
    Radar and Allie exchanged looks. For the first time in their lives, such a question was not rhetorical. Nevertheless, “That’s the attitude they want,” said Radar. “It’s what they feed on.”
    â€œFeed on? You make him sound like a vulture.”
    â€œHe is.”
    â€œNo, he’s not. I know he’s not. I looked him in the eye.”
    â€œSo he’s a skilled vulture,” said Vic.
    Tears welled up in Sarah’s pale blue eyes. “I don’t understand why you want to hurt me like this.”
    â€œHoney,” said Allie, “we’re not trying to hurt you.”
    Sarah angrily rose to her feet and brought Jonah out of his iPod. “Come on, Jonah, let’s go.”
    Radar knew that this friendship hung in the balance. Under other circumstances, he’d have cut ties without a single backward glance. But this was different. If they didn’t act, she’d be hurt, badly hurt, not in just her wallet but her soul.
    Is it the goodness virus?
    What the hell, she’s a friend .
    Radar said suddenly, “We’ll meet him.”
    Sarah sniffed.