Weapon of Choice Read Online Free PDF

Flesh-eating?
    The introverted, wimpy, overweight offspring of a charming Southern socialite and a stalwart white supremacist lawyer, recognized the kernel of an opportunity. With just a little clandestine effort, Charles would have something special to share with The Order when the cell met next Wednesday night. This time he would have their attention.

CHAPTER SIX
    M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 25
    For his trip to Philly and after that to Clearwater, Victor Worth chose a camel-colored cashmere jacket, a pale green shirt, a multicolored striped tie, and tan wool slacks. In his breast pocket, he’d packed an extra monogrammed handkerchief. He wanted to look important when he presented himself to the big pharmaceutical company. Once he got to Florida later that day, he’d be overdressed, but he reasoned that wool would not wrinkle on the train ride from D.C. to Philadelphia.
    Victor had never considered himself an emotional man. But ever since he’d learned about Matthew in Cindy’s letter, just a month ago, he felt the yearning—unquestioning, with nothing held back—for a close father-son relationship. He knew it sounded trite, but a son brought meaning into his life. He and Matthew were a family. Even thinking the words
son
and
family
could bring tears to Victor’s eyes.
    The minute he was settled on the Metroliner from D.C. to Philly, Victor pulled out the letter handwritten on light-gray stationery from his all-but-forgotten college girlfriend.
    Victor, I have no way to know if you ever discovered this: you have a son
.
    No, he had not.
    Matthew, a wonderful young man with your cobalt-blue eyes and your curly auburn hair. He’s thirty-two years old now. A college biology teacher, at least he was
.
    Here the paper was marked by what probably were tearstains, blurring the blue ink.
    When I was told by my doctor six months ago that I have advanced ovarian cancer, Matthew left San Francisco and came to Clearwater to take care of me. He stayed with me through all my pain and anguish. What will happen to him now?
    Victor, I am begging you. Will you take him into your heart? Your life? He has no one. No other family. And his friends—I don’t know how to tell you. Our son, Matthew, is gay
.
    Victor had to admit that this revelation hit him hard. He had a son, but he was homosexual?
    And although I’m a nurse, I don’t know for sure, but I’m worried that he’s ill, quite ill
.
    When you receive this, I will already have passed. Matthew will be alone. I’ve never burdened you, but I am desperate. I have nowhere else to turn. You are an important scientist, not married—I do know that
.
    That shocked Victor. He had never tried to find out what had happened to his girlfriend, the student nurse, Cindy. After he’d been emasculated, his testicles removed because of the cancer, he’d never looked back. Sex and women and love belonged to the past.
    Please, dearest Victor, could you help him deal with losing me, help him get settled. He’ll have my house in Clearwater, but not much else. Please, Victor, help him. Please
.
    Victor was still overcome by his reaction, which was immediate and intense. His son, straight or gay, was his son. All he could think of was “flesh of my flesh.” Where had that come from? The Bible?
    And now the fear of losing Matthew frightened Victor to the point of panic. He would do anything to keep Matthew alive. He had underestimated the stage of Matthew’s illness. He’d planned to convince his son during Thanksgiving weekend to move from the medical backwaters of Florida to D.C. with its sophisticated resources.
    Last time he’d seen his son in Clearwater, two weeks ago,Matthew had a hacking cough and a low-grade fever, but Victor needed to get back to D.C. so he’d left him. Each of the two times he’d seen Matthew, Victor had no choice but to leave Florida after a brief couple of days. He could not be away from the