Another Word for Murder Read Free Page B

baby. He’s not mad a you—”
    â€œBear’s a good bear,” Lily insisted.
    â€œHe’s a good bear when he doesn’t jump. Mommy and I don’t want him knocking you down … or your friends.”
    Lily sniffled once, but made no further reply.
    â€œYou get ready for bed, and then Daddy will come in and read you a story, okay?”
    â€œOkay,” Lily said, but the sound was still hesitant. Then she took her mother’s hand and began trundling up the wide circular staircase that served as the foyer’s focal point. As they reached the second step, Dan called to his wife.
    â€œKaren …?”
    His wife turned; the difference in their physical stature made her eye level only slightly higher than Dan’s. “Mm hm?”
    â€œYou haven’t … you haven’t noticed anything odd, have you? I mean, no one’s tried to follow you home or anything? Tried to approach you?”
    Karen smiled. “Mothers with four-year-olds don’t usually impress the guys-trying-to-make-a-pass-at-pretty-ladies crowd.”
    â€œI don’t mean men coming on to you …”
    Karen looked at her husband. Her amused expression began to fade. “Why do you ask?”
    â€œIt felt like someone was following me when I left the clinic…. It could have been a coincidence, I know, but … well, there are some weird people out there … and we … we don’t live in a house or community that’s exactly low-profile.”
    Karen didn’t respond. It wasn’t just the house, she thought, but the number and caliber of the cars Dan owned that gave away their wealth; three in the garage and three more left to rest resplendently on the drive.
    â€œI don’t know what I’m saying, Karen…. I guess, just be careful, that’s all.”
    â€œI always am, Dan.”
    â€œWith Lily, too …”
    â€œShe’s my daughter, Dan. Of course, I’m going to be careful with her.”
    â€œThat’s not what I meant.” He drew in a long and heavy breath. “You’re right. I am tired, and I’m probably overreacting…. Working at the clinic isn’t easy. The equipment’s less than adequate … and heck, the guys themselves are no walk in the park.”
    â€œYou don’t have to do it, Dan. Jack doesn’t bother to donate any of his time—”
    â€œDon’t get me started. If Jack Wagner had his way, none of my indigent cases would ever walk through the doors of our practice, no matter how much they needed the services I provide at the Bay Clinic. Unless, of course, Jacko could figure out a way to bilk the system … sign ’em up for implants and make the government pay. He can’t wait for the day Medicare gets a dental clause.”
    Karen kept silent.
    â€œI’m sorry, hon, I didn’t mean to go off on a tirade. Lily’s right. ‘Cross words.’” He smiled at his wife and daughter. “Look, I’ll grab a quick shower. You get her nibs tucked in, and then—”
    But Karen interrupted, her pretty face serious and searching. “Look … Dan … if you think someone was really following you … maybe you should do something about it. Tell the police.”
    â€œThe cops? I can’t call the cops. What would I tell them? ‘It felt like I was being tailed?’ I can only guess what they’d say to that. Somehow I think the words ‘too much money and Gen-X paranoia’ would be the first ones out of their mouths.”
    â€œOkay … how about a private detective …? Someone you hire to—”
    â€œWe don’t need a bodyguard, honey. Besides, private eyes are all a bunch of sleazy characters—”
    â€œRosco isn’t.”
    â€œWho on earth is that?”
    But the question was overruled by Lily’s shrill “Rock and Cookie and the park.”
    â€œAre those names of dogs or