FEAST OF THE FEAR Read Free Page B

them? You know, don’t you?”
    Al stood like a statue staring at Mitch without answering.
    “ And who’s my father, Al? Is it you?”
    Al gave his head a rueful shake. “I wish I was, Mitch. You don’t know how many times I’ve wished that. But I’m not, and I’m afraid only your mom can answer your questions.”
    “ But you know, don’t you?”
    “ Years ago I made Liz a promise, Mitch and I intend to keep it. I’m afraid you’ll have to get your answers from her.”
    Mitch, unable to control his emotions, lunged at Al, grabbing him by his shirt lapels and pushing him against the cab of the pickup. Al was thin and frail and the air rushed from his lungs in a retching gasp. The green eyes swam in his head. “I want the truth, you old bastard!” Mitch screamed directly into Al’s face, pulling him forward and then forcing him back hard into the pickup’s cab. “God damn it, man, tell me!
    Too late, Mitch realized that Al was in distress. He let go of him and backed away. Al’s face had turned purple, like a livid bruise, and he was gasping for air. His right hand rose and gripped his left shoulder, massaging it. His bulging eyes swam with panic as his legs buckled and he slid to his knees.
    “ Oh my God, Al,” Mitch said, rushing to the man’s aid. “I didn’t mean to—”
    “— Go!” Al said through a gasp of agony.
    “ What?”
    “ Your mother! You’ve got to talk to her before it’s too late. Before he kills her.”
    “ Before who kills her, Al? Jesus Christ you’re not making sense!”
    “ Him! It! So . . . terrible. It’s getting stronger. It wants to kill us both for what we did. We should have told you long ago. Go, she needs you.”
    “ Al, are you all right?”
    “ No, I’m not all right, you stupid asshole! Can’t you see I’m dying?”
    “ Come on,” Mitch said, trying to lift Al to his feet. “I’m taking you to the hospital.” “Leave me alone,” Al said, slapping Mitch’s hands away. “Let an old man die in peace, for Christ’s sake.” But Mitch could see that Al was breathing again and the color had returned to his face.
    “ Are you sure—?”
    “ Yes! Go!”
    “ But she won’t talk to me, Al. She’s never talked to me about any of this.”
    “ I think she will, now, Mitch. After what happened last night, yeah, I think she will.”
     
     
    Eden Hospital was a rambling three-story building of brick and mortar that spread across several landscaped acres. Mitch parked his dilapidated pickup in the visitor lot and made his way inside.
    His mother’s room was on the second floor. As Mitch was entering, the day nurse was leaving. “How is she?” He whispered.
    The nurse gave Mitch a suspicious frown.
    “ I’m her son,” Mitch explained.
    The nurse nodded. “Ah, yes. Well, she has a lot of shallow cuts on her body. The doctor sewed up the ones that needed stitches. Most didn’t, but those kinds of wounds—the ones that don’t go very deep—are the most painful. She’s been given a mild sedative. She’s resting peacefully now.”
    “ Can I go in?”
    “ Mr. Redlon?” Mitch looked down the corridor toward the source of the inquiry. Two men approached him, both wearing work suits. They looked to Mitch like cops. As they drew closer he recognized one of them. “Mr. Redlon?” The lead man inquired again. “Mitchell Redlon?”
    “ Yes.”
    “ My name is Maxim. Detective Lou Maxim from the Eden police.” He held out his hand. Mitch took it tentatively. “And this is Detective Willis.”
    Mitch eyed Willis warily. “Yeah, Detective Willis and I have met. What can I do for you?”
    “ We’d like to ask you a few questions concerning your mother, Elizabeth Redlon.”
    “ Yeah? What do you want to know?”
    “ Would you step over here, sir, into the visitor area?” The two men lead Mitch to a small waiting area at the end of the corridor. There were half a dozen chairs and several tables stacked with magazines. Except for them the alcove was