Innocent Bystander Read Free

even the most gifted physicists can make glaring mistakes.”
    Henri yawned and lurched to his feet. He faced his friend. “Meet me at Charlie’s Place in ten minutes.”
    Burnett nodded, though he knew the last thing Henri needed was a drink.
    “Mr. Laroche,” Desmond said in his usual even tone. “May I see you a minute?”
    “Better make that half-an-hour,” Henri said to Burnett. “Or get a head start if you want.”
    In thirty minutes it would be 6:45. As much as he and Henri had to discuss, he hoped their conversation would be brief. He needed to get to the hospital and see his father before visiting hours ended at 8:00 .

CHAPTER 3
    Twenty-five minutes later, Burnett entered Charlie’s Place. Somewhat atypical for a college hangout, it featured a respectable amount of class and style. Clean, well-polished wood booths were arranged in rows, with autographed headshots of movie stars from the golden age and music icons from the sixties and seventies neatly arranged on every wall. The food was also quite good, but, in keeping with the college location, the alcohol flowed freely.
    The Who’s “Slip Kid” thundered from bass-heavy speakers. He spied Henri seated alone at a small, circular table near the bar. He crossed the floor and sat opposite him. This was likely the quietest part of the room.
    Before Burnett could utter a word the waiter arrived with a mug of beer. He set it down beside an empty mug in front of Henri.
    “Bring one for him,” Henri said as the waiter scooted off.
    “Looks like I got some catching up to do,” Burnett said.
    Henri hoisted his new mug and drained half of it, enough time for the waiter to fetch a beer for Burnett. “So get drinking.”
    With the back of his wrist, Burnett slid the mug aside. In a soft, deliberate tone he said, “I thought you told me you were going to limit yourself to one beer, you know, with the medications.”
    “No need to lower your voice,” Henri said. “This is a college hangout.” With each syllable his volume rose. “I’ll bet you a thousand bucks three-quarters of the people in this room are seeing a psychiatrist. And more than half are on meds.”
    Three students at the next table glared at him.
    “You guys take meds, right?” Henri asked. “Besides Viagra.”
    “Screw you,” one of them mumbled and all three turned away.
    Burnett slumped in his chair and wished he could hide.
    “Don’t be shy,” Henri said. He stood and spun to greet another group of students at a booth behind him. “That’s why we’re all so happy, right? Nothing to be ashamed of. I myself have taken three different antidepressants. Count ’em, three.” He cupped his hands around his mouth and added in a loud whisper, “And two antipsychotics. But don’t tell anyone.”
    A young man from the booth scrambled to his feet. He towered more than six inches above Henri. Burnett recognized him: Bobby Warfield, an offensive lineman for the school’s football team. Henri had a genuine gift for annoying the wrong people.
    The song ended and an unnatural quiet filled the bar.
    “Listen,” Bobby said. “Nobody gives a shit about you or your problems.” He seized Henri by the shirt collar.
    Burnett hesitated, then stood up beside the young offensive lineman. “You don’t really want to get kicked out of here this early, do you?”
    “Hey,” Bobby said, “why don’t you go join AARP, like my old man, and let us kiddies handle this.”
    Burnett twisted his mouth and with great effort suppressed the embarrassment Bobby’s comment elicited. He faced the bar and waited for the bartender to meet his gaze. When she did, he nodded to Bobby.
    Two seconds later a small mountain of a man rumbled into the room. Dressed all in black, he stopped behind Burnett.
    “Problem here?” the mountain asked.
    Bobby loosened his grip. “Minor disagreement.”
    Henri wiggled free and collapsed into his chair.
    “Forget about it, then,” the mountain said. “And enjoy your