The Right Thing to Do (6 page)

Malcolm said, “You’re not going to arrest him?”

“What’d you actually see? A guy with no pants?”

Malcolm stared at him.

Mustache said, “Look, son, he’s an old guy, probably forgetful. Maybe he forgot to get dressed or he was dressing when the kid ran in there. Her mother says she’s a wild one, always wandering off, getting into places she shouldn’t.”

Amy remained immobile.

Her mother said, “Ain’t that the truth, I got horses easier to handle.”

Malcolm said, “I know what I saw.”

“Sure, sure, we’ll ask the boss. Meanwhile the mother’s not making a complaint—”

“The mother—”

“Against the codger.”

“Sir,” said Malcolm.

“Sir,”
barked Mustache. “You did your good deed for today, now you can go back to college and tell them all about it.”

Steve said, “This is fucked up.”

Mustache turned on him. “You watch your language. There’s women and children, here.”

The brothers didn’t speak all the way home. This time they arrived at a normal dinner hour—seven thirty p.m.—and Ramona had a big plate of spaghetti and salad with croutons waiting for them.

Steven embraced her. “Sorry, honey. Shoulda told you.” Tapping his rock-hard abdomen. “No appetite.”

“Something the matter, baby?”

Steve looked at Malcolm. “You okay for a sec?” Without waiting for Malcolm’s reply, he walked Ramona to the master bedroom and closed the door behind them.

Alone in the living room, Malcolm stood there for a while. Then he walked to the phone, the sleek, ivory Princess that complemented the cool, modern decor so well.

Long distance but Steve wouldn’t mind; soon after Malcolm had arrived, he’d said, “Call Moms and Pops anytime you want, don’t even ask, I can afford it.”

It wasn’t Brooklyn Malcolm called. It was 411, asking the operator for Cambridge, Mass., information.

Finally the connection got made and the phone rang three times and a familiar voice picked up.

“Yes?”

“Professor Fiacre? Malcolm Bluestone.”

“Malcolm! To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I hope it’s not too late, sir.”

“Oh, no, I’m reading and sipping a fine Dow’s. There’s static, where are you calling from?”

“California, sir,” said Malcolm. “I’ve been thinking.” A beat. “About grad school. Don’t know if it’s too late to apply but if you think…”

“Well,” said the old man. “This is certainly a nice surprise.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Malcolm. Thinking: Nothing nice about it.

But
right
.

Motive
(2015)

Killer
(2014)

Guilt
(2013)

Victims
(2012)

Mystery
(2011)

Deception
(2010)

Evidence
(2009)

Bones
(2008)

Compulsion
(2008)

Obsession
(2007)

Gone
(2006)

Rage
(2005)

Therapy
(2004)

A Cold Heart
(2003)

The Murder Book
(2002)

Flesh and Blood
(2001)

Dr. Death
(2000)

Monster
(1999)

Survival of the Fittest
(1997)

The Clinic
(1997)

The Web
(1996)

Self-Defense
(1995)

Bad Love
(1994)

Devil’s Waltz
(1993)

Private Eyes
(1992)

Time Bomb
(1990)

Silent Partner
(1989)

Over the Edge
(1987)

Blood Test
(1986)

When the Bough Breaks
(1985)

Other Novels

The Murderer’s Daughter
(2015)

The Golem of Hollywood
(with Jesse Kellerman, 2014)

True Detectives
(2009)

Capital Crimes
(with Faye Kellerman, 2006)

Twisted
(2004)

Double Homicide
(with Faye Kellerman, 2004)

The Conspiracy Club
(2003)

Billy Straight
(1998)

The Butcher’s Theater
(1988)

Graphic Novels

Silent Partner
(2012)

The Web
(2012)

With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars
(2008)

Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children
(1999)

Helping the Fearful Child
(1981)

Psychological Aspects of Childhood Cancer
(1980)

Jonathan Kellerman’s ABC of Weird Creatures
(1995)

Daddy, Daddy, Can You Touch the Sky?
(1994)

PHOTO: © JOAN ALLEN

J
ONATHAN
K
ELLERMAN
is the #1
New York Times
bestselling author of more than three dozen bestselling crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series,
The Butcher’s Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club,
Twisted,
and
True Detectives
. With his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, he co-authored
Double Homicide
and
Capital Crimes
. With his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman, he co-authored the first book of a new series,
The Golem of Hollywood
. He is also the author of two children’s books and numerous nonfiction works, including
Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children
and
With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars
. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. Jonathan and Faye Kellerman live in California, New Mexico, and New York.

jonathankellerman.com

Facebook.com/JonathanKellerman