In the Guise of Mercy (Maggie Macgowen Mysteries)
Page 28
Bits and pieces made the whole, though there were, and will always be, some blanks. Life is like that.
One day, Boni might come clean to save his immortal soul. If he does, I would only trust a small part of what he might say. I would like for him to apologize for sullying Mike and all of the men and women, their colleagues, who are committed to making this world a safer place.
Guido's student brought him coffee and dessert and somehow laced herself into him as he ate and watched the reactions of the audience. Early and I stood together, good neighbors, good friends; he had begun to date a woman, another neighbor, whom he met on a trail ride. She was expected to arrive as soon as her evening shift at a local hospital was over. I intend to continue to fly solo for a while longer.
A pan shot of the noisy, colorful shopping-day crowds on Broadway fades from the screen. Strains of music fall. Segue to the cool green of the redwood forest behind the cottage Mike loved so dearly, the house where we had hoped to spend our old age. Light filters through towering trees, the sound of crashing surf in the distance.
The coda is a short clip from an interview with Nick. He's packing up the contents of his cluttered desk at Parker Center; headquarters is moving to a new building. His shirt sleeves are rolled up, tie loose. He's looking down when we first see him, contemplative, studying a framed photograph. Then he looks directly into the camera, shakes his head, and smiles wistfully.
"Mike Flint was a legend around this place. A true legend."
Fade to black.
• • •
About the Author
Wendy Hornsby is the author of seven previous mysteries, five of them featuring Maggie MacGowen. Hornsby won an Edgar Award for her story "Nine Sons," which appeared in Sisters in Crime IV. Her books have won the Grand Prix de litterature policiere, and readers' and reviewers' choice awards, as well as nominations for the Prix du Roman d'Adventures and the Anthony Award.
Hornsby lives in Long Beach, California, where she is a professor of history at Long Beach City College. She welcomes visitors and e-mail at www.wendyhornsby.com
Photo: Wesley Allison
Also by Wendy Hornsby
The Maggie MacGowen Mystery Series
Telling Lies
Midnight Baby
Bad Intent
77th Street Requiem
A Hard Light
Other Mysteries
No Harm
Half a Mind
Nine Sons [stories & essays]
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20