Double Homicide Part 30

On his back, belly-up.

An enormous belly it was.

Myron Weems's mouth gaped open in permanent surprise. One hand was splayed unnaturally, the other lay next to his tree-trunk thigh.

Even in the dark and at a distance, Katz and Two Moons could make out the hole in his forehead.

Michael Weems walked back to the side table and removed rags from the pile. Underneath was a revolver-what looked to be an old Smith & Wesson.

A cowboy gun.

"Cover me," Two Moons whispered.

Katz nodded.

Slowly, Darrel walked over, keeping his eyes glued on Michael's hands. She didn't seem perturbed or anxious even when he picked up the gun and emptied the cylinder of five bullets.

Weems had returned her attention to her painting.

Katz and Two Moons were now in a position to see the subject.

Merry and Max standing at the edge of a portal, portal, both of them naked. Staring, with a combination of horror and delight-the delicious discovery of a childhood nightmare's falsity-at the corpse of their father. both of them naked. Staring, with a combination of horror and delight-the delicious discovery of a childhood nightmare's falsity-at the corpse of their father.

Michael Weems aimed her brush at a circle of red on her palette, rosied up the hole in the brow.

Doing it from memory, without looking back at the real thing.

The rendering was perfect.

The woman had talent.

JONATHAN KELLERMAN is one of the world's most popular authors. He has brought his expertise as a clinical psychologist to numerous bestselling tales of suspense (which have been translated into two dozen languages), including the Alex Delaware novels; The Butcher's Theater, The Butcher's Theater, a story of serial killing in Jerusalem; and a story of serial killing in Jerusalem; and Billy Straight, Billy Straight, featuring Hollywood homicide detective Petra Connor. He is also the author of numerous essays, short stories, and scientific articles, two children's books, and three volumes of psychology, including featuring Hollywood homicide detective Petra Connor. He is also the author of numerous essays, short stories, and scientific articles, two children's books, and three volumes of psychology, including Savage Sp.a.w.n: Reflections on Violent Children. Savage Sp.a.w.n: Reflections on Violent Children. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards, and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. He and his wife, the novelist Faye Kellerman, have four children. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards, and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. He and his wife, the novelist Faye Kellerman, have four children.

FAYE KELLERMAN's first novel, The Ritual Bath The Ritual Bath, won the Macavity Award and generated the internationally bestselling Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. She has also written the Las Vegas thriller Moon Music Moon Music and a historical novel featuring William Shakespeare, and a historical novel featuring William Shakespeare, The Quality of Mercy The Quality of Mercy. Faye Kellerman's short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, including Deadly Allies, A Woman's Eye, A Modern Treasury of Great Detective Deadly Allies, A Woman's Eye, A Modern Treasury of Great Detective and and Murder Mysteries, Mothers and Daughters, Murder for Love, Murder Mysteries, Mothers and Daughters, Murder for Love, and and The Year's Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. The Year's Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. Her nonfiction essay "How I Caught a Mugger" appeared in the bestselling compilation Her nonfiction essay "How I Caught a Mugger" appeared in the bestselling compilation Small Miracles Small Miracles. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jonathan Kellerman, and a rotating a.s.sortment of their children.

BOOKS BY JONATHAN KELLERMAN.

FICTION.

Therapy The Conspiracy Club A Cold Heart The Murder Book Flesh and Blood Dr. Death Monster Billy Straight Survival of the Fittest The Clinic The Web Self-defense Bad Love Devil's Waltz Private Eyes Time Bomb Silent Partner The Butcher's Theater Over the Edge Blood Test When the Bough Breaks NONFICTION.

Savage Sp.a.w.n: Reflections on Violent Children Helping the Fearful Child Psychological Aspects of Childhood Cancer FOR CHILDREN, WRITTEN AND ILl.u.s.tRATED.

Jonathan Kellerman's ABC of Weird Creatures Daddy, Daddy, Can You Touch the Sky?

BOOKS BY FAYE KELLERMAN.

The Ritual Bath Sacred and Profane The Quality of Mercy Milk and Honey Day of Atonement False Prophet Grievous Sin Sanctuary Justice Prayers for the Dead Serpent's Tooth Moon Music Jupiter's Bones Stalker The Forgotten Stone Kiss Street Dreams