Read Applaud the Hollow Ghost Online
Authors: David J. Walker
Applaud the Hollow Ghost (34 page)
“And her two little boys,” the Lady said. She swung her old Lincoln Town Car into a hard right turn to get back on the state highway. “Have you heard anything?”
“Not much. I had Herb Gatsby take a look. You remember Herb Gatsby?”
“Oh yes. The private detective. I always intended to invite him for dinner. He must have such interesting stories toâ”
“He just runs an agency. Anyway, Karen got her kids back. And then disappeared again. Herb saysâ”
“Oh look!” the Lady said. “A sign for the interstate. I suppose we should get back on.”
“I guess, if we're gonna get to New York before the semester's over.”
“I do hope your Lambert does well. I wonder how he's adjusting to the school.”
“Actually, I called him last night. He loves it. Even his voice sounds differentâa little, anyway.”
“You called him? Last night? But we didn't check into the motel until nearly midnight. Those hot dogs and French fries made you sleepy and you wanted to stop.”
“Right. And when I got to my room, I fell asleep right away. But I woke up about two in the morning and called Lammy.”
“Oh my. Wasn't he sleeping?”
“Sure. But he deserved it. He woke me up first. By showing up in that dream again.”
“You mean the boy in the river. Did you see his face this time?”
“The face is never clear. He's sort of transparent, like a ghost. But it's obviously Lammy.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“It's obvious. It's a boy in a basketball uniformâreaching out to me. I really thought he'd go away once I helped him. But he keeps on showing up. And it's not just the French fried potatoes.”
“You told me he didn't make the basketball team, so maybe it's not Lammy at all.”
“It's Lammy, damn it.” My voice came louder than I'd intended. “Excuse me. But it
is
Lammy. I keep him out of jail. I save his life. And now I've got him started in dog grooming school. So why does he have to keep showing up? Still acting like he wants me to pay attention to him?”
“Maybe your ghost keeps showing up because it isn't who you think it is, Malachy,” the Lady repeated.
“You keep saying that, Helene.”
“I know, but the boy keeps appearing in
your
dream, after all. So ⦠maybe the boy who wants your attention is you.”
I stared across at her, but she was on the expressway entrance ramp and she kept her eyes on her driving. “You know, Helene,” I said, “sometimes I think you read too much.”
She smiled. “Anyway, one couldn't really say it was
you
who got Lammy started in dog grooming school. As I recall, it was
my
suggestion. Then your new veterinarian friend, Dr. Danielsâwho's very, very nice, by the wayâfound that school in New York that would take him on short notice. And it was Casey who actually talked him into giving it a try. Really, all you've done is supply the money.”
“Yes. Well, actually it was Gus Apprezziano's money. I thought I should give it away because I never really earned it.” I leaned my head back to try to get some sleep. “Anyway ⦠Helene?”
“Yes, Malachy?”
“I'm kinda glad you like Lynette Daniels.” I smiled. “I called
her
last night, too.”
David J. Walker
,
a lawyer, is the author of the Edgar Award-nominated Mal Foley series, including
No Show of Remorse.
He lives in Chicago. You can sign up for email updates
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Also by
David J. Walker
Fixed in His Folly
Half the Truth
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Contents
APPLAUD THE HOLLOW GHOST
. Copyright © 1998 by David J. Walker. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
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First Edition: February 1998
eISBN 9781250112729
First eBook edition: January 2016