Devil's Waltz by Jonathan Kellerman Page B

Cassie’s pajama bottoms were too long for her and they dragged on the floor. Standing, she looked even tinier. But sturdy. Good steady walk, good sense of balance.
    I picked up my briefcase.
    Kneeling, Cindy put fuzzy pink bunny slippers on Cassie’s feet. These rodents had clear plastic eyes with movable black beads for pupils and each time Cassie moved, her feet hissed.
    She tried to jump, barely got off the ground.
    Cindy said, “Good jump, Cass.”
    The door opened and a man came in.
    He looked to be in his late thirties. Six two or so, and very slim. His hair was dark-brown, wavy, and thick, combed straight back and left long enough to curl over his collar. He had a full face at odds with the lanky physique, rounded further by a bushy, cropped brown beard flecked with gray. His features were soft and pleasant. A gold stud pierced his left earlobe. The clothes he had on were loose-fitting but well cut: blue-and-white striped button-down shirt under a gray tweed sport coat; baggy, pleated black cords; black running shoes that looked brand-new.
    A coffee cup was in one hand.
    “It’s Daddy!” said Cindy.
    Cassie held out her arms.
    The tall man put the cup down and said, “Morning, ladies.” Kissing Cindy’s cheek, he scooped Cassie up.
    The little girl squealed as he held her aloft. He brought her close with one swift, descending motion.
    “How’s my baby?” he said, pressing her to his beard. His nose disappeared under her hair and she giggled. “How’s the little
grande dame
of the diaper set?”
    Cassie put both of her hands in
his
hair and pulled.
    “Ouch!”
    Giggle. Yank.
    “Double ouch!”
    Baby-guffaw.
    “Ouch-a-
roo
!”
    They played a bit longer; then he pulled away and said, “Whew. You’re too rough for me, Spike!”
    Cindy said, “This is Dr. Delaware, honey. The psychologist? Doctor, Cassie’s dad.”
    The man turned toward me, holding on to Cassie, and extended his free hand. “Chip Jones. Good to meet you.”
    His grip was strong. Cassie was still yanking on his hair, messing it. He seemed impervious.
    “I minored in psych,” he said, smiling. “Forgot most of it.” To Cindy: “How’s everything?”
    “’Bout the same.”
    He frowned. Looked at his wrist. Another Swatch.
    Cindy said, “On the run?”
    “Unfortunately. Just wanted to see your faces.” He picked up the coffee cup and held it out to her.
    “No, thanks.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Nah, I’m fine.”
    “Stomach?”
    She touched her abdomen and said, “Just feeling a little woozy. How long can you stay?”
    “In and out,” he said. “Got a twelve o’clock class, then meetings for the rest of the day — probably dumb to drive all the way over, but I missed you guys.”
    Cindy smiled.
    Chip kissed her, then Cassie.
    Cindy said, “Daddy can’t stay, Cass. Bummer, huh?”
    “Dah-dee.”
    Chip gave Cassie’s chin a gentle tweak. She continued playing with his beard. “I’ll try to kick by later this evening. Stay as long as you need me.”
    “Great,” said Cindy.
    “
Dah-dee
.”
    “Dah-dee,” said Chip. “Dah-dee love you. You cute.” To Cindy: “Not a good idea at all, coming for two minutes. Now I’m really gonna miss you.”
    “We miss you too, Daddy.”
    “I was in the neighborhood,” he said. “So to speak — this side of the hill, at least.”
    “The U?”
    “Yup. Library duty.” He turned to me: “I teach over at West Valley C.C. New campus, not much in terms of reference resources. So when I have some serious research to do, I go over to the university.”
    “My alma mater,” I said.
    “That so? I went to school back east.” He tickled Cassie’s belly. “Get any sleep at all, Cin?”
    “Plenty.”
    “Sure?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Want some herb tea? I think I’ve got some chamomile in the car.”
    “No, thanks, hon. Dr. Delaware has some techniques to help Cassie deal with the p-a-i-n.”
    Chip looked at me while stroking Cassie’s arm. “That would be terrific. This