Deadly Treatment Read Online Free Page B

nodded slowly.
    ‘Well heck, Malone, you know you can come and go as you please. Take all the time you need. Now can we eat?’
    Malone relaxed and they both enjoyed their meal as their conversation returned to normal.
    Arriving home later that night, he found Taylor was already in bed. As he moved around the room undressing, he excitedly told her about the case he’d agreed to take on.
    ‘That’s great, honey,’ she said wearily, ‘but do you mind if we talk about it in the morning?’
    Malone reluctantly agreed and joined her in bed.
     

     
    For Daniel, the next day started out like any other, waking to the voices of the morning pirates doing another trademark windup call to a listener’s significant other — all in the name of entertaining radio. Today’s topic was “Honey, I wrecked the car.” As usual, Daniel listened through to the end before getting out of bed.
    As he shuffled to the bathroom, he overheard Malone and Taylor having their morning discussions, he couldn’t quite pick out what they were saying, but assumed that it was about the living arrangements, or the move, or the fact that Malone didn’t like his job.
    Closing the door behind him, Daniel went to the shower and turned the faucets on. As he stood there listening to the familiar streaming sound of the water jetting from the shower nozzle, he thought about the rest of his morning regime. The washing, then the dressing, the small talk with Malone and Taylor over coffee, then settling down to his design work in front of the computer. He couldn’t help but be reminded of the movie, Groundhog Day .
    Having resolved in the shower to somehow break the repetitive trend, Daniel decided not to get dressed before coffee, but chose instead to wear just his PJs and dressing gown; he knew it wasn’t much of a stand, but it made him feel mildly better. Who knows, I may even go for a run later, he thought as he looked down at his slightly protruding belly.
    ‘Morning … calling in sick today?’ Malone jibed, looking at Daniel in his PJ’s.
    ‘I like the new look. Kinda casual, relaxed meets power nap …you could be on to something,’ Taylor added.
    ‘Yeah, yeah,’ Daniel grunted as he made his way to the coffee pot.
    ‘Seriously, are you okay?’ Malone asked.
    ‘Sure, just having one of those days… Don’t you get the feeling that life has hit a bit of a routine?’
    ‘Funny you should say that,’ Malone smiled. ‘As you know, I’ve been feeling the same way at the Missing Persons Office. So yesterday, I took on a personal case; Taylor and I were just discussing it.'
    Daniel’s eyes lit up. ‘A case? Why didn’t you tell me? What is it? What can I do to help? I can help, can’t I?’ he asked excitedly.
    ‘Easy, tiger. I don’t think it’s going to be as big as the last one, it’s a missing lad called Joshua. There was just something about his mother that made me want to help.’
    ‘The mother, eh… What’s she like, good looking? You’d better watch out, Taylor,’ Daniel joked.
    ‘Your mood has certainly changed,’ Taylor noted, slightly peeved.
    Daniel waved it off, Malone continued.
    ‘She seems to have hit a brick wall with the police. Looks like the boy is a potential troublemaker, or at least has the makings of one. The mother is of the opinion that because of this, the LAPD are not being as helpful as they could be. I tend to agree, and Taylor doesn’t; that’s what we were discussing before you got up.’
    ‘I just think that in cases such as missing kids, the cops’ primary focus is on finding and returning the boy, regardless of his background,’ Taylor interjected.
    ‘And all I’m saying is that, although I agree with your sentiments, I also feel they have a greater interest or a stronger intent, in finding a good kid who has no history of trouble.’
    Daniel watched the two of them face off at each other.
    ‘Okay, regardless of whether the LAPD is doing a great job, can we get back to the case?’ he