Part 12 (1/2)
”Then how . . . ?” Browning swallowed. ”You brought Charlie back in front of them. Now the doctor is out telling them they can have their children back for three hundred dollars. If they arrive and we say it's not true . . .”
”It d.a.m.ned well better be true,” Dobbs said, pus.h.i.+ng to his feet. He turned on Browning. ”You tricked me.”
”What-”
”Your son was the demonstration. He's alive, and you didn't have to pay anything for it. No money. No life. Now my boy lies in his coffin, and you're telling me he's not going to come back unless I kill someone?”
”I never said- I didn't volunteer Charlie. Mr. Eleazar asked for him. You were sitting there when he did. You heard everything.”
Browning turned to Eleazar and the man nodded, but his agreement seemed a moment too slow.
”You two made a deal,” Dobbs said to Browning. ”On the side, before Doc and I arrived.”
As Browning sputtered, Eleazar rose, shaking his head. ”That's ridiculous. His Wors.h.i.+p heard the plan when you did.”
The words were the right ones, but something in Eleazar's tone didn't properly support them. Browning could see it as Dobbs's meaty face mottled with fury.
They won't believe me, no matter what Eleazar says.They'll think I used my position to get a bargain.
”I'll pay,” Browning said quickly. ”I will offer my three hundred to help anyone who falls short, at no rate of interest.”
”And the rest?”
”I had nothing to do with the rest. Mr. Eleazar offered his a.s.sistant. Everyone else will have to find a suitable volunteer.”
”How?” Dobbs's voice rose. ”My wife? Myself? Bring back one child and leave the rest with no one to raise them? No one to support them? Another of my children? Pick the one I like least? How is a father supposed to do such a thing? There is no one else. We have no other family in Chestnut Hill.”
Perhaps you ought to have thought of that before you agreed. That's what Browning wanted to say as his guilt turned to outrage at the injustice of it all. He hadn't offered Charlie. He hadn't brokered a special deal.
Browning squared his shoulders. ”If you cannot pay, then perhaps-”
The mayor never saw the blow coming. He felt Dobbs's fist hit his jaw, sending him reeling back. He recovered and swung at Dobbs but missed, the younger man grabbing his arm and wrenching, sending him flying into the wall.