1250030846 by Daniel Palmer

Author:Daniel Palmer [Palmer, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781250030863
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 28

Lucy Abruzzo’s office was nothing special, just a concrete room with a couple of windows, a desk, and a small conference table set off to one corner. An oval-shaped area rug warmed the space somewhat, but it lacked a personal touch. Lucy’s diplomas used to take up floor space, but a custodian broke the glass on one, and by way of an apology, hung them all on her office wall. Her bookcase was filled with medical texts, though she had a shelf devoted to her favorite nonfiction books as well, which she lent out like a library.

Lucy was seated at her desk when Jordan Cobb knocked on her office door. He was dressed in his workday uniform, blue scrubs and canvas sneakers.

“Hi, Dr. Abruzzo,” Jordan said.

Lucy peered out from behind her computer monitor. “Ah, Jordan. Good. Come in.”

Lucy pushed the file she had been reading to the edge of her desk and absentmindedly left it splayed open. She got up from her chair and came around her desk to greet Jordan. He looked a little apprehensive; it was not every day the big boss asked to see him.

“Have a seat,” Lucy said, motioning to one of the chairs around the conference table.

Jordan did as he was told, his large frame barely fitting on the smallish seat. Lucy took a seat as well.

“Tell me something, Jordan. What is it you want to do with your life?”

Small talk was never Lucy’s strong suit. Jordan knew this, but even he was taken aback by her abruptness. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“Excuse me?”

“The question isn’t all that vague, I think. What do you want to do with your life?”

“I’m doing it,” Jordan said, sounding more appreciative than defensive.

“You want to move dead people around, that’s the extent of your ambition?”

Jordan shrugged. “It’s honest work. And given my criminal record, my options are a little bit limited.”

“Oh, let’s forget about your criminal record for a moment, shall we? I knew all about it when I hired you. My question is, what else can you do?”

“What else?”

“Yeah, your other skills.”

“Um—I tutor in math.”

Lucy showed her surprise. “Really? I didn’t know you were mathematically inclined.”

“I understand it all right. Enough to tutor, you know? Taught it in prison.”

“I see. Well, the reason I’m asking all this is that we’re looking for a new lab assistant.”

Jordan’s face lit up. “Really? Like I could work with samples?”

“Oh, yes. The job involves processing specimens, preparation of tissue, bacterial cultures, staining for various smears, and of course preparation of human specimens for postmortem examinations.”

With the notable exception of Sam Talbot, to Lucy the dead were specimens and nothing more.

A big smile came to Jordan’s face, showing off teeth that would have benefited from braces if only he could have afforded them. “That would be … that would be incredible.”

Quick as that smile came, Jordan’s bright expression dimmed.

“What’s wrong?” Lucy said.

“All I have is a GED,” Jordan said. “You have to go through an accredited program to be certified as a lab assistant.

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