The Bogeyman, a Dr. Adam Karl Mystery by Leon Shure

Author:Leon Shure
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: medical mystery
Publisher: Leon Shure

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Chapter Twenty-Two

Haney stood at the cement island just beyond the semi-circle in front of his hotel, as I'd asked. I gave him a hand up while he made the climb into the cab of the van.

He was on my left side--we sat three across--so shaking his hand was awkward, but we managed.

The night was clear. The moon had risen and illuminated all. I was glad to be with two friends as we drove into strange territory and unknown dangers.

Keith gunned the engine, which I imagined was more like a grunt and a wheeze than a purr. This was indeed a coroner's van, but it had been mercifully retired after a long life of transporting the dead. We had disturbed its long-rusting afterlife for one more reincarnation.

I waited for questions from Haney, but he must have felt that the more he asked, the less confidence he'd have in my integrity.

"It's a nice night for grave robbing," I said.

Haney didn't know whether to laugh or not. I decided to put him out of his misery before he died of curiosity. "We're not actually going to rob a grave, just retrieve a missing corpse, stolen from a crime scene at a hospital."

"Go on." Haney said.

"The body was stolen, I believe, to cover up some physiological anomaly. There was something wrong or different about the corpse and the abductors didn't want to take the chance the anomaly hadn't been destroyed by the bullet. I believe the woman, her name was Helen Weir, was murdered because of the need to keep a secret."

"And we don't know the secret?" Haney asked.

"That's why they call it a secret," Keith said. I hated when Keith insisted on putting his two cents into the conversation, because it meant he was taking his full attention off the road. The old van had less than reliable suspension, and each turn shook us about.

"You said the crime scene was a hospital?"

"Yes, Mrs. Weir was suffering from atypical dementia," I said.

"Well, thanks," Haney said. "Now I understand nothing."

"Join the club," Keith said, swerving. We bobbled.

"All will become clear," I said. "Possibly."

Haney refrained from asking where we were going. I realized for the first time that not asking was a very good interrogation device. I'd have to remember to use that one. "I suppose you'd like to know our destination?"

"If you want to tell me."

"We're going to Bellum Labs in the suburbs. Have you ever heard of it?"

"Something about developing medications," he said. "Perhaps I received a sample of some wonder drug created by the Labs when I was in private practice."

"That's the one. I own it. Well the Corporation I own, owns it. That's why I said you wouldn't be arrested. If we're caught, I can just invoke my right as an owner to be on the property."

"So," Haney asked, "why drive up in an old van? Why don't we just walk through the front door and shout a few orders?"

"The Corporation and I are not getting along. We wouldn't be allowed to find her body if they knew we were looking.

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