Time Release by Martin J Smith

Author:Martin J Smith [Smith, Martin J]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Fiction, Mystery, Retail, Suspense, Thrillers
Amazon: B00H7P47OQ
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2013-12-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Downing coughed twice, sounding as pathetic as he could, while the councilman’s niece read off his messages. One was from Christensen, logged an hour earlier. “He wants you to call him right away,” she said. “Sounded pretty upset.”

It could wait. First things first. He hung up and dialed the phone, and the morgue receptionist put him straight through.

“Ah, Detective Downing,” Preech said. “I am very, very sorry for the delay. We have been quite busy. The Christmas holidays, you know. But I have been trying most diligently to reach you since this morning.”

“Had some errands, Preech. What’s up?”

“Let me find my notes.” Shuffling papers. “It was quite difficult to find a time to work on your doggie in private. Things are quite hectic here, quite hectic. But it is done, mostly, although we are still awaiting the toxicology results, the blood work and so forth. The physical symptoms most definitely were suggestive of poisoning, quite possibly cyanide. Not a very cheery picture, I’m afraid.”

“He was bloody when you opened him up?” Downing wasn’t surprised at all, but there was a weakness to his voice he hadn’t anticipated.

“Doggie’s organs were full of blood. That is how the body reacts to the presence of the toxin, as you know. And a definite odor of bitter almonds. We have seen all this before, have we not?”

“Thanks, Preech. You’re keeping this between us, right?”

“As I have promised.”

An afterthought. “What did you do with him?”

“An excellent question, Grady Downing, because I will need your help to please remove doggie from the premises. I put him back together, of course, but right now he is in my freezer. That must by necessity be a temporary arrangement.”

Downing imagined a black plastic garbage bag secured by a twist-tie at one end, a standout among the refrigerated cadavers in the morgue’s icebox. Someone was sure to ask questions. “Can’t you just handle it, Preech? Send him out with the garbage so no one will know. I don’t think we should leave him in your cooler too long, either.”

“You misunderstand, my friend. I could not risk putting him with the others. Doggie is in my office refrigerator, in the freezer, and for that I had to move my frozen entrees to the refrigerator. I can eat one this evening, but the rest need to go back in.”

Downing’s stomach lurched. “Beyond the call, Preech. Thanks. I’m headed out. I’ll stop by in a bit, but if anybody asks I’m home sick today, okay?”

“Please be prompt. My prepared meals are beginning to thaw.”

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