'Tis the Season by Renee Kumor

Author:Renee Kumor [Kumor, Renee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AbsolutelyAmazingEbooks.com
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“You can stay here in the office while I go check-in with the ME,” Dusty told Lynn as he headed toward the morgue refrigeration room. Lynn was surprised to find this area in the hospital. As often as she visited the hospital, she had never noticed the discreet sign, ‘Morgue’ as she entered from the parking lot.

“I want to see her,” said Lynn. “I don’t think she has family in River Bend.” Dusty shrugged then held the door open for her.

The morgue attendant had just moved the victim into one of the coolers. He recognized Dusty and reopened the door. As Dusty and Lynn approached, he slid the drawer out and raised the cover from the victim’s face. “The doc says we’ll do the autopsy in the morning. It’s New Year’s Eve, you know. Besides, he wants family notified.”

While he was speaking to Dusty, Lynn steeled herself for the sight of Haley’s body and looked into the drawer. She cried with relief, “Dusty, that’s not Haley.”

Both men turned. The attendant said, “She had no ID. The police were going with the name on the car registration.”

“Who is she?” asked Dusty as he looked at the dead woman.

“She works for Haley,” replied Lynn. “She’s the bookkeeper for River Bend Reads.” Lynn continued to stare at the woman and to recall her recent conversations with Haley and that mysterious phone call from H. Lawrence. She shivered. Had Haley done this? Now she was worried. Lynn couldn’t believe that Haley was a murderer. She shivered again.

Dusty came over to her and said, “Let’s get into the office. I’ll bet you have things you want to whisper in my ear.” The attendant laughed slyly.

Lynn allowed Dusty to lead her from the room and back to the outer offices. As they walked, Dusty was paging Teniquia, the unit member who had drawn New Year’s Eve duty. “How close are you to the ME’s office?” He listened. “Great.” He turned to Lynn. “Before I take you home, I want you to brief me and Teniquia on Haley Kirby, on the dead body, and what you know about River Bend Reads.” She nodded.

≈≈≈

By twelve-thirty Piper realized Lynn was not at the party and probably not going to attend. Maybe, thought Piper, Lynn has taken my advice. She looked for Will to tell him her suspicion. Then she reconsidered. They had a bet on this evening. Besides, as much as Will wanted Lynn to be happy, Piper didn’t know if he wanted to hear that his sister was out dallying with some guy. Well, everyone knew what guy, but she wasn’t certain how Will would respond. There were times he could be very prim.

She heard her phone ring. One of her guests answered it and proceeded to sing Auld Lang Syne to the caller. Piper caught Will’s eye across the room, but she was closer. Swimming against the tide of her inebriated guests, she grabbed the phone before it could be passed around so that everyone had a chance to sing.

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