Body Harvest Read Online Free PDF Page B

mythology, Charon was the ferrymanwho carried the souls of the dead across the River Styx to the underworld. He was the guide between the land of the living and the land of the dead. And he always required payment.
    Troy was still staring at the information on the legend when Lexi stirred. Looking up, he said, ‘All systems back up and running?’
    ‘Mmm. How’s it going?’
    Troy shook his head grimly. ‘This job really depresses me.’
    Lexi looked surprised. ‘Does it? But you’ve hardly …’ She stopped when she saw Troy break into a mischievous smile.
    ‘Razor-sharp mind after you’ve turned it back on again, eh?’ he said.
    Lexi nodded. ‘You’re going to play a suicidal role online. You want our bad guy to notice your postings and get in touch – if he exists.’
    ‘Exactly,’ Troy replied.
‘I’m a waste of space. Someone else could do so much more than me
. At least, that’s the sort of thing I’m going to write. My body’s the bait.’
    ‘Good idea. Dangerous tactic.’
    ‘I don’t mind a bumpy ride – as long as it works.’
    Lexi turned towards her own terminal. Her forensic software soon identified the tread of Avril Smallcross’s walking boots among the three sets ofimpressions near the burial site. The computer defined Unknown Shoeprint 1 as trainer-type, 29.6 cm length (size 12), manufactured by Adibok, no significant wear on either tread. Unknown Shoeprint 2 was smaller: standard walking shoe/boot, 26.2 cm length (size 8), unknown manufacturer, both heels worn, chipped rubber in centre of left shoe.
    Putting the graph of round-the-clock temperatures on screen, Lexi assumed that the conditions hadn’t changed much in the last few days. She added into the equation the extent of maggot development and L4G#1’s body temperature when she measured it yesterday. And she calculated that L4G#1 had died on Friday evening and been dumped in the wood very shortly afterwards.
    ‘It’s warmer than average for April,’ she said. ‘The maggots have lapped it up. I’m pretty sure all the action was on Friday night.’
    ‘Someone used the cover of darkness to dump the body, then.’
    ‘More than likely.’

SCENE 7
    Tuesday 8th April, Night
    The experimental music wafted around the room where Lexi relaxed with friends. An outer boy said with a grin, ‘So, you’ve got a new partner in crime. A major. Watch your back is all I’m saying.’
    Lexi smiled. ‘He’s on trial with me. And my guess is he’s not the back-stabbing type.’
    A girl sucked her forefinger to wet it, dunked it in the pot of termites and then popped them into her mouth. ‘Brain the size of a termite’s,’ she teased, licking her lips.
    ‘He might not be as stupid as you think. We’ll see.’Lexi alternated between the bowl of crispy-fried bugs and the live food, pausing only to flick a carapace out from between her teeth.
    Another girl exclaimed, ‘You don’t
like
him, do you? A major!’
    Lexi shrugged. ‘I doubt it. Too early to say. But I’ve known a lot worse.’
    ‘Have you seen what they do after they’ve had a few drinks?’
    ‘Hey. Just because I’ve got a major partner doesn’t mean it’s my job to defend them,’ Lexi replied. ‘But they’re not the only ones who make a nuisance of themselves.’
    ‘Have you heard – or seen – how their females go to the toilet? They sit down! Yes, they actually come into contact with it. Hygiene, please!’
    Grimacing, Lexi said, ‘So do the boys. On occasions.’
    ‘Yuck.’
    ‘Gross!’
    Lexi laughed. ‘And you know how they have children, don’t you?’
    Almost together, the outers cried, ‘Don’t go there!’

SCENE 8
    Tuesday 8th April, Night
    Grandma was tinkering around in the kitchen. ‘How’s it gone, honey?’ she called out.
    ‘Okay,’ Troy answered.
    ‘Is it an interesting case?’
    Troy put his head round the door. ‘You don’t want to know the details.’
    ‘Too true. And what about your partner? Do you get on okay with