Covert Reich Read Online Free PDF

clipboard. “Hey. What’s going on? Something major happening in the ER?”
    He studied her for a second, clearly trying to decide whether or not she was entitled to know. She flashed her credentials from the chain around her neck. His eyes widened. “Oh sorry, Doctor. I didn’t realize you were staff.” She nodded. “No. It’s not in the ER. I don’t know exactly what’s up, but rumor has it there was a murder downstairs.”
    “What? Downstairs as in the morgue?”
    “Yes.”
    Kelly’s breathing changed, her body tensed. “Who?”
    He shrugged and looked back down at his clipboard. “Sorry, I don’t know. I have a patient waiting.”
    “Yeah, sure.”Her racing thoughts took a giant turn for the worse. She tried hard to push them away, but they wouldn’t budge.
    She headed toward the elevator. Before she could ask the officer what was going on, the doors opened. A man with dark hair and piercing brown eyes stepped out. He glanced at Kelly, straightening his navy and teal striped tie against his button down.
    “Excuse me, officer…” she said.
    He looked at her. “Yes?”
    “I’m a doctor here on staff.” She showed him her ID. “Could you tell me what has happened?”
    “Dr. Morales.”
    “Yes,” she said.
    “You’re exactly who I’ve been looking for.”

 
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
    Kelly was now following the man toward a private room to talk. Following the detective . Tony Pazzini. Her heart raced and every nerve pumped adrenaline. He still hadn’t told her anything other than he needed to speak with her in private. However, her gut told her what was coming.
    This was about Jake. It had to be.
    As they headed down the hall, they passed an orderly who dropped a handful of charts. Kelly bent down to help pick them up. The detective grabbed her arm. “I think he can handle that.”
    “I was only trying to help.”
    He touched her shoulder. “I understand but what we need to discuss is important.”
    She turned to him, arms crossed. “I’m not going any further until I know what this is about.” She needed to know. She needed to hear it.
    “Look, I just need to ask you some questions. I’d like to do it in private.”
    Anger, fear, and confusion stirred a vicious brew inside her. Kelly was terrified of what he was about to tell her. She nodded.
    “Follow me.”
    Once inside the doctor’s lounge, she turned and faced him, crossing her arms. “Okay. Now can you tell me what is going on?”
    “Did you have an appointment with Dr. Jake Hamilton this evening?”
    “I did. We were supposed to have dinner together.”
    “He didn’t show up,” the detective stated.
    Kelly closed her eyes for a second. “No. I was on my way downstairs to see him when you came off the elevator.” Beads of perspiration formed on her top lip.
    “I am sorry, but Dr. Hamilton was found murdered about an hour ago.”
    Blood drained from her face as her stomach twisted into a knot that made her want to vomit, leaving a sour burn in the back of her throat. Her hands shook, and a cold descended upon her, chilling her whole body. The detective reached out and took her elbow as she collapsed onto the yellow sofa. She put her face in her palms, too stunned to cry. Too stunned to think.
    Only one thought came to mind: She was the reason Jake was dead.
    She knew this with the most painful certainty.
    The detective poured her a glass of water. “Do you think you can answer a few more questions for me?” he asked. “I’m sorry to do this now, but it’s necessary.”
    She nodded. “I’ll try.”
    “Okay. Thank you. So, you planned to meet with Dr. Hamilton this evening?”
    “I did.” She was tearing up again.
    “What time was he supposed to meet you?”
    “Seven-thirty,” she answered, barely audible.
    “Where?”He jotted a note down on his pocket pad.
    “Tuscany’s.”
     “Was this a date?”
    “No. Dr. Hamilton and I were friends.” Her gaze fell to the ground. She didn’t want him to know she had