Hold Back the Dark Read Online Free PDF

“And probably going to get worse.”
    Simone patted Aimee on the back. “Sorry.” She’d learned not to ask for particulars about Aimee’s clients; she just listened to whatever Aimee could share and offered sympathy. She was worth her weight in gold. “Will it at least be over soon?”
    “I’m guessing I’ll be out of it by tomorrow. She needs to be institutionalized—at least for a while. And once a patient is committed, the psychologist who had the case isn’t generally wanted anymore.” The new doctor would want to make his or her own diagnosis and treatment plan.
    Whoever took over the case was going to be starting from square one without any of the background and history Aimee had with Taylor. On the other hand, maybe someone looking at it with fresh eyes could be of more assistance. Things were very different now for Taylor than they had been twenty-four hours ago.
    “There’s no way I’m running this morning. Why don’t you go ahead, and I’ll join you tomorrow morning. Okay?”
    Simone hopped up and gave Aimee a quick squeeze. “Sure. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll call tonight and check on you.”
    Aimee locked and chained the door after her. Great—Simone would call and check on her. She didn’t like being treated like a piece of fine china; she wasn’t that fragile anymore. She hated feeling like an item on someone’s to-do list. Defrost chicken for dinner. Check on Aimee. Pick up dry cleaning.
    She refilled her coffee mug. She might as well take a look at Taylor’s file before she handed her off to her new doctor. Maybe there was something there that could help with the investigation. Something whose significance she’d missed before.
     

    Josh and Elise had given the PIO enough for the Sacramento Bee to run a two-paragraph teaser about the murders on the second page of the Metro section, and the morning TV news shows would have a few facts to go along with the footage they’d taken at the house. The press would want more soon, but Elder thought he could hold them off for a while. Good thing; there wasn’t much to give them yet.
    The chief, however, had made it clear that there better be something sooner rather than later. Josh had expected to get heat from up top; he just hadn’t expected it this fast.
    After meeting with the chief, they’d each headed home briefly. Josh had showered, changed, and dropped a few crickets into the cage of his gecko, Dean. The lizard was pretty much the only pet that could withstand his sudden and prolonged absences. Dean didn’t exactly greet him at the door, but he did hiss and then slurp up a cricket. If that wasn’t love, what was? He was all the company Josh needed most nights; Dean might be a little grouchy, but he never talked during the game or drank the last of the beer.
    When they returned to headquarters on Freeport, the M.E. had left a message that he already had preliminary autopsy results on the Dawkins. He must have put a hell of a rush on it; the screws were clearly being turned on the M.E. as well.
    Josh and Elise climbed into their city-issued white sedan and headed up Freeport toward the morgue, past the strip malls filled with check cashing stores and nail salons and the occasional fast food restaurant.
    “It’ll be faster if you cut over on Sutterville and tack over on King,” Elise said.
    “Do I kibbitz when you drive?” Josh shot her a look.
    “No, but you sigh a lot.”
    “Fine. I’ll go up King.” He hung a right and then a left.
    At the morgue, they flashed their badges and were buzzed through. The forensic pathologist was waiting for them in the autopsy bay.
    “Whatcha got for us, doc?” Elise asked, popping her gum like a teenager.
    Dr. Halpern smiled his too toothy and whitened grin. “What might make you consider spending a little more quality time here?”
    Josh shook his head. Halpern had had a little crush on Elise ever since she was a cadet, and he flirted with her whenever they came in. Elise