Invasion Read Online Free PDF Page A

looked at the two uniformed cops.
    “We called and the owner’s on his way in,” one of them said. “Normally they don’t get here until nine.”
    Jesse nodded and turned back to Eddie. “How long have you been in here?”
    “All freakin’ night,” Eddie said. “Pressed up against this wall.”
    “How’d you get in?” Jesse asked.
    “Just walked in,” Eddie said. “I was just hanging out in the neighborhood and suddenly the garage door back there opened by itself, like magic. So I came in to make sure everything was okay. You know, to help out.”
    Jesse gave a short derisive laugh. “I guess Fido here thought you had something else in mind.”
    “Come on, Kemper.” Eddie moaned. “Get this beast away from me.”
    “In due time,” Jesse said with a chuckle. “In due time.” Then he turned back to the uniformed officers. “Did you check the garage door?”
    “Sure did,” the second officer replied.
    “Any sign of forced entry?” Jesse asked.
    “I think Eddie was telling the truth about that,” the officer said.
    Jesse shook his head. “More weird stuff happened last night than you can shake a stick at.”
    “But mostly in this part of the city,” Vince added.
    SHEILA MILLER PARKED HER RED BMW CONVERTIBLE IN HER reserved spot near the emergency-room entrance. Flippingthe front seat forward, she eyed her stricken VCR. She tried to think of a way of getting it, her briefcase, and a separate stack of folders into her office in one trip. It seemed doubtful until she saw a black Toyota utility vehicle pull up to the unloading bay and discharge a passenger.
    “Excuse me, Mr. Henderson,” Sheila called out when she recognized Pitt. She made it a point to know everyone by name who worked in her department, whether clerk or surgeon. “Could I see you a moment?”
    Although obviously in a hurry, Pitt turned when he heard his name. Instantly he recognized Dr. Miller. Sheepishly he reversed directions, descended the steps from the loading dock, and came over to her car.
    “I know I’m a tad late,” Pitt said nervously. Dr. Miller had a reputation of being a no-nonsense administrator. Her nickname was “Dragon Lady” among the lower-echelon staff, particularly the first-year residents. “It won’t happen again,” Pitt added.
    Sheila glanced at her watch, then back at Pitt. “You’re slated to start medical school in the fall.”
    “That’s true,” Pitt answered with his pulse rising.
    “Well, at least you’re better-looking than most of the ones in this year’s crop,” Sheila said, hiding a grin. She could sense Pitt’s anxiety.
    Confused by the comment, which sounded like a compliment, Pitt merely nodded. In truth he didn’t know what to say. He had a sense she was toying with him but couldn’t be sure.
    “I’ll tell you what,” Sheila said, nodding toward herback seat. “If you carry that VCR into my office I won’t mention this egregious infraction to the dean.”
    Pitt was now reasonably certain that Dr. Miller was teasing him, but he still felt it better to keep his mouth shut. Without a word he reached in, lifted the VCR, and followed Dr. Miller into the ER.
    There was a moderate amount of activity, particularly from a few early-morning fender-benders. Fifteen to twenty patients were waiting in the waiting area, as well as a few more back in the trauma section. The staff present at the front desk greeted Dr. Miller with smiles but cast puzzled looks at Pitt, particularly the person Pitt was scheduled to relieve.
    They walked down the main corridor and were about to enter Sheila’s office when she caught sight of Kerry Winetrop, one of the hospital’s electronic technicians. Keeping all the hospital’s monitoring equipment functioning was a full-time job for several people. Sheila called out to the man, and he obligingly came over.
    “My VCR had a seizure last night,” Sheila said, nodding toward the VCR in Pitt’s hands.
    “Join the club,” Kerry said. “You and a