Lethal Dose Read Online Free PDF Page B

with her hand cupped over the mouthpiece on the cordless telephone. She did not look happy.
    â€œIt’s that East Coast client,” she said quietly. “Remember, Ben’s birthday is tomorrow.” She handed him the phone and disappeared into the kitchen. The sounds of pots banging and dishes rattling followed.
    â€œGood evening, sir,” Evan said in a cheerful voice. “What can I do for you?”
    â€œHello, Evan, I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.” The caller didn’t wait for a reply, just kept talking. “We’ve got a situation here, and I hope you can free up a few days. We’ve just brought on a new division in Richmond, and they need their new copiers immediately.”
    â€œI’d rather not leave today if possible. It’s my son’s nineteenth birthday tomorrow. I could fly out after his party.”
    â€œTomorrow night is fine, Evan. When can I give you the details on the order?”
    â€œI’ll make a quick trip back to the office. Be there in an hour. I’ll call you once I’m there.”
    â€œFine. I’ll talk to you then. And thanks, Evan.”
    Evan clicked the talk button and the phone died. He hoisted himself off the couch and joined his wife in the kitchen. “I’ve got to make a quick trip to the office to go over a new order, but I don’t have to fly out until tomorrow night. After Ben’s party.”
    Louise Ziegler smiled, released a relieved smile, and gave her husband a hug. “He’s a nice man, Evan. You’re lucky to have clients like him.”
    He returned the smile and the hug, staring into her eyes from only a few inches away. His wife was aging, almost forty, but she still looked great. Her hair was deep brown and hung to her shoulders; she refused to cut it short, thinking that to do so was admitting middle age had set in. Her eyes were deep brown, with tiny wrinkles ebbing out from the edges and disappearing under her hair. Her skin was olive and her lips thin, but just right for the contours of her face. He kissed her, pushed off, and headed down the hall to his son’s room.
    Ben Ziegler hadn’t moved an inch in the last couple of hours. In fact, he hadn’t moved in almost three years. Not since the day he had dived into the pond at Shilling Creek without checking first for submerged rocks. He grinned as Evan entered the room, one of the few movements his damaged spinal cord allowed.
    â€œHi, Dad,” he said. “What’s up?”
    â€œNothing much, just came in to say hi. I’m surprised you’re still inside on such a nice spring day.”
    â€œDidn’t much feel like going out,” his son quipped back. “Couldn’t decide what to wear.”
    Evan sat on the bed next to the wheelchair. He ran his hands through his son’s hair, gently massaging the scalp under the thick thatch of dark brown locks. The top of Ben’s head was the one spot he still had feeling, and he loved it when someone, especially his father, touched him there.
    â€œI’ve got to head into the office for a while, Ben,” he said, kissing his son on the top of his head. “See you later.”
    â€œSure, Dad,” Ben said, grinning. “Remember, it’s my birthday tomorrow.”
    â€œYeah, son, I know. I’m here for you.”
    He left the room, his teeth clenched and the tears ready to flow. His son, his only child, paralyzed. He fought back the tears, but they still came. His wife, knowing how he hated her to see him cry, kept her eyes on the cutting board as he walked through the kitchen to the garage door. He brushed the tears from his eyes as he backed the Audi out and shifted into first gear. He wound out the first two gears, then eased off the gas. His neighbors didn’t complain, but he knew they watched his driving with narrow eyes. He slowed at the corner stop sign, his emotions slowly coming under control.
    Ben Ziegler had