Murder in the Aisles Read Online Free PDF Page B

“What’s a little pain when love is involved?” She waved her hand. “Go on in.”
    He leaned down and pecked her plump cheek. “Thanks for trying, Sylvie.” He strode past her, tapped lightly on the partially opened door.
    â€œCome in.”
    Elaine took off her glasses as Mark crossed the threshold. A delicious smile lifted her mouth. “Mark.”
    â€œElaine.” He unbuttoned his wool coat but didn’t take it off. He crossed the room and sat down.
    â€œWhat can I do for you?”
    Elaine was never one for small talk. Always straight to the point, he thought. He spread his thighs, leaned forward and rested his arms on them.
    â€œA case, a body came in this morning. Older guy. Dr. Dresden.”
    â€œYes, I haven’t had a chance to do the autopsy. He’s on schedule for tomorrow. I had to verify there was no next of kin.” She frowned as she folded her petite hands atop the files on her desk. “Something I should know?”
    For a moment Mark was distracted by that cute little wrinkle between her sleek brows. He adjusted his tie.
    â€œMore like something I need to know.” He told her what he knew so far.
    â€œI see. Well, I’ll be running all the standard tests. If anything comes up of course, I’ll tell you.”
    â€œI was hoping that you could put a rush on it.”
    â€œReally?” The frown deepened. “Any particular reason?”
    â€œIf it wasn’t an accident, then it was murder. The longer it takes me to find that out, the more time the perp has to cover his tracks.” He went on to explain Felicia Swift’s suspicions.
    â€œHmm.” She reached for the phone and depressed one of the buttons. Her gaze stayed focused on Mark. “Lenny, the case that you brought in this morning from the library. Head trauma. I need you to pull him out and get him prepped. Thanks.” She let go of the button. “As soon as I know something I’ll give you a call.”
    â€œThanks.” He hesitated, started to get up then stopped. “So, how have you been?”
    â€œGood. Busy—unfortunately—but good. And you?”
    He shrugged. “Can’t complain. So, uh, you seeing anyone?”
    Elaine laughed lightly. “No one special.” She leaned forward and zeroed in on him with those eyes. “Not many men can deal with what I do for a living.”
    The dig didn’t escape him. He rocked his jaw and gave her a half-baked grin. “We had a good thing, me and you.”
    â€œYes, and had is the operative word. It would have never worked. You know it and so do I.”
    There was that kick in the shin. He pushed up from his seat. “Good to see you again, Elaine. Give me a call when you have something.”
    As Mark drove back to the station, his thoughts shifted between maneuvering the icy, snowbound streets, seeing Elaine again and the growing feeling in his gut that Elaine was going to find something more than a simple fall from a ladder.
    * * * * *
    The pall that had fallen over the staff at the library was visceral. The usual buzz and hum of everyone floating through the administrative offices had been reduced to whispers and hushed conversations. It was driving Felicia crazy.
    She decided to take a short walk around the building.
    The massive reading room with its horseshoe seating and yawning cathedral ceiling that seemed to reach for heaven, held in place by the grandiose pillars reminiscent of ancient Rome, was virtually empty. Generally by the lunch hour the research tables and the counters were lined with people. Today she could count them.
    One of the library’s regulars, an older woman, who was researching the number of Africans who’d been enslaved and ultimately helped to develop the nation’s capital, came up to her.
    â€œGood afternoon, Mrs. Whitaker. Pretty rough day for you to be out.”
    â€œI figured the weather would keep a lot of people