No Place Like Hell Read Online Free PDF Page B

himself to be trimmed from any photos. He might be short, bald, and chunky, but he looked sharp in his fancy three-piece suit, gold ring flashing on his pinky finger.
    Mayor Newell was running one sentence of thank you to twenty sentences of his usual political propaganda. He bragged about how he'd increased the number of officers on the streets, how he'd cut the crime rate. No mention of last night's horrific murder, although I was sure the press would ask if given the whisper of a chance.
    "And here she is, folks. Officer Demasi, the first female patrol officer on the Solaris PD and the person responsible for saving my son."
    Flashbulbs blinded me. Too late, I wiped the automatic smile from my face. I didn't want people to think I was a bit of fluff. Stern Officer Demasi. That's how I wanted to be immortalized.
    "Can we get you and the mayor's son together?" one of the photographers shouted.
    The mayor took my elbow and guided me to a place behind his son's wheelchair. He pressed close to me and smiled. The smell of cigarettes mingled with his overpowering cologne to create a nauseating odor. I thought I might barf in his son's lap if we didn't finish soon. Lucky Dave stood on the other side of the podium, stifling his amusement.
    "Okay, folks," the mayor's rat-faced press secretary said. "That'll be it for now. The mayor's a busy man."
    The press grumbled but took their cue and dispersed from the hospital conference room.
    The mayor patted his son's shoulder. "Remember what the doctor said. No strenuous activity, which means you can't chase your nurse—or Officer Demasi."
    Newell gave a forced chuckle and grimaced once his father's back was turned. He'd been silent throughout the press conference.
    The mayor hurried away, the press secretary scurrying behind. I'd intended to make my own hasty exit, but Newell caught my forearm.
    "I'd like to apologize for my father's comment," he said in a raspy, soft-spoken voice. "We haven't been properly introduced. And I haven't had a chance to thank you, either."
    He held out a hand. "Tad Newell."
    My face heated like a bonfire. "Officer Demasi."
    His hand remained in the air. Belatedly, I gave it a weak squeeze. "No need to thank me. I was just doing my job."
    He looked like hell. One side of his face was masked in scrapes, and the other was purple edging into green. I couldn't imagine how Dave had recognized him.
    "Then thank you for being expert at your job and saving my life." He smiled through puffy lips. It sent a tingle along my skin.
    "Mr. Newell, if you wouldn't mind, I have a couple of questions," Dave said, pulling his notebook from his shirt pocket.
    Tad shifted his gaze to my partner as if he'd just become aware of Dave's presence. "Of course. Anything I can do to help."
    "Can you tell us how the accident happened?" my partner asked.
    "Well… no." Tad studied his hands where they lay on a red plaid robe. "It's all gone. I don't remember anything about yesterday. I don't remember getting up. I don't remember having lunch with my dad, although he says we did. I must have been thinking about something and stepped off the curb without looking."
    Dave waited, silent. I wondered what he was fishing for. When he didn't get anything more, he pressed on.
    "Any idea what you were doing in that neighborhood? Buying something at a business? Visiting a friend?" Dave tapped his pencil on the page.
    "Is that relevant? I was in the wrong. I've convinced my father we shouldn't press charges against that poor kid who hit me."
    "You know how it is," Dave said. "We have to dot all the I's and cross all the T's or the duty sergeant will be on our case for not being thorough."
    "I don't know why I was there, although I'm sure I had a good reason when I set out. There's nothing listed in my day planner." Tad hung his head. "Sorry. I wish I could be more help. The doctor says my memory might come back eventually."
    He turned his attention my direction. "Maybe you could help me?"
    "Me?" It came