Skating Over the Line Read Online Free PDF Page A

burned figure. I tried to finish my sentence, but nothing came out. I sniffled hard and choked back a sob. I wasn’t going to cry. At least not right now. So I raised my voice and changed the subject. “When did you get to be the backup coroner? You never told me that. Don’t you have to be a people doctor to qualify for the job?”
    â€œI took a class and a certification test,” Lionel shouted back. “Animals and people aren’t all that different.”
    Everyone turned at the sound of Lionel’s very loud, very angry voice. I couldn’t help but notice that no one ever seemed to care when it was me doing the shouting. Redheads are expected to be a trifle dramatic, but hearing the trusted vet screeching like a banshee was a bit out of everyone’s comfort range.
    To his credit, Lionel didn’t bother to look embarrassed. He just shook his head and lowered his voice. “Look, I was worried about you. Less than two months ago you were stalked and then held at gunpoint by a murderer. Can you blame me for being concerned? I don’t want you involved in another dangerous investigation. I don’t think I can handle it.”
    With that, my anger, like Jimmy’s car, was extinguished. I found it hard to stay mad at someone I cared about. Besides, I kind of understood how he felt. For most Indian Falls residents, coming across dead bodies and exploding cars wasn’t part of the normal routine. Truth was, I’d been so shocked at the sight of a flaming car that I’d gone kind of numb. Now that my mind was working again, my legs jiggled like Jell-O.
    I took a steadying breath. “Okay, I think it’s safe to say we were both a little upset by Jimmy’s barbecued car. Truce?”
    The crooked smile he gave me made my heart dive into my stomach. His hand latched onto my arm and gave me a tug toward him. A moment later, his lips brushed mine. I sighed. My legs were still a little wobbly, but at least now I could blame their instability on Lionel’s kiss instead of on the explosion.
    â€œMs. Robbins.”
    I cringed at the sound of that voice. Turning, I spotted Deputy Sean Holmes standing five feet behind me. He looked as though he’d been sucking on a less than ripe lemon.
    â€œHi, Sean.” I gave him my best smile and a little finger wave, hoping to improve his disposition. No such luck.
    â€œIf you can tear yourself away, I would like to have a word with you.”
    â€œGo ahead,” Lionel said, abandoning me to the wolf in cop’s clothing. “I’m going to see if I can help the guys stow the fire hose. Someone will let me know when I need to look at the body.” With that, he headed for the flashing lights. I couldn’t blame him for not seeking out his deceased patient immediately. I didn’t want to think about the person in that car, let alone examine him.
    Mustering a pleasant expression, I strolled up to Deputy Sean. “What can I do for you?”
    Sean gave me his best stern-cop expression. A flip of his notebook and he went into his cop routine. “You’re the one who reported Jimmy’s car on fire?”
    I was certain the dispatcher, Roxy, had already told him that. Still, I replied, “Yes,” then waited for Sean to jump all over me.
    In a very professional voice, he continued. “The report says no one besides yourself was here when you arrived at the scene. Did any cars pass you on the road on the way to the Schmitts’ farm?”
    For the first time, I realized where I was. This was Alan Schmitt’s field. When I was in grade school, Mom and I would come here to get corn stalks for Halloween.
    â€œNo. I think the roads were deserted, but I wasn’t really paying attention. I was just trying to get here fast. The person in the car…” I said in a quiet voice. “Is the person…” Dead . I couldn’t say it, but Sean’s softening expression told me