Hell or High Water Read Free Page A

hand away from the reminder of Nate and pushed him from her thoughts.  
    “It’s been awhile since you dropped by.” His grin broadened and deepened the wrinkles around his warm, brown eyes. He rose to his feet and dragged her in for a hug.
    “Sorry. I’ll do better.” She kissed his forehead before pulling a roll-around stool over to sit next to him.  
    “Not to worry. I know you’re busy.” He shoved his glasses to the top of his head, forming a makeshift headband. The move left his hair standing on end. “What can I do for you?”
    “I’m looking for information on Leann Vaughn. She probably came in last night or this morning.”
    “She’s here.” He waved a hand in the general direction of the back of the building. “Not one I’m scheduled to work.” His gaze zeroed in on Kay. “Is she one of your cases?”
    “Yes, sir. Will you personally do the autopsy? Please. I’m not slamming the other MEs. This girl needs your expertise, deserves your knowledge. I don’t believe she killed herself.” Kay counted on him believing in her instincts.
    “She’s important to you?”  
    “Very.” Kay trusted him beyond questioning. If the truth would help Holly, he’d find it.  
    His bushy, silver eyebrows rose high on his forehead. “And if I rule suicide?”  
    “I will never question one of your decisions.” And she wouldn’t. When others his age were parked in their La-z- Boy rockers watching TV or out playing golf, Papa had stayed on the job. His mind was sharper than most of his younger peers’.  
    “Then I’ll move her to the top of the waiting list. Do the autopsy myself.” He lowered his glasses, one-fingered them in place, and then turned to his computer. His thin fingers raced across the keys, pulling up what Kay assumed to be Leann’s preliminary information.  
    Kay didn’t speak. He’d slipped into his world of analysis. She gave him a minute then asked, “When can I ...”
    A frown deepened the wrinkles on his forehead, ending her question. “I’ll call in a few markers and get the tox results moved along. You’ll hear as soon as I know something.”  
    “You’re the best.”  
    “For a while longer.” His words fell hard and sharp, a direct result of forced retirement at the end of the year. He’d yet to complain to her, but his tone spoke volumes.  
    “I’ll bet when the word gets around you’re available for consultation, you’ll be busier than you are now.” Kay stood and returned the stool to where it belonged before he reminded her everything in his morgue had a place. “I hate to beg and run. I’m a phone call away.”  
    She’d removed her cell from its holder and had made it to the double doors when his booming voice delivered the message she’d dreaded since entering his domain.  
    “Stop by and say hello to your folks.”
    “Sure thing. Love you.” Getting more than a hello from her father would require a miracle, but Papa never gave up hope. She stopped and called Holly. “I’ll meet you at the door.”
    “See you in ten.” Holly’s summery lilt made Kay wonder if she ever really got angry.
    Kay started pacing at fifteen minutes. At twenty, she hit redial and got Holly’s voice mail. After thirty minutes, Kay was getting uneasy.  
    Had Holly misunderstood? Was she waiting outside in the heat? Kay walked to the side exit, opened the door, and cautiously stepped outside. An hour ago, the side parking had been jammed full. Now the place looked like a barren oasis. Friday afternoon in Dallas meant almost everybody was at happy hour.  
    She looked both ways and then stepped a few feet down the drive.
    A man wearing a ski mask came out of nowhere. He grabbed her just as a white van drove up and stopped. Kay twisted out of his grip and ran back to the door. Her heart dropped to her feet. It had locked behind her. The man in the vehicle had jumped out and was bearing down on her.  
    Adrenaline spiked, and her mind scrambled. She screamed long