Making Monsters Read Free Page B

Coroner Victoria Franks slid her slim, skirt encased butt
onto the stool next to his. Her voice was a soothing combination of calmness and authority.
     
“No, why do you ask?” He lifted his head to look at her.
     
“I accidentally overheard part of your conversation, so I discreetly left. I didn’t want to
intrude.”
     
“Okay.” He un-wrapped the piece of gum and slid it between his lips.
     
“I mean, you do realize I hold you in high esteem within our o
ffice. If I ask you not to
mention something, I trust you won’t tell.”
     
“When have I ever failed you, Victoria?”
     
“I wonder if Malia realizes how lucky she is to have you.”
     
“I’ll ask when she decides to start speaking to me again.” He chuckled.
     
“You’d never have to worry about something like that ever happening between us.” She
rubbed a palm against his bicep.
     
Paul eased away from her touch and pushed his glasses higher on the bridge of his nose.
“I’m not.”
    “I was thinking, Paul, if you ever need someone to talk to … I’d be happy to listen to
anything you have to say.” Victoria rose from her perch on the stool and trailed her nails along
his back as she circled him.
“That won’t be necessary.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll work it out with Malia.
Thanks for the offer though.” He picked up a folder and thrust it into his boss’s hands.
     
“What’s this?” She opened the thin binder.
     
“My report. That’s why you’re here isn’t it?”
    “Umm, yes, actually it is.”
Paul stood. Intertwining his arm with Victoria’s, he walked her to his lab’s exit. “I
highlighted the poisons that I’m still testing. You can let the mayor and police chief know I
    should have more information by close of business tomorrow.” He shuttled her out and shut the
door behind her. The click-clack of the soles of her heels receded as she moved away from his
office.
    He shook his head and headed back to his work station. Dragging the papers before him, he
looked for the common denominator. Paul re-read the words on each statement. The letters were
starting to blur, and his eyes burned. Then he saw it. He closed his eyes and opened them, to
stare at the sheets. There it was, one of the missing links to his oversized puzzle.

Chapter Three
    Malia hunched down behind Paul. A large transport van, parked at Killiman Ambulatory
Services, hid them as Paul surveyed the area. He leaned forward and hastily fell back, turning to
rest against the vehicle’s wheel well.
“The building looks deserted.” Paul glanced at her.
     
“Tell me again why we’re here?” Malia commented dryly and arched a brow.
     
“You should’ve stayed home if you’re still pissed at me.”
    “I’m simply trying to understand why you’ve brought me to this place. You rushed through
the door, asked me to grab my gun, and then said to come on. Idon’t think it’s an unreasonable
question.”
“I found the connection.”
     
“Connection to what, babe? Fill in the gaps for us mere mortals.” She crossed her arms over
her bosom.
     
“This company has picked up every body from the morgue and moved them to the
individual funeral homes.”
     
“Okay … ohh. You’re talking about the link to the missing body parts.”
    Malia’s heart beat stuttered at the slow smile Paul bestowed on her. Down girl. You’re on a
mission, even if he hasn’t shared the details plus you can’t forgive that easily. Fuck that, sure
you can. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. She chuckled at the surprised look on
his face.
“What was that for?”
     
“For trusting me.”
     
“Malia, if there’s anybody in this world that I have faith in, it’s you.” He blinked owlishly
behind the lenses of his glasses.
    She held her breath for those additional three little words. I love you . But, they never came.
He shifted and grabbed her hand; pulling her with him, they ran across the weed ridden, cracked