Read Online In the Black by Sheryl Nantus - Free Book Online Page A

back.”
    “Affirmative.”
    A few minutes later the doctor came into the hallway, pulling himself along by the straps. He wore the same drab coverall as the other miners except this one had patches on the shoulders bearing the white-and-red cross of the medical department. A slew of stripes on his right sleeve showed he’d spent years working for the company, a lifer. He carried the typical doctor’s black leather bag, a custom brought out from Earth by most of the medics she’d come across.
    The snick of the bolts slamming home echoed behind him.
    The older man nodded to Sam. “Fred Danforth.” He extended his hand. “Chief Medical Officer for Branson Prime.”
    “Sam Keller. Captain of the
Bonnie Belle
.” She shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you. Sorry I had to drag you out here right away. Hope you weren’t busy.”
    He shrugged. “A few cuts and scrapes, the occasional STD. Excitement central. And I’m fine with that.” He peered at the closed door behind her. “But I’m guessing you’ve got more for me to look at than a cold sore or a rope burn.”
    “I need official verification of a death.” The words tasted sour. “I’m not allowed to do that and neither is my medic. The Guild demands a neutral qualified observer if one’s available, and that’d be you. UNS marshal is on the way.”
    The surprise on his face showed for a second before the professional side took over, clamping down his shock. “Okay.” He looked at the hatch, his knuckles white where they gripped the handles of the medical satchel. “Let’s do this.”
    She moved to one side. “Belle, unlock the door. After we enter lock it again, please.”
    The last thing she needed was someone wandering into the crime scene unannounced and unwanted. In theory everyone should be locked down, but still...
    Danforth pulled himself to the entrance and went inside. Sam followed.
    It took less than five minutes for him to officially declare Halley Comet deceased.
    Sam floated nearby, watching. She couldn’t afford to have the crime scene contaminated before the authorities arrived but she needed the official stamp of the medic in case the courtesan sprang to life and started talking through her slit throat. It was a compromise she had to make.
    Danforth stripped off his latex gloves and turned away, swimming back into the arrival area where Sam floated. “I tried not to touch anything. My report will reflect that along with my limited examination of Miss Comet.” He scowled as he tucked the gloves into a pocket. “Damned messy.” He shook his head. “Damned waste. Damned horrible situation.”
    “Thanks. I’ll take it from here.”
    “Sure as hell you will.” Danforth sighed. “I’ve been to some bad scenes but I never thought I’d see this. I’ll set up the autopsy room for her arrival—it’s full of record boxes right now. Haven’t had a dead body in...” He hummed under his breath. “Forever. Call me when the marshal releases the body and we’ll pick it up and start processing.”
    Danforth put up his hand before she could speak. “Don’t worry, I know the routine. Automatic blood testing for booze and drugs, the usual. Been a while since I had to do the dance but I remember how it goes.” The medical officer swam to the hallway door. “Hell of a change from stitching up bar fights.”
    “I don’t have to tell you to keep this quiet—”
    Danforth snorted. “Young lady, I know my job. And the last thing I want to do is increase my workload by getting the boys all riled up and searching for someone to take their anger out on.” He tapped his ear. “Eyes only for you, the security chief and the marshal on the report. I won’t use an assistant so there’ll be less gossip floating around. Still going to be some, though. People going to talk, people love to talk.”
    “But it’ll just be that.” Sam nodded back toward the suite. “Her parents deserve better than to have her autopsy photos displayed on