Read Online Resuscitation by D. M. Annechino - Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t positive, but it sure seemed like the medical examiner was flirting with him. He had noticed her wedding ring just before she put on the latex gloves, but based on Al’s years as a detective looking into people’s backgrounds, marriage didn’t guarantee fidelity.
    “And please call me Maggie rather than Doctor Fox.”
    “Deal,” Al said. “So tell me, Maggie, what caused the victim’s death?”
    “I still have to examine her lungs, throat, skull, and stomach, and run a series of blood tests before I can determine the cause of death. However, whatever killed her was directly related to her heart.”
    “When do you think you’ll be finished with the autopsy?”
    “Give me a couple hours. By then, I should have it wrapped up and I’ll also get a complete blood workup and toxicity report.”
    Al scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to Maggie. “Call me on my cell as soon as you know something.”
    She smiled. “Will do, Al.”
    Al turned and just before he took a step, Maggie grabbed his arm. “Maybe you and I can grab a cup of coffee sometime soon.”
    He just smiled.

 
    “Hi, Sweetie,” Al said. “I’m on my way to check out a lead. Traffic is at a standstill so I thought I’d touch base. Did the doctor convince your mother to have the surgery?”
    “Not yet,” Sami said. “I’m meeting him at the hospital in an hour.”
    “How is your mom?”
    “Ornery as ever, which I suppose is a good thing.”
    “Want me to come home and stay with Angelina?”
    “Thanks for the offer, but Emily’s on her way over as we speak.”
    “Gotta love that Emily,” Al said. “We should adopt her.”
    “I’m not so sure you can legally adopt a twenty-two-year-old cousin.”
    He exited Freeway 5 and headed for Friar’s Road. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Doctor Templeton is a convincing litigator.”
    “That’s all we can hope for.”
    “Okay, Sami, I gotta run.”
    “We need to talk about something when you get home. Think you’ll find time for dinner?”
    “Not sure, but I’ll do my best. I have a witness to interview a little later, but I don’t think it should take me too long.” Al turned into the Fashion Valley Mall and headed for the parking ramp. “Am I in hot water again?”
    “Could be.”
    “You really know how to hurt a guy, Samantha Marie.”
    “And you love every minute of it.”
    “Sure I do. I love hangin’ by my fingernails, waiting to find out if I’m going to spend the next two weeks sleeping on the sofa.”
    “I was thinking more of the garage, Honey.”
    “Terrific.”
    “Drive carefully.”
    “Good luck with the doctor.”
    “I’m going to need more than luck.”
    “I’ll speak to you later,” Al said. He tossed the cell phone on the passenger seat.
    After parking his car next to the red curb, Al weaved his way through the crowded mall and found a directory that indicated where Saks Fifth Avenue was located. He’d never been in this store let alone purchased something there. And if three-thousand-dollar cocktail dresses and thousand-dollar shoes represented their mainstream prices, then he seriously doubted he would ever be a patron. This was not a store that catered to the middle class.
    The busyness of retail stores and restaurants in San Diego never ceased to amaze Al. No matter what time of day, most places were packed with customers. If there truly were a recession, apparently no one told San Diegans.
    He walked in the front door and immediately recognized that he was not in JCPenney. The sales people were impeccably dressed and the store was beautifully decorated. From the rich wood-covered walls to the stunning light fixtures to the marble floors, the place smelled of money. Every customer looked like they’d just left the beauty salon and had that air of snobbery so prevalent in people with deep pockets. At this particular moment, he really appreciated Sami.
    He found a salesperson and told her he needed to speak to the manager of