Read Online Suitable for Framing by Edna Buchanan - Free Book Online

Poor babies. Were they insured?”
    That’s one of the things I love about Lottie. She may bitch and moan, but she is all pro at heart and gets right into the spirit of a story.
    I told her about Trish and her efforts to transfer to the newsroom.
    â€œMaybe they’re doing her a favor,” she said glumly, scowling up at an overhead vent. “She probably ought to quit the library and bail outa here while she still can. I swear this place will kill us all. Something poisonous is spewing outa the air-circulation system at this very moment.”
    â€œLottie, this building is only ten years old.”
    â€œI don’t care if they built it last Saturday. I tell you if I had to work in here every day, my life expectancy would be something short of six months. We’re lucky we spend a lot of time out in the field.”
    â€œSure, on the streets of Miami where it’s much safer.”
    â€œYou heard about the PCBs, right?”
    â€œI heard the pressmen were complaining.” I trailed her back to the photo-pool equipment room, wondering where FMJ was holed up, while she searched impatiently for a 500-millimeter long lens for a Dolphins game assignment at Joe Robbie Stadium that night. “Anything to it?”
    She turned, hands on her hips, hair in her eyes. “Only that polychlorinated biphenyls were discovered in one of the ink tanks in ‘concentrations higher than the acceptable level.’ They’re claiming it’s not dangerous, but I asked Miriam, the medical writer, to look it up.” She leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “That stuff apparently causes everything from cancer to two-headed babies and nerve disorders.”
    She saw my skepticism.
    â€œYou know how Ryan’s always whining that he feels sick.” Her tone was growing argumentative.
    â€œHe’s a hypochondriac. Always has been.”
    â€œMaybe not,” she said, finding the lens she wanted. “Maybe he’s just more sensitive to his environment than most of us. You know, like the canaries they send down in the mine shafts.”
    I sighed. “PCBs or not, Trish would gladly change places with anybody out in the newsroom.”
    â€œYou want some young smart-ass female nipping at your heels, lusting after your job?”
    â€œFor God’s sake, Lottie! That’s the attitude that makes it so tough for women to get anywhere. We have to help each other.”
    â€œTry suggesting that to Gretchen.”
    â€œRight,” I said. “But Gretchen’s an aberration. You’ll like Trish. She’ll fit right in. Let’s go to La Esquina de Tejas some night next week and bring her along. It’ll cheer her up. She needs to meet people. I’ll see if Ryan can join us.”
    She grudgingly agreed.
    My phone was ringing when I got back to my desk.
    â€œI got your message.”
    â€œWho is this?”
    There was a pause. “Cornflake.”
    Startled, I slid into my chair and snatched up a pen. “I’m glad you called.”
    â€œThe information was inseminated that you wished to discuss some matter with me.” He was trying his best to sound mature and businesslike.
    â€œYou mean disseminated?”
    â€œWhatever. What is the nature of your requisition?”
    I couldn’t help but smile. “Let’s get together and talk,” I said, “just you and me.”
    â€œWe are conversing at the present time.” His voice sounded wary and faintly familiar. “How may I assist you?”
    â€œLet’s meet. How about the Japanese Garden, on Watson Island?”
    He hesitated.
    I had forgotten. This kid was only fifteen or sixteen. “Do you have a car?”
    â€œNo, but I can acquire the necessary transportation.”
    â€œNever mind,” I said quickly, “I’ll come to where you are.”
    â€œEdgewater complex, level two. Park in section pink or orange, proceed straight south, and board the