Read Online The Dead Room by Heather Graham - Free Book Online Page A

cordoned off, and you’re all set to go. And—” he offered another of his broad smiles to Leslie “—we have two of the city’s most esteemed archaeologists on the case, along with whatever hordes the professor cares to hire.” He turned to Brad. “So do speak highly of us to the press, please.”
    Greta laughed softly; Leslie smiled. It seemed to her that Hank was honest enough, even if she didn’t always trust developers herself.
    â€œYou know, construction workers need to make a living, too,” Robert piped in.
    â€œRight. Some of us poor slobs are just worker bees,” Ken said.
    â€œYeah, poor Ken. You’re just the average worker bee, right?” Leslie teased.
    He laughed. “Okay, so, I’m a lucky, well-educated worker bee. Talk to Robert, here, though, if you’re looking for a guy who has worked his ass off—sorry, Greta—to get somewhere, and despite all he’s done, he’s got a tough job, nowhere near enough respect and a lousy paycheck.”
    â€œHey!” Robert protested.
    â€œOh, we cops are suddenly well paid?” Ken said.
    â€œCould be worse,” Robert told him.
    Ken groaned.
    â€œBesides, I doubt you intend to be a cop forever,” Robert said.
    â€œDo you have political aspirations?” Leslie asked, sipping her wine.
    â€œNot this year, I assure you,” Ken said. “Greta, this is absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for inviting me.”
    â€œWell,” Greta said, waving a hand in the air, “we want Leslie to feel that the police are with her if she ever needs them, right?”
    â€œGreta is really worried about you staying at the house alone,” Robert told Leslie. He didn’t add and so am I. He didn’t need to. She could see it in his eyes.
    â€œHey, I know New York City. I’m street smart,” Leslie assured them both.
    â€œAnyone can need help,” Robert said.
    â€œShould I be afraid for some reason?” Leslie asked. “Do you know something I don’t?”
    â€œNo,” Robert said.
    â€œWell, we still haven’t gotten to the bottom of those local disappearances,” Ken said.
    â€œLeslie doesn’t need to worry. She doesn’t exactly fit the profile,” Robert said.
    â€œThere’s still been no break in the prostitute case?” Leslie asked. “Is that what you’re talking about?”
    â€œNo, no break,” Ken said. He hesitated. “Matt had people concerned, but no one has picked up where he left off.”
    â€œSince Leslie is hardly likely to start walking the streets soliciting, I don’t think she needs to worry too much about that,” Greta announced. “I mean, personally. Of course we all need to worry in the larger sense.”
    â€œMaybe there’s a modern-day Jack the Ripper out there,” Brad offered.
    â€œJack the Ripper got his kicks by letting others discover the butchered bodies of his victims,” Robert said sharply, then flushed, hearing his own tone. “Sorry, this is a real sore spot with me. We’re just not getting anywhere. And whenever we think it might have stopped, we get another distant relative, hooker friend or embarrassed john down at the station, talking about a girl who’s just vanished.”
    â€œMaybe they’re just moving on,” Brad suggested.
    â€œI wish that were the case,” Robert said. “I just don’t believe it.”
    â€œWhy aren’t we finding any bodies, then?” Ken asked him.
    â€œI don’t know,” Robert said. “I didn’t mean to make you uneasy, Leslie,” he added, turning to her.
    â€œYou didn’t. I have a state-of-the-art alarm here, remember?” she asked, smiling.
    But Robert still seemed disturbed as he stared at her.
    Shortly afterward, their dishes were removed and coffee was served, along with a delicious apple cobbler. As dessert was set down,