Page 79 of The Deadly Shallows

“I hope you’re right,” Noah said. “I’m praying.”

Brooke shifted, praying too. Too many people were dying in the men’s evil wake.

Entering his office, Dwayne chucked the nurse’s scrubs on the table and swore.

“My sentiments precisely,” a man said in the dark.

Dwayne’s muscles constricted. He knew that voice well. “Sorry, sir.”

“For?” the boss asked.

“Being seen.” He’d met the primary objective. Connor was dead, but that woman recognized his voice, and now she knew his face.

The boss stood, his footsteps deliberate on the creaking boards. Everything he did was deliberate.

Dwayne pursed his lips, hoping he wasn’t dead.

His breath hit Dwayne’s in the face—mint and cigar, as always.

“You were seen, all right. By the guardsman and that woman. You’ve now failed twice with her.”

He wanted to argue. The first time was Saul and Ted’s fault, but the boss didn’t tolerate fools. “Yes, sir.”

“You aren’t irreplaceable.”

Adrenaline surged through him, his limbs burning to move, to flee, but that was the coward’s way out, and he was no coward. “Yes, sir.”

“We go way back, but don’t think I won’t pull this trigger.” The muzzle of his gun rested against the center of Dwayne’s forehead. “Take. Them. Out.”

FORTY-ONE

The following morning, Noah reviewed case notes while Brooke sat in the recliner in his room for a change, the soles of her black boots tapping a rhythm on his floor. They were both dressed and anxiously awaiting discharge, but it was taking far longer than anticipated.

Noah’s phone vibrated in his pants pocket. He checked the number and answered. “Hi, Hadley. Anything new?” He hoped the ME had found something concrete. So far, it felt like they were chasing ghosts.

“Are you still at the hospital? If so, I’ve found something you might like to take a look at,” he said.

“I’ll be right down.”

After he hung up, Brooke asked, “Did Hadley find something?”

“Yep. I’m going to head down to the morgue. Do you want to come along, or would you be more comfortable waiting here? I don’t anticipate being long.”

“Thanks for asking. I’d like to go with you.”

After working their way to the bottom level of the hospital, Noah rapped on the morgue door, and it buzzed open.

Hadley looked up, his head lamp shining in Brooke’s face. “Oh, sorry.” He clicked it off as she blinked.

Lifting his face shield, he said, “Oh, Brooke dear, good to see you. I didn’t know you were joining us.”

“I hope that’s okay,” Noah said, placing a steadying hand on the small of her back.

“Of course. Miss Kesler is always welcome.” Hadley looked between them and smiled but left whatever he was thinking unsaid.

“You said you had something you’d like me to look at?” Noah asked.

“Yes.” Hadley positioned the swing light over Andrews’s right shoulder.