Depth of Deception (A Titanic Murder Mystery) by Alexander Galant Read Free Book Online Page A

Alpo?... You mean Dr. Ballard . He’s a respected scientist. "
    " Who’s spent the last five years looking for the wreck of the Titanic . I imagine he would have trouble getting funding for his dives once our Titanic II launches next week. "
    " There isn’t going to be a launch of a ship called Titanic II . The company spent a considerable amount of money on market research and focus groups and the response was that no one would travel on a ship named Titanic . The common consensus was that it was 'tempting fate.' If we don’t change the name we’re already sunk. "
    " If we do that after this press release that old hag will believe it was because of her and her damned petition. I’ll never live it down. "
    " We can spin it to your favor, that out of respect to those who perished on that fateful night you have magnanimously decided to call it the Titan . "
    It was clear that he would have more luck reasoning with a statue, but Edward still had another ace up his sleeve. He shuffled through the messages that he had picked up earlier and held out a fax page for his father to see . " Perhaps this will change your mind. "
    "What's this?" grumbled Archibald as he tore the page from his hand. Edward watched with anticipation as his father's gray eyes read the words on the page. He could see defeat drain the fight from the old man.
    "You win," whispered Archibald. His trembling fingers opened and the page just floated down to the desk.
    "We will issue a correction from our media office. We can spin it to your favor, that out of respect to those who perished on that fateful night…"
    " Yes, yes, " Archibald nodded as he wheeled away, stopping to impatiently pull the needle from the record player.
    Edward almost felt sorry for him. Almost .
    . . .
    Denise noticed how out of place the greasy, leather-clad man appeared as he emerged from the elevator. Most people entering this area of the hospital looked either lost or concerned or both. This individual looked like a man on a mission and judging by the camera around his neck, Denise suspected he was a reporter. Her hand reached out to the phone to call security when a page broke over the PA system, "Anesthetist please report to maternity. Anesthetist to maternity, please."
    As the voice was speaking through the speaker a terrifying scream erupted from behind Denise. She turned to see ‘Myra’, wrapped in her blanket, screaming, while looking about as if trying to see where the disembodied voice was coming from. Denise dropped the phone and instinctively ran to her patient. " Ma’am. You shouldn’t be up. If you need something you can buzz us. "
    The shivering woman looked at Denise as if she didn’t understand a single word. Through chattering teeth the poor woman asked, " Am I dead? "
    Denise was about to answer when a flash of light distracted her. She turned to look where the greasy man with the camera had been but he was gone. An uneasy feeling came over Denise. She had to get her patient away from prying eyes and into the protection of her own private room. "Let me take you back to your room. "
    She took ‘Myra’s’ trembling hand and was startled to find how cold it was. Myra opened her mouth to speak but only gibberish chattered out. Denise felt the patient go limp as she was once again losing consciousness. Denise called to a nearby orderly, "Can I have some help over here? "
    _ _ _
    Later, while Myra slept, someone sneaked into her room. A gloved hand reached towards her neck. Nothing there.
    From a nearby closet door, a piece of embroidered fabric peeked out from below the knob, too thick to be contained. The gloved hand opened the door to find a shelf above the ornate dress. A small lidless cardboard box sat atop the shelf. The hand froze as voices passing approached the door. The other hand reached for the gun. The voices continued to move away. The gloved hands carefully pulled the box down and tilted it for a better look. The light seeping in from the hall