Four Scarpetta Novels by Patricia Cornwell Read Free Book Online

suggesting there’s no sexual component. I’m not saying there isn’t rage. I just don’t think these are what drive him.”
    â€œCharleston must feel very lucky to have you,” he says.
    â€œI’m not sure Charleston feels anything of the sort,” she says. “At least, the local coroner most likely doesn’t.”
    The drunk Americans are getting louder. Benton seems distracted by what they’re saying.
    â€œAn expert like yourself right there. Very lucky is how I would consider it if I were the coroner. And he doesn’t avail himself of your talents?” Captain Poma says, brushing against her as he reaches for a photograph he doesn’t need to look at again.
    â€œHe sends his cases to the Medical University of South Carolina, has never had to contend with a private pathology practice before. Not in Charleston or anywhere. My contracts are with some of the coroners from outlying jurisdictions where there’s no access to medical examiner facilities and labs,” she explains, distracted by Benton.
    He indicates for her to pay attention to what the drunk Americans are saying.
    â€œâ€¦I just think when it’s undisclosed this and undisclosed that, it’s fishy,” one of them pontificates.
    â€œWhy would she want anybody to know? I don’t blame her. It’s like Oprah or Anna Nicole Smith. People find out where they are, they show up in droves.”
    â€œHow sickening. Imagine being in the hospital…”
    â€œOr in Anna Nicole Smith’s case, in the morgue. Or in the damn ground…”
    â€œâ€¦And mobs of people out there on the sidewalk, yelling out your name.”
    â€œCan’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen, is what I say. Price you pay for being rich and famous.”
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Scarpetta asks Benton.
    â€œIt would seem our old friend Dr. Self had some sort of emergency earlier today and is going to be off the air for a while,” he replies.
    Captain Poma turns around and looks at the table of noisy Americans. “Do you know her?” he asks.
    Benton says, “We’ve had our run-ins with her. Mainly, Kay has.”
    â€œI believe I read something about that when I was researching you. A sensational, very brutal homicide case in Florida that involved all of you.”
    â€œI’m glad to know you researched us,” Benton says. “That was very thorough.”
    â€œOnly to make myself familiar before you came here.” Captain Poma meets Scarpetta’s eyes. “A very beautiful woman I know watches Dr. Self regularly,” he says, “and she tells me she saw her on the show last fall. It had something to do with her winning that very big tournament in New York. I admit I don’t pay much attention to tennis.”
    â€œThe U.S. Open,” Scarpetta says.
    â€œI’m not aware Drew was on her show,” Benton says, frowning as if he doesn’t believe him.
    â€œShe was. I’ve checked. This is very interesting. Suddenly, Dr. Self has a family emergency. I’ve been trying to get in touch with her, and she has yet to respond to my inquiries. Perhaps you could intercede?” he says to Scarpetta.
    â€œI seriously doubt that would be helpful,” she says. “Dr. Self hates me.”
    Â 
    They walk back, following Via Due Macelli in the dark.
    She imagines Drew Martin walking these streets. She wonders who she encountered. What does he look like? How old is he? What did he do to inspire her trust? Had they met before? It was daylight, plenty of people out, but so far no witnesses have come forward with convincing information that they saw anybody who fit her description at any time after she left the mime. How can that be possible? She was one of the most famous athletes in the world, and not one person recognized her on the streets of Rome?
    â€œWas what happened random? Like a lightning strike? That’s the