Jericho Point by Meg Gardiner Read Free Book Online Page A

ran through it and down a hall, pushed through another door, and found myself in the cold-storage room. In chilly air, rows of body lockers shone along the far wall. One was open. An attendant from the sheriff’s office was sliding out a tray, on which lay a corpse covered with a sheet.
    Jesse was watching. Sitting in the wheelchair, he was going to be eye-to-eye with the body. The morgue attendant reached to fold the sheet back.
    ‘‘Don’t,’’ I said.
    The attendant turned, her round face prickling in surprise. ‘‘You’re not allowed in here.’’
    Jesse didn’t move. I walked toward them.
    The attendant raised her hand. ‘‘Turn yourself around and march right back where you came from.’’
    Jesse sat motionless, gripping his push-rims. The attendant stepped to block the corpse with her own body. I walked past her.
    ‘‘Jess, it’s me.’’
    His head dropped. He covered his eyes with one hand. I fell to my knees at his side and wrapped my arms around him. He held as still as stone. He felt cold, his whole body knotted.
    ‘‘Breathe,’’ I said.
    He buried his face against my shoulder. His fingers snaked into my hair. I felt his lips on my neck, and when he finally drew air it was through a kiss, fierce on my skin.
    ‘‘Ma’am.’’ The morgue attendant’s voice had softened.
    Jesse found my cheek, and my mouth. He kissed me twice, three times, stroking my hair, holding my face close to his.
    ‘‘If you don’t mind,’’ said the attendant, ‘‘who are you?’’
    I looked up, seeing a name badge that read, AGUILAR. ‘‘Evan Delaney.’’
    Surprise kinked on her face. She nodded at the sheet. ‘‘This is Evan Delaney.’’
    ‘‘I vehemently doubt that.’’ I stood up. ‘‘And I’m in serious need of an explanation.’’
    Jesse turned his back on the sheet. He pulled out his phone and punched a number. Aguilar’s mouth pinched.
    ‘‘Sir, please. Not now.’’
    ‘‘This can’t wait.’’ He spoke into the phone. ‘‘It’s me. Here.’’
    He handed it to me. Putting it to my ear, I said hello.
    ‘‘Ev? Sweet Christ.’’
    My brother’s voice sounded brittle. I began to understand how far the bad news had spread.
    ‘‘I’m okay, Bri. Mom and Dad?’’ I said.
    ‘‘Negative. I was waiting for verification before I called them. Jesus God, how did they make this mistake? Evan, you have no idea.’’
    From his end came the noise of traffic. ‘‘Where are you?’’
    ‘‘Going like a Tomahawk missile down Highway Fourteen. I’ll be in Santa Barbara in a few hours.’’
    I felt myself choking up, and fought it. ‘‘You mean you thought I was dead, and you decided to drive ?’’
    He let out a hard sound that wasn’t really a laugh. ‘‘The navy hates it when I borrow their Hornets for personal flights.’’ His voice sobered again. ‘‘We’ll be there in three.’’
    We meant Luke, my nephew. I said, ‘‘Can’t wait,’’ and handed the phone back.
    Aguilar said, ‘‘Ma’am, may I see some identification?’’
    I showed her my driver’s license. She scowled.
    ‘‘Kathleen Evan Delaney. Same as all the credit cards on the deceased.’’
    ‘‘Oh, brother.’’ I glanced at the sheet, and at Jesse. ‘‘Hear that?’’
    He hung up the phone. ‘‘Stolen ID. Or counterfeit. You know what that means.’’
    ‘‘Cherry Lopez. That last kick in the pants she loved to give people.’’
    I explained to Aguilar. ‘‘My purse was stolen last summer. The thief was into online credit card fraud. This could be connected.’’
    Damn, had Lopez sold my credit information online? Or was the woman under the sheet a professional thief?
    ‘‘It’s identity theft.’’ Jesse’s face was severe. ‘‘This is not good.’’
    ‘‘Not in any way.’’
    Aguilar gestured to the door. ‘‘Let’s discuss this elsewhere.’’
    Jesse didn’t move. ‘‘Not until you tell me why you contacted next of kin before investigating this young