Midsummer Murder by Shelley Freydont Read Free Book Online Page B

at the side of the desk and resumed her seat.
    “I was just wondering . . .” Lindy felt momentarily at a loss for words. She couldn’t imagine this woman unwinding enough to invite dialogue with young men and women over their feelings about the death of a friend. “I noticed that some of the students seemed particularly upset about the accident, especially one boy—”
    “Connie, most likely.”
    “Pardon me?”
    “Connie. Connover Phillips. He’s taking this harder than the others.
    He was infatuated with Larry, though I can’t imagine why. Larry never gave him the time of day. But that’s neither here nor there, is it?”
    Lindy shook her head. She was beginning to feel that she had misjudged Dr. Addison. “Everyone has been quite preoccupied with the, um . . .” She deflected the air with her hand. “I wasn’t sure if anyone had thought to—”
    “Consider grief counseling?” Dr. Addison smiled. “We’re on top of things here, in spite of the rather rustic ambiance. We have to be. With the nearest hospital a good half hour and a harrowing drive across the mountain, we try to be prepared for any emergency.”
    “I didn’t mean to—”
    “Don’t worry about butting in. You have to if you want to fit in here.
    Anyone who works for Marguerite is expected to plunge headlong into the fray. I expect you’ll find yourself more involved in things than you can imagine. I hope you’ll enjoy it; it’s quite exhilarating.”
    “I’m sure I will.” Lindy rose to leave.
    “Would you like a tour? I think you’ll be impressed.”
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    Midsummer Murder
    “Yes, thank you.” Lindy was taken off guard by the sudden invitation.
    She followed the doctor into another room. The walls were painted in white enamel and glistened in the fluorescent lighting. A metal examination table stood on the left and to the right, two hospital beds were neatly made in crisp white sheets and blankets. The room was crammed with gleaming metal, state-of-the-art equipment.
    “Rather impressive for a summer camp, wouldn’t you say?”
    Lindy could only nod. It was an amazing array of medical technology.
    Dr. Addison pointed out one machine after another, her sleek hand gliding across each instrument as she spoke. At the far end of the room were two doors: one marked, X-RAY, the other, LAB. The building was much longer than its humble facade had suggested.
    “Just about anything you would need for a physical emergency, but we are also equipped to deal with emotional and psychological problems, in a triage sort of way. We, of course, rely on outside expertise when necessary, but quite frankly, Lindy—may I call you Lindy?”
    Lindy nodded.
    “My name is Adele—our equipment is probably more advanced than any they have at County General. Of course, I’m only a Manhattan cardiologist, but I’ve taken quite a few courses in other fields. One must be prepared.”
    She sighed suddenly. “I’ve worked here for ten summers. I find shin splints and poison ivy a welcome relief from triple bypasses. But I confess, I wasn’t prepared for this.”
    She led Lindy back to the door and flipped off the lights. The room behind them was plunged into darkness, except for a series of emergency lights that blinked on.
    “You’re probably wondering what would bring a cardiologist to summer camp every year.”
    “Actually, I was,” agreed Lindy.
    “Marguerite, of course. She’s the reason we all keep coming back.
    We’ve known each other for years. We were at Hall’s together, back in the Dark Ages. She was in the senior division, I a mere second grader.
    She spent many a night singing a homesick seven-year-old to sleep.”
    Lindy looked at her, astonished. It was hard to imagine this sleek professional as a child, much less a lonely child in need of comfort.
    They reached the entrance door. “Thanks, Adele. I’m quite overwhelmed.”
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    Shelley Freydont
    Adele smiled. “Welcome aboard, Lindy.”

    * * *
The rain had let up while