When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason Read Free Book Online Page A

it.
    On the drive back to the morgue, she considered everything that had happened to her in the last week. Receiving the package, the break-in, the dead classmate, the attempted purse snatching—and now a possible serial killer copycat with a victim who was found on her watch. Something was going on in this town and it seemed to be revolving around her.
    She still didn’t understand how the man had managed to get into her house without setting off her alarm.
    And Yoda hadn’t barked, but she wasn’t exactly a watchdog. If someone paid her the slightest attention, she was a friend for life. All her intruder had to do was bring her a treat, and if she could have, Yoda would have thrown the door open with a welcoming lick.
    Chewie, her cat, would have found a place to hide.
    No, getting past her animals wouldn’t have been an issue.
    Before she had a chance to think about it further, she arrived back at the hospital. She pulled around to the back and parked in her reserved spot.
    She thought of spending more time with Dominic, and liked the thought. The man had gotten under her skin before she was old enough to realize what the phrase meant. Now, as an adult, she got it. She was attracted to him. And she wanted to explore that attraction.
    Maybe.
    As she walked into the morgue, she waved to Dorie. “What time do you get off today?”
    â€œI leave at five.” Today Dorie’s hair was a light brown, and she had it pulled back with two pins on either side of her temples.
    â€œMeant to tell you this morning, nice hair color.”
    â€œThanks. I was ready for a change.”
    â€œYou’re ready for a change about once a week, aren’t you?”
    Dorie laughed and shrugged in agreement, then rolled her cart toward the office at the end of the hall.
    Serena stuck her head in her boss’s office. “Hey, Daniel, I’m back.”
    â€œWhat’s up with the girl you brought in?” He consulted his notes. “Leslie Stanton?”
    Serena filled him in on the murder and the doll. She didn’t bother to mention the doll’s resemblance to herself. “Now I’ve got that cardiac patient, Gary Hanson. The family still insists someone at the hospital was responsible for his death.”
    â€œAny chance of that?”
    She shrugged. “He had a history of heart problems. He had his first attack at the age of thirty-eight. I’d say he was probably lucky he made it to sixty years old.”
    Daniel grunted. “Well, glad it’s you doing the job. At least I know it’ll be done right.”
    Serena lifted a brow. “Something wrong?”
    â€œNaw.” He grimaced and waved her away. “Go do your thing. I’m just ticked about the funding issues that are popping up everywhere I turn.”
    â€œOh.” Serena wrinkled her nose. “More cutbacks?”
    â€œLooks like it.”
    â€œI’m sorry. Anything I can do?”
    He shrugged and sighed. “Nope. Get outta here.”
    She did, but she couldn’t help the ping of anxiety that ran through her. She felt pretty sure her job was secure. But there were those she worked with—the tech, the cleaning staff, and others—whose jobs could be on the line. She prayed as she walked to her office and slipped into a gown.
    Just as she released the brakes on Mr. Hanson’s gurney, her phone rang. Pausing, she pulled it out and looked at the number.
    Camille. One of the girls with Adopt-a-Sis, a program Serena tried to volunteer with at least once a week. Camille had wiggled her way into Serena’s heart. Unfortunately, she lived with a father Serena felt sure was emotionally and verbally, if not physically, abusive.
    She pressed the button to answer. “Hello?”
    â€œHi.”
    Then silence.
    â€œCamille? Are you all right?”
    Sniffling.
    â€œDarling, what’s wrong?”
    A long sigh filtered to her. Then Camille cleared her throat. “My