Last Breath Read Online Free Page B

old-fashioned diner that advertised the best burgers in town.
    Main Street dead-ended at the entrance to the university. A wide brick arch bore the original name of the school—Benjamin Howe College—and its founding date, 1879. The arch covered a paved lane that wound slightly to the left and ended in a wide parking lot. A courtyard of sorts was formed by the three imposing buildings that framed the lot. All three were constructed of brick and appeared to have seen better days. While far from derelict, Daria noticed that the black shutters were all in need of paint, and the brick clearly needed pointing. She parked in a spot designated for visitors and got out of the car she’d rented at the airport.
    She folded her arms across her chest, and took in the campus that sprawled out around her. Disappointed to find that nothing looked familiar, she hunted in her purse for the index card on which she’d written the directions Dr. Burnette had given her on the phone.
    The building she wanted was directly in front of her. She swung her bag over her shoulder and headed up the front steps to a covered porch. Double doors—also needing a refresher—opened into a wide lobby. Steps to the third floor rose up in the center, and halls led off to either side. The carpets were just this side of threadbare and the paneled walls needed a good cleaning. Rectangular shapes on the walls above the dark paneling hinted of paintings that had once hung there, and the chandelier in the center of the lobby was unlit. The overall impression was one of past grandeur.
    Daria took the hall to the left as she’d been instructed, and stood outside the door bearing a wooden plaque with C. LOUISE BURNETTE, PHD PRESIDENT painted in black script. She hesitated, not sure whether to knock or just walk in.
    â€œMay I help you?” a voice from down the hall called to her.
    â€œI have an appointment with Dr. Burnette,” Daria replied.
    â€œDr. McGowan?” The woman walking toward Daria was short and squat and had dark hair that just grazed her shoulders. She appeared to be in her mid-forties and walked with a spring in her step. “I’m Vita Landis, Dr. Burnette’s assistant. You’re right on time.”
    She shifted the stack of papers from her right arm to her left and opened the door, holding it for Daria to pass into the reception area. This room, too, had seen better days.
    â€œHow was your trip?” Vita asked as she walked around Daria and placed the papers in the middle of her desk.
    â€œFine, thank you. It was a good day for a drive. Last night’s rain cooled things off a bit.”
    â€œBound to get humid, though. Worst thing about this time of the year in this part of the country. Humidity. Means two things to me. Bad hair and mosquitoes.” She hit the intercom button on her phone. “Dr. McGowan is here, Dr. B.”
    Vita hung up and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could get a word out, the office door opened and a tall, slender woman dressed in a lightweight pale green pantsuit with a short-sleeved jacket stepped out, hand extended. She appeared to be in her mid-sixties, with light brown hair cut in a short no-nonsense style.
    â€œDr. McGowan, I’m so pleased to meet you.” She gave Daria’s hand a hearty shake. “I cannot begin to tell you how happy we all are that you agreed to come.”
    â€œI’m delighted to be here,” Daria said truthfully.
    â€œCome in,” the woman invited, “so we can chat. Vita, if there’s any iced tea left, I’m sure Dr. McGowan would appreciate a cold drink after her drive. You did say you were driving from Baltimore, didn’t you?”
    â€œI did. I spent a few days with my parents in South Carolina, then flew into BWI and rented a car.” Daria took one of the two armchairs that faced each other at the far side of the room. The chairs overlooked a garden where dozens of roses were