Orchids to Die For (Jim Morgan Adventure Series) Read Online Free Page A

and white taxi slide past – upside-down, with sparks flying out from a metal-to-road skid that the cab’s roof was enduring. It was less than a second in passing when a second vehicle – a big SUV -- came sliding, sideways, right behind the flipped over Checker.
    Morgan exclaimed, “Jesus Christ!”
    Catherine, placing a hand on his upper arm, uttered out, “Oh...My...God.”
    They both got out of the car and began a jog toward the gates. Morgan offered Catherine his hand and she grasped it in mid stride. She, being barefooted, said, “Ouch”, twice, as she stepped on errant parkway pebbles. Jim stopped, looked at her bare feet, “Want me to go back and get your shoes?”
    “No. I’m fine. 
    Morgan smiled; then looked at her a few seconds, and then offered, “Okay, but watch your step. Let’s go.” And they went on, much slower... 
    Traffic had already begun to back up behind the crash. A police cruiser with flashing lights was approaching from a block away in the southbound lane, people were walking from their residences, and a few were running. Some idiot was honking his horn in a road-rage fit; and everyone knew his name, too. It was, Asshole.
    Jim and Catherine were 50 yards from the wreckage when the taxi exploded, sending up a fiery ball of yellow and orange flames. The concussion from the blast had stopped them cold. Morgan let go of Catherine’s hand and placed his arm protectively around her shoulder and they just stood their watching the blaze in bystander amazement. There was nothing more that they could do, but observe.
    An officer was spraying foam on the fire from a hand held extinguisher. An ambulance was being directed to a safe parking spot, and more sirens were announcing the arrival of yet more safety vehicles in route. Morgan asked, “Seen enough?”
    “Yes. Have You?” She countered.
    Hand in hand they returned to the Austin, with occasional glances back at the highway and, now hidden from view, wreckage. A huge bubble had burst; the ambiance of a first night together was all but shattered. They both knew it. It was, the way it was. Back in the Austin, Catherine pulled out a small note pad and pen, asking Jim, “Do you mind?”
    “No. Not at all,” as he reveled in the vigor and intensity of her occupational interjection.
    Jim’s thoughts flashed back to the rear-end tap they had experienced earlier, and his intuition began using his grey matter as a punching bag. “Was it the same cab? Why did Eunice call him? Was the Arab cabbie acting suspicious? And ... Just who is this -- Catherine Harris?”
    Catherine finished jotting in her book. She looked back to the road and announced, “Looks like the traffic is moving.”
    “Yeah, I’d better get you back to your hotel,” then, looking at his watch, “It’s already past ten.”
    Catherine gathered up her shoes as Morgan started up the Austin.

Chapter Five
     
    It was midnight when Morgan arrived at his parent’s home. He entered through the garage, passing through the laundry room and quietly unlocked the rear inner-house door. Surprised, he found his mother sitting up waiting for him at the kitchen table, “You’re up late,” and he gave her a peck kiss on the top of her head. “Everything okay?”
    She reached her red ceramic teapot and began pouring a fresh cup, while saying, “Everything’s fine, Jimmy.” She was announcing her intention to, be up a while, let’s talk, with the newly poured cup of tea. “Your father’s asleep. He has a meeting at the shop, early tomorrow.” She looked at the big oval clock and corrected herself, humorously, “Today.”
    “I met a really nice girl today, mom. Her name is Catherine.” He watched her sip her tea; she was looking at him over the rim of the cup, waiting for him to elaborate. Sensing this, he smiled, saying, “I think I’m in love.”
    The big clock ticked, breaking a momentary silence. “By the way, you have three messages on the phone from Eunice. It sounds