Remote Consequences Read Online Free Page B
Author: Kerri Nelson
can."
"Am I?"
I had all but forgotten the pet name he'd given me all those years ago. Panda. I sighed. I was convinced the answer to my own question was "no," but knew that he wouldn't tell me that in a million years.
"I think I need help."
He looked at me, eyebrows raised. "I may know some nurses who are looking for a little extra work. Can you afford nursing care?"
I shook my head. "No, I mean, what about a place for her to stay…where she can be safe?" The words came out of my mouth, but it was as if I'd spoken them involuntarily. As if my very subconscious had snuck them into the conversation when I wasn't looking.
Immediately, I wanted to withdraw them. But the look on his face was non-judgmental. I loved him for that. He never judged.
"I'll do a little research for you, but I think you can do this, Mandy. I know you can do this. Won't you give it more time?"
I nodded. Set my coffee down and stood, wiping my hands along the front of my grimy coveralls.
"I need to check on her and go. I need to get back to work and…other stuff…"
I remembered the dead body in the freezer and opened my mouth to tell him all about it, but decided to refrain for now.
"Okay. I'll see you in the morning, then."
I nodded and then paused at the door. "Thanks, Dr. C."
He gave a nod of acknowledgement. "You betcha."
I walked out and back down the hall to Paget. She'd fallen asleep, and I decided not to wake her.
Today was quickly becoming more than just a bad hair day. At this rate, I'd need a total makeover before sundown.
* * *
I'd reported my frigid find to the authorities and I'd been all but laughed at by Ty and Officer Chubby. He'd said he would check it out, but I hadn't gotten the immediate sense of urgency that I'd expected. It was just like being right back in high school all over again. He'd always considered me his little sister's friend and he'd never taken me seriously, even when it really counted.
There was a small, curious part of me that wanted to revisit the mayor's house. If for no other reason than to dig a little deeper into my discovery. But there was also the matter of reporting to my boss that I hadn't been able to complete the job. Maybe he'd send another crew. Maybe he'd fire me on the spot.
Sitting in the cable van once again, I pondered my next move. The security guard continued to eye me from behind his kiosk. He'd probably already put in a call for a tow, but I hadn't been inside long enough for the truck to get there.
Before I did anything else, I had to get something to eat. There was only so long a girl could live on a cup of coffee, half a banana, and a box of orange Tic Tacs. Speaking of which, I needed to make a stop at Thrifty Mart before I headed to the office. A girl without Tic Tacs was not a happy girl.
Of course, I hadn't been exactly what you'd call giddy in a while now. Thoughts of the letter that had come in the mail zinged through my brain. I arched my back and dug deep into my pants pocket. I'd shoved it there yesterday.
I hadn't wanted to dwell on it too long. I knew it was a drop letter from school, but somehow opening it made it too real, so I'd opted to remain in denial about the contents. Pulling out the wrinkled paper now, the window-style envelope crinkled in my hand. I shoved it back inside my pocket. Now wasn't the time for pondering my future. Now was the time for eating, getting rejuvenated with caffeine and carbs, and then facing my boss. Ugh. Well, at least the caffeine and carbs sounded good.
With the decision made, I rolled through the faux ambulance bay and was on my way to my favorite eatery in town, The Back Porch Café.
CHAPTER SIX
Never give cherries to pigs or advice to fools. –Irish Proverb
Entering the café was always like coming home. Kind of like it felt at Aunt Patty's house, but with a lot more clatter. I'd grown up in this café, and for a brief moment, my father had owned it. I paused to inhale the scent of
"Am I?"
I had all but forgotten the pet name he'd given me all those years ago. Panda. I sighed. I was convinced the answer to my own question was "no," but knew that he wouldn't tell me that in a million years.
"I think I need help."
He looked at me, eyebrows raised. "I may know some nurses who are looking for a little extra work. Can you afford nursing care?"
I shook my head. "No, I mean, what about a place for her to stay…where she can be safe?" The words came out of my mouth, but it was as if I'd spoken them involuntarily. As if my very subconscious had snuck them into the conversation when I wasn't looking.
Immediately, I wanted to withdraw them. But the look on his face was non-judgmental. I loved him for that. He never judged.
"I'll do a little research for you, but I think you can do this, Mandy. I know you can do this. Won't you give it more time?"
I nodded. Set my coffee down and stood, wiping my hands along the front of my grimy coveralls.
"I need to check on her and go. I need to get back to work and…other stuff…"
I remembered the dead body in the freezer and opened my mouth to tell him all about it, but decided to refrain for now.
"Okay. I'll see you in the morning, then."
I nodded and then paused at the door. "Thanks, Dr. C."
He gave a nod of acknowledgement. "You betcha."
I walked out and back down the hall to Paget. She'd fallen asleep, and I decided not to wake her.
Today was quickly becoming more than just a bad hair day. At this rate, I'd need a total makeover before sundown.
* * *
I'd reported my frigid find to the authorities and I'd been all but laughed at by Ty and Officer Chubby. He'd said he would check it out, but I hadn't gotten the immediate sense of urgency that I'd expected. It was just like being right back in high school all over again. He'd always considered me his little sister's friend and he'd never taken me seriously, even when it really counted.
There was a small, curious part of me that wanted to revisit the mayor's house. If for no other reason than to dig a little deeper into my discovery. But there was also the matter of reporting to my boss that I hadn't been able to complete the job. Maybe he'd send another crew. Maybe he'd fire me on the spot.
Sitting in the cable van once again, I pondered my next move. The security guard continued to eye me from behind his kiosk. He'd probably already put in a call for a tow, but I hadn't been inside long enough for the truck to get there.
Before I did anything else, I had to get something to eat. There was only so long a girl could live on a cup of coffee, half a banana, and a box of orange Tic Tacs. Speaking of which, I needed to make a stop at Thrifty Mart before I headed to the office. A girl without Tic Tacs was not a happy girl.
Of course, I hadn't been exactly what you'd call giddy in a while now. Thoughts of the letter that had come in the mail zinged through my brain. I arched my back and dug deep into my pants pocket. I'd shoved it there yesterday.
I hadn't wanted to dwell on it too long. I knew it was a drop letter from school, but somehow opening it made it too real, so I'd opted to remain in denial about the contents. Pulling out the wrinkled paper now, the window-style envelope crinkled in my hand. I shoved it back inside my pocket. Now wasn't the time for pondering my future. Now was the time for eating, getting rejuvenated with caffeine and carbs, and then facing my boss. Ugh. Well, at least the caffeine and carbs sounded good.
With the decision made, I rolled through the faux ambulance bay and was on my way to my favorite eatery in town, The Back Porch Café.
CHAPTER SIX
Never give cherries to pigs or advice to fools. –Irish Proverb
Entering the café was always like coming home. Kind of like it felt at Aunt Patty's house, but with a lot more clatter. I'd grown up in this café, and for a brief moment, my father had owned it. I paused to inhale the scent of
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