Be careful out there!
Twenty-five
That’s what I’m considering. ” Dr. Scarpetta’s voice came over the speakerphone in Hammer’s office shortly after Trooper Truth’s latest essay rocketed through cyberspace. “But I would have preferred not having any information about a flare gun or anything else pertaining to my case published on the Internet. ”
“No one has any control over what Trooper Truth writes, ” Hammer replied as she gave Andy a disapproving look. “He’s anonymous, assuming he’s a he. ”
“How did he know about my case in Miami?” Dr. Scarpetta inquired.
“Maybe by doing an Internet search on spontaneous human combustion?” It was Andy who answered. “I assume there was a lot in the news about a case as sensational as that one must have been. ”
“As usual, there was. ”
“What next?” Hammer asked as she paced.
“I’ve submitted the grayish residue to the trace evidence lab and we’ll see if we come up with oxidized strontium, potassium perchlorate, phosphorous, chemicals like that, ” Dr. Scarpetta informed them over the speakerphone. “In the meantime, he’s a death due to forty percent body burns and I’ll have to pend the rest of it, but I think you should work him as a homicide unless we find out he had some sort of flare on his person that accidentally ignited. ”
“Trader lied. Big surprise, ” Andy said to Hammer as he hung up the phone. “So much for the Hispanic with New York plates. ”
Unfortunately, Trooper Macovich had no way of knowing what Hammer and Andy were discussing. As Macovich waited in his car while Barbie and Regina visited inside the clinic, Cruz Morales walked outside to smoke and noticed the unmarked Caprice. His heart jerked and began to pound. That bitch counselor had called the police! He tossed the cigarette and began to run, immediately snagging the attention of Macovich, who recognized him as the Mexican who had stopped at Hooter’s tollbooth. Macovich tossed his own cigarette and bolted out of the car in pursuit.
“Stop or I’ll shoot!” Macovich yelled as he pulled out his pistol.
Yes, I’ve thought about shooting myself, ” Regina poured out her heart to Barbie Fogg, both of them unaware of the foot pursuit outside in the parking lot. “But I don’t have a gun. ”
“I certainly am grateful for that!” Barbie said with relief.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, ” Regina went on as she wept behind the closed door of Barbie’s office, which was furnished with a faux-finished blue desk, a rose sofa, and an abundance of silk arrangements in soothing pastels. “It’s like I’m from another planet. I think I’m saying the right thing, and then I piss everybody off. I don’t have a single friend, even if I had one… ” She looked at her watch. “Well, I guess I had one three hours ago but not anymore. I think this is the longest I’ve ever talked to anyone. For sure, it’s the longest anybody’s ever listened, “Regina added pitifully.
“Who was the one friend you had until three hours ago?” Barbie listened intently from a lavender chair.
“Andy. He let me be his partner and then suddenly he turned hateful. ”
“His partner? He’s your boyfriend or was briefly?” Barbie was a bit surprised.
If ever she had met a woman who was unattractive to men, it was this poor creature. The young woman desperately needed a complete makeover. If Barbie were given the virtually hopeless task, she would start by doing Regina’s colors, which were difficult to determine. Regina’s pale, ignored complexion and dark hair certainly would be enhanced by bold colors such as charcoal and red, but Barbie believed that only the most feminine of women could get away with any accouterment that hinted of strength and assertiveness.
The last thing Regina needed was to look more aggressive. Maybe if she lost eighty pounds, wore makeup, had a good haircut, and began waxing regularly, her appearance would soften, Barbie hoped.
“No, he wasn’t my boyfriend,” Regina was saying with an indignation that belied her hurt feelings and overall horrible opinion of herself.
“Do you get headaches?” Barbie inquired.
Regina blew her nose loudly. “Of course, I do. How could anybody in my position not get awful headaches daily?”