"Kiser, Marcia - Doctor Of Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kiser Marcia)

"No, thank you."

Dr. Green's pale face seemed a little paler to Salida. Good, she thought, maybe she's scared.

Salida followed the doctor to her office and was again surprised by the lack of ostentation. Dr. Green dressed well. In fact, Salida loved the green silk dress the doctor had on and figured it would cost two months salary. The solid gold hoop earrings Dr. Green wore were the perfect accessory along with the diamond solitare on her right hand.

"Engaged?" Salida asked, nodding at the ring as they settled in.

"Oh, no. My goodness, I haven't had a date since pre-med. I was too bright for most of the male interns and then, well, let's just say, life got complicated and I haven't met anyone. This was my mother's ring. I wear it to remember her by."

"Your mother's dead?"

"Yes. She and my father. They were killed before I finished school. Not that anything I learned would have helped them. They were killed in a car crash, returning from a dinner. Two drunk drivers swerved into their lane and the cars collided head on. My parents had just learned my mother had cancer. Very advanced. In a way, it was a blessing. She avoided a long, fruitless battle and my father was saved having to learn to live without her. They had a wonderful marriage and loved each other very much. So much, in fact, that at times, I felt left out. Isn't that silly?"

"Not at all. I hear that more than you think, Dr. Green."

"I can't believe I'm running off at the mouth like this, Detective. You have a wonderful bedside manner. I must be more upset about letting Mrs. Mason go than I thought. I don't usually confide in strangers."

Salida bent to retrieve her pad and pen from her purse. She tugged at the hem of her navy wool skirt and thought longingly of Dr. Green's elegant heels as she looked at her own serviceable black pumps. "Think of me as a professional, Dr. Green. I'm used to hearing confessions."

Dr. Green gave a nervous laugh. "But, I'm sure those confessions are from killers."

"What makes you say that?"

"From killers? You said you were with the Serious Crimes Division. And that you wanted to talk about Mr. Harvey's death. I assumed that meant you think his death wasn't an accident."

"Now that you mention it, we don't. We have reason to believe Mr. Harvey may have been pushed."

"Pushed? That's ridiculous. There was no one near him."

"Excuse me? Are you saying you saw Mr. Harvey walk in front of that bus?"

"Yes. I assumed that's why you're here to see me. My window faces the street. Aren't you talking to everyone in the building?"

"No, ma'am, we're not."

"Oh, I see."

"And what might that be, ma'am?"

"What?"

"What do you see?"

"Oh, well, that's just an expression, Detective. Maybe you'd better explain just why you're here.Ф

Salida almost grinned. Dr. Green's left hand trembled slightly as she raised her coffee mug to her mouth. Salida noticed Dr. Green didn't take a sip.

Buying time, Salida thought. I've as good as got a confession.