Murder in the Aisles Read Online Free Page A

of her name being called. “Yes, Dr. Wallington.”
    â€œCan you come to my office in about ten minutes please?”
    â€œOf course.”
    He continued down the corridor and got on the elevator.
    Felicia drew in a breath. Work must go on, she counseled herself, and hurried off to her office. She still had much to do. But as she got there she quickly realized something. One of her major projects, the analysis of a rare set of Egyptian hieroglyphics, was working with Dr. Dresden. But now that he was gone…
    She sat down heavily in her leather chair. The image of him lying on the floor in a heap flashed before her, quickly followed by the image of Detective Mark Rizzo. A warm flush mixed with disdain at her reaction to him washed over her. “Asshole,” she mumbled. She reached into the pocket of her suit jacket and pulled out his card. She fingered the worn letters before opening her desk drawer and tossing the card inside. With a definitive slam of the drawer she got up, adjusted her fitted jacket and headed off to meet with Dr. “Wally.”
    Felicia arrived at his office and was met by Lucy, executive secretary to all of the department heads. She’d worked with Dr. Dresden for years. She was more of a mother hen to all of them than a secretary. Her eyes were red and swollen and she held a tissue to her nose. All she could do upon seeing Felicia was wave her inside.
    Felicia gently patted Lucy’s shoulder as she passed. She tapped lightly on the partially opened heavy wood door before walking in.
    Dr. Wallington’s back was turned to her when she stepped into his inner sanctum. The head honcho in charge’s office was an antique lover’s dream, filled with one-of-a-kind pieces dating as far back as George Washington. Plush carpet covered the floor from wall to wall, effectively muffling any noises. The paneled walls gleamed, and the wall of rare books encased in glass made Felicia’s mouth water.
    Dr. Wallington sniffed loudly and Felicia turned her head away when she noticed that he was wiping his eyes. Finally he turned to face her, lifting his chin.
    â€œThank you for coming, Felicia. Please have a seat.”
    Felicia sat down, crossing her legs at the ankle.
    â€œI believe you were engaged in a project with Paul,” he began.
    â€œYes, sir. He was working on unraveling an ancient Egyptian language.”
    Henry nodded. “I think it would be best if you continued with his work. I’m sure it’s what he would have wanted.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œKeep me posted on your progress.”
    â€œSir?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI know you and Dr. Dresden were close. And…I’m very sorry.”
    His face flushed and his nostrils flared slightly. “Thank you. I’m sorry you’re the one who had to find him.”
    Felicia’s lips tightened.
    Henry exhaled a heavy breath. “Thank you. I’m sure you have plenty to do.”
    Felicia stood. “If you want to talk…” She let the statement hang in the air.
    Henry nodded numbly and made a show of cleaning his glasses with a pristine white handkerchief he’d taken from his jacket pocket.
    Felicia quietly left, shutting the door gently behind her. Lucy was still sobbing when she walked by. She wished she had words of condolence but her mind was already on the task at hand—finish what Dr. Dresden started and make him proud.
    She hurried to her office, passed several of her co-workers in the corridors, all of whom looked at her sympathetically as if her finding a dead body was reason to show her empathy. She didn’t want sympathy. She wanted to find out who did this.
    The moment she reached her office her phone rang.
    â€œLibrary of Congress, Research Department, Dr. Swift speaking.”
    â€œGee whiz, by the time you get done with your spiel, I’ll forget why I called.”
    Felicia grinned and sat down, cradling the phone between her