Whispers of the Dead Read Online Free Page B

and I've been giving you and the facility a big boost, so
don't let me down.'
She extended her hand, apparently unmoved by Gardner's attempt
at humour. Tom's warm smile was met with the barest one of her
own. I wasn't sure if the reserve was natural or if she was just trying
too hard to be professional.
Hicks s mouth twitched with annoyance as he watched Tom. He
realized I was looking at him, and jerked his chin irritably in my direction.
'Who's this?'
He spoke as though I wasn't there.'I'm David Hunter,' I said, even
though the question hadn't been addressed to me. Somehow I knew
there was no point in offering my hand.
'David's temporarily working with us out at the facility. He's
kindly agreed to help me,' Tom said. 'Working with' was overstating
it, but I wasn't going to quibble over the white lie.
'He's British?' Hicks exclaimed, picking up on my accent. I could
feel my face burning as the young woman's cool stare settled on me
again. 'You're letting tourists here now, Gardner?'
I'd known my presence might raise a few hackles, just as a
stranger's would in a UK inquiry, but his attitude irked me all the
same. Reminding myself I was Tom's guest, I bit back my response.
Gardner himself looked far from happy as Tom cut in.
'Dr Hunter's here on my invitation. He's one of the top forensic
anthropologists in the UK.'
Hicks gave an incredulous snort. 'You mean we don't have enough
of our own?'
'I mean I value his expertise,'Tom said easily. 'Now, if we're done
here, I'd like to make a start.'
Hicks shrugged with exaggerated politeness. 'Go ahead. Believe
me, you're welcome to this one.'
He stalked off back towards the parked cars. Leaving the two TBI
agents outside the cabin, Tom and I headed for a trestle table where
boxes of disposable overalls, gloves, boots and masks had been set. I
waited until we were out of earshot.
'Look,Tom, perhaps this isn't such a good idea. I'll wait in the car.'
He smiled.'Don't mind Hicks. He works out of the morgue at UT Medical Center, so we cross paths occasionally. He hates having to
defer to us in situations like this. Partly professional jealousy, but
mainly because the man's an asshole.'
I knew he was trying to put me at ease, but I still felt uncomfortable.
I was used to being at crime scenes, but I was acutely aware that
I didn't belong at this one.
'I don't know . . .' I began.
'It isn't a problem, David. You'll be doing me a favour. Really.'
I let it go, but my doubts remained. I knew I should be grateful to
Tom, that few British forensic experts ever get the opportunity to
work a crime scene in the States. But for some reason I felt more
nervous than ever. I couldn't even blame Hicks's hostility; I'd put up
with a lot worse in my time. No, this was about me. At some point
in the last few months I seemed to have lost my confidence along
with everything else.
Come on, get a grip. You can't let Tom down.
Gardner came over to the trestle table as we were ripping open the
plastic bags of overalls.
'You might want to strip down to your shorts under those. Pretty
hot in there.'
Tom gave a snort. 'I haven't undressed in public since I was at
school. I don't aim to start now.'
Gardner swatted at an insect buzzing round his face. 'Don't say I
didn't warn you.'
I didn't share Tom's modesty, but I followed his example all the
same. I felt enough out of place as it was, without stripping down to
my boxers in front of everyone. Besides, it was only spring, and the
sun was already starting to go down. How hot could it be in
the cabin?
Gardner rummaged amongst the boxes until he found a jar of
menthol rub. He smeared a thick dab under his nose, then offered it
to Tom.
'You'll need this.'
Tom declined.'No thanks. My sense of smell isn't what it used to
be.'
Gardner silently held out the jar to me. Normally I didn't use it
    I
either. Like Tom I was no stranger to the odour of decomposition,
and after spending the past week at the