Page 68 of Identity Unknown
“I’ll live.” His voice is sullen over the phone.
“What’s up with you and Faye? Why the need to sleep in the building?” I find a frying pan in the drawer under the oven.
“We worked late and thought we should just hunker down,” he says.
“Because…?” I find a spatula.
“Because Luna Briley’s body is still here.”
“You don’t need to babysit.” I turn on an electric burner on the stovetop.
“We don’t trust what’s going on, Doctor Scarpetta. I guess you know what’s all over the news.” Fabian sounds angry and scared. “The things Ryder Briley’s accusing you and me of.”
“I know all about it…,” I start to say.
“And now a dead body’s been found in the Oz theme park he owns. I guarantee he’s involved in all of it, and not that it will surprise you? But I’ve been checking on her medical records, and nowhere is there any indication that she was diabetic.”
“I figured as much since there was no insulin at the scene.”
“More of their lies,” Fabian says. “And bottom line, Faye and I don’t feel safe. And that’s because we aren’t safe. And who’s going to protect us? Imagine the people Ryder Briley’sgot in his pocket, including judges and cops? Imagine if his daughter’s body gets stolen…”
“Hopefully we don’t have to worry about someone breaking into our building after hours. You shouldn’t feel like you need to stay there unless that’s your choice.” I peel open mini-tubs of butter, and Benton was thoughtful enough to ask for extra. “Teresa should be working security.” I’m referring to our most recent hire. “I assume all is quiet now?”
“She’soneperson. And there’s only so much any of the security officers can do. Believe me, she appreciates our being here after what happened at threeA.M.when the bay door rolled open on its own.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I wipe my hands with paper towels.
“I’m as serious as a heart attack,” Fabian says. “And nobody was there. Just the empty night. It was spooky, a really bad energy field. And of course, we didn’t think to bring any sage with us.”
“But the bay door is fine now?” I melt butter in the pan.
“So far. But the elevator is totally screwed up. It’s not working at all, and we’ve gotten several more of the hang-ups from anout of areanumber. It’s like someone is sticking pins in our doll.”
“Maybe someone is.” I tell him it’s possible we’ve been hacked. “That means the building isn’t secure, as evidenced by the bay door rolling up in the middle of the night.”
“I don’t know how you prevent stuff like this anymore.”
“It’s getting harder.” I flatten dollops of mashed potatoes in the sizzling butter.
“When will you and Marino leave wherever you are?” Fabian asks.
“Not sure about him as we’ve not communicated yet today. But likely I won’t be back until this afternoon.” I check on the toaster oven.
“I don’t guess you’re going to tell me what’s going on with the ET Whisperer, Sal Giordano, who’s all over the news? Obviously, that’s what you’ve been tied up with…”
“The examination is being handled at a military facility,” I recite as scripted, flipping the fritters, sprinkling them with salt and pepper.
“So, where are you?”
“In a place where I’m reachable by phone. That’s all you need to know.” I hear firearms examiner Faye Hanaday saying something in the background.
“Hold a sec,” Fabian tells me, and then she’s on the line.
“Doctor Scarpetta? Good morning,” she begins. “Thanks for letting us stay here. And I’m afraid we polished off the bread and tuna fish.”
“It’s not an Airbnb but you’re welcome anytime. I hope Fabian’s not feeling as unsettled as he was yesterday.”
“It’s this case.” Faye lowers her voice. “Luna Briley’s hit a real nerve with him. When he was a little kid, the girl next door wandered into his family’s yard and drowned in their swimming pool. She was four, and obviously not well looked after.”