Page 20 of Three for a Girl

“Bit late for that, I was passed it before we knew what was inside.”

Ally pulled the box on the desk towards her and opened the lid.

Chad glanced at the doctor. His pale blue scrubs were the same color as his eyes. His brow creased, and his face tightened into a grimace when Ally whistled, “Definitely kidneys.”

“I don’t know whether it’s some kind of sick joke, or what?” the doctor said, folding his arms.

Chad peered at the kidneys, he twitched his nose at the putrid scent, the decomposing organs almost had a sweetness to them. Ally put the lid back on the ice-cream tub holding the kidneys and slipped it in a padded evidence box. She snapped her gloves off and threw them in a nearby bin.

She hummed. “Not my favorite flavor.”

The Doctor recoiled. “Excuse me?”

“What time did they come?”

“First thing. The box was found outside the outpatient entrance, addressed to the ICU.”

“You opened the box?” Chad asked.

The doctor nodded. His eyebrows tugged together, and he pinched the top of his nose. “I can’t believe someone would do that.”

“And you are?” Chad asked.

“Doctor Carter. Clive Carter.”

Ally snorted. “Bond, James bond.”

“I feel like you’re not taking this seriously.”

“I am,” Ally said, “But if I don’t throw some inappropriate humor in there, I might as well shrivel up and die.”

“I go by Carter.” He turned to Chad. “They’re human. I’ve dealt with enough to know.”

“I assure you, we’re taking this very seriously.”

“Any idea who they belonged to?”

“We’re not at liberty to—

“Ellen Blakely.” Ally said.

Carter took a step back. His lips popped open. A glimmer of something passed behind his eyes, and Chad’s neck prickled.

“You knew her?” he asked.

“I didn’t know her.”

“What football team do you support?”

“Chad.” Ally hissed.

He ignored her, and waited for Carter’s response. He scrunched his face, and shook his head. “I don’t follow football. I’m into my cars, can’t stand football. What has this got to do with Ellen Blakely?”

Chad squinted, focusing intently on Carter’s darting pupils. “You knew her. I saw it in your eyes.”

Ally grabbed his elbow. “Ease off.”

“How did you know her?”

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