Page 13 of Twice Missing
"We will."
He closed the door behind him but lingered there for a moment, mulling over Ethan's questions.
5
The automatic doors of the Adirondack Medical Center slid open with a soft hiss, allowing a gust of frigid air to accompany Noah as he stepped into the lobby. The warmth of the building enveloped him like a comforting blanket, a welcome relief from the biting cold of the Adirondack winter. Snowflakes clung to his coat, quickly melting in the heated interior.
Noah stamped his feet on the mat, shaking off the excess snow as he surveyed the bustling lobby. The air was thick with the scent of disinfectant and the underlying tension that always seemed to permeate hospitals. He was here to speak with Dr. Adelaide Chambers, the medical examiner whose office was tucked away in the basement of the building.
Before heading down, Noah approached a vending machine, fishing a coin from his pocket. As he inserted it into the slot, a familiar Scottish accent sounded from behind him.
"I take four sugars in mine, laddie."
A smile tugged at Noah's lips as he recognized the voice without turning —Detective Angus McKenzie.
"Four?" Noah chuckled, shaking his head. "That'll rot your teeth, McKenzie."
"Aye, not these ones," McKenzie retorted, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Scottish teeth are made different. Made of Nessie bones, don't you know?"
"Uh-huh," Noah replied skeptically, handing McKenzie a steaming cup. "What brings you here? Surely not a sudden interest in dental hygiene."
McKenzie took a sip, sighing contentedly. "For the same reason you are. The Carter case. Unlike Adirondack County, the Franklin County Sheriff's Department has zero detectives."
"So you're it." Noah's brow furrowed. "But it doesn't fall under your jurisdiction. It's Franklin County."
"Ah, that's where you'd be wrong, my geographically challenged friend," McKenzie said, wagging a finger. "Saranac Lake spans across two counties and three towns. The Carter family home falls under Adirondack County. Geesh, Noah, you really should buy a map. I'm not even from here, and I know more about the geography than you do."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "So... you injected yourself into the case."
"Well, you can phrase it that way," McKenzie admitted with a grin. "Between you and me, yes. But what I told Rivera was that this would make her look good once we have this case in the bag."
As they spoke, Noah took in the scene around them. Nurses in crisp uniforms hurried past, their shoes squeaking on the polished floor. Doctors conferred in hushed tones, their faces etched with concern. In the triage area, patients waited anxiously, some coughing into masks, others fidgeting nervously. Through a set of swinging doors, orderlies wheeled patients on gurneys, the wheels squeaking slightly against the linoleum. The air was filled with a cacophony of sounds: the steady beeping of medical equipment, the chatter of staff and visitors, and the occasional overhead page calling for a doctor.
"Oh, so you think it will be that easy to solve."
"For sure, my friend. Old case, body found… boom," McKenzie continued, his voice lowered. "This is a home run if there ever was one. We'll have this case closed by the end of the day."
Noah shook his head, amused and exasperated. "Sweet mercy, McKenzie. You do make me wonder some days."
As they strode toward the elevator, McKenzie's expression turned mischievous. "Speaking of wondering, have you seen who Callie's dating? That Shrek-looking dude?"
Noah nearly choked on his coffee. "Shrek?"
"Well, he's not exactly GQ's man of the year, now is he?" McKenzie pressed. "Have you seen him?"
"Jake Richmond. DEC Ranger," Noah replied, trying to keep a straight face. "And yes, I have. He's not a bad looking fella."
"Isn't a good looking one either."
"I hope you didn't say that to either of them."
McKenzie waved a dismissive hand. "No, but I have agood mind to buy Thorne one of those potato sacks for Christmas. She could put it over his head while they're doing the double-back beast."
Noah couldn't contain his laughter as they stepped into the elevator. "McKenzie, I'm not sure what disturbs me more: your fascination with Thorne's love life or your excessive amount of sugar in your coffee."
"I imagine it's a bit of both," McKenzie replied with a wink.
As the elevator descended, McKenzie's expression turned sly. "Speaking of love lives, what do you make of Callie and Jake?"
