Victimo.3:Quasimodo-6(第5/5页)
lledhimoutwiththeropehe''''''''dbeeh."
Shechuckledonce,ashort,breathysoundthatdidn''''''''tmatchthestory''''''''shorror.Theedherrightsleeveandshowedtheofficerapatottledscartissue.
"Igotoffeasy.Justthis.Buthim...histracheagotburheysaiditmesseduphisheartandlungstoo.He''''''''sneverbeealkright.Alwayshoarse.Raspy,likeanoldman."
Theofficergentlytriedtoguideherback."Didyouseehiminthebreakroomyesterday?"
Linisan''''''''seyesdartedsideways.Shedidn''''''''tanswer.
Flippingthroughtheheofficerpressedon,"Whydidn''''''''tyoumentionthatyesterday?"
Linisan''''''''slipsmoved,butnosoundcameout.
"Iknowyou''''''''reafraid—afraidwe''''''''llthinkyouhadsomethingtodowithit.Butsofar,there''''''''snoevidenceofacrime.Hidihonlycastsmoresuspionyou."
Linisanfinallylookedather,fase,fiwitgonthecup.Afteramoment,sheexhaledshakily.
"Youalreadyfoundtheroom...youmustknow...youmust''''''''veseen...HowcouldIsayanything?Somethinglikethat...it''''''''stooembarrassing."
Theofficedatherbelly,suppressingasigh.Yhtmonthspregnant,notsometimidlittlegirl.Whatcouldbetooembarrassingtotalkabout?
"Whatexactlydidyousee?"
"Isaw..."Linisanshiftedinherseat,shouldershunched."Isaw..."
Theofficerleanedin,loweredhervoice."It''''''''sjustushere.Youtellme."
Linisanlookedaroundtheroomasifsomeonemightleapfromtheshadows.Thenshewhispered,inavoiceedgedwithunhingeddreadaainty:
"Isawher...drainhimdry."
Hereyeswidenedasshespoke,thehorrorioneunmistakable—asthoughwhatshe''''''''dseenhadseareditselfintoherbrainandwouldneverfade.