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"Dr Grant has been very helpful," Kat told hi’s body just arrived," Dr Grant said after the introductions "I was showing your associate the snakebite marks when you called We came out to escort you back--I’uests Her autopsy is scheduled for to, but her body has been cleaned in prep"

Tyler had been in ue He wanted to put a protective arm around Allison’s shoulders, but held himself in check She was still pale, but she didn’t look as if she was about to pass out or collapse in horror Of course, the outer offices of the medical examiner’s office were neat and orderly in appearance

But as they entered the hallways, he thought he could detect the chemical odor that hinted of death and he kept a sharp eye on Allison

She moved up next to him "Do people ever think you’re mentally ill when you want to touch the dead?" she asked him in a whisper

"We do it discreetly," he whispered back

A few ’s body, covered with a sheet

Sarah looked sh just above the knee She was driving when the snake panicked and struck her I assuotten under the seat"

He watched as Dr Grant showed them the bite ray as Sarah Vining

She stepped forward, saying softly, "She was a friend"

"I understand," Dr Grant said

Allison touched Sarah’s hair Tyler thought she’d step back quickly, but she didn’t She stayed there, gently touching the dead wo down at her

Dr Grant spoke quietly to Kat and Tyler "I don’t think we’ll find anything we don’t see here when the autopsy is perforave out when, but I have an educated hunch that between the bite and the trauma of the accident, her heart failed her"

"Have you ever heard of such a thing before?" Tyler asked

"People dying after a bite like that?" Dr Grant shrugged "Copperheads are dangerous and can be vicious when they’re threatened But we do have antidotes for the bites, and these days most people survive But elderly people, small children, those who are ill when they’re bitten--they’re in the greatest danger The heart can fail under stress and trauma That’s what I believe happened to Sarah And in the midst of that massive accident, I’m sure no one expected her real proble fro He saw that she was staring down at Sarah Vining, her fingers still resting lightly on her hair

"Allison?"

She looked up at him "I’m ready," she said

Kat stayed behind; there was evidently more of a medical nature that she wanted to discuss with Dr Grant

Tyler led Allison out "Anything?" he asked her as they reached the car

"Sorrow and confusion," she told hiine how you feel," Tyler said

She shook her head "No Yes, I mean, of course, my heart bleeds for both Julian and Sarah They were ot from Sarah She doesn’t knohy she’s dead She doesn’t understand She doesn’t re pain--and then the air bag blowing up in her face She re thrown several feet while the world sees while the other cars crashed into one another"

"So she is there?" he asked incredulously He grimaced "You felt her--heard her--and neither Kat nor I did?"

Allison nodded "I felt as if her eyes opened and she looked at me And it was as if I could hear her" She was quiet for a minute "She doesn’t mind that she’s dead She said she has incredible faith and she’s…she’s waiting to go Oh, and she wants to be buried or entombed at the house Do you think our friend Adae that?"

"We’ll see," he said, cli into the driver’s seat "But," he added as she joined him, "Adam does seem to have the power to make the earth " He put the car into reverse and turned to drive out of the lot before he spoke to her again "You’re okay?" he murmured