24 NoraNora drained the last swallow of coffee from her paper cup, savoring the rich brew.
After leaving Fred’s office, she’d hit a drive-through coffee vendor and parked nearby. Standing outside on the pavement, she’d enjoyed a smoke along with the hot and bitter beverage. Just what she needed to perk herself up.
After disposing of her trash, she drove the last five blocks through sleepy Sweet Home to the coroner’s office.
Her good luck that he was so close she’d had time for a break between meetings.
The courthouse and other county offices were clustered in the county seat, a half-hour drive to the north. Since the coroner dealt routinely with dead bodies, he had to stick closer to the regional hospital in Sweet Home.
When she pulled up in front of the address the coroner had given
