The only problem was that given the late hour, the drop-off bay doors would be locked. They had to be opened from the inside. In order to do this, Val and Gwen needed to enter the morgue legitimately, which wasn’t a big deal. They didn’t need to sneak in. In fact, it was best if they didn’t. But this meant that they would have to walk through the entrance in full view of the guard. He’d wonder why they were there.

“Just wait outside here and stand away from the door. We’ll open it from the inside and let you in,” Val said.

“Don’t leave me out here too long.” Jack looked around at the surroundings. The houses in the area were barely standing. Many had trash on the lawns. A group of teenagers sat on the porch of one building. Two of them pointed in Jack’s direction. “I’m beginning to wonder how long it’ll take before I’m mugged.”

“We’ll get you as soon as we can,” Val said without compassion. She had her own worries at the moment and getting caught in this little escapade ranked at the top. Leaving Jack to fend for himself, she ran around to the side of the building. Gwen was waiting for her.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Val said. “I can’t feel my legs anymore and I think I’m going to throw up.”

“It’s going to be fine.” Gwen’s voice faltered. She sounded less than convincing. “Come on, let’s go.”

They walked in and waved to Ken, the night security guard. He peered over the top of his newspaper and waved back.

“See, this is going to be easy,” Gwen whispered.

Val said hello to Ken each night she came to work and he knew her well. But for some reason she felt as if she was wearing a neon sign stating she was up to no good. They were nearly through the door and out of Ken’s sight when he yelled, “What brings you ladies in? It’s Howie’s shift tonight.”

Val’s chest lurched at the sound of his voice and she stared at him, her mind blank. They were going to get caught if she didn’t come up with an answer immediately. She forced herself to say something, anything plausible. “Gwen and I were getting some dinner and I remembered there’s a couple of files I really need to have. I forgot to complete a report that Dr. Blythe’s been on my ass about. If I get it now and finish before morning, maybe he won’t put me through hell tomorrow.” Val fought hard to keep her voice steady. Her heart banged fiercely as she added with a smile, “You won’t blow me in, will you?”

Ken smirked knowingly. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

Val winked. “Thanks, you’re the best.”