Within an Heir’s Breath of Death

by C. L. Cobb

About the Author: C.L. Cobb is an old hand at adventure fiction, has written for rags such as Easyriders, Outlaw Biker, and American Iron – and now has added mystery to the mix. But Cobb knows mystery and adventure have a lot in common. Strange things happen, the way is unknown, and there are twists and turns before the end of the road.

Excerpt

“Hello Uncle Harry—

“It’s Maggie.”

I covered his cold hand with my own.

The lawyer said Harry was dying. And it appeared the lawyer was right.

“Ah, Harry, you old sot,” I said. “It’s too soon!”

I stroked his stubbled cheek.

“I know you’ve been sober these last several years, but I bet right now …

“You’d throw a bum under a bus for his bottle of booze.”

I saw one eyelid flutter.

Then a wink.

I jerked back.

“Harry! You’re still in there?”

“Oh, yes!” A nurse entered the room. “He can’t speak since his last stroke, but he can hear just fine.”

She plumped his pillows.

“Are you Harry’s wife?”

My shoulders slumped, but I didn’t begrudge her the error. Hard life had erased the years between Harry and me.  

“I’m his niece.”

“That’s nice.” She inspected Harry. “I’ll be right back.”

I followed her into the hall.

“Excuse me,” I said. “But I just got here and I thought …”

I searched for delicate words.

“You expected him to be less responsive?”

“Well, yes. How long do you think …”

“It’s a hospice,” she said. “Not an assembly line.”

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