“What luck!” Dirk exclaimed as they hurried by Bates’s deserted post without signing his precious sheet. “Remind me to buy some lottery tickets later. Maybe the stars have shifted in our direction.” “Maybe he ate one too many bags of those chili cheese chip things he’s always munching on, got all strangled on it, and keeled over dead from a heart attack,” Savannah said with an evil grin. “He might have lain there on the floor behind that desk for Lord only knows how long, kicking and squirming around before he finally gave up the ghost.” She sighed, savoring the image. “I reckon it’s too much to ask for—it not being my birthday or Christmas—but one can always hope.” She gave him a sideways glance as they hurried down the hallway toward the back of the building. He looked a little surprised, and not in a good way. Maybe even a bit alarmed. “What?” she asked. “You’re shocked?” He shrugged. “Well, it’s a little harsh, don’t you think? Hoping that the guy kicked off?
