Martha Conrad , aged 96 , who ’ d died in her sleep according to the doctor ’ s report .
As she passed by the row of gurneys , Callie flipped through some of the charts just to see who had been brought down during the prior shift . Sometimes she ’ d recognize a name or two , perhaps a shopkeeper on Main or some elderly neighbor in town . Tonight , she recognized one of the dead as the old man who repaired shoes two blocks away . A couple gurneys down was the guidance counselor from the old school who everyone thought was already ancient and out-of-touch with the times . There was a child , too , obvious because of the smaller outline . Callie found those reports the most interesting and heartbreaking because usually the death was due to neglect , especially in this town . Those who stuck around Penshaw for their lifetime were normally not the brightest bulbs in the box , and their children suffered for it . The gurney right next to it was proof positive of that dark legacy . A woman , Priscilla , whose gurney touched up against the one that held the child had a different last name , but her report on the clipboard connected with that of the young boy . Both died from a violent car accident on the same day , the same time , the same place . The mother ’ s intoxication level was . 21 , evidence of probably enough alcohol inside her to get three sturdy men plastered . Another sad single mother story , Callie guessed .
Callie unzipped the bag containing the little boy then gasped . His name was Sammy , nine years old , his tiny head mangled , missing an eye and ear on one side , the other eye wide open , staring at her , his arm sliced up ,
20