The Morgue
by
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(From Chapter One)
The door swung open and Franz entered, again clad in
surgical garb. He walked over to the flush sink where
Maxwell was standing, but kept a respectful distance.
'What's wrong with you lately, Bill?' he said in an even
voice. 'You question almost everything I do and every order
I give. Why?'
Maxwell didn't answer right away, gathering his thoughts.
'Before I answer your question, tell me why you want the
Morris boy back out,' he said finally.
Franz answered immediately. 'I'm going to take his
testicles and bladder.'
That was about what Maxwell had figured. 'Why didn't you
take them during the autopsy, Bob?' This time Franz didn't
answer at all. After several seconds Maxwell went on,
'Because the cop was standing here, right?' He continued
the offensive without waiting for an answer. 'And you knew
the cop, even a rookie cop, would know something wasn't
kosher. What do you need the kids testicles and bladder
for? Do you have permission from his parents to do what
you're going to do? Do they even know about it? What about
the stuff you've been taking from other people? Does
anybody know what goes on in this place?' Out of questions,
Maxwell shut up.
It was Franz's turn to hesitate. He had a strong urge to
fire Maxwell on the spot. But, down deep, he knew that
Maxwell was a valuable asset. He didn't want to get rid of
him unless he had no other choice. When he was sure he
wouldn't say anything he'd regret, he responded. 'When you
first came on board with me here I told you what my plans
were. I said I was going to make this office the largest
forensic center in the state outside of New York City. You
were excited and I thought we shared the same dream. What's
changed?'
'I'd still like to see those plans come to fruition,'
Maxwell answered. 'It's the change in you that bothers me.
I think your ethical standards have slipped. I'm not even
sure that everything we do here is legal. But you haven't
answered my questions yet. How about it?'
Franz had heard enough. Maxwell had pushed him as far as he
could allow. 'Let's get something straight,' he said.
'In case you've forgotten, I'm the boss here. I have no
intention of letting you interrogate me. The questions you
asked are not your concern. I'm well on my way to reaching
my goals, and you're welcome to come along with me. If you
do, it will be as a team player, and without your present
attitude. This is something you need to think over and then
decide what you're going to do, and soon. Now, get the boy
on the table, and that's an order.'
Maxwell got the message. Reluctantly he turned and headed
for the coolers.
(266 pages)
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About the Book
THE MORGUE is the story of the investigation of a Medical Examiner's office in upstate New York by the New York State Department of Health. The ME, Dr. Robert Franz, has been accused by his colleagues of a litany of misdeeds, including illegally harvesting research tissue from dead bodies without the consent of the next of kin. Dr. Franz denies the charges and labels his accusers as disgruntled trouble makers. John Grant, lead investigator, is assigned to find out the truth about what has transpired in THE
MORGUE.
Follow the efforts of Grant as he confronts Dr. Franz, county government and sabotage from within his own department.
- Dennis N. Griffin
About the Author
Dennis Griffin was born in Rome, New York in 1945. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1962. After being honorably discharged in 1966, he returned to central New York. He is married and has four adult children.
Mr. Griffin began his career in investigations and law enforcement in 1975, when he was hired by Pinkerton, Inc. as a private investigator. His duties included insurance fraud, missing persons, financial and background investigations, as well as undercover operations. In 1979 he was hired by the Madison County New York Department of Social Services as a Senior Child Support Investigator. He was responsible for locating and conducting financial investigations of persons failing to provide legally mandated child support.
In 1981, Mr. Griffin joined the Madison County Sheriff's Department, and attained the rank of sergeant. He was a shift supervisor and public information officer. During the same time period, he moonlighted as a part time patrolman for the Village of Chittenango Police Department.
In 1987, Mr. Griffin was hired by the New York State Department of Health as a Director of Investigations, Wadsworth Center. The primary mission of his unit was to investigate violations of the Public Health law relating to clinical and environmental laboratories, and health care fraud. He was responsible for hiring and training investigators, case assignment and general supervision. In addition, he personally handled the more difficult and complex investigations. Many of these cases received both local and national media attention. He retired in 1995.
Mr. Griffin attended Onondaga County Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College and the Central New York Regional Academy for Police Training. He is a member of the Las Vegas Writers Guild and is currently working on a second novel. RED GOLD will focus on trafficking in human blood, was part of a major Medicaid fraud ring operating in New York City in 1991.