Read Grin for Free Online

Sanchez could practically see the vehemence rising from the older nurse.
    Sanchez noticed movement in his peripheral vision and saw an elderly woman move for the elevators. He pushed the button for floor 4 again, receiving a wary glance and a half-smile from the woman. He nodded, turning away.
    He checked his watch.
    The lift dinged and he stepped into it. The old woman didn’t follow, holding back, refusing to share a lift with the strange man. The disgusting look she gave him was unmistakable, one of old-school philosophy and belief.
    Fucking spik .
    Sanchez could imagine the words seething from her shortsighted, racist eyes. She probably thought he was going to mug her or attempt to sell her a burrito. The lift doors closed, erasing the woman from sight. The car shunted as it started its ascent.
    After a moment, the car eased to a halt. The doors slid apart and Sanchez stepped out onto the fourth floor. The hallway, one deprived of a reception desk and waiting room, was silent, the minimal bustle of hospital staff merely a background noise.
    Again, he stepped to the wall opposite and waited once more.
    He checked his watch. After a minute, a hospital cleaner rolled a cart around the corner and headed his way.
    Right on time.
    He pushed the button for floor 5.
    Sanchez rolled the gum on his tongue and, lifting a hand to his lips, spat it into his palm. The man walked to a bin, lifted the lid and emptied it into a swelling, transparent trash bag. As he did, Sanchez dropped the gum onto the floor, in line with the trash cart.
    Sanchez backed away, giving the man room to pass, who nodded at him, thanking him silently. He rolled the cart past the elevators, the wheels missing the gum. However, his shoe caught it and stamped it flat, pushing it into the grip of his sole.
    After a few hindered steps, the man stopped and hoisted his shoe in the air, looking for the cause of his sticky walk. "For fuck's sake," he cursed under his breath, the words carrying on the near-silence. He bent down and untied his shoelace, plucked the shoe off his foot and rooted in his cart for a suitable tool to remove the gum.
    Sanchez stepped forward; the man's back turned, lifting the bunch of keys from his belt buckle and pocketing them in one movement. Three seconds later, the lift doors slid aside. Sanchez stepped into the car and waited. The doors closed and the car, once again, shot up.
    He was on the fifth floor within seconds.
    Sanchez exited the lift and turned left. Glancing left and right, the hall was empty bar one police officer. He reclined on a metal chair reading a magazine. As expected, he was guarding the chef following the previous murder attempt.
    Nice and simple , thought Sanchez.
    He took a USB stick from his jeans and placed it against the keys in his pocket. It buzzed twice in his hand. Separating the two, he walked past the sentry slowly and paused, stopping at a vending machine several feet down the hall. The chef's door was wide open, closer to him than the police officer.
    Aside from the sentry, the hallway was deserted.
    Quiet day . Sanchez smiled.
    The timing was everything.
    He thumbed two coins into the machine and pushed the same button twice. Two cans of Sprite dropped into the chute. Collecting them, he walked back the way he came and stopped before the officer, who looked up. Sanchez saw his shoulders tense. "Can I help you, sir?"
    "Sure. I just bought a drink from the machine and it gave me two. I wondered if you fancied it. Since you're doing your civil duty and all. We all hate hospitals."
    The officer narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Sure thing, thanks. Much appreciated."
    "No problem." Sanchez nodded and began to walk away. The officer followed him, several steps behind, as expected.
    Perfect.
    Sanchez walked into the next room. The officer strolled by, oblivious, and Sanchez stepped back into the hallway silently. The officer rounded a corner, disappearing, vacating his duties for a moment.
    Sanchez walked back