That stopped him. He choked and tried to cough but couldn’t. Then he dropped the knife and grabbed his throat with both hands. Everyone stood still with their backs against the walls, watching. Deeta kicked him over and grabbed the knife by the handle. Slagle’s face was already turning red, then bluish purple from the lack of oxygen. He was trying to inhale between the reflexive attempts to cough, but absolutely no air was getting through that crushed airway in either direction. She turned around and looked. Everyone was staring at her. She walked over to and put the scalpel on the counter. “Call the ER and get them up here. Call the fucking police.” Then she sat down and cried.
Sanctuary is available from Amazon here