Fragmented

by Colleen Connally

  Brophy put his gun in his holster and swung back the cover. Dr. Matthew Halliday laid still, stabbed, blood oozing out of his body. White faced, struggling to breathe…he looked pained. His wide eyes expressed a fear—a validated fear with a knife sticking out of his chest.

  “He’s here!” Brophy called out, reaching across and feeling Halliday’s neck. “He’s alive!”

  Brophy stepped back. Immediately, attendants appeared. Never had he seen such a fast response…never had he seen a victim attacked in a hospital.

  Shouts and calls ensued, clearing a path. Brophy watched. Much as his instincts kicked in, in pursuing a perp, medical personal surrounded Halliday.

  “Get him upstairs. Stat!”

  The wheels of the death gurney rolled away, taking a man on the verge of his own death. Brophy watched until the gurney disappeared and turned back to what was left of the crime scene.

  “He called this time. Why?”

  Brophy watched Dunn walk down the corridor. Brophy grimaced, rubbing his stubble chin. “He’s off his game. He doesn’t know where the girl is. He wants her. He reacted impulsively, contrary to his other killings. Reminds me of a bratty child falling down and beating his feet against the ground. Temper tantrum.”

  Agent Dunn halted in front of Brophy. This was the first time he had seen Dunn dressed casually in jeans and a sweater. Must have jumped right out of bed when he got the call.

  “We’re getting closer. We almost had him,” Dunn offered, looking around the scene.

  “But we don’t have him, Dunn. Instead, this insane lunatic has gone off the deep end. This game you’re playing…”

  “It’s not a game, Detective. It was calculated to force his hand. It did.”

  “And could cost a man his life.”

  “If we don’t catch this killer, you don’t think he will take more victims? I know you’ve never liked this plan, but we didn’t have a choice. He will kill again and again until we stop him. He has to make a mistake…”

  Brophy took a deep breath, trying to control his anger. “That’s just it, Dunn. I think I may have been on to something until I got interrupted by this…this attack. Now he’s turned his attention to me.”

  “You? I don’t understand. What did he say?”

  “He blames me for Cameron disappearing.”

  “He threatened you?”

  “I don’t give a damn about me…it’s my family I’m concerned about!”

  Dunn shook his head. “We’ll get a detail on them.” Dunn turned and talked to an agent beside him. Then he continued with Brophy. “Got someone going now. They’ll be okay. Now what did he say?”

  Brophy calmed himself. He would be no good if he didn’t control his own emotions. He had to catch the bastard. He took a deep breath.

  “He talked about to everything there is a season. Sins have to be punished. It’s what he’s doing, punishing those who have sinned against his family. He used the doctor’s phone. I located it and here’s where we are…standing in the middle of the goddamn morgue!”

  “The doctor’s phone?”

  Brophy looked up at Dunn. The phone…where was it?

  * * * *

  Standing outside of the crowded waiting room, Brophy watched Dunn huddled with a doctor. Breaking from him, Dunn walked back to Brophy.

  “It’s touch and go. Unlike the previous victims, the knife missed the heart. Halliday must have struggled, probably saw it coming at the last minute. But our killer thought he had completed his job. He left another baseball card. It was under the body.”

  Brophy nodded. “Going to interview whoever he was with this evening and try to figure out how the bastard lured the doctor down to the morgue.”

  “And where did the phone go to? It wasn’t on the gurney either,” Dunn added, sighing deeply. “I’ll have the boys comb every inch of the hospital for it.”

  “I suspect he has already destroyed it,” Brophy said. “Gawd! Wish I could make some sense out of his actions. There is no pattern. Some of his actions seem extremely intelligent in movements, no forensic evidence, nothing to go on; the next minute he’s chaotic; then another brilliant maneuver. Now this, which seems impulsive.”

  “At least the girl’s safe at Kennedy’s.”

  “But not for long. It’s going to be hard to keep her under wraps much longer.”

  “Going to have to put her in witness protection. Won’t be another way.”

  “That won’t make Darren happy…”

  Brophy’s phone went off. Looking at it, he saw the ID. Centrello again. Thought he was coming down to the hospital. Holding up his index figure to Dunn, he said, “Give me a minute.”

  The next moment, Brophy slammed his phone into his pocket and gripped tight to Dunn’s sleeve. “Gotta go. The phone’s signal just came on again. Got a location. We have him…”

  * * * *

  Brophy sped down Jamaica Way, not easy to navigate swiftly with its tight turns and narrow lanes. Lights flashed. Sirens blared. He didn’t need to be told the location twice. He knew it well…it was his house. Lauren and the kids.

  Dunn cautioned Brophy as he squealed out of Beth Israel. “I just talked to my agents. They are there. Everyone’s safe. I’m going to pull them out with a team…”

  Brophy didn’t give Dunn a chance to finish. He didn’t want to hear they were safe. He wanted to see them safe. The fucking psychopath targeted his family!

  Brophy slowed only when he came to his street to turn. He saw the flashing lights and the cars filling his driveway. Lauren…he saw Lauren walking out the door with the kids behind her…thank God!

  From the corner of his eyes, he caught movement, a vehicle coming straight toward him. A fucking Hummer! Too late to avoid it, Brophy slammed on his brakes…he was rammed, sideswiped…and then bounced off and headed back down the street.

  Brophy felt an impact. The air bag deployed. His car slammed into a parked car. The last he saw of the Hummer was its rear lights fading in the distance.

  * * * *

  Darren woke with a start. It took him a moment to realize his phone was ringing. The phone rang again. He caught it on the third ring. An ominous feeling overcame him before he answered. Reluctantly, he untangled his arms from around Cameron. The realization that their brief escape from reality was coming to a crashing halt hit him. God, he wished he could make this work. Looking at the caller ID, he grasped quickly he would have to worry about that later.

  He had to accomplish his objective, no matter what sacrifices had to be made. He had buried his life in his work, hadn’t allowed emotions to interfere and he couldn’t afford it now.

  A moment later, he clicked off his phone. “Cameron, Cameron,” he urged. “You need to get up and get dressed. There’s been an accident. I have to get down to the hospital. I can’t leave you here. You need to come with me.”

  * * * *

  His tone dictated no questions. She obliged him and within minutes, they were on their way. Cameron didn’t dare ask any questions. They drove in silence. The look on his face scared her.

  She followed behind Darren as he slammed through the emergency room door of Beth Israel. His creds in hand, he pressed through, following the line of police. Cameron hurried to catch up. He seemed to have forgotten she was with him.

  He didn’t slow down until he saw Agent Dunn. She wasn’t certain what she was supposed to do. So she stood silently behind him.

  “What happened?” Darren demanded.

  “Brophy….” Dunn swallowed hard. “The killer called Brophy. He attacked Dr. Halliday…then went after Brophy. He set Brophy up. Threatened his family and waited for him. He rammed Brophy in a stolen Hummer. Brophy is shaken up, but the doctors say he’ll be okay.”

  “Dr. Halliday?”

  “Afraid he didn’t make it.”

  “I need details,” Darren said. He turned to Cameron. “Stay here with the officers. Don’t move.”

  Cameron stood frozen to the spot. The words echoed in her h
ead…hurtled through her comprehension slowly. Dr. Halliday. Matthew didn’t make it? Everything went foggy. Her legs weakened.

  She felt a hand direct her into the quiet room, away from prying eyes. It was empty. She didn’t care. The officer turned to leave. She reached out with her hand and stopped him.

  “Tell me what is happening, please. Darren didn’t know. The killer struck again?”

  The officer nodded. “Afraid so, ma’am. Attacked a doctor here at the hospital, and again Detective Brophy when he was pursuing the suspect. They said for you to wait here. I’m sure someone will be back soon enough. Don’t you worry none. Nothing will happen to you here.”

  She wasn’t worried about her own safety. A darkness enveloped her. Matthew dead? No…it couldn’t be. This madman…the one who was after her…killed Matthew. Suddenly, Darren’s words came back to haunt her when he was after her to tell Zach’s car location…

  It’s not a game, Cameron. How would you feel if it was someone you loved? How would you feel if it had been your brother?”

  How could this be happening? Her sole concentration had been in protecting Zach. Now, because of her, Matthew was dead! If she hadn’t interfered, would they have the madman now?

  Oh, my God! Matthew was dead because of her! Why? Why? Matthew was out of her life. Why would the madman go after Matthew? She was never going back to him…especially after finding Darren.

  Her heart stopped. Darren! Would Darren be a target now? Was the madman killing everyone she had loved? What of her father…brother?

  * * * *

  Cameron didn’t know how long she sat staring into oblivion. Time had become irrelevant. She said nothing when Agent Dunn and Darren walked into the room. She stood.

  Darren stepped toward her and sighed heavily. “Look, Cameron, Agent Dunn has suggested it’s best now to get you out of here. Out of Boston.”

  “I don’t understand. What is happening?” she asked in almost a whisper. “I don’t want to go anywhere. Darren, don’t make me.”

  He pressed his lips together as if formulating the right words. Her heart sank. Suddenly, she didn’t want to hear the answer. From the look on his face, the professional had returned. A wall had resurfaced.

  “Look, Miss Quinn, you don’t really have a choice, for your own safety.”

  Cameron ignored Agent Dunn. Her focus stayed with Darren. Her eyes pleaded with him.

  “It’s not safe, Cameron.”

  She felt she couldn’t breathe. She reached out to him, her eyes tearing up. “I can’t leave. I don’t even know what has happened. Is it true? Was it Matthew? Is Matthew dead?” Panic edged her voice. “My father? What of Zach?”

  Darren took her hands in his against his chest. “Your father and brother are safe, but Dr. Halliday was attacked. He died in surgery.”

  Her legs crumbled beneath her. Darren led her to a chair. Through blurred eyes, she asked, “Why? Why would he go after Matthew?”

  “As close as we can piece together, the killer tricked him into a trap.”

  “How?” Suddenly, Cameron pulled back. “Did Matthew think he was protecting me? Is that the reason? Why would he think that? Didn’t he know I was safe?”

  Darren looked over her shoulder at Agent Dunn. Cameron didn’t relent. “My God! What is going on? Were you using me to flush the killer out? Oh, my God! You were! Oh, my God!”

  Cameron stood again and recoiled against the wall. “This is all my fault.”

  With her face in her hands, she slid down the wall until she sat on the floor. She heard footsteps retreat out of the room. Then strong arms went around her.

  “Cameron, it’s not your fault. It’s not. We are dealing with a madman,” Darren said. “It was deemed the best approach to find this killer. You know how dangerous he is, Cam. For some reason, he’s fixated on you. That is what was used, not you.”

  She looked up at him through tear-stained eyes. “So you were a diversion. To keep me occupied while they searched for this madman…”

  “Don’t be obtuse, Cameron. Of course not. I asked to look after you. You should know how I feel.”

  “Do I?” She withdrew from him.

  “Don’t do this, Cameron. I’ll explain. If you knew me better, you would know I would never have…”

  “That’s just it, isn’t it, Darren?” she interrupted him. “I don’t know you better.”

  The words hung in the air. He stared at her in a long silence. Then he said, “I’m not sure what you’re looking for here, Cameron, and we can’t get into this now.”

  She choked back her tears. She wasn’t going to beg. She broke her gaze and looked down at the floor, her heart breaking.

  “For God’s sake, Cameron, don’t do this to me now. We’ll talk and straighten everything out between us. I promise.” He cupped her face in his hands so she didn’t have any other choice but to look into his eyes. “God, woman, if you don’t know how I feel, I’m not going to be able to convince you in a matter of minutes. It’s more important that you’re safe than if you’re mad at me.”

  He stood and helped her up. She refused to look at him. Her emotions rumbled within her. She knew only one thing. “Darren, don’t send me away.”

  At first, she thought he was going to take her in his arms, but he stopped when a suited man walked into the room.

  “We don't have time for this, Cameron. You have to get out of here. I need to know you’re safe.”

  He reached for her again, but she took a step back. She was hurt. She needed him—him, not the FBI’s protection. She didn’t utter a response.

  “Fine, have it your way. We’ll talk later.”

  Cameron stood emotionless as Darren introduced her to Special Agent Drew Brennan.

  “Miss Quinn, I’ll be transporting you to a different location. You’re now under the FBI’s protection. We will depart as soon as I get word from Agent Dunn. It should only be a few minutes.”

  She didn’t care. What she cared about walked out of the room. Why did it seem as if a knife pierced her heart? It felt like the walls collapsed around her. She had to get out of this room…the hospital.

  The agent seemed genuinely nice, dressed in his freshly laundered shirt, tie, and a new suit. Had they told him she was responsible for the murderer’s killing spree? She thought not. He would do as ordered, no matter who she was.

  The agent was young, still believing heartily in all the patriotic propaganda—protect the city, country, world—only it was her world that needed protecting. And it had just crashed.

  Cameron sighed. She realized she didn’t have a choice. She wiped a stray tear that had escaped and walked out the door. The agent tried to guide her at her elbow with his hand. She jerked it back. She didn’t need his help.

  She walked out into the corridor of the emergency room. At the end of the hall, a group of people had gathered. One glance told Cameron who they were. She recognized Mrs. Halliday, Matthew’s mother. Moreover, Mrs. Halliday recognized Cameron.

  Agent Brennan detected the atmosphere. He took a firm grip of Cameron’s arm.

  “Miss Quinn, we need to leave. Let’s go,” Agent Brennan said resolutely.

  She nodded slightly, but in the next moment she was stopped.

  Mrs. Halliday rushed forward and obstructed Cameron’s path. Waving her hand and pointing at Cameron, she cried, “It was her! She is the one. Arrest her. Arrest her. She’s the one responsible for my Matthew’s death.”

  Mrs. Halliday screamed when a uniformed officer grabbed her before she had launched onto Cameron. Cameron watched the woman crumble to the floor…lost, so dreadfully lost. A younger woman leaned down and rocked her in her arms.

  Agent Brennan literally pushed Cameron. She wouldn’t budge. “You don’t have a choice here, Miss Quinn. You have to leave.”

  Cameron caught her breath and looked around her. All eyes fixed on her—accusing, condemning eyes. The whole of the scene seemed to go in slow motion. Security responded. People were being moved out of
the corridor.

  Agent Brennan was yelling, but Cameron couldn’t understand what he was trying to say. He pushed her back into the room.

  Confusion reigned within her. She felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under her. Guilt riddled her. For the last two days, she had withdrawn into a fantasy world. She had lived protected and safe in the arms of Darren. He had driven every thought out of her head except being with him.

  Safe while others were in danger because of her…her! Dead because of her! She had to get away. Away from all of this! She walked to the far end of the room, toward the other door. With a trembling hand, she turned the handle. She didn’t know where she was going, but it was away from here…far away from here. She walked out the door.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Brophy tried to sit up. His head pounded. Anger filled him. He had let that fucking bastard get away. He swung his legs over the side of the bed. He gripped the railing. His head was freaking spinning like a top. He had to get out of this damn bed.

  Before, he had been determined to get this guy; now, he had a grudge. For a moment, he was tempted to lay back down. He couldn’t. He didn’t have the luxury of time. He had to get the bastard.

  The last memory he had was of headlights heading straight toward him. He didn't have time to react. He remembered a crash…

  Vaguely, he remembered his kids looking down at him. Maybe he dreamed that. The girls were smiling. Sara cried when he squeezed her hand. Jake talked about how proud he was of him. He must have been dreaming. What had he done to be proud of?

  Doctors asked his name, the day, president. Some of the questions he probably wouldn't have known even if he hadn't been in an accident. He moved his shoulder. He was going to be sore. He couldn't remember if they had given him anything for it or not. He could always buy Motrin.

  Where were his goddamn clothes? He'd have to ring his nurse. He pushed off the bed and felt the cold floor under his bare feet. He made it to the chair across the room.

  “Hey, aren't you supposed to be in bed?”

  Oh…that hurt. Even turning his head was an effort. “Darren, help me find my clothes. Can't catch that sonofabitch in bed!”