A Woman to Die For

by Erin Wade

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  After breakfast, Shay dropped Bear and Katie off at their apartment. Her mind was still whirling, trying to comprehend Katie’s futuristic ideas and how she planned to accomplish them.

  The real crime here, Shay thought, is that the world has lost five years of her incredible mind.

  She greeted her secretary and then perused the list of surgeries scheduled for the week. Most were routine, and she anticipated no problems. She was pleased to see that Dr. Linda Hayes was assisting on all of them.

  She visited with her patients who had checked into the hospital in anticipation of their early morning operations. She stopped by David’s room last.

  “Good morning,” Shay greeted her boss. “How’s my favorite surgeon today?”

  “Much better now that you’re here,” David said, smiling at her. “Any chance of you releasing me today?”

  Shay opened the case file computer and studied David’s stats. “Everything looks good,” she acknowledged. “I see no reason why you can’t go home, provided you have someone to take care of you.”

  “I was hoping I could count on you for that,” he suggested.

  “I can’t, David. I have surgeries every day this week. You know how exhausting that is. Perhaps I should keep you in the hospital until you can care for yourself. Until Friday, anyway.”

  David pouted. “I can take care of myself. I’d just hoped to spend some time with you.”

  “You know I’d like that,” Shay said. “Why don’t I release you at the end of the day, and I’ll take you home?”

  “That would make me happy.”

  Then, Shay broached the subject she hated to discuss with him. “Dr. Wendy Chase, the medical examiner for our county, provided Chandler with a complete copy of her forensic report on Katie’s assault. She stated emphatically that your semen was collected from Katie.”

  David stared at Shay. “I . . . of course my semen was present,” he muttered. “We had consensual sex before she wandered away from the house.”

  “Why didn’t you report that when Detective Wyatt interviewed you?” Shay asked.

  “It never occurred to me that Katie would accuse me of rape. I swear, Shay, she came on to me, and we made love. I honestly thought things were getting better between us. I left her sleeping in her bedroom and was terrified when I found she wasn’t in the house. I called Detective Wyatt, and we started searching for her.

  “Look, I know you don’t want to believe this, but Katie’s wounds truly were self-inflicted. She’s freaky brilliant, and her mind doesn’t work like ours. She’s not like you and me.”

  “Strangely enough, I’m beginning to learn how her mind works,” Shay said. “She’s a genius, but I don’t see her as a self-mutilator.”

  “She’s not a self-mutilator, at least not in the clinical sense, but she will do whatever it takes to accomplish her goals. She is driven by a single purpose, and when she sets her mind to something, it happens.”

  “You make her sound like Superwoman,” Katie chided.

  “She almost is,” David said. “Only in an evil villain kind of way. Not a hero. She can save the world and solve its problems, but when she’s on a mission, she will destroy anyone who gets in her way.

  “I kept her in Glencove because I’m scared to death of her, Shay. And she did shoot me. I’m lucky to be alive.”

  “I’m glad she didn’t get close to you with that pistol,” Shay said. “A small-caliber gun like that is only effective at very short range. I suppose Detective Wyatt took your statement.”

  “Yes. She also wanted to know how Katie got the drop on me,” David said, chuckling. “If she’d been within range, I probably would have overpowered her and taken the gun, but she was across the room when she started firing. Fortunately, only one of the bullets hit me.”

  “You were lucky,” Shay agreed. “I’m going to release you tomorrow. I don’t want you to be home alone tonight.”

  “But you said—”

  “No arguing with your doctor,” Shay teased. “I’ll put your release orders into the computer tonight so you can leave anytime you want after eight in the morning. If you want to wait until after lunch, I’ll be out of surgery and will take you home.”

  “I’ll wait for you.” David smirked.

  Chapter 45

  The weeks that followed David’s release were busy ones. Shay performed numerous surgeries, carrying David’s patient load while he recuperated.

  Every morning, Katie texted Shay to wish her a good day and let the doctor know she was thinking about her.

  Shay always texted back and sometimes invited Katie to lunch or dinner, but the brunette was always busy with some project and turned her down.

  At night, Katie often texted that she’d had a good day and hoped that Shay had too. Sometimes Shay would call her immediately after receiving the text, but Katie never answered.

  At first Shay almost went crazy. While she looked forward to Katie’s daily messages, she desperately wanted to talk to the scientist, who seemed to be avoiding her. Shay constantly checked her F2F messages, praying the brunette would send her a passionate declaration, but nothing ever appeared.

  Staying away from Katie Brandt was the most difficult thing Shay had ever done in her life.

  A Thursday call from Chandler Davis informed her that she was to appear in court the following Monday. David was healing nicely and was able to participate in the divorce proceedings.

  Judge Wainwright had received the reports from Katie’s court-appointed psychiatrist, who had broad training in the bio-psycho-social approach to assessment and management of mental illness. The court’s forensic accountants had combed through David’s and Glencove Hospital’s financial records.

  Shay prayed that Katie would contact her so they could discuss the upcoming court date, but she didn’t.

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  Shay was seated in the area behind David’s attorneys when Katie and Chandler entered. She was disappointed that Bear was still barred from the courtroom. Katie caught Shay’s eye and flashed a warm smile at the doctor.

  Shay couldn’t stop her foolish heart from almost leaping into her throat at the site of the beautiful brunette. Katie was even lovelier than Shay remembered.

  Shay was sitting with Maudine, who had also been called to court.

  The bailiff announced Judge Wainwright, and everyone stood until she was seated and announced court was in session.

  “I’ve required the presence of everyone who has testified in this trial so you can clarify your statements if they are unclear to the court,” Judge Wainwright explained. “I will begin with Dr. David Brandt.”

  David walked to the witness stand and nodded when the bailiff reminded him that he was still under oath.

  “I want only yes or no answers to my questions,” the judge instructed, “unless I ask for clarification.

  “Dr. Brandt, did you viciously beat, stab, and rape your estranged wife?”

  “I did not, Your Honor.”

  “Can you explain why your semen was found on Mrs. Brandt?”

  “Yes, Your Honor. We had consensual sex prior to my wife wandering from our home and being attacked by someone other than me.”

  “An examination of your personal banking accounts revealed that you paid Glencove Hospital large sums of money to keep your wife prisoner there. Why?”

  “Because our insurance had reached its maximum, and I paid for my wife’s care out of my own pocket. I’m scared to death of her. I feared she would kill me.”

  “You are asking the court to award you half of Katie Brandt’s stock in Brandt Technologies, giving you equal holdings in the company,” the judge stated.

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “You did own twenty percent of the stock in Brandt Technologies but have sold nineteen percent of it to support your lifestyle?”

  David sighed. “Yes. And to pay Katie’s hospital bills.”

  “Lastly, Dr. Brandt, you have accused your wife of trying to k
ill you. How far was she from you when she began shooting?”

  “About twenty feet, Your Honor.”

  “You’re lucky,” the judge said. “I understand she missed your heart by less than an inch. In your statement you say you were sleeping when Mrs. Brandt let herself into your home with her key. And when you got up to check on a sound, you encountered Mrs. Brandt.”

  David nodded. “That’s right.”

  “Medics stated that you were dressed only in your jockey shorts. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “Dr. Brandt, does that sum up your pleadings to the court?”

  “No, Your Honor.” David took a deep breath. “I’m petitioning the court to find my wife mentally incapable of running a company with the potential threat of Brandt Technologies.”

  “No, that won’t happen,” Judge Wainwright said. “Our psychiatrist has determined that Katie Brandt is of sound mind and is as sane as any other genius. He further found that she is extremely capable of running Brandt Technologies and making competent decisions for the company. You may step down, Dr. Brandt.”

  A roar ran through the spectators, and Katie yelped in delight.

  “But Your Honor—”

  “Step down, Dr. Brandt, or I will have the bailiff remove you from the witness stand.”

  David moved from the chair and took his seat next to Grafton.

  The judge called Katie to the stand and got right to the point.

  “Mrs. Brandt, you’ve been accused of trying to kill your estranged husband,” Judge Wainwright said once Katie was settled and reminded of the oath she’d taken. “Did you?” “No,” Katie blurted.

  “Where were you when Dr. Brandt was shot?”

  “I was in Washington, DC.”

  “Can you prove that?” the judge asked.

  “My pilot has provided an affidavit testifying to the fact that he flew me to DC and then flew back to attend his daughter’s play. He flew back to pick me up after David was shot,” Katie pointed out. “Copies of my phone records were subpoenaed and prove that I made calls from there.”

  “Mrs. Brandt, would your pilot lie for you?” Judge Wainwright asked.

  “I certainly hope not,” Katie huffed.

  “You are a computer genius with capabilities most people don’t even know exist,” the judge pointed out. “Do you have the ability to hack cell phone records and change them?”

  Katie looked the judge in the eye and took a deep breath. “Yes, Your Honor, I do, but I swear I did not do that.”

  “The truth is you have the knowledge to hack anything that has to do with the internet or electronics in general,” Wainwright declared.

  “Yes,” Katie almost whispered.

  “You may step down, Mrs. Brandt. The court will now call County Medical Examiner Wendy Chase.”

  After being sworn in, Wendy took the stand with the confidence of one who had testified many times.

  “Dr. Chase, will you please describe Dr. David Brandt’s wounds for the court?”

  “If I may, Your Honor.” Wendy held up a remote control for the computer that was on a table in front of the bench. She cast the presentation on a screen in front of the judge. “This is a photo of a chest wound caused by a thirty-eight pistol fired from twenty feet away from the victim. As you can see, it is a clean shot, with smooth edges where the bullet entered the body.”

  She flashed another photo beside the first. “This is a photo of a shot fired with the barrel of the gun pressed against the flesh of the chest. Note the powder burns on the skin from the gunshot wound and the perfect outline of the muzzle imprint caused by the gun being pressed against the skin while being fired.”

  Dr. Chase placed a third photo between the other two. “This is a picture of Dr. David Brandt’s gunshot wound. As you can see, the muzzle of the gun was held tightly against his chest as the trigger was pulled, making certain the bullet went exactly where the shooter wished. It is my opinion that this wound was self-inflicted.”

  The courtroom erupted, and Judge Wainwright banged her gavel several times. “I will clear this courtroom,” she called over the noise. Everyone quieted.

  “The court will not call on Dr. Sandifer from Glencove Hospital, as the state’s prosecutor has already arrested him for insurance fraud, endangering a patient, and other criminal aspects of this case.

  “Mr. Grafton, Mr. Davis, do either of you have anything to say before I make my ruling? Before you answer, let me add that this entire trial has been a huge game of liars’ poker, and there will be warrants issued for false statements made under oath.”

  Both attorneys blurted a resounding, “No.”

  “I will make my ruling at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow,” Judge Wainwright said. “Court is adjourned until then.”

  Chapter 46

  Shay left the courtroom more confused than ever. She was relieved the court’s psychiatrist had declared Katie of sound mind, but she was equally disturbed that Katie had admitted that she had the capability to change any records accessible on the internet.

  She called David from the car to see how he was feeling. She had to admit she was glad he didn’t answer. Tomorrow this mess would be over, and they could get on with their lives.

  She drove home and changed into more comfortable clothes. She decided she needed a good stiff drink among ordinary people. Anyone but liars, murders, and geniuses. But more than anything, she needed to see Katie Brandt.

  She called Katie from her car phone and received no answer from her either. “Screw it,” Shay said out loud, turning her car toward Katie’s apartment.

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  When she approached Katie’s apartment, Shay could see the door was ajar. She knocked and pushed it open at the same time.

  “Hello! Anyone home?” she called out, walking into the living room.

  Katie’s laptop was open on the kitchen island. The top was pushed almost closed. Shay opened it and stared at the screen. An open buy order for all the outstanding shares of Brandt Technologies stock was flashing on the screen. Something that looked like a dunce cap made of foil rested beside the computer. What the hell? Shay thought.

  The bedroom door was closed, and Shay approached it cautiously. She turned the knob, nudged the door open with the toe of her shoe, and looked around the room. Whining came from behind the closed bathroom door. If Bear is locked in the bathroom, where’s Katie?

  She stepped into the bedroom and into total darkness.

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  Shay lay face down on the carpet at the foot of Katie’s bed. She tried to stop the pounding in her head and the roaring in her ears long enough to evaluate her situation. She couldn’t hear a sound, not even Bear’s whining.

  Mustering her courage, Shay rolled over and propped herself up on the end of Katie’s bed. It seemed like it took an eternity for her eyes to run up long, lean legs to a perfect body. Her eyes opened wide as she realized the woman of her dreams was standing over her holding a baseball bat.

  “Why, Katie?” she gasped.

  Katie looked around. Confusion twisted her beautiful face. “Where’s Bear?” she demanded.

  “I don’t know.” Shay tried to stand, but the effort was too much. She slumped back against the bed, blood running down her neck and onto her blouse.

  “You’re hurt,” Katie declared. “What happened?”

  Shay looked at the blood-covered bat and tried to still the fear that was telling her to get up and run.

  “I don’t know,” Shay said, using the bed to pull herself to her feet. “I’m going to look for Bear. I heard him whining.”

  She slowly backed toward the bathroom door. If she could get inside, she could lock herself in until she could call for help. She touched her hip pocket and almost cried when she verified her phone was still in its place.

  Katie rushed toward her, and Shay put her arms up in front of her face to avoid another blow from the bat. Katie stopped and backed away. She looked at Shay and then at the weapon in her hand. She flun
g the bat away from her as if it were a horrible living thing.

  “You think I hit you?” Katie cried. “You think I’d do that to you? Oh Shay.”

  Shay lowered her arms and looked at Katie. She felt safer now that the brunette was no longer standing over her with a weapon.

  For the first time, Shay noticed the cut on Katie’s cheek. “What happened,” she said. “Who did this?”

  “I don’t know,” Katie mumbled. “I was on the patio lighting the grill when someone hit me from behind.”

  “I can’t believe Bear didn’t stop them,” Shay blurted.

  “I think they hit Bear too,” Katie cried. “I can’t find him. I just came in and found this bat on the floor. It’s covered in blood. I thought it was Bear’s blood, but now I think it’s yours.”

  Both women rushed to the bathroom and Shay opened the door. Bear was lying on his side. Ragged breathing racked his body. “He’s hurt badly,” Shay declared. “Don’t move him. I’ll get my bag from my car.”

  Shay ran as if her life depended on it, because she knew Bear’s did. She grabbed her bag and pulled her phone from her pocket. “Call Wayne Mason,” she instructed Siri as she sprinted back inside.

  “Wayne, I’ve got a badly injured sixty-pound pit bull with tension pneumothorax. I’m going to perform a chest decompression on him, but I need you to get an animal ambulance to location.”

  Shay handed her phone to Katie, who gave Wayne the address. “I’ll be waiting for you at my clinic,” Wayne promised as they ended the call.

  “The blow from the bat broke a rib, which punctured his lung,” Shay explained as she pulled a huge needle from her bag. “Air is seeping from his lung to the pleural space outside it, causing the lung to collapse.

  “I need a razor,” she said.

  “A razor?” Katie gasped “Where would I get a razor?”

  “Don’t you shave your legs?” Shay growled.

  “Oh, yes, yes.” Katie pushed a razor into Shay’s hand.

  Shay shaved the area where she needed to insert the Turkel needle and sterilized the skin with alcohol. “It won’t help him much if I remove the air from around his lung but introduce bacteria into it,” she explained.