by D. K. Hood
“Rowley didn’t mention contacting Sky Paul’s parents but I guess his main concern was getting Miss Tate to the hospital. From the blood Rowley mentioned on Tate, I doubt she is at home or her parents would have reported the attack.” Wolfe sounded concerned. “I’ll speak to him.”
Jenna exchanged a glance with Kane and frowned. “No, it’s fine, you have enough to do. I’ll call him now. He can go speak to Sky Paul’s parents before he returns to the office.”
“Sure. I’ll email you a report of my findings and Walters will keep you updated on the search.”
Jenna let out a long sigh. “Okay, thanks.” She disconnected and looked at Kane. “I feel useless not being out there coordinating the search and rescue.”
“All parties involved know what jobs they have to do. You know as well as I do the search and rescue chopper has been doing this for many years. Same with the snowmobile volunteers. They know their stuff and you have Walters out there to direct traffic if necessary.” Kane shrugged. “It’s not your fault you’re ill. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“I’ve never tried to run an investigation from home before.” Jenna turned her head away and coughed. “I prefer to speak to my deputies face to face.”
“Then get them to drop in here. I don’t think it will make any difference if you’re not in the office. I figure our only problem will be if Wolfe suspects Ella Tate is involved.”
Jenna rubbed her temples to ease the threatening headache. “If she is then one of us will need to interview her. Rowley is a competent deputy but he doesn’t have our experience, and Wolfe will be working forensics.”
“Maybe not.” Kane made his way to the kitchen and poured two fresh cups of coffee. “But Wolfe is on the ball. I figure we should wait for his report.” He sighed. “As Wolfe said, we’re more likely to be searching for a corpse. After twelve hours or more out in this weather, she wouldn’t stand a chance. The search is routine now, not a life-or-death situation.”
Jenna huffed out a long breath. “Yeah, I guess but if he believes she’s responsible for killing her friend, I’ll want you to interview her. You ask the right questions and get inside people’s heads.”
“I’m sure I can drive to the hospital and back without a problem, or Rowley can drive me.” He smiled at her. “Try not to worry too much. You have a capable team at your fingertips. Rest up and you’ll be back at work in no time.”
Jenna shook her head. “I can’t right now with this case buzzing around in my head.”
“Talk to me.” Kane looked interested. “What have you got?”
“A theory.” Jenna leaned forward in her chair. “If someone attacked Sky Paul on the highway and her car is missing, we could have another murder on our hands—or we might have the killer in custody… whatever, I’ll call Blackwater and see if they can spare a few deputies to guard Ella Tate in the hospital. Can you follow up with Rowley? He needs to get over to speak to Sky’s parents.”
“Sure.” Kane’s brow furrowed. “I’ll ask him if he notified Ella’s next of kin as well. If not, I’ll call them. It’s likely, with organizing the snowplow and arranging for Wolfe to examine the girl, it might have slipped his mind.”
Jenna heaved a sigh of relief. Head injury or not, Kane was firing on all cylinders, although he had become a little remote toward her since losing his memory. The incident had reopened the wound of losing his wife—for him it had happened a few weeks ago—and she recognized the signs of a man in mourning. Keeping him busy was the best medicine. “Will you be able to chase down some info on the Tate girl for me as well? We only have her word for what happened. If Sky is dead, she would be the last person to have seen her alive.”
“Sure can.” Kane reached for the coffee pot. “Go back to bed and rest. I’ll pour you a cup of coffee and bring you a slice of Aunt Betty’s fruit cake.”
“That is easier said than done.” Jenna heard a vehicle heading toward the house and groaned. “Did I ever mention how much I hate doctors? They always want to jab a needle in me.”
“Go back to bed. I’ll get the door.” Kane pushed to his feet and walked to the door without using his stick. He glanced over at her. “See, I’m fine. I made it to the cottage and back without a headache. I’ll be back to work before you at this rate.”
Jenna glared at him. “Ha, ha, very funny.” She made her way back to her bedroom to wait for the doctor.
When Kane ushered the doctor into the room, Jenna took in what she could see of her. Bundled up in a huge sheepskin coat that hung down to cover her boots, the doctor peered at her through oversized black-framed glasses that made her dark eyes appear huge and surreal.
“Good morning, Sheriff.” The doctor had a distinctive English accent and when she untied the knitted scarf from around her face and then pulled off her hat, long black hair spilled down to frame her features. “I’m Doctor Mavis Weaver. What seems to be the problem?” She placed a brown leather bag on the bed and inclined her head from side to side, like a bird of prey, then looked down at her.
Jenna wrinkled her nose at the strong smell of lavender and blinked at the doctor. She looked as if she had walked out of the 1940s. A large woman in her late thirties, she dressed in a variety of unusual clothes like a bag lady. Stymied for a second, she cleared her throat then coughed uncontrollably.
“Oh, I see.” Dr. Weaver opened her bag, took out a stethoscope and proceeded to examine her. “You have a chest infection. You should have called me a week ago, young lady. I want you to stay inside; going out in this weather could lead to serious complications.”
Astonished by her bedside manner, Jenna blinked. “Ah, I thought it was just a cold.”
“Are you allergic to penicillin?” The doctor reached into her bag, took out a small bottle and a syringe then prepared an injection.
Jenna read the label—it was in her best interest not to trust strangers planning to shoot drugs into her system—and shook her head. “No.”
“Good! I’ll give you a shot. Roll onto your side away from me and lift your nightie. This one goes into your butt.” Dr. Weaver grinned. “It hurts like a bitch too.”
“Ah… is that really necessary?” Jenna eyed the needle with suspicion. “Pills will be fine.”
“Oh, you’ll need them as well.” The doctor chuckled as if enjoying the idea of inflicting pain, cleaned the area and jabbed in the needle. “There you go. I’ll draw some blood while I’m here as well, just to check for any nasties.”
Jenna rubbed her backside. The injection hadn’t worried her. She sat up and offered her arm. The doctor was fast and efficient. She watched her write on a prescription pad and wondered why she ran a clinic. “Do you work at the hospital as well?”
“The hospital is all about insurance and around these parts there are people barely surviving. I never turn anyone away and I can handle most emergencies.” Dr. Weaver’s eyes moved over her face. “I have a few colleagues who are prepared to help out pro bono when necessary as well.”
“That is very noble of you, but we do have the Department of Public Health and Human Services to assist low earners with healthcare. If you provide a free service how do you pay the bills?” Jenna pressed a wad of cotton to the crook of her arm. “We all have to eat.”
“Those who can pay are more than enough for my simple needs.” Dr. Weaver handed her the prescription. “Take the meds and if you’re not better in four to five days, call me, or if your condition deteriorates, go to the ER.”
“Sure.” Jenna eyed her critically. As a doctor, the woman did not fill her with confidence. She reached into the bedside table for her wallet. “Are you a Medicaid or HMK Plus provider? I’ll pay cash for the visit if that’s okay. If you leave my blood sample, I’ll have one of my deputies drop it at the ME’s office. Wolfe will perform the tests.”
“You don’t have to worry, my dear.” Dr. Weaver patted her on the shoulder. “Deputy Kane insisted on providing his credit card details before I left. I’ll email him a receip
t and as I go right past the ME’s office, I’ll drop by on the way home. If you have someone to pick up your meds, I’ll drop the prescription into the pharmacy on my way home too. I won’t contact you unless the tests show up something of concern.”
“Thanks, that would be a great help.” Jenna’s attention drifted to the door, wondering why Kane would pay for her medical treatment. “I’m sure I’ll be fine in a few days.” She handed the prescription back to the doctor.
She watched as the doctor shrugged into her coat, pulled on her bright red hat and purple gloves and waddled into the hallway. The moment she heard the front door shut behind the doctor, she slipped out of bed and marched into the kitchen. “Kane, why did you pay for her visit? I had cash here.”
“I told her you were insured and she asked for credit card details before she left, so I gave her mine.” He sighed. “Friends do that for each other, it’s no big deal.”
Jenna balled her fists on her hips. “Uh-huh. I would have preferred to go into town to see Doc Brown. She was… weird.”
“Sorry but I didn’t have a choice of doctors.” Kane gave her a sheepish look. “I don’t know any others who make house calls. It’s like she stepped out of the fifties.”
Jenna rubbed her butt. “You can say that again. And she gave me a shot. I hate needles.” She went to the counter and refilled the coffee pot. “When she sends the receipt, I’ll reimburse you.”
“If you must, but it’s not necessary.” He took down coffee cups from the shelf. “It was my idea for her to call.”
Jenna gave him a sideways look. “Maybe, but now it will be all over town we’re living together and you’re paying my medical bills.”
“Nah, she won’t say a word.” Kane grinned at her. “Doctor–patient privilege and all that.” He leaned against the counter. “FYI, people already believe we’re involved. I had one old lady ask me when I was going to make an honest woman of you.”
Aghast, Jenna gaped at him. “Oh, my God, tell me that didn’t happen.”
“Sure did. I told her you wouldn’t have me if I was the last man on earth and that our relationship was strictly professional.” Kane moved to the refrigerator and took out the cream. “She patted my arm and told me not to worry, I would find someone one day.”
Jenna giggled, followed by a fit of coughing. “I’d better get back to bed. Give me a call when the coffee is ready.”
“What did the doc say is wrong with you?” Kane frowned and caught her arm. “Why did you allow her to take blood? It’s risky. You never know who is watching.”
Jenna laughed. “Her? I don’t think she’s a threat to national security somehow.”
“Okay.” Kane frowned. “Does she think you’re contagious?”
Jenna waved him away. “No, it’s just a chest infection and I have a prescription for meds that needs picking up. She wanted a blood sample, to look for ‘nasties’. I told her to send it to Wolfe. I’ll ask him what tests she requested. I’m sure he’ll make sure she doesn’t do anything untoward.” She blew her nose. “I felt like I was being treated by someone’s grandma, she acts like an old woman.” They exchanged looks. “What? I suppose you figured she looked perfectly normal?”
“She is a little strange.” Kane chuckled. “When I noticed your arm I was worried she might have used a fleam. She looks as if she stepped out of a time machine.”
“It’s not funny. You didn’t have a needle jabbed in your butt.” Jenna prodded him in the chest in an effort to stop him laughing. “Next time I’ll go see Doc Brown.”
“He would be my choice.” Kane’s teeth flashed white and she could hear him snickering as she went back to her room.
Five
A blast of icy wind cut into Wolfe’s face as he stepped from the warmth of the ME’s office. Winter had set in and every building had icicles of varying lengths hanging from gutters. Although the snow gave the town a picturesque appearance, the bitter cold temperatures added to the danger of being isolated in the more remote areas. He’d heard some of the older folk often froze to death and vehicles vanished under snowdrifts. He enjoyed living in Black Rock Falls but with the massive drop in temperature this year, he was convinced winter was heading into a new ice age.
As he led the way to his truck, the frozen maple trees surrounding his building creaked and every so often a branch would snap and tumble to the ground, hitting the snow with a soft thud. He took hold of his daughter’s arm as Emily slipped and slid along the frozen footpath, her rosy cheeks peeking out from under her hoodie. He had not been able to dissuade her from assisting him today. At least he could be thankful his other two daughters were at home snug and warm.
Last night’s blizzard hadn’t deterred the townsfolk from going about their business. The snowplows cleared the roads before daybreak and vehicles moved around as normal, many carrying pines from the Christmas tree farm. Kids were everywhere, excited to be on vacation for the holiday season and loving the first snow. As they made their way to his truck a cloud of steam appeared to follow a couple walking by in animated conversation, red noses peeking from scarves and hats covered with snowflakes.
He slid into his vehicle and waited for Emily to fasten her seatbelt. “Are you sure you want to come with me? It’s warmer inside.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Emily smiled at her father. “This case sounds intriguing. I’m not sure the witness’s account is accurate. It seems a bit far-fetched and she would have died out in the blizzard last night. It sounds very suspicious. From the information we have, Miss Tate could have killed her friend and been making up a story to cover the crime.”
Wolfe bit back a smile. He had thought much the same thing from the preliminary report. “It’s always better to assume the last person to see a person alive is a suspect unless proven otherwise. In cases like this one, we must gather as much evidence as possible. Things may have happened the way she said but as a medical examiner, I need proof either way.”
Wolfe had to admit to being proud that Emily had decided to follow in his footsteps and was currently undergoing studies in forensic science. She spent the time between semesters and most weekends working alongside him at the ME’s office. Intelligence ran in the family, with all of his daughters exceeding in their studies, but the intelligence came at a price. Emily was headstrong and he needed to use every ounce of his considerable patience to keep his girls happy. Too many limitations would curb their inquisitive minds, not enough and they would end up in trouble. After losing his wife to cancer some years previously, finding the right balance had often been more difficult than he would like to admit. It was fortunate that Emily had found a strong friend and older sister figure in Jenna. They had bonded during Kane’s recovery in the hospital and having Jenna as a role model could only be a good thing.
“How do we proceed?” Emily glanced at him. “She’s nineteen so we don’t need her parents’ consent to examine her.”
He turned to Emily. “We act with caution. The young woman is an unknown quantity. She informed Deputy Rowley she witnessed a murder but we need to examine the blood spatter on her to determine if she was involved.”
“Do you want me to collect samples or just observe?” Emily folded her gloved hands in her lap. “Or would you prefer I speak to her, woman to woman? She’s about my age and I might be able to squeeze information out of her. Remember, to most people you look intimidating.” She gave him a beatific smile. “If I’d just met you, I’d be running for the hills.”
Wolfe pulled out onto the highway and set out for the hospital. “We’re there for a forensic evaluation, so I’ll need you to watch her undress and collect her garments. Say as little as possible to her. I’ll take her statement, then I’m pretty sure Sheriff Alton will want to question her.”
“Jenna is still feeling poorly. I called her before and she mentioned the doctor giving her a shot of penicillin.” Emily frowned. “With Kane housebound, I believe that makes you the senior officer.” Her jaw became a stubborn line. “
You have every right to take charge.”
Wolfe wiped a hand down his face and forced his concentration to remain on the hazardous slippery road. “No need. Jenna is quite capable of organizing a search from home. She’ll have Rowley running things at the office and right now, he’s doing a mighty fine job. I don’t need the extra work, Em. I hardly get time with you and the girls now.” He flicked her a glance. “I just want you to observe the collection of evidence procedure, okay?”
“I guess.” Emily’s mouth turned down at the corners “If you say so.”
Wolfe pulled into the space designated for police vehicles and climbed out. He collected his bag from the back seat and turned to Emily. “She’s on the restricted floor and Rowley should be with her.”
He stepped over the pile of gray, frozen snow thrown up from the snowplow and held out his hand to assist Emily. They made their way inside the hospital and took the elevator to the restricted floor. The sheriff’s department had made a few changes in the last few months to ensure the security of everyone on this level. Scanners were set on every doorway, each room or corridor requiring a card to gain entry. No one could enter without a deputy present and seeing a Blackwater deputy on duty made him smile. Even ill and short-staffed, Jenna had arranged for the girl to have around-the-clock security.
A doctor waiting with Rowley outside an examination room gave Wolfe an exasperated stare.
“Mr. Wolfe, I must protest. My patient has not received care since her arrival.” The doctor’s face was red with annoyance. “I must maintain duty of care but Deputy Rowley insists that you examine her first. She is alive, not a corpse. You have no right. She could be suffering from exposure.”
Wolfe straightened. “In any crime, as the Medical Examiner, I have the right to examine a potential suspect and collect evidence. I’m sure you’re aware Deputy Rowley has spoken to Miss Tate and he assured me she doesn’t require emergency medical treatment. She was given a hot beverage and a blanket by the truck driver who found her—which, coincidently, has contaminated any trace evidence of a third party in this crime.” He gave the doctor his best back-off glare. “It is imperative I examine her clothes in situ. The blood spatter will indicate if she is telling the truth about her friend’s abduction and possible murder.” He waved a hand toward the door. “This won’t take long but I can’t risk further contamination. You are welcome to observe.”