by Morgan James
Relieved that it was she who answered, I let out a little sigh. “Hey, lady. It’s Kate.”
“Oh,” she breathed. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good, thanks. Still a little sore, but it shouldn’t be anything to worry about.”
“That’s good. When are you due back?”
“If everything goes well, probably another week or so.” Sooner if I could swing it. I hated sitting around with nothing to do. “I actually have a favor for you in the meantime, if you don’t mind.”
“No problem,” Stella replied readily.
“If possible,” I said slowly, “I’d like to keep this just between us. I don’t want anyone to think I’m working off the clock.” I use the excuse that would hopefully make sense and not rouse any suspicions.
“You got it,” Stella replied. “What do you need?”
What I was about to do was a horrible idea, not to mention completely illegal, and I mentally crossed my fingers, hoping that she wouldn’t ask too many questions. “Well, since I’ve got some time off, I offered to take a look at something for a friend’s father. I was wondering if you could check the system for a patient..”
I already knew Tripp’s file was in the system, but what about Keane’s? Though I knew he had been in the military at one point, he may not have utilized the VA. All I knew was, I needed to get my hands on his chart to see if there was some kind of link.
Was there anything outstanding in their medical history? Were they a rare blood type? All I really needed was to determine if Keane was in the system. If he was, I would have Stella print off a copy for me so I could pick it up. While I was there, I could make a copy of Tripp’s file in the data room. I didn’t want to involve Stella anymore then absolutely possible, and this was the safest way.
“Okay...” I heard the hesitation in her voice, and I bit my lip, hating to drag her into this without any evidence of what exactly I was looking for. “Patient name?”
“Merrill Keane.”
“Let me check.” I heard the keyboard clicking in the background as Stella worked her magic. After a long moment, she came back on the phone. “You’re right. He was actually a patient of Dr. Rodriguez at the branch over on Pennsylvania Avenue.”
I closed my eyes, unsure of whether that was a good thing or bad. “I really appreciate your help, Stella. Would you mind printing off a copy of his file and just leave it in my mailbox? I can swing by later and pick it up.”
“Do you need anything else?”
“No,” I replied. “You’ve done enough. Thank you so much.”
Well, shit. What the hell did this mean? It could still be a complete coincidence. But something felt... off about this whole thing. Three sets of remains found close together, two of whom were ex-military and patients of the VA. I knew it was a stretch, but I had to know for sure if there was a connection here, no matter how small. It could be nothing—or it could be everything.
I tapped my nails on the screen of my phone before drawing a deep breath and heading downstairs. Phil had removed himself to the living room in front of the huge TV, and I took a seat on the edge of the couch. “I need to drive over to the VA and pick up some files. Would you like to get out of the house for a bit and come with me?”
“Sure, if you wouldn’t mind some company.”
I smiled as he lowered the recliner and pushed to his feet. “Of course not.”
Together we made our way to my car, which Gavin had retrieved from the coffee shop a couple days ago. I slipped behind the wheel, feeling more than a little guilty for not telling Gavin what I planned to do. He would literally kill me if he found out I’d left the house. So, he just wouldn’t have to find out—at least, not yet. It was part of the reason I’d invited Phil. I knew the older man was feeling cooped up, being stuck here in a house that wasn’t his. I knew that feeling well. Besides, having Phil with me made me feel better knowing that I wouldn’t be alone, even if I was only going in for a few minutes.
Forty minutes later, I parked in the lot behind the VA and turned to Phil. “Would you like to come in or stay here?”
He waved me off. “I’ll just stay here if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” I left the car running and the air conditioning on as I opened the door and slipped out. “I’ll be back in just a few minutes.”
I felt exposed being out here in the open all alone, and I hurried around the building, breathing a sigh of relief once I was inside. It was irrational, I knew, but I couldn’t help it. The last time I was out in public I was shot at—I really didn’t want a replay.
Stella lifted her gaze when she heard the door open, and she greeted me with a smile and a little wave as I approached the desk. “You look great.”
“Thanks.” I returned her smile. “Have I missed anything?”
“Same old thing here,” she said. Then, almost as an afterthought— “Oh, I almost forgot.” She searched her desk for a moment then handed a card to me. “Chris’s mother passed away, if you’d like to sign this.”
“Of course.” I opened the card and wrote a little sympathy message, then signed it and handed it back. “How’s he holding up?”
Stella lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. I’m really not even sure what happened.”
“Sucks.” I made a little face, then tipped my head to the side. “Anyway, I’ll let you get back to it. Thanks again for your help earlier.”
“Anytime.”
She winked, and I slipped behind the little fold-down counter and into the small room where we kept patient records. Quickly, I skimmed the shelves for the “T” section, then pulled the file folder containing Robert Tripp’s information from the bookcase. Shooting a quick glance around, I copied each page of his chart, then replaced the folder. Scooping up the small stack of papers, I slung my purse over my shoulder and slipped out of the room. I grabbed the rolled-up files from my mailbox as I passed, then made my way around the counter.
As I left, I waved to Stella, who was engaged on the phone. She shot me a smile and a wave, and I turned to head out. As I did so, I almost bumped into Dr. Coleman.
“Whoa.” He put a hand on my shoulder to steady me.
“Sorry about that.” I took a quick step backward and forced a smile to my face, though my heart was racing in my chest.
Coleman studied me for a long moment. “How are you feeling?”
“Good, thanks.”
“You sure? You look a little pale.”
I let out a strained little laugh and made a fanning motion near my face. “Must be the heat. It’s miserable out there today.”
He nodded a little, and his gaze dropped to the papers in my hand, then went to the records room. His eyes met mine again, sending my pulse into a flurry. Oh, God. If he discovered I was taking patient files, I could not only lose my job but face a lawsuit for breach of privacy. I needed to get out of here—now.
“Well, anyway, I just had to stop in for a few things.” I made a show of fishing for my keys. “See you later.”
I clutched the papers tightly in my hand and turned, fighting the urge to run as I headed out the door, all the while feeling his eyes painting a bull’s-eye on my back.
Chapter Thirty-One
Gavin
The sound of the TV in the living room greeted me when I stepped inside the house. A delicious, spicy smell lingered in the air, and I tossed my briefcase and keys on the table before striding toward the stove. Someone had made stir-fry, and the remnants sat on the burner, the lid on the pan to keep them warm.
I pulled a fork from the drawer and scooped up a couple mouthfuls, leaning one hip on the counter. Aside from the TV playing in the living room, the house was quiet. I wondered if Kate was taking another nap. I stabbed another piece of chicken and shoveled it into my mouth, then headed toward the stairs to check on her.
I left her in bed this morning, warm and soft from a night of lovemaking, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hope to get her back there again. I s
lept in her room last night, and I looked forward to doing it again. Now that she was starting to come around, I refused to backtrack. The only change I was willing to make was moving her into my room. I wanted her in my bed and in my house—permanently.
Though I had alluded to a serious relationship before, I knew she was still skittish from her divorce. I felt like every time I took one step forward, she took two steps back. After last night, something between us had changed. The wall around her heart had cracked and begun to crumble, and for the first time in more than a month, ever since our first night together, I got a glimpse at the real Kate. She was funny and smart and so damn sexy. I wasn’t going to rush things with her. As long as she was here with me, that was all that mattered.
I jogged quietly upstairs and peeked into the guest bedroom, my eyes sweeping the empty room. Cocking an ear, I listened for any movement in the attached bath, but it remained quiet. I headed to the end of the hall where my room was located and paused in the doorway, a smile curving my mouth. She sat cross-legged on the bed, my laptop, her phone, and a few papers spread out in front of her, and for a moment I just watched her. My eyes skimmed over her from head to toe, taking in those long auburn locks that fell in unruly waves down her back and over her shoulder. She wore a tank top and sweats, but her feet were bare, and I smiled at the sight at the soft pink polish tipping her toes.
Her head lifted when she noticed my presence, and her mouth curled into a small smile. “Oh, hey. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Hey, beautiful.” She slipped off the bed as I approached, and I pulled her into my arms, tipping her head up for a kiss.
The kiss turned deeper, more passionate, and I slid one hand under her shirt, my thumb caressing the soft skin of her lower back. She tasted so good and felt even better. I wanted to strip her bare and tumble her back onto the bed she’d just vacated. Somewhere in the back of my mind, common sense reared up, telling me to slow down, and I reluctantly broke the kiss.
“How are you feeling?”
“Good.” Her hands came up to my chest, her fingers stroking over the silk of my blue tie.
“Stay out of trouble today?”
Automatically, she stiffened, and I regretted whatever it was I’d said. I mentally played my words back as she pulled out of my arms and sat on the edge of the mattress.
I pushed the papers aside and took a seat beside her, my gaze riveted on her face. “Kate?” She finally lifted her gaze to mine. “Is everything okay?”
She nodded, concern clouding her eyes. “Have you heard anything about the man who shot at me?”
So, that’s what this was all about. I’d told her last night when we were lying in bed that I’d reached out to Blake and his friends to do some digging. I’d left out the fact that they were currently running background on Coleman as well. Turning to face her more fully, I pulled a knee up between us and cupped her face with one hand. “Not yet, sweetheart. But they’re working on it, I promise.”
She bit her lip. “What if they don’t find him? Or what if they’re chasing the wrong person?”
I stroked my thumb over her cheek. “They’re good at what they do, red. Between Con’s guys and the police, they’ll figure it out.”
“I just...” She trailed off, seemingly having some sort of internal debate with herself. Finally, she continued. “I don’t know if this is just a fluke, or if I’ve totally lost my mind, but I don’t know who else to talk to about this, and I don’t want to sound neurotic or anything, but I feel like there’s something here.”
She took a deep breath, finally out of steam, and I lifted my brows in question as I gazed at her, still trying to process her words. “What are you talking about, babe?”
She stared at me for a long second. “Can I show you something?”
“Of course.”
“So, you’ve heard about the bodies they’ve found recently. Remember the first victim—the one I found in the cornfield?”
I nodded. “The police suspected homicide, right?”
“Yes. His name was Robert Tripp.” She picked up a couple of papers from the bed, then handed them to me. “This is his medical chart. His name came up in conversation right after he was identified, and one of the nurses mentioned that he was a patient at the VA.”
I quickly scanned them as she spoke. “Crazy.”
“I know, right? Well, if you remember, a second body turned up a couple weeks ago, just a few miles away from the first victim.” She handed me a second chart. “Merrill Keane. They don’t know for sure, but they suspect he may have actually been killed before Mr. Tripp but wasn’t found until later. Same with the most recent victim.”
“Okay?” I wasn’t quite sure where she was going with this. It sucked, but people died all the time, in all manners.
She laid a hand on my arm, insisting on my attention, and I met her serious gaze. “You can’t repeat any of this, okay?”
I nodded, confused. “Of course.”
She drew in a deep breath. “When I found the first victim—Tripp—the medical examiner on the case noticed something strange. All of his vital organs were gone.”
I quirked a brow, surprised that she was telling me all this. “Gruesome. Animals?”
“Removed—surgically,” she added as my stomach twisted. “Organs can fetch a pretty hefty price on the black market, so it’s a good possibility he was killed and his organs harvested for profit.”
I scrubbed a hand over my face. “That’s... revolting.”
“Right.” She sighed. “Well, this may have been the same scenario. I was curious about Merrill Keane, and when I googled him, I happened to find out he was a veteran of the Gulf War. According to news reports, his body was badly decomposed by the time he was found, so there’s no conclusive evidence that they were removed. But...” She stared at me. “That makes three bodies found within a three-mile radius over the past month. Both of the men identified had type O blood—which would make them universal donors.”
“You think they’re connected,” I said, understanding dawning.
She nodded. “The third victim still hasn’t been identified, but Merrill and Keane were both patients at the VA. Keane was from a different branch, but his information was accessible. Both men’s charts say they’re single with no next of kin listed. What if someone targeted these men on purpose—say, a doctor who could perform the surgery?”
“It’s possible,” I admitted. “What are you thinking?”
Her teeth sank into her lower lip. “Remember that argument awhile back? Coleman made it sound like they were talking about a patient, but now...”
Oh, Christ. I saw exactly where she was going with that. “You think Coleman’s responsible.”
“Maybe.” She lifted one hand. “But I have no proof. I just... have this gut feeling. He has access to patient records, and God knows he’s capable of surgical procedures.”
Son of a bitch. This whole thing became more and more tangled each day. We’d already determined that the gunman wasn’t Coleman himself, and I knew from the man’s build that it wasn’t Larry. So who was it? It was possible that the shooting at the coffee shop was totally random, but I seriously doubted it. If Coleman or Larry were involved in something of this magnitude, they certainly weren’t doing it alone.
“So... do you suppose they’re in on this together? Or Larry could be blackmailing Coleman for whatever reason,” I mused.
“Anything’s possible.” A tiny shudder ran through her. “But I’m glad you don’t think I’m crazy.”
“No, you’re definitely not crazy. I don’t believe in coincidences, especially ones as glaring as this. Besides..." My next words died on my lips as something suddenly occurred to me, and I held up Keane’s chart. “Wait—didn’t they just ID this guy?”
“I believe so, yes.”
My gaze narrowed on her. “Then when the hell did you get these, and how?”
She stared at me for several long seconds and rolled her lips together befo
re answering. “Today. At the VA.”
“Goddamn it, Kate—"
She pressed her palms to my chest as if she could physically hold down the anger rising within. “Just hear me out.”
I dipped my chin and glared at her, sarcasm dripping from my tongue. “Great, I can’t wait to hear what excuse you have for putting yourself in the same building as a man who probably tried to kill you.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, frosty eyes narrowed. “Don’t be dramatic. I was perfectly safe. Your dad went with me, and—”
“Oh, my God, I should have known.” I dragged one hand through my hair.
I grabbed up my phone and called Clay, who answered on the first ring. No greeting, he launched right in. “Hey, I was just getting ready to call you. We found out that Meredith Raines was in a car accident a little over a year ago.”
“I had no idea.” Why hadn’t Larry said anything? That was right about the same time they’d separated. What kind of husband would leave his wife after that?
“Apparently she’d been drinking and slid off the road and sustained some pretty severe trauma when the driver side hit a tree.”
I winced. “That sucks.” Car versus tree was never a good outcome.
“Doesn’t stop there. Guess who was with Meredith at the time?”
My gut tightened, and I had a feeling I already knew the answer before I asked. “Who?”
“Dr. Elijah Coleman.”
Motherfucker.
“He was treated for mild injuries and released, but hers were much more significant. According to the report, she was driving and lost control. The car hit a tree, did a lot of internal damage.”
I closed my eyes. “Well, that answers some questions.” I explained what Kate had just shown me. “I’m going to the police station with Kate, then I’ll be over.”
“Don’t bother,” he said. “Tomorrow’s the funeral. I’m gonna hit it up.”
So he could see who showed up. Meredith was being laid to rest tomorrow, and news of her death had finally begun to whisper its way through the office. I wanted to be there, too. “I’ll meet you there.”