Forgetting Jane

by C. J. Warrant

  “You’re not funny.” Eli shook his head. “Got your gear?”

  Tom lifted the black case and looked around the room. “There’s nothing here.” He placed the case down on the tray table and scratched the back of his neck. “Where do you want me to start?”

  “The bed,” Eli said.

  “I’ll cut out some blood samples from Jane’s sheets.” Tom bent over and popped open the case. He grabbed a couple of gloves and snapped them on. “Then I’ll go over the room for fingerprints. How’s she doing?”

  “They have her secured.” He rubbed at his jaw in agitation. “Dammit.”

  “Relax. You aren’t helping anyone by losing it,” Tom conveyed with conviction.

  “I’ve already lost it, Tom. To know the bastard was so close. He could have killed her. Instead, he slashed her up—just to prove a point,” Eli spat out. He pulled out the small bag and handed it to his deputy.

  “What’s this?” Tom took the bag and examined the contents.

  “My card. One of the nurses found it scattered over Jane’s body,” Eli said and then pointed to the baggy. “This was a message to me, I know it.”

  “This guy is playing some sick, twisted mind game,” Tom said, handing the bag back to Eli.

  “Twisted or not, I know the next time, Jane’s dead.”

  Tom shook his head. “Don’t think that. It might be a fluke he slipped in.” He took out a plastic bag and scissors. He pulled at the bloodied sheets and began cutting pieces out.

  Eli paced the room, stopping every few seconds and staring at the deputy. “I don’t think so.”

  “Eli, will you stop. You’re getting me dizzy,” Tom said, wiping his forehead.

  “We’ve got to move her.”

  Tom stop in mid-cut. “Where? We don’t have a safe house around here. Unless you want to bring in State cops. They take over this case and Jane will definitely be moved. And you’ll be out of it. Is that what you want? I know we can catch this S.O.B. without those yahoos interfering,” Tom expelled a breath. He scratched at his head and shrugged. “But, it’s your call.”

  “We have to finish it. It’s our case,” Eli said with surety. Moving Jane was his first priority. There was no other choice. But how to do it without anyone’s knowledge—that was his challenge.

  Tom returned his focus to collecting evidence and finished cutting pieces of the bloodied sheet. He placed the cut material in the bag and marked it. “I’m done with the blood samples. I’ll do a sweep for fingerprints and anything else that might be viable as a clue.”

  “After you’re done here, check the security feeds. You have a better eye than Ryan. Maybe the cameras caught him coming in or out of the hospital.”

  “Okay,” Tom said as he put away the samples.

  Eli wanted to tell Tom about his plan to move Jane, but he changed his mind. The deputy’s conviction to find the bastard gave him renewed assurance but he kept silent on his plan to move her. Why? He wasn’t sure himself, and stayed tight-lipped.

  The lack of evidence in the room really bothered him. It was too clean. Jane’s attacker had been meticulous in covering his tracks well. Another reason Eli wanted to keep quiet was his assumption of where the killer was from.

  Besides, the fewer people who knew about her whereabouts the better. In order to keep Jane safe and alive, only three had to know: Jane, Dr. Rollins and himself. And to keep up with appearances, with the help of the doctor…Yes—a lie would be spread through the hospital that she was kept in the psych ward for better protection. And it gave a false path for the attacker. As Eli strode toward the door—out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a small purple object under the drapes against the wall. “Tom. Check this out.”

  The deputy stepped up and squatted down in front of the curtains. He lifted the fabric off the floor and picked up the purple foil up with his long tweezers.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Tom said as he examined the wrapper.

  Excitement surged inside Eli like a bolt of lightning. “I can’t believe it. That is our break.”

  “I’ll be whipped. The man upstairs answered your prayers. Out of all things, a condom wrapper.”

  “Bag it and send it out right away. The bastard finally fucked up and maybe left us a fingerprint or DNA.”

  “That would be—”

  “I want you to find out who was in here. Nurses, interns, I don’t care if candy stripers stuck their heads inside this room. I want names and reasons for them being here.”

  “Okay, but…”

  “But what?” Eli shot out.

  “Nothing. Just that I want to sweep the room further. Let Ryan get that information.”

  “Good idea.” Eli left the room in haste. To know there was a possible break in the case made him hope. Before he saw Jane, he searched for Ryan and found him on the first floor. He told him to get everyone who went into Jane’s room in the last six hours.

  Once he was finished his explanation, he headed to the elevator. As he approached the door, Caroline called out to him, but ignored her with satisfaction.

  The door opened the second floor and he almost careened into Dr. Rollins.

  “Sorry, Doc.” Eli grabbed hold of Rollins’ arm to steady the man. “Any changes in Jane’s condition?”

  “As well as anyone who finds themselves bound, naked and lacerated. For the moment, she’s sedated and calm.” His voice cut lower. “Chief, who could be doing this? This is a hospital. How did they get in here without being seen?”

  Eli’s tone matched the doctor’s. “I don’t know, but I wanted to talk to you about moving Jane out of here.”

  “Jane needs our care for at least a few more days. Especially after what just happened to her. She is in a fragile state. I can’t risk her health and life. Can you have one of your deputies stand guard? She should be safe.”

  “Don’t you get it, Doc?” Eli’s voice turned sharp. “She’s not safe here, period. This proved it. Whoever did this, will do it again. Next time he’ll kill her, and I can’t chance it. No. I’m not asking for your permission. I’m moving Jane out of here tonight.” His last remark had enough bite; the doctor took a step back.

  “Okay. But only on the condition that you take a nurse to watch over her,” Rollins insisted. “And I need to know where are you moving her to?”

  “You aren’t privy to that information, Doc. The fewer people who know where Jane’s at, the better. I’ll ask Magda which nurse to bring. And Doc?” Eli scanned around them and made sure no one was around. “I need this information about Jane’s whereabouts kept tight-lipped. Tell whoever is inquiring about her that she was moved to the psych wing. Tell them she is better protected there.”

  The doctor gave a slight nod. “I understand. When exactly are you planning on moving her?

  “Now.”

  “Okay. Then I’ll get a small med bag ready for her.” The doctor sounded slightly defeated. He strode down the hall and disappeared around the corner.

  Eli rubbed at the back of his neck with relief. He wasn’t sure if the doctor would go along with his plan, but glad that he agreed. There was no choice—Jane had to be moved.

  In order for his plan to work, he must slip Jane out of the hospital without anyone seeing her. Not as easy as it looked, especially with everyone on high alert. Also with day fast approaching, the daylight would surely highlight his actions.

  As he entered the room, Magda came out of the bathroom. He took her arm gently and nudged her back into the washroom.

  “Elias, what are you doing?” she said as she back peddled.

  “I’m moving Jane out of here tonight. She isn’t safe here anymore,” he whispered.

  “Where are you taking her?” Magda’s voice shook and broken off. “She isn’t a hundred percent.”

  “A safe house,” he lied.

  “A safe house? Where?”

  He ignored her question. “Doc insists that a nurse go with her. I don’t like it. The fewer people who know
, the better. So, I’ll be taking care of her needs.”

  “No, you can’t,” Magda said with conviction. “For now, she needs professional care. You can’t give that.”

  “I can’t risk someone else’s life.”

  Magda looked up at him, “You can take me.”

  “No.”

  “Yes,” she countered. Her frown made him hitch a breath.

  “No, Magda. I don’t want you to be involved. This guy—he is a sick, twisted person. I don’t want to take any chances on your life.”

  “I’m already involved, Elias.” Magda’s face softened into a gentle smile. Her gray eyes glistened with tears. She reached up and touched his cheek. “My boy, I can handle this, I know I can. Yes, I might be age- challenged but I can hold my own. I am going with Jane. You can’t tell me anything different. Besides, I don’t know a single nurse I trust to give this duty to, or you.”

  Eli wanted to shake some sense into the stubborn old woman. But he knew it wouldn’t do any good to argue.

  “Dr. Rollins is making a med bag right now,” he said between his teeth.

  “I’ll go get it, along with some clothes for her. I’ll be back soon.” She shot out of the bathroom before he could answer. Eli swore he had never seen Magda move so fast.

  He wiped his palms on his jeans, already regretting his decision to take the old nurse with him.

  Eli stepped out of the bathroom and walked over to where Jane lay.

  The first thing he noticed was the dark shadowing under her eyes. The redness around her wrists and ankles looked raw again. She had been through so much. To know how close the bastard came to either raping or killing her made his rage flare high.

  Eli’s anger shook deep into his bones; his throat tightened up and his hands shook. He shoved them in his pockets and swallowed down his ire.

  Feelings of helplessness made him remember his childhood. The same way when his father used to beat his mother, and he would hide—‘cause his mother told him to. Eli wasn’t able to help her. Tears escaped his eyes. He pulled out his hands and wiped the wetness away.

  Elise’s face popped up in his head. Elise. She should have never gone back home. She’d be alive right now if only she listened to him.

  Screams echoed in the back of his mind. He tried to push the memories away, but they caged him in. As though on cue, pain from his old shoulder wound seared him. The bullet shot straight through—but what wrenched up his agony was that his bullet, intended for her abusive husband, shot through Elise’s chest, killing her.

  Eli sat down on the edge of the chair next to the bed. He bent his head down and covered his face with both hands. A flood of emotions drowned him. The yearning for whiskey coated his mouth and parched his throat—tugging hard on his three years of sobriety. He desperately wanted a drink. He deserved it. It was the only remedy he knew worked to rid the nightmares of his past.

  “Why, Elise?” Head bent, remorse left a bitter taste on Eli’s tongue.

  “I don’t know,” Jane answered.

  Eli jerked his head up and stared back into a pair of frightened brown eyes. He wiped the wetness off his face. “I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat.

  “For what?” she asked, groggy.

  “Waking you. And for not being here to protect you. I didn’t— ”

  “It’s not your fault, Chief.” She reached out to touch his hand but Eli pulled back from her reach. “Who would have guessed.” She tried to smile but failed miserably.

  Uncertainty etched her mouth and the corners of her eyes showed fear. He’d seen this look many times before.

  Eli’s face turned stoney. “It won’t happen again. I promise.”

  “I know—I trust you.”

  His stomach lurched at what Jane said. He’d said the same thing to Elise. Though he failed in his attempt to keep her safe.

  “Who’s Elise?”

  He ignored her question and the churning nausea in his gut, gulped down the past and focused on Jane’s face. “Never mind—I’m moving you tonight. You’re not safe here anymore.”

  “What did Dr. Rollins say?”

  “Doc agrees. And against my better judgment, Magda will be coming with us. Jane, do you understand, once I move you out of here, you have to stay in hiding until either your memory comes back and/or we capture the person who did this, whichever comes first?”

  She nodded. Jane looked down at her wrists, her eyes filled with tears. She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes.

  “What?” He could tell something was bothering at her.

  “Nothing,” she said. “When do we leave?”

  “You’re lying. If you trust me, tell me the truth.”

  Jane’s lips pressed tightly together for a second, then eased into a frown. “He could have killed me. So why didn’t he?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Jane gripped the bed sheet at her side. “I remembered a few things.”

  “All right, tell me.”

  “I’m twenty-six years old. Don’t ask me how I remembered that but I do. I also remember a man. He had an odd smell about him. Can’t figure what it was. And I couldn’t really see his face. The image was more a blur.” She wiped away a tear. “That’s it.”

  He exhaled. Not realizing that the whole time he’d been holding his breath. “Okay. Hopefully more will come out soon. Is that it?” He spoke evenly so not to sound disappointed. At least she remembered her age. It was one step closer to knowing anything about her.

  “Yes.”

  “It’s a good start. I will have Ryan add that to your file and check out all missing women in that age group. I’m sure we will find you.” He took a step closer but still kept an arm’s length from her reach. “Jane. I won’t let anything happen.” The ardent promise was the only thing he could give her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  His oath made her breathe easier, and feel safe. But the intensity in his green eyes unnerved her. Just like before, she wasn’t able to match his stare. And some of her words seemed to be lost.

  Jane swallowed down the tightness at the back of her throat and nodded again. She couldn’t help wanting to cry, but kept the tears at bay. Though, one right after another, drops escaped and trailed down her cheek.

  “Please don’t cry. I can’t handle women crying.” Eli stepped closer and tenderly erased the tears with his thumb.

  His simple touch soothed her and gave her hope and strength. It also brought a flutter to her stomach. Jane wasn’t quite sure how to handle the odd reaction from his gentleness.

  “I don’t generally get emotional like this, I think,” she blurted out. Jane could barely remember a few days ago, let alone the rest of her life. She sounded so absurd and let out a laugh.

  He looked at her as though she lost her mind. But he cracked a smile back and said, “Me too.”

  Jane teared up more and her stomach ached. The laughter helped her to forget the nightmarish way she woke up. She almost sounded normal.

  When Magda walked in with a wheelchair, Eli’s lighthearted attitude shifted to serious. The switch caught Jane by surprise, how fast the chief was able to turn off his emotions.

  Magda wheeled the chair next to the bed and placed the small pile of clothes on the bed.

  Eli cleared his throat. “Is everything ready?” he turned and asked Magda.

  “I had to make sure my duties are taken care of during my absence.” Magda then turned to Jane. “How are you feeling, Jane?”

  “A little dizzy—What’s ready?” She glanced at Eli for the answer.

  “You’ll be fine,” Magda said, patting her arm. “Whatever was in your system is almost out.”

  “What’s ready?” Jane repeated but neither of them answered her.

  Eli took out his card, wrote something on the back and handed it to Magda.

  Jane’s anxiety rose. “Don’t ignore me. I have every right to know what you are planning.”

  The nurse looked at the card, her mouth gaped opened. “Are yo
u sure?”

  “What is it?” Jane asked trying to look at the card, but Magda shoved it in her pocket. “I had enough of this. It’s bad enough I don’t know who I am—I’m so confused—even my own hair is coming out a different color—I don’t need you two to keep secrets from me.” She put her hands over her face to stop from screaming.

  Eli touched her hands. She put her hands in her lap—didn’t want to look at him, but couldn’t help it. “Jane, listen to me. I have to keep everything tight lipped. It’s for your safety. Magda will tell you once you are on the road Okay?” His eyes softened—his tone of voice eased some of the stress pulsing through her.

  Jane took a stuttered breath. “All right.”

  Eli said to Magda, “I’m positive about where. I’m counting on you to get her out of here, unnoticed. Can you handle it?”

  “Can we handle it?” Frustration still laced in Jane’s word.

  “Yes.” Magda smiled at Jane. “But I assumed you were coming with us.”

  “That was my original plan but with so many eyes, it would be better that you take her by yourself. It looks less suspicious.”

  “I agree,” Magda said with a nod. “If anyone stops me, I’ll say that I’m taking her down to x-rays.”

  “Good. I will have Tyler study the security footage for the last few hours while you sneak away. He’s so distracted by Beth, he won’t pay attention to the screen.”

  “So why aren’t you coming with me?” Jane’s voice cracked. Her chest hurt with each breath. She wanted to cry, again.

  “It’s better this way. I’ll see you later. You are in good hands with Magda. Remember, stay away from the windows and doors. Okay?” Eli didn’t wait for her to agree. He gave Magda a gentle squeeze of her shoulder before walking out.

  Jane wanted to yell for him to come back but bit her tongue instead. She suddenly felt alone, which was foolish with Magda next to her.

  For the first time since she had woken up from her coma, Eli’s coarse attitude gave her a sense of security. But now, she felt abandoned. Strange how her own feelings contradicted everything she assumed about the chief.