“Sounds perfect,” he said. Warren kissed me on the cheek and released my hands. Taking a few steps backwards, he kept his eyes on me. “I can’t wait.” I watched Warren until he got into his car and drove away.
I started my vehicle and sat silently for a moment. What am I doing? The doubts tiptoed their way into my mind. Do I really think this is going to lead somewhere? Do I want it to? I knew my body did. Feeling him pressed against me made me feel sensations and desires that I had thought no longer existed.
“I’m being stupid,” I said out loud. Putting the car in reverse, I looked over my shoulder, pulled out of the parking space and merged into traffic. “I’m over thinking it. I’m just going to have some fun… and hopefully lots of sex.”
Chapter Eight
Leaning on the counter of the nurses’ station, my mind drifted back to yesterday’s lunch date with Warren. His smile. His touch. His lips. It both excited and scared me that he could make the feelings I once had for him resurface so easily. But, after a long conversation with myself in the shower this morning, I decided that I was overthinking things. I decided that I was just going to have fun. I decided I was going to take full advantage of Warren. Or at least his body. My heart didn’t need to be involved. I could enjoy him and still protect myself.
Gayle nudged me with her elbow, snapping me out of my fantasy and pulling me into hers.
“Oh, my,” she said with a seductive tone. “I do love a man in uniform.” I looked up from the paperwork that sat unfinished on the counter in front of me to see two extremely attractive men in dark blue police uniforms walking down the hallway towards us. “You think I could get one of them to escort me home in handcuffs?” She laughed at her own joke. I scoffed and shook my head.
“You’re bad,” I said. I knew about Gayle and her eccentric sexual appetites. We’ve discussed it in lengthy detail. I envied her at times. Confident enough to take what she wants. Brave enough to get rid of the guy when she’s done with him.
“You have no idea,” she whispered, moving toward the officers. “Hello there, officers. May I help you?”
“Hello. Yes, thank you,” The blonde officer with the biceps so large they stretched the arms of his uniform spoke up. “We’re looking for Doctor Rose Decker.”
Gayle turned and pointed to me. “Sure,” her voice sounded almost disappointed it wasn’t something more exciting. “She’s the pretty redhead over there at the counter.” As they walked back to the counter, Gayle said, “Rose. These gentlemen need to speak with you.”
I placed my pen down on the counter and turned to face the men as they approached. “How can I help you?”
“Doctor Decker. I’m Officer Tucker. This is my partner Officer James. We need to ask you a few questions. Is there a place we can talk?”
I nodded and escorted the officers to the staff break room. I offered them coffee, got myself a cup of tea, and we took seats around the round, white-topped table.
“So,” I folded my hands on the surface of the table, “what can I help you with, Officer Tucker?”
“Well, first of all, you can call me Charlie.” He smiled at me. A very friendly smile. Maybe too friendly for what he had said was official business.
“That’s nice of you,” I said. “But since you’re here on business, I’ll stick with Officer Tucker.”
“Okay, then. You’re familiar with Avondale Forest? Yes?” Officer Tucker adjusted his utility belt and scooted his chair closer to the table.
“Yes, of course,” I replied. “I travel through there once a week to get to Bartley. I treat patients there for the Backwoods Doc organization. Why do you ask?”
“Well, we need to talk to you about the attacks,” Officer Tucker said. I looked at Officer James who hadn’t said a word since arriving. His lips formed a half smile and then he looked away. James must be bad cop, and Tucker is good cop.
“Attacks, as in multiple? I’ve only heard of one attack. Matthew.” I poured a packet of sugar into my tea and stirred mindlessly. “He’s my patient. I’ve been treating him. In fact, as soon as I’m done here I’m headed that way.”
Officer Tucker shifted in his seat. “There were two more attacks. Last night. Um …” He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a small notebook, flipping open the cover and began reading the details. “Two girls in their twenties. A Rebecca Hall and a Kim Gunner. They were hiking in the woods and were attacked by ‘a pair of monster wolves’ – according to Rebecca.”
“Seriously? Are they okay?” I felt a sudden urge of panic overwhelm me. Matthew was attacked in Avondale. Now two girls were attacked. These attacks were too close to my people, my patients, those I considered family. I had to find out more. “Where are they? What happened to them?”
Officer Tucker put his hand on my shoulder. “I understand your concern, but there’s nothing you can do for them right now.”
“Tell me what happened to them.” I stood up. My voice was stern and insistent.
“Kim was DOA, but Rebecca is downstairs in the emergency room. They’re not sure she’ll make it through the night.” I didn’t wait for him to say any more. I slammed the chair under the table, pushed past the officers, and moved toward the stairs.
“Wait, Doctor Decker!” Officer Tucker called out after me. “We really need to ask you some questions.”
“Then you can ask them while I’m examining the girl. Or you can wait for me to finish the exam.” I walked down the hall toward the stairwell, both officers following close behind. “If she was attacked by the same creature that attacked Matthew, I need to see her wounds. If I can figure this out, maybe I can help you guys catch whatever animals did this so no one else gets hurt.” As I reached the big steel door I turned to look at the officers, waiting for a response. They looked at each other and then back at me.
“Yes, of course,” Officer Tucker responded. I pushed open the door and moved quickly down the stairs. I could hear the chatter on the police radio as the officers followed me through the stairwell.
“Did either of you speak to her after the attack?” I asked. “Get a better description of what attacked them?”
“I did,” Officer James finally spoke. “Officer Tucker had to take a phone call.”
What kind of a cop takes a phone call instead of taking a dying witness’s statement? “What did she say?” I’m not sure why I needed to hear it, but I wanted to know what she said to see if her story matched Matthew’s at all.
“Rebecca reported seeing a pair of wolves,” Officer James said.
“They were attacked by a pair of wolves?” Damn. Two? Matthew reported only seeing one wolf.
“No, she said one attacked them – a big white one. She said the second one – a chocolate colored one – attacked the white one and saved her life.” Now I was really confused. Something was definitely going on.
“What time did the attack happen?” I asked, not looking back.
“Last night,” Officer Tucker replied. “Approximately 10:00 p.m.”
“What the hell were they doing hiking in the woods at ten o’clock at night?”
“Begging your pardon, Doctor Decker, but they were experienced hikers. They had no reason not to be there.” Officer James commented.
“And these kinds of animals are not indigenous to this area,” Officer Tucker added. “That’s why we’ve restricted access to the forest and to all access paths.”
My shoes squeaked on the linoleum as I spun around to face them. They both jerked back, surprised at my sudden stop. “Restricted? What do you mean by restricted?”
“Um, restricted,” Officer Tucker repeated himself. “Meaning no access to anyone but authorized personnel.”
“I am authorized personnel. So, your restricted access doesn’t include me, right?”
“Yes, actually, it does,” Officer Tucker said. He puffed out his chest a little. I put my hands on my hips. “No one means anyone who is not authorized. And as far as I know, you have not been authorized.”
“Okay …” I took a step toward the officers. “Let me explain something to you in a way you might understand. What would you do if someone said there is a crime being committed and the perpetrator is on the other side of that door.” I pointed to the door on the next floor. “The door is hot and if you open it, you might burn your hand. But if you don’t a horrible person is going to get away and probably commit another crime. What are you going to do?”
“Burn my hand on the door and take the fu…” Officer James paused, realizing what he was about to say. “And take the guy down.” Officer Tucker elbowed him, and they exchanged looks. “What? Well, I would. I’m not gonna lie.”
“Exactly,” I said, pointing my finger at Officer James. “Thank you! And well, I’m a doctor. And I have patients in Bartley. People who are sick, who have injuries, wounds, even some, like Matthew, who will get worse and possibly die if I don’t tend to them. But to get to Bartley, I have to go through Avondale Forest.”
“Miss Decker –”
“Doctor Decker, thank you.”
“I’m sorry. Doctor Decker. You have to understand. We’re just trying to protect you.”
“And I’m just trying to do my job. So, I’m sorry, but your restricted access applies to everyone but me. So, if I need authorization, make sure I get it. You need to make sure whoever is guarding the access path lets me through. Otherwise, if that boy dies, it will be on you. Got it?”
They men traded looks again. Officer James shrugged. “Okay,” Officer Tucker finally agreed. “But you’re not going in alone. I’ll get an officer to escort you. An armed officer.”
“Whatever you have to do,” I said, turning back around. I made my way down the stairs again, until I reached the ground floor. Winding through the halls, I entered the emergency department and checked the patient board. There I saw it. R. Hall. Bed 5. Animal attack.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me gentlemen.”
“Doctor Decker, wait,” Officer Tucker reached into his other breast pocket and pulled out a business card. “We never did get to ask you those questions.”
“Yes, I am sorry about that.” I attempted to back away, but he stepped in time with me.
“So, whenever you’re done here. Give me a call and we’ll set up a time.” He smiled at me again and held out his card until I took it from his fingers. “I can work around your schedule. We can meet here, at the station, or maybe for coffee.”
I held up his card, making a show of tucking it into my lab coat pocket for safekeeping. “Thank you, Officer Tucker,” I said politely. “I’ll give you a call.” I turned and quickly moved to Bed 5 to see several nurses working frantically over a young woman.
“What’s her status?” I asked, entering the room. I grabbed a pair of gloves from the box on the wall and quickly put them on. I listened to the nurse give her report and approached the blood-soaked gurney. I could see two bites on her body. One on her arm and one on her shoulder. Those are big bites, like the ones on Matthew’s arm. Wait!
I wiggled my way to the head of the bed to inspect the bite on her shoulder more closely. There it was the double tooth mark. The same animal that bit Matthew had bitten this girl.
What the hell is going on? I had to find out. I had to get back out there. I had to make sure that Nana and Warren were okay.
I just got him back. Please don’t let me fucking lose him again.
Chapter Nine
“Excuse me, officer,” I moved into the path of one of the young uniformed policemen walking the length of the yellow caution tape blocking Avondale Forest. “Excuse me.” I repeated.
“Ma’am,” he put his hands up to keep me at a distance. Did he just call me ma’am? I scrunched my eyebrows at him. “You’ll need to stay behind the yellow tape. This area is –”
“Restricted. Yes, I know.” I was so tired of hearing that damn word. “Officer Tucker was supposed to contact someone to ensure that I am allowed access to the path. I’m a doctor and I have patients in Bartley. And this path,” I put my arm straight out to the side and pointed into the woods, “is the only access to the village.”
“You’re Doctor Decker?”
“Yes, I am.” I was pleased that Officer Tucker had listened to me and thrilled that something was going my way. I pointed to my badge. I had kept it on after my rounds at the hospital, so I would have it if someone wanted to see it before allowing me to pass through the security point. “So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get going. I still have a little walk ahead of me.”
“Not yet,” the young officer said. “I was asked to inform you to wait here for Officer Tucker. He will be here shortly to escort you through the forest to Bartley.”
“Seriously?” I let out a sigh. “Can’t you just escort me? We could leave right now.”
The young police officer laughed. “No. I’m sorry. I have my orders. Officer Tucker was very specific. Now if you’ll excuse me. I have to finish the perimeter check.” He walked away, and I groaned, let out a frustrated sigh, and allowed my bag to fall to the ground with a soft thunk. Turning around, the officer looked at me and shrugged. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
Nodding, I put my hand up and gave a weak wave in acknowledgement. “Thanks,” I said. I knew he was just doing his job, but it still pissed me off.
After a few minutes, I glanced up and noticed how far away the young police officer was. I slyly looked around for other policemen in the area. None. Turning toward the woods, I tried to calculate how long it would take me to speed walk to the safety of the cover of the trees before anyone noticed me. Maybe 15 seconds?
Moving slowly so I didn’t draw attention to myself, I reached down, grabbed my bag, and tossed the strap securely over my shoulder. I held my phone out, pretending to look at the screen. As soon as I saw the young police officer and the small crowd moving in the other direction, I made my move.
I ducked under the yellow tape and walked as fast as I could and kept walking and counting, until I made it to the trees. Not looking back, I kept walking fast until I was sure no one was following me. Only then, did I pause to take a breath and turn to make sure I wasn’t being followed.
“Damn!” I whispered, breathing deeply, laughing at myself. Not wanting to take any chances, I didn’t stay still for long. I kept moving at a pace that was fast enough to keep me ahead of anyone who may have followed me into the forest, but not so fast that I labored for air.
I noted the large tree with a knot in the trunk that looks a lot like a silhouette profile of Elvis Presley. That tree marked the halfway point on the path to Bartley. Whenever I passed that tree, it made me smile. Except today.
As I turned to my left to look at “Elvis,” I heard rustling in the bushes to my right. My head snapped as my eyes searched for the source of the noise. I found nothing. I kept walking forward, moving with deliberate steps while doing my best to stay aware of my surroundings. As I moved down the path, so did the rustling. I stopped. Standing still for a moment.
Then I heard it. Growling. Distinct, unmistakable, growling. Fuck! The rustling becomes faster, louder, closer. Fuck! I could hear the growling behind me. I have to see. I have to.
One, two … On the count of three I spun around and gasped at what I saw. It was a large brown wolf. I took a step backwards, then froze. Don’t run. It’ll chase you.
The wolf growled. I started to walk backwards, slowly pulling the strap of my bag off my shoulder and wrapping it around my hand several times. I would not go down without a fight. The wolf took several slow steps toward me, before lunging in my direction.
Without thinking, I swung my bag, hitting it on the side of the head. I didn’t wait around to see if I’d knocked it down. I hugged my bag to my chest, turned, and ran as fast as I could, not stopping until I crossed the bridge into Bartley. Once on the other side of the bridge, I collapsed, sitting in the dirt. Looking back, I realized that the wolf hadn’t chased me and started laughing.
After a few minutes, I st
ood from the ground and brushed myself off. “Yep,” I said out loud. “That was a wolf.” I took a few deep breaths and picked up my medical bag, nestling the strap into the valley between my shoulder and neck. Taking one last look back at the tree line, I sighed and began making my way to Nana Kay’s house. “That was a fucking wolf. A huge fucking wolf.”
Chapter Ten
I knocked, and without waiting for a response, pushed open the door and entered the house. “Nana!” I shouted, fearful I wouldn’t hear her reply. “Nana! Are you here?”
“Rose?” Nana called out my name from the kitchen. “Rose, honey. What are you doing here?”
I didn’t think of Nana as just my patient, and while I knew it was unprofessional, I wrapped my arms around her chubby neck and held on tight. Nana enveloped me in her arms and hugged me and the fears I had for her safety were gone.
“The police came to see me at the hospital,” I said. My words were slightly muffled into her shoulder. “They told me about the attacks last night, and I was worried for you.”
“Aw, darlin’,” Nana Kay released her grip around my waist and stepped back. She looked me in the eyes and smiled her sweetly crooked smile. “You are giving me a toothache with all that sweetness. But listen here. I is just fine. In fact, fine enough to make a batch of those biscuits you like so much.” I inhaled the smell of the fresh pastry and let out a blissful soft moan of foody bliss.
“They smell delicious,” I said. I envied her baking ability. I wasn’t a bad cook, but when it came to baking bread, pies, or cookies, I lacked that certain something that made them crave-worthy.
“Well, sit down,” she instructed. “They will be ready in about two minutes. Get the jam from the fridge. The honey is already on the table.” I turned, doing as I was told.
“Nana, where’s Warren?” I asked, reaching into the fridge. “I want to make sure he’s okay, too.”
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