Jennie held on to the bed to steady herself. Think, McGrady, think.
Jennie slipped back into the inner hall and padded toward the nurses’ station. Anna chose that moment to step out of a room, and the two nearly collided. Jennie told her what had happened.
“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Her doctor could have ordered a chest X ray.” Anna took Jennie’s arm and walked her back across the hall. “You get back in bed. I’ll check it out. And don’t worry, I’ll come back and let you know.”
Jennie reluctantly climbed into bed. She was beginning to feel like a tennis ball being hit from one side of the net to the other. First, she was in Sarah’s court, seeing everything that had happened to them as being connected to Dr. Stanford’s murder. In the other court her perspective changed. Delilah’s murder, the car crash, and the cabin fire could be unrelated to Sarah.
If she viewed the situation honestly and objectively, she had to admit that Scott could be guilty. Everything had been fine until they met up with him and his DPA buddies. Coincidence? On the other hand …
Jennie bumped back into Sarah’s court. Sarah had witnessed a murder. If Ramsey hadn’t killed her father, Sarah would be in danger, especially if the murderer knew she could remember specifics like gray suits and voices.
Jennie remembered the murderous look Tim had given her when she’d asked about the gray suit. Carl, Maggie, and Gram had gone, but Tim had stayed behind. He could have taken Sarah.
Anna poked her head in the doorway. “Don’t panic. We haven’t been able to find her yet. She may have gone for a walk. We have a security guard out looking for her now.”
When Anna left, Jennie placed another call to Gram. If Jennie’s suspicions were correct, they wouldn’t find Sarah. This time her grandmother answered.
“Oh, Gram, I’m so glad you’re back.” Jennie squeezed the words past the lump forming in her throat. “He’s got Sarah.”
“What? Who’s got Sarah?”
“Tim. I went into her room to talk to her and she’s gone. I think Tim took her. He was here after you left and …”
“Wait a minute. Slow down. Tim couldn’t have taken Sarah anywhere. He brought Maggie and me back to the island. We stopped to eat dinner and arrived here about five minutes ago.”
“Wh …how? Tim came by my room after you left.”
“I know. We waited for him in the lobby. He said he owed you an apology.”
“I thought … I thought Carl took you home,” she stammered.
“He had some business to attend to in town.”
Jennie frowned and rubbed her forehead. This wasn’t making any sense. She told Gram about the gray suit that Sarah remembered seeing from beneath her father’s desk after he’d been shot. “Tim acted really upset when I asked him if he wore gray. But if Tim was with you, then Carl must be the murderer.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions, Jennie. For one thing, we can’t be certain that Sarah’s memory is accurate. I’ll talk to Maggie and Tim, then call you right back. Oh, and Jennie, be careful. I want you to close the curtain and lock the door to the outer hallway just in case.”
Jennie agreed. After hanging up, she tossed aside the sheet and swung her legs off the bed. A shadowy figure appeared in the dimly lit visitors’ hallway and reached for the handle on the sliding glass door.
The bedside curtain obstructed her view. She couldn’t see his head, only the outline of his body. Which means he can’t see me. An empty bed stood between her and the inner door to the nurses’ work station. If she could crawl under it and to the door, she might be able to get away. Not fast enough. She had to figure out a way to delay him. The door hissed open.
Jennie put a hand to her throat. She couldn’t scream. If only the nurse would come in. That’s it, McGrady. You’re brilliant. Jennie reached up and switched on the bright light above her bed and at the same time yanked the curtain shut. Hoping she had deterred the intruder, Jennie slid out of bed. Staying as close to the wall as possible, she dropped to her knees and crawled under the empty bed, toward the inner door
She reached up to grab the handle. A hand clamped down on hers and forced the door shut. Her captor covered her mouth with his hand and pulled her up tight against him.
“I’m not going to hurt you, just promise me you won’t scream.”
Jennie nodded. He let go of her and she whirled around to face him. “Scott Chambers, you scared me half to death. What are you doing here? Angel said you ran away. She thinks you set fire to the cabin.”
Scott shook his head. “I’d never hurt you, Jennie. You’ve got to believe that.”
Her throat ached, and she was beginning to feel lightheaded. “Then how did you know I was here?” Jennie said, leaning against him for support.
“I went to the research center to look for you.” He put a hand under her arm and guided her to a chair. “You don’t look so good.” He lowered her into the chair and plopped into the one next to it. “The place was burning when I got there. They’d already pulled you and Sarah out. I hid in the bushes and watched the whole thing. You believe me, don’t you?”
“I’m trying to. Why did you leave the hospital?”
“What choice did I have? They were going to arrest me for killing Delilah and forcing you off the bridge.” He shoved a hand through his wavy brown hair. “I didn’t do it. Any of it. You’ve got to believe me.”
“Why? Give me one good reason why?”
Scott pulled a rumpled T-shirt from his pack. The back of it was splotched with dried blood. “From the looks of this shirt, you’d think my back would be all scratched up, but it isn’t.” He turned and lifted his shirt to show her. “See, not a mark. I don’t think this blood is mine.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t either at first. I can’t remember anything from the time I left you at the pool that day until I woke up in the hospital. I think somebody must have hit me over the head, then kept me drugged. I’ve got a lump the size of an ostrich egg on the back of my head, and the doctor said he found needle marks on my arm. I don’t do drugs, Jennie, so how do you explain that? Somebody set me up. Whoever it was must have cut himself or something. I’ll bet anything this is his blood.”
Jennie pressed the palm of her hand against her forehead. “Of course. The cut. Carl Layton.”
“Who’s Layton?”
“Sarah’s stepfather. He came to the research center the day you disappeared. I overheard your phone call and was going after you when I ran into him. He was coming out of the office. At dinner that night we noticed a long cut on his forearm. The cut could have been a coincidence, but if you add the tan …”
“You’re not making sense.”
“Scott, do you remember seeing anyone around the research center the day Delilah was drugged—who shouldn’t have been there?”
“Just the health inspector. When I went to pick up the food for the dolphins, he was in the lab. Said he was just finishing up.” Scott shrugged. “Seemed like a nice guy. Said his name was Hans Larson.”
“What did he look like?”
“Big, blond, pale blue eyes.”
“Sounds like Layton. He must have been in Florida all along. He killed Delilah. And he must have been the one who ran us off the road …”
Jennie leaned forward and gripped the arms of the chair. “Dr. Layton told Delaney he was coming back from town when he saw the broken glass and damaged concrete. He crossed the bridge, then turned around and came back.” She grabbed Scott’s arm. “But he couldn’t have. The whole time I was in the water until I reached shore, I only remember hearing one car on the bridge.” Jennie closed her eyes to bring the memory into focus. “I was lying on the beach and heard a car …only it wasn’t coming from town. It was coming from Dolphin Island. I was afraid the truck driver had come back to make sure we were dead.”
“Maybe he did.” Scott put an arm around her shoulder. “This Layton guy could have stashed the truck with me in it, then driven back in his own car to make sure he’d finished the job.”
Jennie leaned back in the chair and dosed her eyes. “It still doesn’t make sense. Dr. Layton was so kind and understanding that night. He gave us a ride and stayed at the hospital. If he’d wanted to kill us, why didn’t he just stop the car on the way back home, murder us, and toss us off the bridge?”
“He wouldn’t have had an alibi. Besides, Delaney knew you were with him.”
“True … still, he was always so nice about my spending time with Sarah …” Jennie shook her head. “Of course! The noises I heard each time Sarah and I were together. I’ll bet he was listening. That would explain why he’d want me out of the way. I’m the only other person who knew.”
The phone rang. She rose from her chair to answer it. Scott stopped her. “Don’t tell them I’m here.”
“I’m not making any promises, Scott,” she said. “Let go of my arm. You’re hurting me.”
“I’m sorry.” Scott withdrew his hand and looked down at his shoes. “I just don’t want to end up in jail for something I didn’t do.”
“You won’t.” Jennie picked up the phone.
“I talked to Maggie and Tim,” Gram said after Jennie’s hello. “Carl was wearing a gray suit that day.”
Jennie told Gram about the blood on Scott’s shirt and filled her in on the details she’d remembered.
Scott wandered out the sliding glass door and stood in the hallway, gazing out the window, down at the parking lot. He whipped around to face her. “It’s Larson, or Layton, or whatever his name is. I’m going down to see if I can catch him.”
“No …”Jennie placed a hand over the mouthpiece. “Scott, wait.”
“Jennie,” Gram called, “are you still there?”
“Yes, but …”
“Listen carefully. If Carl has Sarah, he may come after you next. I’ve called Angel. She’s on her way. We’ll be there in about ten minutes.”
“Okay, hurry. I think Layton’s here, and Scott’s gone after him.” Jennie hung up and hurried to the sliding glass door. The hallway was empty. She ran to the door marked EXIT and hesitated. One direction led to the elevators, the other to the stairwell. Deciding Scott would have taken the stairs, Jennie pulled open the door, entered the stairwell, and started down.
She stopped on the second-floor landing to catch her breath. A door opened somewhere beneath her. “Scott,” she whispered as loudly as she dared. “Is that you?” Her voice bounced against the concrete and came back sounding like someone else.
Jennie glanced down. A man’s hand gripped the railing one floor beneath her. He raised his hand, and she saw the dressing on his arm. At that moment Jennie realized what a foolish move she’d made. Why had she run out here? She should have stayed in her room.
Slow, deliberate footsteps hit, then scraped on the steps, like a brush beating and sliding against the head of a drum. One-shhh. Two-shhh. Three-shhh. Jennie bolted for the second-floor door and grabbed the handle. It was locked. The white writing on the glass read SURGICAL SUITE NO ADMITTANCE.
Four-shhh. Five-shhh. Six-shhh. There was only one way to get out-back to the third floor. Oh, God … please let it be unlocked.
She grabbed the railing and pulled herself up two steps at a time. Her lungs felt ready to explode. Don’t think about the pain. Just run.
She reached the third-floor landing and stopped. The footsteps kept coming. Seven-shhh. Eight-shhh. Nineshhh. Jennie grabbed for the doorknob. The footsteps stopped. A sinister chuckle shattered the silence. “It’s only me, Jennie. You don’t need to run away.”
Jennie turned and looked back. Carl stood poised on the landing below, staring at her across the stairs that separated them. His pale blue eyes were now hard as ice; the smile on his face no longer kind, but evil. How could she have misjudged him? How could she have been so blind?
“Sarah wants to see you,” Carl said, ascending another step toward her. “She’s waiting in the car.” He extended his hand up the stairway. “Come on. I’ve decided to take you both home.”
“N … no,” Jennie gasped. “You killed Dr. Stanford. You shot yourself in the arm to make it look like you were a victim. You killed Delilah and …”
He raised his eyebrow and advanced another step. “Of course not. Did Sarah tell you that? She’s been hallucinating, you know. That’s why I’m taking her home. So I can care for her properly.”
Still facing Carl, Jennie gripped the doorknob behind her and twisted. It wouldn’t open. The knob slipped through her sweaty hand as though someone had greased it. She froze. You’re dead, McGrady. You can’t get by him. Carl stopped four steps short of the third-floor landing. “You don’t have to be afraid of me, Jennie,” he said smoothly, his arm still extended toward her. “I won’t hurt you.”
“I don’t believe you. You were wearing a gray suit that day. Sarah saw you.”
His eyes flickered in anger. “Sarah is very ill. No one will believe her. I hoped you would cooperate, Jennie. Now you leave me no choice.” Carl reached into his shin pocket and pulled out a syringe. He took another step toward her.
“No!” Jennie gasped. She flattened against the door. Another door opened beneath them. The stairwell erupted with voices and laughter. Carl glanced toward the sound. Taking advantage of the disruption, Jennie slammed into him. He staggered back, teetered on the top step, and fell backwards. His head slammed into the cement with a sickening thud.
Jennie leaned against the wall and sank to the floor. Carl’s limp body made a slow-motion slide down the stairs to the landing below. A pool of blood trickled from his head onto the gray concrete. His ice-blue eyes stared unseeing into hers. The syringe lay beside him, still loaded with whatever he’d planned to use on her.
Voices echoed in the stairwell again. Jennie tried to call for help, but managed nothing more than a scratchy whimper. She felt sweaty and chilled all at the same time. And dizzy. Everything around her drifted into colors of yellow, pink, red, blue, purple, then black.
20
“Is she going to be all right?” The question swam into Jennie’s murky consciousness, then out again.
“I hope so.” Gram’s familiar voice edged in, crowding out the darkness. “The doctor is certain she didn’t get any of the digitalis in the syringe. She just fainted, but they’ve kept her mildly sedated.”
Jennie opened her eyes. Scott stood beside her bed, holding a vase containing a fern and two pink roses.
“Hi,” Jennie croaked out.
“Hi, yourself.” Scott smiled and set the flowers on the nightstand. “I brought you these. Kind of as a peace offering.”
“Don’t keep blaming yourself, Scott,” Gram said. From the other side of the bed, Gram placed a straw to Jennie’s lips. After drinking a few sips, Jennie looked from one to the other and frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“It was my fault Layton cornered you. I shouldn’t have gone after him. Ran into Delaney in the lobby and she busted me. I tried to tell her about Layton, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“Layton …” Jennie shuddered as the picture of Dr. Layton lying at the bottom of the stairs leaked back into her memory. “I killed him.”
Gram shook her head. “He’s alive and in custody. After we found the two of you in the stairwell, I suggested Angel have her people look for his car. They found Sarah in the trunk.”
Jennie raised up on her elbows. “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. Maggie and Tim took her back to the research center this morning.”
Morning. “How long have I been out?” Jennie said, glancing at the clock.
“About eight hours. The doctor said we had to let you sleep off the trauma.”
“They found something else in the trunk too,�
�� Scott added. “My fingerprints and traces of my hair and blood. Layton must have knocked me out and stashed me in his trunk. When I showed Delaney the blood on my shirt, she had the lab run a test. It matched Layton’s.”
Jennie glanced back at Scott and smiled. “So you’re in the clear. I’m glad.” She looked back at Gram. “Did he kill Delilah?”
“It looks that way,” Gram said. “Angel is still trying to fit all the pieces together. I think with the evidence she’s found and with Sarah’s testimony she’ll be able to come up with a good case against him on all counts.”
“You got that right, Ms. McGrady.” Angel Delaney stepped into the room. “Just got off the phone with your friend in the bureau.”
“J. B.?”
“Right. He’s been rattling a few cages up in Portland.
Looks like Layton left enough loose threads to trip himself up. Once we started pulling them, his alibi unraveled like an old piece of burlap.” Angel sauntered over to a chair and dropped into it. “A handwriting expert compared the Ramsey entry in the appointment book with Layton’s handwriting, and it matched. Not only that, we can tie him to the car Ramsey was in when he died. Back when they were investigating what they thought was a murder/suicide, the forensics team found a couple strands of blond hair on the passenger seat of Ramsey’s car. Lucky for us they kept them.”
“Carl’s?” Gram asked.
“Bingo. They were able to match those hairs with some they found on Layton’s suit. I owe you two an apology for not taking you more seriously in the beginning. Layton’s good.”
“But not as good as Jennie and Gram,” Scott said, his sea-green eyes filled with admiration.
“I don’t understand it,” Jennie asked. “How could someone like Dr. Layton do such terrible things? Doctors are supposed to help people, not kill them.”
“I doubt Carl planned to hurt anyone, initially,” Gram said. “From what Tim has said, he liked having money. Got greedy, started gambling and borrowing large sums of money. Then, to pay off his debts, he embezzled money from the counseling center he and Dr. Stanford ran together. Tim found a discrepancy and confronted Stanford. Carl must have overheard them and figured the only way out of the situation was to kill his partner. To avoid suspicion he shot himself, then framed Ramsey and killed him too.”
Silent Witness Page 14
