Deadly Institution

by Holly Copella

  “Just my head and my left ankle,” he replied.

  Roseanne removed his left shoe, causing him some agony. She then removed the sock.

  “Careful,” he said then smiled. “I’m ticklish.”

  She felt his ankle, probing him. “It doesn’t appear broken,” she announced then gently turned his foot.

  He jumped in pain and winced. “Easy, Rosy.”

  Roseanne frowned with disapproval. Considering her feelings for him many years ago, it was obvious she despised him now. “Wiggle your toes,” she ordered.

  Asher did as she commanded.

  “You took a nasty bump to your head,” Dr. Talbert said with a sigh and straightened on his knees. “We should take you to the hospital for some tests.”

  “No, no hospitals,” Asher said firmly. “They poke and prod every crevasse on a man’s body. I’d rather not be violated tonight, if it’s all the same to you.”

  “This is serious, Asher,” Talbert said sternly. “You could have a concussion or worse. I won’t allow you to stay here alone. Someone needs to keep an eye on you. The hospital is your only choice.”

  “I’ll look after him, Dr. Talbert,” Jacey announced almost immediately.

  Roseanne and Dr. Talbert eyed her with their mouths hanging open. Her unusual friendship with the infamous Konrad Asher had been kept a secret for a very long time, although there had been rumors of their association. Her willingness to stay with him almost confirmed their closeness.

  “Jacey, I don’t think that’s--” Roseanne began then fell suspiciously silent.

  Asher struggled to pull himself upright and glared at Roseanne with narrow, evil eyes. “And why not, Rosy?” he hissed coldly. He obviously knew what she meant.

  There was silence in the room. Dr. Talbert cleared his throat and caused both Jacey and Roseanne to jump.

  “Let’s get you patched up first,” Dr. Talbert said gently and worked on placing surgical tape across the cut to his head then taped a patch to it. “Help me get him onto the couch.”

  Maxwell immediately came forward, helped move the coffee table while Jacey supported Asher against her, and then helped Dr. Talbert lift Asher to the nearby sofa. They propped his foot on the cushion. Both doctor and nurse worked on his ankle while Jacey sat on the edge of the sofa near Asher’s side.

  He patted her hand and strained to look at her. “I’m glad you came, Jacey,” he said softly. “I need someone to look out for my best interest. I called you first, but you didn’t answer.”

  “I’m sorry. The girls and I were doing an interview for the paper. I must have left my cell phone in the jeep.”

  “Not your fault. You didn’t know I was having a clumsy day,” he teased.

  Once his ankle was wrapped, it was insisted he not move around much. He patted Jacey’s arm. “Would you mind going to my desk and fetching my checkbook?”

  Jacey left the room and went into Asher’s study. She found his checkbook and a pen then returned to the sunroom. She handed them to Asher.

  “I insist everyone stay for some coffee,” Asher announced more cheerfully.

  Roseanne glared at Dr. Talbert. He nodded slightly. She rolled her eyes then forced a tiny smile. “I’ll make some.” Roseanne was quick to leave the room.

  “Rosy really needs to work on her bedside manner. I remember her being friendlier in the past,” Asher said with a sly smile.

  Roseanne stopped in the kitchen doorway and cast a glare at Asher. She obviously didn’t care for the reminder of her behavior in her younger years. If Asher caught her stare, he didn’t acknowledge it. Asher again eyed Maxwell and offered a charming smile, although he was obviously attempting to figure him out with a single look.

  “I don’t believe we’ve met,” Asher announced.

  Maxwell approached the sofa and extended his hand. “Maxwell Alvord,” he announced with a pleasant smile.

  “Konrad Asher; local legend. Pleasure to meet you,” Asher announced with a cheap grin.

  “Pay no attention to him,” Jacey scoffed.

  Asher frowned. “Only telling it like it is, right, Doc,” he called to Dr. Talbert, who cleaned up the paper packaging.

  Dr. Talbert attempted to smile. “I assume you’re feeling better,” he remarked simply and straightened. “With your thick head, I’m not surprised. I think you’ll be fine being on your own tonight.”

  Maxwell gave Dr. Talbert an odd look. “Do you think that’s wise? He obviously has a concussion, it could be dangerous to leave him by himself.”

  Dr. Talbert eyed Maxwell with some annoyance then smiled gently. “As a doctor, I think I know what’s best for my patients,” Talbert chirped.

  Jacey glared suspiciously at Dr. Talbert then smiled pleasantly at Maxwell and offered a gentle tilt of her head. “A second opinion never hurt, Dr. Alvord.”

  Dr. Talbert looked sharply from Jacey to Maxwell and fidgeted slightly. “You’re a doctor?”

  “Scientist, actually,” Maxwell replied. “Though I do know enough about medicine to keep this man under observation. It would be best if Ms. McMurray stayed with Mr. Asher tonight.”

  Dr. Talbert looked back at his bag with embarrassment and slowly closed the bag. “Of course, you’re right,” Talbert replied softly, almost under his breath.

  “You’ll have to forgive Dr. Talbert,” Asher announced cheerfully with narrow eyes on the doctor. “He’s just afraid I might have the young lady for dinner, literally.”

  Talbert spun to face Asher with reddened cheeks and anger in his eyes. “That’s not funny in the least!”

  Asher chuckled in his throat. “It would’ve been, if you didn’t actually believe it.”

  Maxwell looked at both men with apparent confusion. “Did I just miss something?”

  Asher looked at Maxwell with a broad smile. “The rumor about town is I’m some sort of monster. Supposedly I killed a man, but since they never found a body, it’s assumed I ate the poor bastard.”

  Maxwell stared at Asher without expression. The look of concern was enough. Maxwell then smiled and appeared humored. “You didn’t, of course.”

  He laughed lowly. “Of course not. I’m practically a vegetarian. And if it wasn’t for pork, beef, and chicken, I would be one,” Asher teased.

  Maxwell laughed as well and appeared relieved. Jacey frowned and smacked Asher’s arm then looked away with disgust. She hated when Asher poked fun at his tainted reputation.

  “Your reputation is no joking matter,” Dr. Talbert said firmly and with annoyance.

  “Of course it is,” Asher remarked. “No one in this town will give me the time of day no matter how nice I’ve been to them. Before my wife’s death, I was a respected man. Fate cursed me twice in one night. I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of me anymore.” Asher relaxed, inhaled deeply, and then smiled. “At the risk of offending you, Dr. Talbert, I would think you could sympathize. The same tragedy that ruined my life nearly ruined your career and reputation as well. There was that scandal about your part in the fire.”

  Roseanne paused in the sunroom doorway and appeared to listen to their conversation. Dr. Talbert snatched his bag and turned to Roseanne.

  “Call Deputy Jameson and ask him if he’d give us a ride back to the office.”

  Roseanne uncertainly nodded and removed her cell phone from her scrub top pocket.

  Dr. Talbert spun back toward Asher. “I don’t care to discuss this with you any further,” he snapped. “Unlike you, I’d like to preserve my reputation!”

  “Is that what you were doing when I saw you running into your office when you were supposed to be saving patients?”

  Everyone now stared at Asher and Dr. Talbert. Dr. Talbert glared at Asher with a look of confusion and impatience.

  “What?” he demanded to know.

  “Just before midnight on the night of the fire,” Asher remarked simply and cleverly raised his brows. “I was leaving the lounge, and I saw you running into your office. I called to you, but you d
idn’t seem to hear me.”

  “I went to call the fire department,” Dr. Talbert snapped. “If you were in the second floor hall near the lounge, you should’ve seen the smoke from the fire. Why didn’t you help?”

  “I wasn’t aware there had been a fire until I was in the stairway heading toward the first floor. From the crossing hallway to the stairs, I could see your office but not the linen closet.” He shifted on the sofa and appeared curious. “And who disconnected the fire alarms?” Asher asked coyly and cocked his head to one side. “Certainly not Hal Burgess. Where would a mental patient get the codes to disconnect the alarms? Let’s face it, for a psychotic serial killer, the boy wasn’t too bright.”

  “That’s no joking matter,” Roseanne scoffed. “That bastard killed my best friend.”

  Asher wasn’t even affected by Roseanne’s remark. He kept his attention focused on Dr. Talbert, who was growing more furious and enraged.

  “Don’t drag me down with you, Asher,” Dr. Talbert lashed out hotly. “I won’t be a part of your sick analogies.”

  The doctor turned, stormed past Roseanne, and hurried into the kitchen. Roseanne stared at Asher a long moment then realized someone was speaking to her on her cell phone. She quickly turned and followed Dr. Talbert. Jacey glared at Asher through narrow eyes and frowned. Asher raised his brows sharply in response to her disapproving look and seemed almost humored.

  “What’s that look about, my dear? You don’t approve of the truth?” Asher asked simply. “I know in the perfect world you’d like to see the town embrace me with open arms, but that’ll never happen.”

  Jacey looked away and frowned. She caught Maxwell’s stare and forced a tiny smile. “Perhaps it’d be best if you rode back to town with Deputy Jameson,” she said gently. “Do you think Professor would mind keeping the girls overnight?”

  “I’m sure he wouldn’t,” Maxwell replied in a soft tone. “Should I tell Brian you won’t be able to make it tonight?”

  Jacey was slightly surprised that he had known about their date as well, but Timon seemed the gossiping type. Actually, Asher’s unfortunate accident worked out to her benefit as far as Brian was concerned.

  “I, uh, suppose you should tell him what happened,” she replied.

  Asher touched Jacey’s arm. She glanced at him and noted the concerned look on his face.

  “You had a date tonight?” Asher asked with surprise. “Why didn’t you say something? I’m sure I’ll be fine by myself. I don’t want you to miss an opportunity.”

  Jacey forced a tiny smile. “It’s okay, Asher, really.” She meant that. She leaned on Asher’s shoulder and moved closer to his ear. “I don’t mind getting out of it.”

  Asher patted her leg and chuckled softly. He then shifted on the sofa and smiled cheerfully at Maxwell. “I have an idea. Why don’t you stay with us for a while, Dr. Alvord? I have some lobster tail in the freezer, and we can discuss the plans for the institution. It’s not often I have visitors who aren’t afraid of me.”

  Maxwell smiled lightly then laughed. “I’m sure the two of you would have a better time without me. I’d just bore both of you with fossils and finds.”

  “I insist,” Asher announced firmly. “I’ll give Jacey a crash course in cooking, and you and I can talk scientifically while Jacey amuses us in the kitchen.”

  Jacey smirked and folded her arms across her chest. “I know how to cook.”

  “Darling,” Asher said and tilted his head. “Pushing numbers into a microwave isn’t cooking; it’s preventing starvation, and lobster can’t be microwaved.”

  Jacey blushed with embarrassment. “I knew that,” she snapped then looked away and nervously bit her lip.

  “Alright,” Maxwell said with a smile. “You’ve talked me into it. But if it’s all the same, I’d like to do the cooking. I’m not a half bad chef.”

  Dr. Talbert entered the sunroom without Roseanne. “Roseanne and I will wait outside for Jameson,” he said firmly. “Despite your horrendous attitude, Asher, I’ll be by in the morning to check on your condition.”

  Asher frowned. “I’m sorry for offending you, Doctor. I do appreciate your coming out here. Not everyone would have done that for me. You’re a good man.”

  Talbert then managed a tiny smile. “You were right. I do understand what you’ve been through.”

  “Are you sure you won’t stay for coffee?” Asher asked more gently.

  Talbert smiled more naturally. “Really, I can’t. I have a dinner engagement with young widow Glease. I wouldn’t want to keep her waiting.”

  Asher snickered lowly and grinned. “Young widow Glease? Rumors will fly.”

  “Maybe so,” Dr. Talbert said with a sly smile. “But I don’t mind. She’s the best looking widow I’ve ever seen--and a damned fine cook too.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Jacey couldn’t believe how well Maxwell and Asher got along. By the time dinner was finished, they sounded like old friends. Jacey insisted upon cleaning up after dinner, since she felt she did very little to help prepare the meal. She took her time and listened to the laughter from the sunroom. She was certain Asher was showing Maxwell photos of his wife. Katie had been gone ten years, and he still spoke of her with great affection. It made her happy to hear Asher enjoying the company of someone other than herself. She finally joined them in the sunroom. Asher smiled happily and returned Katie’s picture to the fireplace mantle. He limped back to the sofa with the use of an old, carved cane with a gold top. When he saw Jacey, his smile brightened.

  “There she is,” Asher announced cheerfully and greeted Jacey with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He proudly turned her to face Maxwell. “Just as beautiful as my Katie, don’t you think?” Asher announced.

  Both Jacey and Maxwell looked down with embarrassed smiles to the comment.

  “Stop it,” she said firmly as the color rose to her cheeks. She helped him to the sofa, propped his foot on the coffee table, and then sat alongside him.

  Asher eyed Jacey with a broad grin on his face. “Did you know this young scientist wrote three books? I’ve read them and didn’t even place the name.”

  Jacey wasn’t surprised that Asher had read them. He was more intelligent than people ever gave him credit. His earlier conversations with Maxwell had proved that much. She hadn’t understood half their conversation.

  “Almost had you married,” Asher announced boldly. “But the bastard wouldn’t allow me to smoke my cigar or have a brandy, so I had to put it to a stop.”

  “Asher,” she scolded while blushing. “You’re embarrassing Maxwell.”

  “It’s all in good fun, darling,” Asher said with a soft laugh and patted her leg.

  Jacey shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I see you’re feeling better. Where’d you get the cane?”

  Asher looked at the cane a moment then smiled brightly. “It was a gift from a Scott. A small token for something I’d done.” He studied the design on the metal top. “Can’t remember what I did anymore.” He laughed and looked back at Jacey. “Knowing me, it must have been something courageous.”

  Maxwell stood and examined the cane a moment. “Must have been. This is an antique,” Maxwell said. “Possibly dating back to the seventeenth century. That’s a royal symbol.” He tapped it. “Solid gold too.”

  Asher’s smile faded into a slight smirk. He accepted the cane’s return. “Wish I could remember.”

  Jacey gave Asher a strange look. It was unlike him to forget much of anything. It seemed more likely he didn’t want to give any details of how he acquired the cane, which, in itself, was odd. Maxwell returned to his seat.

  “How’s the ankle?” Jacey asked curiously.

  Asher’s smile once more brightened. “Good enough to hobble about. I suppose I have a high tolerance for pain.”

  “Not me,” Maxwell remarked then smiled. “That might explain why I’m not much of a fighter.”

  Asher laughed lowly. “World needs more lovers anyway,” he teased.
/>
  “That’s never been one of my stronger areas either,” Maxwell said with a soft chuckle while insecurely scratching his brow.

  “What is your strong area?” Asher finally asked with some frustration.

  “Well, you know,” Maxwell replied and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I’m your typical genius geek. I can invade the FBI’s top-secret computer files, tell you everything you’ve never wanted to know about fossils, and bore you with the meaning of life. Ask me to tie my shoes, and I’ll need to research it.”

  “You,” Asher said and pointed his cane, “need a self-esteem lesson. You can’t be quiet and shy all your life. This town will swallow you whole.” He leaned his cane against the sofa and placed his hands over Jacey’s ears.

  Jacey groaned and rolled her eyes with embarrassment.

  Asher looked at Maxwell with all seriousness. “This town will fuck you over just as they’ve fucked me.” He casually removed his hands from her ears and smiled lightly.

  Jacey shook her head. She didn’t know why she played his games when he knew she could hear. It was almost amusing how he attempted to protect her from his foul language, even though he had used expletives around her many times in the past.

  Asher’s look became serious. “After the murder of my wife, the entire town jumped on the bandwagon and practically accused me of killing her,” he said then leaned forward. “I loved my wife more than life itself. When I found her butchered in a room filled with flames, I didn’t think I could ever go on without her. When you truly love someone, you’d gladly give your own life if it’d bring them back.” He shut his eyes and sank back into another time. “I was there that night. I could have saved her,” he said softly. “The time of death was estimated after my arrival.” His eyes opened and he stared at a scratch in the coffee table. “Sometimes I hate Roseanne for not telling me that Katie wanted to see me the moment I’d arrived. I don’t know why she kept it from me. A couple of minutes sooner, and maybe I could’ve saved her.” His eyes lifted and met Maxwell’s with a secret smile. “Or at least have died while bravely protecting her. There are certain women in life, my friend, that a man would be honored to die protecting.”