A Deadly Secret

by Debra Sage

  Lee wouldn’t hurt her. He still cared about her. He’d said as much. He’d take her back if she’d agreed, but what they had ended a long time ago. She had no interest in reliving the past.

  He left a voicemail. She clicked the button and listened.

  “Amanda, I really need a friend right now. If you get this, please call me. I need to talk.”

  She clicked off the voicemail. It pained her to ignore it. She had to. As much as she didn’t want to believe he killed somebody, she had to accept there was a possibility. She’d keep as much distance between them as possible.

  After hemming and hawing, she texted Alex. “He called me twice. I didn’t answer. Left voicemail second time. Wants to talk.”

  Her phone rang immediately. “We lost him. We’re lying in wait at the hospital and we have people at his house, but he slipped our tail. Be careful. He might be onto us, which could make him desperate.”

  “I don’t think…” she stopped. “Are you certain? I’m still having trouble with this. The parking garage, being run off the road. It couldn’t have been him.”

  “Sweetheart, we found some stuff. He’s in trouble. Stay put and don’t answer the phone if he calls again.”

  “Okay,” she croaked out. “What did you find?”

  “I can’t go into it, babe. I’m sorry. We’ll talk later.”

  “I understand.”

  Chapter 27

  He’d need to find a way into the hospital unnoticed. He’d grab his ledger, the other phone, another stash of drugs, and slip out. He’d take time off. Walk away for a while. Take a break.

  The wife and kids…he’d tell him there was a conference that came up, and a possible merger with another hospital. He’d have to go out of town to meet with some big-wigs. Space. Time. It bought him a few days until he decided what was next.

  The basement. The medical examiner’s office. Near the incinerators in the back, there was a side door for the workers to haul out trash. He could slip in through there and hide downstairs until he was ready to make his next move. Dr. Toma was the least of his worries. She wouldn’t know anything, and if she was trouble he’d lock her in the cold room for the time being.

  People hated the basement. They avoided the morgue and autopsy room like the plague, unless it was to sneak away for some quiet. Dr. Toma bathed in the silence. She often said she’d take the peaceful dead in the basement over the hectic nature of the emergency room any day.

  He liked Kateri. It would be a shame to hurt her. She kept to herself and didn’t do office politics. Too bad most of the other hospital employees played the political game based on who could do what for whom. Either way, he’d figure it out when he got there.

  Lee drove toward the hospital and parked on a side street two blocks down. He parallel parked into a tight space, trying to tuck his car and license plate out of view the best he was able. He reached behind him and pulled a light jacket from the back seat. The weather had been changeable and was cooler at night than the afternoon. It had a hood and offered him a bit of anonymity.

  Was he overreacting? It was too late to decide. After his wife’s voicemail, what was overreacting? How did it end up spiraling into the sewer so quickly? He glanced at the path he’d take to the hospital and stayed close to the buildings, hoping to hide in the shadows. He moved as casually as he could, trying not to draw attention to himself.

  Once he came close to the hospital, he shifted to the side and headed to the back of the building. He kept his head down, making sure not to make eye contact with anybody that might pass. The closer he got to the hospital, the faster his heart raced.

  Lee forced air out through his nose, moving at a quickened pace. The door was in sight. He shimmied between the dumpsters and incinerator, then slid up against the building near the heavy steel door. Thankfully, this one had a handle on the outside. A lot of their emergency exit doors were a smooth surface on the outside, and only opened from inside.

  He lunged for the door and pushed inside. Pressed to the wall, he tempered his breathing. So far, he’d gone unnoticed. He left his hood up and headed straight for the stairwell that led him to the basement. Once he made it there, he’d have a safe spot to settle while he figured out the next part of his plan.

  Dr. Toma was surprised to see Lee when he stepped into the room. “Lee? What brings you downstairs? Is there something I can help you with?”

  She didn’t have a note of suspicion in her voice. Excellent. She wasn’t part of what was going on. “Actually, yes. I need to borrow the space for a while. I’ve got an urgent matter to attend to.”

  “Excuse me? What do you mean, borrow the space?”

  “Right, this can’t wait.” He stepped in closer and wrapped his arm tightly around hers. “I need you to come with me, now.”

  Dr. Toma tried to jerk her arm away from him, but he held firm. He hated being this way, but there was no choice. He started to drag her toward the walk-in cooler.

  “Unhand me,” she demanded. Her eyes grew large like saucers as she realized what he was doing. “No. Don’t do this, Lee. Let me go.”

  “I’m truly sorry, Kateri. I really have no choice. I hope you’ll forgive me,” he said as he yanked the door to the cooler open.

  She pressed her feet down, trying to stop their movement. He kept pulling at her. Dr. Toma struck out and kicked his leg.

  “Now why did you go and do that?” he asked. “Get inside. I’m not going to hurt you. You’ll be okay if you do what I say.”

  “Lee? What’s going on. Don’t do this, please,” she begged.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, before shoving her into the cooler and slamming the door closed. He locked the safety latch on the outside, so that the inner latch wasn’t useable. Lee pressed his back to the cool door and took a deep breath. He’d truly become a monster. The simple act of hearing her plead broke his heart. This wasn’t who he was. Was it?

  She pounded from the inside.

  He leaned up close to the seal, and shouted, “If you make any more noise, I’ll have to kill you. Stay quiet, and you’ll survive.”

  He heard her gasp, then sob. She backed away from the door and stopped pounding on it.

  Lee closed his eyes and tried to clear his head. His adrenaline was through the roof, which didn’t help matters. He double-checked the door to the exam room and locked it, then closed off the small section of window that looked out. He slatted the metal slender shade for full privacy.

  Sure, he’d bought a little time, but now what? He only was sinking deeper and deeper into the quicksand.

  Lee pulled out his phone and dialed Amanda one more time. He needed to talk to somebody, and she was the one. She wouldn’t judge him like the others. She knew him better than most. His wife, well, she was out. She’d already been in contact with the police. What did Amanda know? She seemed to be attached to that one guy, the cop that pestered them with questions. Alex something or other, what was it? Oh, right, Ramsey. Alex Ramsey.

  The other night, it was Alex’s arms she jumped into. Had he told her anything? Would their past together mean he could trust her, or the years they’d worked together?

  Her phone rang, but nobody answered. He left another message. “Amanda, I’m not sure what’s going on, but I really need a friend right now. Please, if you get this message, give me a call back. The sooner, the better.”

  ***

  Amanda stared at her phone. She almost picked up. She rocked in place, trying to work through the bottled-up feelings that ricocheted within her.

  Chapter 28

  Dr. Toma slid her hand into her pocket. After the shock wore off, she remembered her phone. She’d call for help. She tipped her head back in frustration and panic. There wasn’t a smidge of signal. Kateri slid to the floor of the cooler and wrapped her arms around herself, trying to fight off the chill that settled in her bones. The negative-temperature cooler was used for forensic pathology. It was the last place she imagined dying.

  Should she bang
on the door, plead for her life, or quietly sit there as he’d instructed? Was she writing her own death sentence if she demanded he let her out? Sitting and doing nothing was pointless. She’d end up freezing to death if he left her there.

  ***

  Lee’s phone rang. He looked at the incoming number and ID. Annoyed, he answered the call. “What do you want? This isn’t a good time.”

  His wife was frantic. “Where are you? The cops, they showed up with search warrants. They said bad things, Lee. They said you hurt people. Tell me it’s not true. Please, tell me.”

  “I can’t do this right now. Just keep them at bay. Whatever lies they’re telling you, that’s all it is, lies. Keep them away from the kids. We don’t need them filling their heads with garbage. I’ve got to go, Suzanne. Don’t call me back. I’ll call you when I can.”

  “Lee, wait—”

  He hung up. No point in hashing things out. They weren’t going to end well.

  Those fuckers were messing with his family. Why did they have to do that? There was no reason to get his wife involved. Annoyed, he stamped his feet on the ground and ranted, pacing back and forth. They were making this more difficult than it needed to be.

  He’d try Amanda one more time. He frantically dialed her number.

  Amanda drew a deep breath and looked at her phone. She clicked it on. “Lee, you have to stop calling me.”

  “Amanda,” he said, half-laughing, half-crying. “I really need to talk to you. Can you come and see me? Things are bad. I need help and I don’t know where else to turn. I need a friend.”

  “Lee, I can’t do this.”

  “Don’t hang up,” he pleaded. “There’s so many things I need to say. Please, Amanda. I’m desperate.”

  Amanda swallowed hard. She closed her eyes, knowing she’d regret this. “Where are you?”

  He was about to tell her, then worried it was a trap. Wait. He called her. But, her boyfriend. The cop. “Can I trust you? Amanda, I need you to come alone.”

  “Lee, I don’t think I can do that. I can’t help you. You shouldn’t have called.”

  “I’ll come to you. Tell me where you are,” he said.

  “I should go.”

  “No! Wait,” he said breathlessly. “I’m at the hospital. I need to see you. You’re the only one I trust.”

  Amanda dropped her head in her hands. “Let me think about it. I’ll get back to you.”

  “Don’t hang up. Please don’t hang up. Stay with me. I’m scared.”

  “What are you afraid of, Lee?” she prodded.

  “You’re the only one I trust. I need help. Please help me,” he pleaded again.

  Amanda exhaled slowly. “Where are you?”

  He hesitated. “I’m downstairs. You’ll know where to find me.”

  She knew. It’s where they’d meet to sneak away for quiet. It had been years, but she knew exactly where he was. “I need time. I’ll get there when I can.”

  “Please hurry.”

  She hung up the phone and dialed Alex. The betrayal felt tragic, but if what they said were true, there was no other choice. “He’s downstairs at the hospital. The medical examiner’s office, down by the morgue. He just called me. He begged me to come see him.”

  “You weren’t supposed to answer,” he said.

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s all good. I’ve got to go,” he said. “Stay where you are.”

  “He’s expecting me.”

  “You’re not coming here!”

  “I need to talk to him.”

  “No, Amanda. Stay put. Do you understand me? Your life is in danger.”

  “He won’t hurt me. I’m the only one he trusts.”

  “He’s playing you.”

  She clicked off the phone.

  Alex hung up the phone and kicked the wall. “Bryce, he’s downstairs. Let’s go.”

  The duo ran toward the stairwell. Alex dialed Bruno as fast as he could. When Bruno answered, Alex had one request. “Don’t let Amanda out of your sight. She’s in grave danger. She’s going to try to come to the hospital, but she’d be signing her death warrant.”

  “Got it,” Bruno answered.

  “I’ve got to go.”

  Alex and Bryce slammed through the door and into the basement. They pulled their guns out and glanced around.

  “All clear,” Bryce said, as they rounded the bend to the long straight hallway that led to the medical examiner’s door.

  ***

  Amanda grabbed her bag and keys and ran for the door. As she opened it, reality stood tall and strong before her. Her thoughts were scrambled, but she had to get to the hospital. She knew that much.

  Bruno turned to face her. “I’m sorry, but you can’t leave.”

  She shook her head in protest. “You’re welcome to come with me, but I’ve got to go.”

  “Nope, sorry.” He stood like a brick wall blocking the door.

  “Bruno,” she barked, “I need to get to the hospital. Get out of my way.”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’ve got strict orders. You’re not to leave the premises.”

  She went to push against him, but he wasn’t budging. She tried to squeeze past, but he simply held her in place.

  “Bruno, please. You don’t understand. I need to go. Things could get ugly if I don’t help.”

  “Alex gave me strict orders.”

  “He’s not my father. I make my own goddamned decisions. Now get out of my way,” she cried. She beat her fists against his solid chest.

  “It’s for your own good,” he said. “You don’t have to like it, but you’re not leaving the house.”

  She turned to go back inside and slammed the door closed. She’d sneak out the back. Or so she thought. She made it all of a few steps before she was thrown over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry and brought back into the house.

  “Bruno, please,” she begged. “Somebody’s going to get hurt.”

  “We don’t want it to be you,” he answered. “You’re not going anywhere. Hate me all you want or need, but I’m here for a reason.”

  Amanda slammed her purse onto the table and dropped onto a chair. Furious, she glared at the man guarding her like a child.

  Chapter 29

  Alex reached for the door handle. “It’s locked.”

  Bryce banged on the door and called out. “Police, open the door.”

  There was no response.

  He yelled out the orders again. “Police. Open the door or we’ll break it down. Hands up.”

  Lee finally responded. “I’ve got a hostage. You do anything, and she dies.”

  Alex called for back up as Bryce started to negotiate.

  “We don’t want anybody to get hurt. Let the hostage go, and come out peacefully with your hands up.”

  “No can do,” he answered.

  They’d try to calm him, keep him from doing anything rash. Could they convince him to let go of the hostage? Did he have any weapons? They’d end up using tear gas as a last resort if needed, but the duo would try to talk him down first.

  They knew he might be agitated, and for now time was their ally. His adrenaline would be high. Panic would be setting in as he realized the gravity of the situation.

  When it came down to it, Bryce knew there’d be demands. He was trapped like a rat in the room and would jockey for position, hoping to get out unscathed. Unless he was suicidal, then he wouldn’t care if he were killed. They’d work with him and take it step by step.

  “We can talk about it,” Bryce started. “Look, we know about the others. We know what happened. We’ll work with you, but hurting somebody else won’t help your case.”

  “I’ve got nothing to gain. It’s all over for me,” he called out.

  Alex whispered over to Bryce. “He could be suicidal. Let’s keep him calm for the time being. Ask him if Dr. Toma is the hostage.”

  Bryce nodded. “Lee, is Dr. Toma with you? Is she safe?”

  “She’s alive if
that’s what you’re asking,” he said, flustered. He needed to think. He didn’t want to talk to the stupid detective. “I’m done talking.”

  “Do you need anything? Food, water?” Bryce asked, trying to keep the lines of communication open. It was a tactic, basic at best, but solid.

  “No. Stop talking.” He wasn’t interested in playing these games.

  “What can we do to get Dr. Toma released?” Bryce asked.

  Lee picked up a metal tray and threw it at the door. “I told you to stop talking.”

  “High-stress situation,” Alex whispered to Bryce. “He’s not a career criminal. He could be erratic and dangerous.”

  “Yeah, not sure if he has a weapon on him,” he answered quietly.

  “If it’s the same one he used to shoot out Amanda’s window, it’s a .380.”

  “Good to know.”

  Alex nodded.

  “If you release Dr. Toma, things will be easier on you. You’ll want a bargaining chip in a plea deal, right? We can tell them that you were cooperative and showed empathy for your hostage. We’ll get you a lawyer, help you out,” Bryce said.

  Other officers slowly filed into the hallway as back up arrived.

  Lee pressed his back to the wall and slid to the floor. He didn’t want to play this game. He didn’t want to talk to these people. He only wanted to talk to Amanda.

  “Do you really want to do this? You have a wife, a family…don’t put them through the reporters and questions, wondering why you’d do something like this. You’re a reasonable guy. I know you are. Look at what you do for a living. You make important decisions. Don’t throw it all away.”

  “I want to talk to Amanda Gladstone. She’s the only one I’ll talk to. I know her boyfriend is probably nearby. You want me to talk, bring me Amanda.”

  Alex cussed under his breath. “No. Absolutely not. He’ll kill her.”

  Bryce looked at Alex and nodded. “You’re going to have to talk to us. We’re not going to bring in an innocent civilian who might end up getting hurt.”