by KH LeMoyne
Very few items pinpointed her personality or interests. In truth, there was very little difference from Jason’s apartment. To be fair, she was rarely here and it was a third home. One didn’t gussy up every nook and cranny. Still, it made her wonder if she saw her situation through blinders and his through a magnifying glass. Was her desire for progress rushing her beyond the steps she and Jason needed to take?
“You going to tell me what you’ve been up to or do I need to lean on that playboy of yours?”
“Leave Jason alone.” Her voice remained calm, belying the rigid change to her posture.
“He’s not good enough for you, Briet.”
With an exasperated sound, she slammed her cup down harder than she planned. Tea sloshed over the edge, just missing her hand.
Silent, Ansgar leaned back against the counter and flipped a sponge to her from the sink. His concerned expression said everything.
“Look, I get that you worry about me and I appreciate it. Really. Some things I have to work out for myself. Just because everything isn’t perfect, doesn’t mean it’s wrong. ”
Ansgar stared into his coffee. His lips twisted as if in thought. “You know, if he at least made you happy, I could leave this alone. But I’ve known you a long time, Pip, and it strikes me that the sad is outweighing the happy.”
She turned the mug and slowly wiped at the spill. “I always thought once we found our mate everything would fall into place.” She pushed the sponge aside, not bothering with her tea. “He’s an incredible man, a wonderful person. Who has issues, just like we do.” She waved her hand at his look of incredulity. “Not just like we do, but he carries his own share of pain and loss. I want you to promise me to let him be.”
One eyebrow went up, the only movement acknowledging he’d heard her.
“I’m serious. Promise me.”
“You’re already in love with him.”
“Promise me.” She waited through the scowl on his face. “Don’t make me come up with a threat. Because I will if I have to.” She blinked back tears of fatigue.
Ansgar swore, put down his cup, and came around the island to pull her into his arms.
“I promise not to take him on. But, Pip, I won’t stand by and watch him pull you apart.”
“You’re being too hard on him. I’m fine. I’ve always been fine.”
He leaned his cheek to the top of her head. “I want better than fine for you, little sister.”
“Then just do this for me. Trust me on this.” She pulled back and tried to give him a smile.
He shook his head and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “I’ll swear to you that I want to whup his ass.”
She smiled this time. “I know. You wanted to do that before I even met him and you won’t because you promised.”
“You want me to ignore last night?”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “Please, I’m not twelve. Jason didn’t take advantage of me. He was helping me through something.”
“Through what?”
“One of my kids died yesterday.” She gripped his shirt and rested her cheek against his chest. The tears were finished, but she didn’t want to bare her soul again.
“I’m sorry, Pip.” His hand stroked her hair, pulling a little at the end of each strand just as he had when they were growing up.
With a hard swallow, she pushed away and brushed at her bangs. “I need to get to the hospital. I have to get blood samples before they do something with Annie’s body.”
Ansgar closed his eyes, tightened his lips, and shook his head once before he looked at her again. “This wasn’t an accident? This is like your car, where you only tell me bits you want me to know?”
How had he—Jason. That turncoat. “I see you two get along well enough to swap stories about me.” She let out an ungraceful snort. “No. Annie’s death isn’t like the car or the attack or the apartment.”
“The playboy didn’t mention an attack.” Ansgar’s voice deepened, a growl imminent.
She rolled her eyes. “He probably didn’t want you so angry you wouldn’t communicate.”
Ansgar leaned in, his face inches from hers. “You’ve never had a problem communicating with me before, little sister. Talk to me.”
He was right. She’d been so busy lately, so wrapped up in the drama of what to do about her mate that she hadn’t used the best sounding board she’d ever had. Pursing her lips, she considered where to start. “I was grabbed at a public relations event.”
“A Welson event?” His eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Yes, but there were hundreds of people in attendance. It’s not like the man scoped me out. He could have grabbed any woman there.”
“And?”
“He didn’t succeed.” She swallowed hard. “He did get me from behind—took me by surprise. I couldn’t fold because he was hanging on, with too many people to see.” She held up her hand to ward off his rebuke. “I know that shouldn’t be an overriding factor, but we don’t go public with our abilities. The more critical point is I would have taken him with me. I don’t think I could have overpowered him, even somewhere more isolated. To be honest, I was scared. I’ve never been in a truly threatening situation alone.”
He stared at her, not saying a word, waiting for her to finish. His arms crossed over his chest and his brows drew together, as if he’d already decided to lock her away in a tower. “Jason took care of him?”
She nodded. “He punched the guy and got me free.”
“When was this?”
She drew in a deep breath. “The night of Sheri’s accident.” Shaking her head, she closed her eyes. “A couple of hours before her accident.”
“Do I have this right? You were attacked. Then the car you loaned to someone was in a fatal accident and your apartment was ransacked.” His jaw clenched and he took an exaggerated breath. “Any other details slip your mind?”
“Don’t treat me like a child.” She gave a quick shake of her head. “I have no proof to connect the first two. I never used that car and the crowd at the reception was huge. The man didn’t say anything to indicate he wanted me specifically. Human women are attacked much too frequently.”
“Briet—”
“I feel this focus on me now. But the attack seemed random at the time. Both it and the car accident were weeks ago. However, I agree with you about the break-in. It is too targeted. They worked hard to get in and then trashed this place. I realize, with everything put together, it looks bad. I just don’t have enough information or proof. It’s not like I’m purposefully trying to get myself killed.”
He shook his head and turned away, worry evident in quick, tense movements. “You could take a break from your work. Maybe long enough to shake whoever is doing this?”
“I can’t leave these kids. I’ve discovered abnormalities in the trial. I think Annie’s death is related to the inconsistencies. I can’t leave the rest of the children at risk if she died because of the treatments. I need answers. Their lives depend on what I do.”
“You are not a sacrifice for these children’s well being.”
“I’m not putting myself at risk. Nothing has ever happened at the hospital. Too many people there know me. I’m surrounded, constantly. The car, the apartment, they targeted places, things I rarely use. The reception was a fluke. Even then, Jason wasn’t far away.”
“Why was he away from you at all?”
She blinked, not wanting to get into a discussion on the stages of her relationship with Jason. “I was leaving the reception to head home.”
Ansgar shook his head. “No, Briet. I’m not buying it. Why wasn’t he with you?”
Biting her lip, she grasped for anything, something to stave off the answer. Nothing came to her, except the truth. She looked away not wanting to see the assessment in his eyes. “We were both there for work, to mingle. I don’t have a lot of experience mingling with huge groups of people. Especially with other women. I just wanted to go home.” Her brother looked furious
and she realized he’d made the wrong assumption. “He was trying to tie up business conversations to leave with me. I just jumped the gun.”
“Why would your mate—”
“Please, can we discuss this later? I need to get those samples from Annie’s body. I’ll stay at the Sanctum for the next few days. We can discuss the attacks more then.” Determined to present the point that she wasn’t discussing Jason anymore, she offered the only true choice she had, knowing Ansgar would try to help her get to the bottom of this problem. He would probably back her in a workable solution to let her finish her job on the trial.
Ansgar turned away, muttering under his breath, then spun back with determination written all over his face. “Fine. I’ll fold with you to the hospital and when you’re finished I’ll meet you and escort you home.”
“Thank you.” She opened her mouth to say something else and got Ansgar’s hand, raised, palm open to stop her words.
“You haven’t been practicing either, have you? Haven’t even worked routines with Tsu in the last two weeks.”
She shrugged. She’d been busy with more important things.
“I’m sure Jason can live without you long enough for you to be prepared and stay alive.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she prepared for more battle on the Jason front. “I don’t need Jason’s approval.”
Ansgar jerked a nod. “Good to know. We’ll work something out. I’ll pick you up after work—in the lobby. Don’t leave the hospital.”
Briet wasn't sure if she should be annoyed at his dominance or relieved she didn’t need to delve further into either the situation with Annie or the one with Jason. For once, she decided on discretion and chose silence.
CHAPTER 19
“We’ve had no response from the Bremars.”
Jason gave Max a quick look as they walked through the hallways to the hospital’s main lobby.
Max continued. “We understand they’re immersed in the tragedy and details of their daughter’s death. The reality is, we need to perform the autopsy as quickly as possible. I suspect they don’t remember, but they signed a release months ago.”
Jason gave single nod. He’d already tried to call the Bremars on his way to Max’s car this morning. His purpose was to offer his respects, not to give them further cause for distress. He’d gotten the answering machine at home and Mr. Bremar’s work phone had rolled over to voice mail. “I’ll speak with Annie’s parents. You’re targeting to be at the hospital when?”
“Later this morning.”
“Max. That’s cutting it tight. Can’t you buy me a few hours? If I can’t get through to them, I’ll need to go out to the house. Having the autopsy performed without their current consent will make Welson look insensitive and callous. Bad press, no matter what the parents signed months ago.”
Max raised his hands and gave a conciliatory shrug. “I’m not the villain. Trust me, I didn’t pick this time. I’ll do what I can to push it back, but I'm not sure I can get the Welson attorneys to move from today.”
“Fine, just give me as long as you can.” Jason punched the elevator for the pediatric oncology floor. The doors closed, leaving Max in the lobby on his cell phone.
With brisk strides, Jason headed straight for the nurses’ station. Natasha King and Nurse Walker, both pulling the early shift, looked up as he leaned against the counter. “Would either of you know how I might be able to track down the Bremars?”
Patrice let out a low whistle. “Those poor parents. So, they’re going to do an autopsy, hmm?”
“Hopefully, not before I get consensus from the parents.”
Patrice rounded the counter and pulled him further away. “Look, I don’t normally get into people’s business, but you took good care of Dr. Hyden last night. She looks ready to cope this morning, so I feel certain you’ll respect the Bremars’ grief.”
“Dr. Hyden’s here already?” She’d beat him to work.
“She’s somewhere, not on the floor right now. I walked in with her and her brother. Nice man. Big.”
Great, Ansgar has a fan. He must have picked her up right after Jason left.
“The Bremars’ are members of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, out on First Street.”
“You wouldn’t happen to know their priest’s name?”
Patrice raised her eyes and looked around discretely for over-eager ears. “I believe it’s Father Nicholas, but you didn’t hear it from me.”
“Thanks, Patrice. How are the other kids handling Annie’s death?”
She shook her head. “Hard to keep it quiet, with all the noise and people running around yesterday afternoon. Everyone really liked Annie. It’ll take a little time. The other kids will be going home in a few days, so that will help. All the other doctors are sort of hovering a little more today.”
“Understandable. Hopefully it will be the only tragedy we have to deal with for the trial.”
“From your mouth to God’s ear.”
She bustled back to business down the hallway and Jason headed toward the elevators, contemplating Patrice’s comment about Briet. If she wasn’t here on the floor, he had no clue where she’d gone.
Ten minutes later, coffee in hand, he sat in the lobby with his cell phone, briefing the good Father Nicholas. The man had been very understanding and appreciative of Jason’s desire to keep the parents informed and empowered. Fortunately, he also understood the business ramifications of Annie’s death and was willing to front-run the problem and call him back after he’d had a chance to speak with the Bremars. At least Jason could consider the issue circumvented.
As he finished the call, Jason watched Max head through the lobby with Sanyu and two other men. The first barely looking old enough to be out of college, carried a small satchel and appeared distinctively uncomfortable in the hospital. His nervous glance cut a wide swath over the other visitors. He tightened his jacket as if his clothes would fend off germs. The second man sported a tight crew cut, black suit, and sunglasses. Muscle or security? Either way, the entourage was a little much for an autopsy.
Max pressed the button for up on the elevator instead of down. Jason stood, relieved he had a few more minutes to hunt down Briet because he’d just figured out where her inquiring mind had taken her. Her butt would be in deep trouble if they found her where he suspected she’d gone.
The group at the elevator took too long to clear the lobby so Jason made a discrete pass into the stairwell and headed down. He wasn’t familiar with the morgue in this hospital. However, the basement seemed a logical call.
He was so busy focusing on Briet and her propensity to put herself in harm’s way that he didn’t pay attention to the two flights down or the hallway to the morgue entrance. Finding himself suddenly at the doors to the exam tables, he fought a wave of disorientation.
Glancing over his shoulder for confirmation no one else was coming, he pushed through the swinging doors into the cooler, climate-controlled room. Fortunately, few people worked in this section of the building. It didn’t stop him from keeping an ear cocked as he watched Briet extract a blood sample from Annie’s arm.
He heard the bing from the elevator at the same time Briet did. Her head jerked up and her eyes widened as she realized he’d been standing there. He peered through the shoulder high windows in the door to confirm the elevator had opened for someone in the medical supply department, also on this floor, not Max and crew.
He shook his head and moved toward her. “You’re damn lucky it was me. What are you thinking coming down here?”
She crossed her arms and held her stance. He almost laughed at the mutinous look on her face. Caught, syringe in hand, and she was still going to take the offensive.
“I didn’t get a chance to check her yesterday. I wasn’t sure you would authorize me access if I asked.”
He ignored the slight. “You need your own samples for what reason?”
She pursed her lips but answered him. “My sole purpose is to make sure none
of the rest of my patients end up down here. I only trust my results.”
He didn’t blame her, but this was risky. Her presence in the morgue could be misconstrued as meddlesome, or worse, given she was Annie’s doctor. Tampering with the body could lead to speculation of her care and treatment. He knew neither were valid conjectures, yet he would rather she didn’t put herself in the spotlight.
“So, are you finished? The Welson team is here to do the autopsy.”
Her face paled, a ghost of last night’s grief passed over her features, and he lost his grip on stern and forceful.
“I found one thing that’s odd,” she said with less bravado than before.
Okay, he’d placate her if it got her moving.
She brushed back the sheet over Annie’s feet and pointed to small black marks on Annie’s ankles. “What would you make of this?”
Jason leaned down and moved a light closer to the marks. One mark was above the inside ankle and two on the outside, all on the same foot, each small black marks with light, fern-like patterns. No puncture wounds, at least none visible, and no apparent additional bruising around the area. “Any other marks on the body?”
“I haven’t looked everywhere. Are you thinking of something specific?”
He heard the elevator ding and switched off the light. Shoving the sheet back over Annie’s body, he grabbed Briet’s wrist and propelled her before him toward the far door. The frown on her face cleared as she heard the voices in the corridor.
Jason already had her through the side door and into the small office before the new arrivals entered the morgue.
He turned, holding her body behind him and locked the door just as someone approached from the other side. The knob rattled several times, then whoever had tried backed away.
Briet’s mouth opened to speak to him. He pressed his fingers to her lips and motioned her toward the opposite door, reaching that in time to lock it as well. The knob rattled, and again after several tries the person left.
Muscle guy, Jason thought. He glanced around at the small desk; the walls were filled with steel shelving and supplies, but no phone or file cabinets. Not an office, so they weren’t looking for a person. Just checking for surveillance. What could possibly require such security measures for an autopsy?
