Evil Secrets Trilogy Boxed Set

by Vickie McKeehan

  Okay, so she already knew the gritty details. “And inside the shirt pocket, Dylan found one of those gold cowboys, which tells us it is Mr. X because the cowboys apparently have become his signature.”

  “Jesus.” Quinn rubbed a hand across her face. “Who is this guy?”

  Before he could answer, before they could get on the elevator and head upstairs, Dr. Mendenhall caught up with Quinn and demanded, “Tyler, I need to see you in my office. Now!” He turned on his heels without waiting for a response and crossed to a counter, where he grabbed a chart, expecting her to follow him.

  Quinn shot a quick glance back at Reese before going after Dr. Mendenhall down the hall and into a small room off the ER.

  She had barely shut the door behind her when he asked, “What the hell was that out there? I want the truth, Tyler. And I want it now! Don’t even think about lying to me or putting a pretty spin on it. This is serious. He threatened to sue the staff and the hospital. I need to know now if you’re involved with Cade Boyd in any way, past or present.”

  God, would people ever stop throwing her relationship with Cade Boyd back in her face? “No! I’m not involved with him.”

  “But you know him, know the family―personally?”

  “Some.” She let out a tired sigh. “Okay, Cade and I went out for about six weeks…a very, long time ago. It’s ancient history. It doesn’t have a thing to do with what happened here today.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. If you had trouble with this ranting maniac who just threatened a lawsuit, you shouldn’t have been anywhere near treating his brother. You should have said something the minute you recognized him as someone you knew. You know the rules, Tyler. Any person you have conflict with is off limits in the trauma rooms. You’ve put the hospital in a difficult position. Sumner and Jessica Boyd were two of our biggest donors. The Boyd family wields a great deal of power in this town.”

  “From the moment the EMTs brought him in all I did was get his clothes off and assist in putting pressure on the gaping wound to stop the bleeding. I watched as Angie tried to get him to breathe! And you’re the one who told me to apply pressure.”

  “I didn’t know you knew him!” he snapped back.

  “You were right there. You’re the one who started working on him. Not me. You know that. I just tried to help as best I could, which I might add, is impossible since he looked as if he’d bled out by the time we got him. He looked… gone already. Dr. Mendenhall, don’t you think you’re overreacting to a hysterical relative of the deceased who might…if you ask me…might be a little deranged?”

  “No one’s asking you, Tyler. Do you have any idea how serious this situation is? The Boyd family can make a lot of trouble for this hospital. Lawyers have a tendency to sue hospitals.”

  Quinn had the urge to list the number of Boyds who were no longer able to practice law because they were all dead, but she didn’t think pointing that out at the moment would be beneficial to her cause.

  She of all people understood fully there were still plenty of lawyers at the family firm, Boyd Boyd Geller & Gatz, who would love nothing more than to bring a nice fat lawsuit against her and the hospital.

  So typical, she thought, a bunch of money-greedy lawyers putting an end to her medical career before it ever really got started.

  Wisely she held her tongue and listened as Mendenhall pointed out, “Going forward, we need to do everything by the book. That’s why it pains me to put you on report. You have potential, Tyler, you really do. You care about the patients and it shows. Your medical knowledge is first rate. But like all first year residents your training needs repetition to get better. As of right now, you’re suspended from this hospital.”

  Quinn’s mouth dropped open. “What? No, you can’t. But I didn’t do anything wrong. Jesus, just because Cade threw a hissy fit, I’m suspended? That’s bullshit and you know it. I did my best to get Connor Boyd to stop bleeding. I watched you treat him. I watched Angie intubate him. This is ridiculous.” When she eyed Mendenhall’s set jaw and how serious he was, she added quickly, “Please tell me this isn’t going to put my residency in jeopardy?”

  “Once the review board gets the facts, I’m sure everything will be fine.”

  “Review board? How long?” Quinn grumbled.

  “Three weeks―minimum. That should teach you to notify your superiors whenever someone is brought into this hospital with which you have had prior conflict.”

  “Great. Fucking great. Three weeks! That’s almost a month. I just got started!” She yanked the door open and stormed out—and ran right into Reese’s chest.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I just got suspended. Damn Boyds,” she tossed out as she stormed past him to the bank of elevators.

  “What reason did they give?”

  “Short version? Cade uttered the word lawsuit and Mendenhall crapped his pants. He thinks two minutes from now someone named Boyd, Geller, or Gatz will walk through those doors, serve him papers and sue the hospital for millions.”

  Quinn snorted. “Just because I was standing within two feet from Connor Boyd trying to stop him from bleeding, I get kicked out of the program.”

  Reese grabbed her arm, stopping her path. “Wait, they kicked you out? They can’t do that without…”

  She shook her head. “I got suspended for three weeks. Might as well be an eternity. Like I had anything to do with the asshole getting his throat slit.” But then she realized for the first time that Mendenhall had never actually answered her question whether or not the suspension put her residency in jeopardy.

  She glanced at Reese as he pushed the elevator button to head upstairs. “I knew Mendenhall didn’t like me, but I never thought he’d suspend me over something as insignificant as this.”

  Reese re-evaluated the situation. A three-week suspension sounded harsh to him but it was a far cry from getting kicked out of the residency program for good. But knowing she needed to vent, he would willingly oblige. He draped his arm around her shoulders. “Buck up. I never saw anyone who needed a lawyer more than you do right now. It just so happens…I know one, an excellent one, the best. I think his brilliant legal mind can get you reinstated, work you back in to the rotation in record time.”

  She elbowed him lightly in the ribs. “Now is not the time to yank my chain, Brennan. This is serious! This is my career.”

  “One more reason you need the services of the finest…”

  This time she poked a finger into his chest. “Just my luck, I’m at the mercy of an arrogant barrister with an ego the size of L.A.”

  When the elevator dinged, they waited for people to drift out of it before stepping into the empty car. “Arrogant is an awfully strong word there, Dr. Tyler. I prefer to think I’m confident and, as such, go the extra mile for my clients.”

  Once the doors clanged shut, Quinn grabbed him by the shirt collar, pulled his head down to her eye level. “You get me re-instated, I guarantee I’ll make it worth your while.”

  “Really? Now that’s the best offer I’ve had in…”

  “Do you always yak it up so much?”

  His arms went around her, tugging her into his chest. Her feet left the floor as he backed her up against the mirrored sidewall and took her mouth.

  Lips, slick and wet, did the tongue tango. Instant heat ramped up.

  Chest to chest, she felt the familiar tug in her lower belly.

  The slow graze became a hungry feeding. He felt her body quiver the instant he took the kiss deeper.

  Searing heat poured through her like a firestorm. The moment he plopped her feet back down on the floor, her knees wanted to buckle.

  “Well…” The jaunty comeback died on her lips.

  “I don’t believe it. For once I’ve managed to put a muzzle on Quinn Tyler’s mouth.” She had that look on her face that said she’d just been thoroughly kissed and—was a little scared of taking that next step.

  He saw her wall go back up like a laser shield.
/>
  “Oh, shut up. Just like a damn lawyer to tout his own skills. Should I hold up a sign giving you a seven-point-five?”

  “A seven-point-five? Is that all? On the Richter scale that might be a full magnitude earthquake. I could do better. Who knew you’d be such a harsh judge.”

  She couldn’t very well admit it had been a helluva lot more potent than that. Reese Brennan hardly needed encouragement in the tonsil-dive department. Instead, she shot him a steely glance and said, “Get me reinstated and you get another shot at proving me wrong, how’s that?”

  CHAPTER 2 Book 3

  Upstairs on the twelfth floor, Quinn and Reese stepped off the elevator into a waiting area and a different kind of chaos. There were more police officers than medical staff still milling about.

  Max St. John, as well as another dozen or so cops, gathered around an injured Baylee Scott as she stood holding her infant daughter, Sarah. She was doing her best under the circumstances to give them her statement about Sarah’s kidnapping while everyone crowded around to listen.

  It was obvious she was still distressed but grateful to have her daughter back safe and sound.

  Quinn had to give it to the cops. They seemed to hold back a little, waiting for Baylee to compose herself. Although they still surrounded her they put off their questioning because the woman looked like she’d gone six rounds with Sugar Ray Leonard and lost.

  Her split lip had some glossy ointment spread on it now and what looked like a butterfly stitch or two. Quinn wasn’t sure how Baylee could even talk with her lips so swollen and puffy. Her cheeks and eyes were a collective mass of bruises and bumps already beginning to turn a nasty purplish black.

  Quinn had never seen the laid-back Dylan Burke so upset. Even though he stood next to Baylee, clutching her to his side as if he didn’t want to ever let the woman go, she could tell he was getting more agitated by the minute because the cops wouldn’t leave Baylee in peace.

  Reese decided that maybe he needed to get over there and run a little lawyer interference. It didn’t look like Max St. John intended on going anywhere anytime soon either. Knowing the players like he did, the bulldog detective wouldn’t give up until he got what he wanted. And Dylan simply wanted the cop to keep his distance so he and Baylee could get past this ordeal.

  As Reese made his way across the room, he knew compromise was a critical part of his profession. Realizing Max needed to get his questions asked and be on his way, Reese intervened. If Baylee had to answer questions, it would be done with a lawyer at her side.

  About that time, Max’s partner Dan Holloway stepped off the elevator into the madhouse. And just as Reese suspected, as soon as Baylee took a breath, Max pounced.

  “Let me see if I understand this, Miss Scott. You’re standing vigil beside your terminally ill father. Mr. Burke here goes down to the cafeteria to get coffee with your housekeeper, Tanya Lincoln. You’re left alone in the room. Connor Boyd bursts in, assaults you, and kidnaps your six-month-old child? Why? Why would he do that? Why would Connor Boyd of all people be interested in kidnapping your baby?”

  And just as Reese knew he would, Dylan exploded, stepping into Max’s face. “Who the hell knows what motivates a psycho bastard like Connor Boyd? Baylee certainly doesn’t have a clue. He kidnapped a baby, there’s no denying that fact. Doesn’t that settle this mess enough for you, detective?”

  “It does. And seems to be at the core of what started all of this today.” Max paused and pointed out, “Right now Mr. Burke, you need to take a step back before I arrange to have you spend the night locked up away from this woman who needs you the most right now.”

  Reese knew Dylan could be as cool as anyone, but where Baylee was concerned he wouldn’t hesitate to do something stupid, like getting arrested to shield Baylee from answering any embarrassing questions. So Reese quickly grabbed Dylan by the arm, pushing him back out of the cop’s face.

  “Take a step back, Dylan. Cool off. This won’t help Baylee.”

  But Dylan shook Reese off. “Look, St. John, Baylee didn’t beat herself up, and I sure as hell didn’t kidnap my own daughter. No one here has anything to hide, but you’re standing here wasting our time questioning us, and to what purpose? Don’t you see Baylee’s upset? We almost lost our child to Connor Boyd. It’s time you faced facts. Boyd is your bad guy here.”

  But Max was persistent. “Mr. Burke, I’m simply trying to get at the truth. You claim to be the child’s father. But downstairs, not fifteen minutes earlier, Cade claimed Connor had been certain he was the baby’s father.”

  Reese saw Baylee take a visible step backward away from all of them. She probably wondered if this mess would ever have resolution. For Dylan and Baylee’s sake, Reese wondered if Max intended the interrogation to be a long, drawn out process.

  Connor was dead. So what was the point?

  Reese, like Dylan, was afraid Max’s suspicious nature might open up a different can of worms entirely. Looking at Baylee’s face, he flinched. Thank goodness Connor hadn’t broken her nose. He watched as Quinn took up a position on the opposite side of Dylan, as if both of them were all that was holding Baylee up.

  Reese noted Quinn took hold of Baylee’s chin to assess the damage, female to female. The look on her face told him she was pissed.

  Quinn might be suspended, but she intended to take care of her friend in more ways than one. “Isn’t it enough the bastard beat the shit out of her? And it’s difficult to believe you’d put much stock in anything Cade Boyd told you at this point. You saw him downstairs, witnessed firsthand how he lost it. He’s as much a psycho as his brothers. If that display down in the ER fails to convince you, then maybe we should talk—officially. There’s a side to Cade Boyd you might not know about.”

  At the sound of Quinn’s words, Baylee recovered somewhat to set the record straight. If Quinn were ready to talk to them about what Cade had done to her, then she could do the same.

  “Look, Detective, Connor was obsessed for some reason with my child. He mistakenly thought he was Sarah’s father. He isn’t. I tried to tell him that, tried to set him straight. But when Connor Boyd got something in his head, it was difficult to persuade him that he was wrong about anything. And he was flat out not Sarah’s father.”

  Insistent, Dylan snarled, “I am this child’s father. I’m listed on her birth certificate. Any more talk about Connor Boyd fathering this baby from you or anyone else and you will have to answer to my lawyer.”

  Okay, thought Reese, Dylan was still sticking to the role he’d chosen to play several weeks earlier. For his friend, he’d take up the crusade.

  “And you’d need a court order for anything above that,” Reese reminded Max. “As well as justification, and I’ll fight you on that Max, every step of the way. Count on it. There is no legal or moral justification for getting a court order to determine paternity at this point.”

  Max stared at Reese before taking a long, hard look at Dylan and Baylee. He glanced in the direction of Jake Boston and Kit Griffin and decided a unified wall was a tough thing for a cop to overcome.

  “Okay. For now, that’s none of my business. I’m just trying to plug a few holes here, trying to understand why Connor Boyd decided to kidnap a six-month-old infant that had no apparent connection to him. Not to mention trying to understand who the hell slit his throat.”

  Dylan and Baylee looked somewhat relieved at that, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Max. At this point though he wasn’t certain anyone in the room was leveling with him. Satisfied for now though, he sought out his partner, Dan Holloway, who was on the other side of the reception area, deep in a discussion with Jake and Kit.

  Max reluctantly headed that way.

  In mid-sentence, Dan explained, “No denying it now. We hit upon the skulls first, two of them buried together on Boyd property near the reflecting pool, just like the old man told us. It wasn’t until about an hour ago the third skull came into view about five feet away from the others. By that time, they’d foun
d the rest of the skeletal remains, leg and arm bones, the rib cage. Might take a while for the forensics team to excavate the entire perimeter, though; the grounds are huge and we intend to use ground-scanning sonar to go over every inch of the place. If we’re patient we might get some answers now. Groundskeeper said he worked on the reflecting pool himself back in the late ’80s with the help of a local contractor. We’re trying to find the contractor now. Of course, we suspect two of the victims are Sarah Moreland Scott, the actress, and Luc Delaine, her lover, the tennis player.”

  “Luc was not her lover,” Baylee corrected from ten feet away. “He was a friend, nothing more. Those two hags, Jessica and Alana, spread rumors about Sarah at the country club, made up lies about her running off. She didn’t. So many people bought into the story, though. My father admits to that now, admits that Jessica and Alana made up the whole thing. For reasons only he knows, my father didn’t bother setting the record straight.”

  About this time, Tanya Lincoln appeared in the waiting area and took Sarah out of Baylee’s tired arms. “You need a breather. You’re exhausted. If you aren’t ready to go, then I’ll take Sarah and sit down here with her until everything settles down and these officers leave. Getting this upset isn’t good for you or the baby.”

  “Thanks, Tanya. I just want to make sure I’m around when they find out for sure about…my mother.”

  “I know, honey, but it won’t do any good if you push yourself until you collapse.”

  Dylan watched as Sarah settled into Tanya’s lap on the waiting room couch. Tanya soothed the child as only a grandmother could. He turned to Baylee and whispered. “The sooner we get rid of these cops, the sooner we can get this day behind us. We can do this, Baylee. We’re halfway there. Now, put on your ‘I’ve got nothing to hide’ face and let’s get these cops out of here for good so we can get on with our lives.”

  Baylee took a deep breath, nodded and sent Quinn a knowing look before reaching for her hand.