“Woof,” Hazelnut let out in response to the sudden quiet.
“Baroof,” responded Gigantor, ears perked.
The sudden outburst made everyone jump and brought the situation back around.
“How long’s it been since they went out,” Gran asked.
“Just before we bunked in. Ten or so.”
“It sounds like they might need another go.”
How long has it been? Hannah’s thought.
Gran looked up to see Hannah’s quirk presenting itself. “Well, that brought up something.”
Hannah reached out and picked up her phone. She scrolled back through the calls she made, talking as she did so.
“I talked to Cate while we were at dinner. Around 7:30. She was almost at the cabin. It’s now 1:35.”
Buster produced his phone. “Yes.”
Hannah tapped at her phone. “Assuming they arrived and talked to Janus fifteen minutes or so, that would put the attack at around 7:45.”
Everyone leaned in to try to follow along with the sleuth’s line of listening as she continued with intense focus.
“Stun guns tend to knock someone out for around ten minutes. Al thought he was tied up for about two hours. I called Chief Malloy around 11:00. He sent a patrol out and they found him, I’d imagine around fifteen minutes later or so. That all fits. He called us back around 11:30.””
“Where are you going with this?” Borden asked.
“When Gran asked how long it had been since the dogs went out, it got me thinking about two things. Where would Janus and Ruth go, and how long would it take to get there.”
“We don’t know that,” Borden stated. “Otherwise, I’’d have them in custody by now.”
“True enough, but consider what they did. They murdered people. We don’t know why they poisoned those specific people.”
“But they didn't poison all of them,” Hym noted. “Remember Rhoades?”
“Yes, and that’s my point. Remember what I told you after Cate called the last time. Her mother was the woman who Whipson ran up on while trying to steal the car. Janus and Ruth Wormwood are her remaining children. This is about revenge.””
“Well, yeah,” Gran affirmed, “we get that much.”
“So, revenge is about making someone suffer for their perceived sins. Those poisoned were just collateral damage to hurt Whipson. Their crime was knowing and for being close to the Reverend. But I’m willing to bet you a cookie that they didn’’t know that Rhoades was with Whipson the night their mother died. Otherwise, they would have poisoned him as well. Somehow, Ruth found out Rhoades had evidence linking her to the crimes.”
“And she attacked him to get to it. She was trying to get it from him when we interfered.” Magdalen inserted with a burst of enthusiasm.
Gran patted the woman on the arm. “Oh, you’re getting good at this, dear.”
Hannah gestured in agreement. “They’re not about random acts of violence, just controlled ones. I doubt she meant for Rhoades’ injury to occur the way it did.””
Hym agreed. “We know she has a stun gun, or least access to one.”
Borden shifted his weight and stood erect, crossing his arms as he did so.
“Okay, it all makes sense, but to what end? What’s your point?”
“I have two, in fact. One, they attacked Rhoades for evidence which they think we have. Two, what good is revenge if you don’t see it through.”
Hym and Magdalen both stiffened. Hym was the first to speak.
“You think they’re coming back here?”
“I do. Think about it. Cate was asking Janus about his sister. He can put two and two together. According to Al, she mentioned that it was me who had her look into him. The only way I could know some of the information was if I had other evidence. Cate’s a victim of opportunity and panic response.”
“Then why’d they leave Al,” asked Buster.
Hym’s grimaced. “He served no purpose. Cate was the maid of honor. Janus knew her importance,” he inferred.
Borden ran his finger under his chin. “Okay, if they’re coming back here, and assuming they left Twilight at around, say eightish, give or take that would put them here,” he twisted his neck and stiffened, “soon I would imagine. Real soon. You think they’d go back to her place?”
“I doubt it. They know we have evidence against them. I would imagine they think you’ll be looking for her there, or even where he lives. My guess, they’ll go straight to the target.”
“Mudbug,” Hym said.
Hannah noticed the low, determined tone in her husband’s voice. It was a combination of annoyance, frustration, and anger. She had been witness to it once before when someone attacked her during a prior case. The man showed great loyalty to those he deemed worthy of his love. This display was Hym being focused and ready to take on and take down whoever stood in his way. She reached over and took hold of his hand. He shot her a look before he relaxed a bit. It gave her great joy to know that she at least had a calming effect on her husband.
“We need to get in there, then,” Hym said. “Protect her. How many ways in are there?”
“A dozen or more,” Holmes told. “It’s a small facility but there is the front, emergency, cafeteria, loading docks, and several others.”
“Problem is, there’s just me at the moment. My deputy is handling some issues in Tartarus.”
“What about hospital security?” Magdalen asked.
“To be honest, it’s not world class. For the most part, they just give people directions and such. It just a volunteer job to keep them occupied.”
Papa Jay crossed his arms and grimaced. “What you mean to say is that they’re old.”
Gran popped her husband on the arm.
“What, woman? It’s true. Didn’t say he was wrong, but it’s true.””
“I just don’t want anyone hurt, sir.”
Gran, taking sudden offense as well, tapped an urgent finger on the tabletop.
“Well, neither do we.” She pointed to everyone as she mentioned them. “My husband. My granddaughter. Her husband. Our friends. So we get that, but we have a stake in keeping them safe. We may be old, but we’re not useless.”
Hannah, listening to the banner, motioned for everyone to settle down.
“Well, regardless, we’ve got to get a move on and protect her. I’m capable of handling myself,” Hym informed.
“I can cover something,” Buster agreed.
Magdalen looped her arm around Buster’s and gave a smiled. “We can all watch an entry or cover an elevator.”
Gran thumbed at Papa Jay. “Like I said, we’re old, not useless. Between Grumpus and me, we can eye the front entry, inside and out.”
Hannah produced a concerned look, but Papa Jay waved her off. “We’ll be fine, Sweetness. Just fine.” He flexed his arm muscle displaying the fading battleship tattoo. ““Still got it.”
“Oh goody. The Good Ship Wrinkles has come to port,” Gran commented with noted sarcasm.
“Woman, you never complained me getting shore leave.”
Gran pulled her husband in for a quick smooch.
Watching the display, Borden cleared his throat and agreed. “All right, you two take the main lobby. Henry, emergency room. You won’t look out of place there.” Looking to Buster and Magdalen, and their clutched hands, he thought for a second. “Main elevators.”
When he turned to Hym, new groom cut him off. He motioned to Hannah and himself. “We’re going to ICU.”
“I didn’t think you could be in the room.”
“We can’t,” Hym interjected, “but you have to pass the waiting room to get in. If they come, we’ll be there.”
Borden glanced around at all and agreed. “Alright, it doesn’t cover everywhere, but it’ll have to do for the moment.”
“What about you?” Hannah inquired.
“I’ll be with the guards, watching the monitors. We’ll keep in touch via cell. With any luck, we’ll spot them
before they get even close to inside.”
Buster raised his hand, as if in a classroom. Borden pointed as if the teacher.
“Problem. I have no idea what these people look like.”
Gran and Papa Jay admitted the same.
“The solution is simple,” Henry stated. “In the main lobby to the left is a memorial case dedicated to Gabriel Wormwood. There is a picture there with his wife. If I am not incorrect, Father Janus’ picture resides in the chapel along with Jonathan’s. I suggest those of us who have not seen them pay each location a quick visit.”
“Oh, goody,” Gran said with excitement. “A stakeout. It’s been a while.”
“Hmm,” Papa Jay interjected, “should have brought my pistol.”
Gran rolled her eyes.
“Do not engage them yourselves, okay? These two are dangerous. We don’t know what they may do now that they’ve been found out.””
A few minutes later, everyone readied to exit the RV. Gran first made sure everyone was wearing a coat. “It’s chilly out and in the hospital too. Jayland, put our coat and gloves on.”
“Woman, I’m a grown man. Just get the dogs ready. I’ll walk them out front while I wait.”
“Y’all go on. We’ll be right behind you.” She slipped one of Gigantor’’s small coats onto Hazelnut.
Several minutes later, everyone was in position within the hospital, having first viewed who they were looking for. Gran waved everyone along before she sat in the lobby chair and pretended to read. She waved to Papa Jay, who stood outside with the two canines on leashes.
“Be careful,” Hannah insisted, kissing her grandmother’s forehead. “And watch out for old Two Gun out there,” she added, thumbing toward the window where she could just view her grandfather.
“Oh, we’ll be fine, dear. You just go and have a good time.”
Hannah half laughed as she walked away with Hym. “Only Gran would find this fun.”
“She’s not the only one.” Hym squeezed his wife’s hand. ““I know someone just like her.”
Chapter Twenty Six
When Hannah and Hym stepped from the elevator on the floor, they exited out into the hallway and toward the ICU waiting room. When the room came in sight, Hym came to a dead stop. Glancing over to see what was going on, Hannah saw his eyes widen then narrow to near slits. Fear? Anger? She turned to peer where he was staring. Her eyes widened as well. Already here.
From her vantage point, Hannah could see Whipson through the large, glass pane windows of the waiting area. The room was empty except for two individuals. Whipson sat, pushed forward in his seat. He leaned outward, his elbows resting on his knees, staring forward. She noticed him bobbing his head, as though he were agreeing. Like a confession, she considered. He was holding hands with Janus, who held a similar position.
Hym moved to run as best he could in, but Hannah held him back. “No,” she said in a low tone. “What if he panics? He might have a weapon and we need to find out where Cate is.””
Hym tensed up but held steady. “What do we do, then?” He scanned the room. “No sister,” he added with noted urgency.
“We just walk in as if it were nothing, then we’ll figure it out.”
They headed into the room. Hannah sat beside Whipson. Hym took a seat beside Janus, who never looked his way. Instead, the priest stared ahead at the Reverend.
For what felt like an eternity to Hannah, no one spoke. Then Janus glanced at her. He gave her a smile, but not one that she expected. In her mind, it should have been his large, man-in-the-moon grin. Instead, it was a sad, almost apologetic one. When he spoke, it was soft and hurting.
“I had to come back and apologize.”
Hym shifted uneasily in his seat as Janus turned to him.
“Relax, young man. I have no ill will toward Jonathan.”
“What about my friend?”
“She’s fine. You’ll find her in the emergency room. Just a little sleepy.”
Hannah glanced at Hym. “Holmes doesn’t know what she looks like. He wouldn’t be expecting her.”
“Call him.”
Hannah pulled out her phone and was about to dial. She stopped when she realized that by his body language, her husband was readying himself to take the man down. Before she could intercede, Whipson gestured with a hand for him to stop.
“It’s alright, son. We’ve been talking. I understand. This is as much my fault.”
“You didn’t do this. They did.”
Janus turned to face his accuser. His face was stoic. “No, I did.”
Hannah paused to consider Janus’ response. “Why?”
“Because they were suffering. I am much opposed to that. It’s so, unnecessary. My mother, she didn’t suffer. At least not when she died. But beforehand……” The priest’s words trailed off for a second before he started again. “My father was not the most likable of fellows. He had too much of the Irish in him I think, by his mother.”” He let go of Whipson’s hands and leaned back into his seat. “A bit of a temper and all that. Rough handed when he got in the spirit.” He shrugged and loosened his collar. “I was just telling Jonathan here, everything. That I found out tonight that he was the one who…” He let out a breath of air. “The one who was with my mother the night she passed on, and that I forgive him for that. It’s what we do, you know. Our business is to forgive others and ourselves.”
Hym glowered. “Is that what you call what you did to Susan? Forgiveness?”
Janus shot him a hard look and pointed a finger. “I had nothing to do with Dr. York. Let me be clear on that. All the others, they were mine. I take full responsibility for them.” He shook his head. “And for poor Richard. That was an unfortunate mistake.”
Listening, Hannah became intrigued. All fears left her as she had reached the final story. “The prize,” as Gran referred to it. However, upon hearing it, some things were not fitting.
Questions began to pour into Hannah’s mind. The man was confessing to all the murders, but not for what happened to Susan. Covering for his sister? She decided that there was just one way to get the answer she wanted. Ask. “You’re saying your sister had nothing to do with this?”
“No, she had everything to do with this.” Janus placed a hand on his chest and closed his eyes as if he were focusing. He coughed once and glanced around. “She convinced me. Told me that the work she was doing was God’s work. She said that since it was his work, I should be happy…they didn’t suffer. Like my brothers. Like my mother, before……she passed…”
Janus grimaced hard as Hannah noted the color draining from the man’s face. When his eyes rolled back into their sockets, he slumped down into his seat. Hym managed to catch him before he slid all the way out.
“What the hell?” the new groom said, laying the man on the floor. Hym’s eyes rushed up to meet Hannah.
“Raymond?” Whipson said, kneeling down beside Janus and taking up his hand. “I understand.”
It was then that Janus gave a faint smile before grimacing hard. His back arched up before falling back down in slow motion, as if being placed with care back upon the ground. Hannah placed two fingers on his neck to check for a pulse, despite her certainty that he was already gone. The lack of a pulse confirmed her suspicions. Hym moved in to do CPR, but his wife sat back on the floor. “It’’s over for him,” she said, placing an arm on Hym’s bicep. Hym moved out of the way, taking a seat next to the Reverend. The three sat staring at the body. Hannah noticed a small candy wrapper fall from his open hand. He poisoned himself. For the first time, she looked over to the small table next to the Reverend. A box of petite fours sat open.
“Sir, you didn’t eat any of this, did you?”
Whipson shook his head.
Hannah glanced around the room, twisting her nose several times in the process.
“Did his sister come with him?”
Whipson’s eyes watered up as he peered at her. “Who?”
“Ms. Wormwood. Ruth Wormwood.�
�
“I…uh…for a moment. She sat with him and then excused herself.” The Reverend gave an odd expression. “His sister?”
“Twins. Fraternal it would seem.”
Whipson coughed hard before answering. “She brought the box.” He peered down at the body, centering on the now freed wrapper. “But Raymond said not to eat them.”” Coughing even harder, the Reverend began gasping for air.
“Stay with him. I’ll get some help,” Hannah said as she started for the door.
“But where’s---” was all Hym managed before Hannah disappeared out into the hall. She headed down toward the nurses’ station. Reaching the desk, she found a male nurse. “We have an emergency in the waiting room.”
“Emergency?”
“One’s dead and one can’t breathe. Get someone down there. NOW!”
The nurse rose and rounded the desk toward the waiting area. Hannah was about to follow when it hit her that all that occurred distracted her from a larger problem. Excused herself echoed in her mind. Why? She stopped. If she wanted him to suffer, why give him the candy before she got to Susan. Her eyes narrowed. She’s sacrificing her brother. She knew he would cave. She looked back to the left of the desk at the double doors leading to the ICU. ““It’s a distraction,” she muttered. Darting toward the entrance, she slapped the large red button next to the doors. The large glass panels slid open and she darted in.
“You can’t be in here now,” someone yelled, but the sleuth paid them no heed. She ran along the large area, past rooms divided by glass panels. Some were easy to see into. Others had pulled around curtains, obscuring the patient. As she passed one, she glanced to the wall mounted marker board next which displayed the patient’s name. Slowing to read one, she felt an arm grasp her bicep.
“You can’t be in here,” a large woman in a nurse’s uniform said in a stern voice. Hannah jerked free.
“Dr. York is in danger. Where is she?”
The woman stepped back, stunned at the aggressive sound of the sleuth’s voice. “I…I’m calling security.”
The Priest Who Ate a Poison Petit Four Page 22
