by Diane Weiner
“Did Travis ever mention trivia?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t go. We should check. I’m sure he’s the killer. And Medivision is still using the recalled parts.”
“Whoa. You can’t make an accusation like that without proof. Ellie’s info doesn’t show that Medivision is still using the recalled parts.”
“How can we get proof?”
“You’d have to have one of the parts and show it’s the same as the faulty ones. That’ll be difficult.”
“So, we’d have to sneak into the warehouse, in other words, and swipe one?”
“Yes, but that would be breaking and entering. Even if you got what we needed, it couldn’t be used in court if it had been obtained illegally.”
“What do we do?”
“Let’s sleep on it. Maybe by morning I’ll have an idea.”
Chapter 32
The next morning, Sara woke up to the buzzing of her phone on the nightstand. “Hello?”
“Sorry I missed the big party. I was hoping I could take you out for breakfast to make up for it. I have a gift for your grandfather. Then we can work in a physical therapy session if you’d like. Has your hand gotten any better? Have you tried playing?”
“Travis? Are you kidding me? You disappear without a word and then show up and expect things to go on as normal? We were all expecting you for the party. It was rude of you not to show up without even calling.”
“Sara, I’m so sorry. Truly. I had no choice. It was…”
“A family emergency? A work thing? I’m sick of excuses. I thought you wanted to stay friends, even if you aren’t attracted to me.”
“That’s not…I’ll make it up to you, I promise. There’s a new treatment for your dystonia that I read about while I was away. It’s an off-label use of an existing drug. They’ve had some early success.”
She knew better. Look what happened with Brandon. She’d ignored all the little signs that he was about to dump her and was blindsided in the end. No. She couldn’t let herself fall into that trap again. Besides, she was nearly convinced Travis was a murderer. Why was she even talking to him?
“Just breakfast and a session. Besides, I have a gift for you. If this new drug works, you could be in remission in time for the season to start.”
It’s not like I’ll be alone with him. First the diner, then the hospital. If he’s telling the truth about that new treatment, I can’t afford to ignore it. She had another thought as well. We need proof before we bring our suspicions to the police that he killed Ellie. Maybe he’ll slip and give himself away. I’ll ask him about trivia.
“Do you want me to beg? I can beg.”
“Okay. But I’ll meet you there so afterwards I can drive back from the hospital. You’ll be working all day, right?”
“Okay. If I get there first, I’ll order us coffee.”
What am I doing? She called Scott and explained.
“Sara, are you crazy?”
“It’s our best chance of nabbing him.”
“You’d better not be alone with him. Not even in his office.”
“The nurses are in and out. I’ll be okay. I’m going to try to trip him up about Ellie’s murder.”
“He’ll see right through that. Just act natural and keep your eyes open, that’s all.”
Sara put the thumb drive back in the cat food bag. It’d been safe there all along. Even with the new security system, she couldn’t trust Travis wouldn’t have access. She pulled on a turquoise sweater and jeans, brushed her hair into a ponytail now that it’d gotten just long enough to do so, and drove to the diner. Travis’s present was still sitting on the passenger seat where she’d left it the other day.
Travis had gotten a haircut and his face was baby smooth, lacking the usual hint of rugged stubble. She hated that in spite of knowing he was likely a coldblooded killer, the physical attraction remained. I need a shrink. Her skin tingled when she looked into his chestnut eyes. Is this attraction, or is it fear?
“Hi, Sara. Coffee’s here as promised. And I got you this. It’s a peace offering.” He handed her a beautifully wrapped box with a red bow.
He had to have paid to get this gift-wrapped.
“Should I open it now?”
“Of course.”
She unwrapped the box and pulled out a multicolored, knit scarf. “It’s so soft.”
“Cashmere. Like the sweater you were eyeing when we went shopping. I noticed the scarf you’ve been wearing is a little tattered.”
She stroked the scarf that hung around her neck. “My Grandmother made this one when I left for college. It’s seen better days.” She wrapped the new one on top of it. Did he have a tracker sewn into the seam?
“Here. I got you this.” She handed him the present she’d been toting around in the car.
“A wallet. And you had my initials engraved in it.”
Too bad they aren’t really your initials.
They ordered waffles and while they ate, Sara brought up the recalled hip joints.
“Travis, what do you think Medivision did with all those recalled hip and knee joints?”
“I’d expect they had them melted down. At least they’d have recouped a small percentage of what they’d invested, though I’m sure it was still a drop in the bucket. That’s providing they followed the court order and destroyed them.”
“You have your doubts?”
“It had to have cost them a ton of money. The FDA would have been all over them, though. At least at first. How are your waffles?”
“Delicious, but I’m pretty full. Are you ready to go?”
“I’ll meet you back at the hospital.”
Sara called Scott from the car on the way.
“Scott, I just saw Travis. We had breakfast and I am on the way to the hospital. He has a new treatment he wants me to try. For my dystonia. I’ll explain later.”
“Be careful, Sis. Don’t be alone with him. Ever.”
She pulled into the parking garage just behind the blue truck. She lagged behind until they were safely inside the hospital, then followed him into his office.
“Has it gotten worse? Have you noticed having trouble in any other activities besides oboe playing?”
“Not really. Still occasionally dropping a glass or my keys, but it’s been isolated to my left hand, thank goodness. I’m still able to make oboes.”
He examined her hand, had her grip a rubber ball, and tested her reflexes. “The new drug needs to be taken with food twice a day. In the study, the subjects saw lessening of their symptoms after 4-6 weeks.”
“Are there any side effects?”
“Headaches, nausea. That’s why they say take it with food. I have samples for you to try. Got them from the internist I work with. They’re in the other room, I’ll be right back.”
She saw his phone vibrate through his thin white coat. He shut the door behind him, but she opened it a crack and moved closer when she heard Travis talking.
“Yes, Medivision factory. Orchard Road. Noon. I’ll be there.”
Several minutes later, he returned with the samples. “Here you go. If you tolerate it well, we’ll get you a prescription. Here’s hoping.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll drop by tonight. Will you be home?”
She didn’t want to be alone with him after what they’d discovered. “I’m having dinner with my parents. Gotta go.”
Noon at the Medivision factory. She called Scott and arranged to meet him there. She hoped he had a plan. She knew spying would be involved and wasn’t at all sure how she’d go unnoticed. I hope Scott’s army training comes in handy.
Her heart beat quickly on the way to the Medivision factory. If she and Scott could get proof that Medivision continued using the recalled parts and that Travis was involved in the cover-up, she was sure they could nail him for Ellie’s murder. How could I be so wrong about Travis? It’d be a long while before she’d trust her judgment in men again. If ever. She turned do
wn Orchard Road to the Medivision factory. She looked for Scott’s car but he hadn’t yet arrived. She saw Travis’s truck and parked at the opposite end of the lot. He’s here, just like he said he’d be. She turned off the engine and waited.
Where is he? It’s already 12:20 and Scott is always on time, even before the army. I’m freezing in here. She stroked the soft, new scarf around her neck. She called and texted but got no response from Scott. We are going to miss the entire transaction if he doesn’t show up soon. Another ten minutes passed. That’s it. I’m going to see if it’s possible to look in the window.
She locked the car and jogged up to the building. She crept along the outside, hunting for a window, like she’d done at the cabin when they were searching for Preston Montague. That turned out well. Even if she spotted Travis speaking to the higher-ups at Medivision, she wouldn’t be able to hear the conversation. Without Scott’s help, she had no idea what she was doing. I’ll go back to the car. I have no plan and I’ll just wind up tipping them off. Before she could turn around, someone grabbed her from behind, knocking the breath out of her.
Chapter 33
She kicked and struggled like in her nightmare, past the point of fatigue. She fought as she felt him pulling her kicking and squirming body toward the parking lot. She tried to scream, but his hand was clenched tightly over her mouth. So tight that she felt her jaw squeezing together. I can barely breathe. If I had enough slack, I’d take a bite out of his hand. But I don’t.
When he dragged her into the parking lot, she dug her heels in and felt the back of her ankles scrape against the gravel. He hadn’t uttered a word, but the vague smell of woodsy cologne gave him away.
She went limp, figuring dead weight would be harder to drag. Still facing the factory, she had no idea where he was taking her. Then, he stopped. He lifted her and pushed her into the front of a truck. A truck she’d ridden in before.
I knew it was him. How could I have been stupid enough to get into this situation? Scott warned me. Travis had her captive in the front cab of his truck.
“Shush! If you calm down, I’ll take my hand away. It’s not what you think.”
She’d heard those words recently enough from Preston Montague. She forced herself to hold still. She nodded, and felt her numb cheeks come to life as he released his grip. “Why are you doing this? I know you killed Ellie and I suppose I’m next. I trusted you. You’re in on this whole recall scandal. Do you get a cut for each patient you send for surgery?”
“You’ve got it all wrong. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Then why did you abduct me and throw me into your truck against my will? Why did you lie about being close to Ellie and being at her house the night she was murdered? You didn’t have the courtesy to tell me your real name. Where have you been sneaking off to, Cameron?”
He seemed taken off guard. “So you know. How did you find out?”
“I saw the prescription in your bathroom. Then I found the orange ski cap in your parka lining. Scott works intelligence and it didn’t take him long to figure you out.”
“You have to keep my identity a secret. My life depends on it; I’ll explain later. Hear me out. I was about to get a tour of this factory. I have a spy camera in my pocket, see? I found it on Amazon. I was planning on getting evidence that Medivision hadn’t destroyed the recalled joints after all. You were about to ruin it for me. That’s why I grabbed you before anyone discovered you.”
“If you’re on my side and didn’t murder Ellie, you have a lot of explaining to do. Did you get the spy camera from the same site you bought the tracker you put on Ellie’s car?”
“Tracker? On Ellie’s car? What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about. Scott found it.”
“Look, brace yourself. I didn’t kill Ellie. I’m…you have to swear you’ll keep this to yourself or my life will be at risk…I’m in the witness protection program. Yes, my real name is Cameron Stokes, but the agents faked my death and gave me a new identity here in New York.”
“I’ve known a few pathological liars in my lifetime but this takes the cake.”
“Please, just hear me out.”
“You aren’t from Chicago, either.”
“No. Seattle.”
“Seattle. Scott was right.”
“Your brother knows who I am? Great. I stopped at a convenience store late one night after a long day of surgery. I didn’t think I’d make it home without coffee. Two armed robbers burst in and started shooting. They shot the owner and all the customers in the store. They shot at me and by some miracle, missed. I played dead, then ran out the back as soon as I had the chance. I saw both men clearly. I was the only witness left alive that night.”
“You helped the police identify them. That doesn’t explain the witness protection overkill.”
“I was the only witness left alive. This wasn’t their only crime. When I described them to the police, they knew right away who the men were. Members of a dangerous gang responsible for dozens of deaths.”
“Seriously? Do you hear yourself?”
“They’d been after them for years but could never get enough evidence or a witness to hold up in court. I agreed to testify, but the police said the gang would kill me if I did. They have far reaching connections, even from prison. The only way to testify and stay alive was to enter the witness protection program.”
“You left your family behind?”
“My parents. Breaks my heart every time I think of them. They think I died in a car crash. I had to leave behind any evidence of my previous life and start over. Couldn’t even continue orthopedic surgery in case they realize I’m alive and look for me through professional channels.”
“And the disappearing act you pulled the other night? My mother made extra food just because you were coming. And being a no show at Grandpa’s birthday party? That party was a big deal to all of us.”
“I had to go back and forth to court whenever they needed me. Never knew when the Marshal was going to pick me up. It’s not like they allowed me to tell you.”
“I saw you arguing with a man outside your front door before one of your little disappearing acts.”
“Yes, the Marshal assigned to my case. I was asking if I could delay the trip, and, of course, he said no.”
“You had nothing to do with Ellie’s murder? Why were you at her house that night?”
“She confided in me that she suspected Medivision was still using the recalled joints. I’d been helping her compare data.”
“That’s why I found the notebook with her handwriting in your coffee table.”
“You found…never mind. The night she was murdered, she called and asked me if I’d go to my office and bring back copies of patient files––physical therapy patients who had previously undergone hip replacement surgery. I was bringing them to her when I ran into you on the road that night.”
“No way. Why didn’t you tell the police?”
“I didn’t want them to know my identity either. The Marshal said to tell no one.”
“You’d been working with Ellie. What about Jailyn?”
“We suspected she was involved. She was using Medivision products and there was a connection between her and the CEO of the company. Ellie caught them whispering.”
“And I saw them together at the restaurant. When was Ellie going to tell the police?”
“She said that with my files, she thought she’d have the proof she needed.”
“What proof?”
“She said she’d explain when I got there. She was working as a whistleblower, gathering evidence against Medivision. When I went over, she was already dead.”
“You’re the second man Brayden saw that night. The one wearing the parka and orange ski cap.”
“Yes, but I wish I knew who the first man was. The older man in the dress coat and baseball cap. He must be Ellie’s killer.”
“Where are those files?”
“I brought
them back to the office. I didn’t see anything useful in there.”
“If you found her before I arrived, why didn’t you call the police? You saw a dead body and just went back home to watch TV?”
“I couldn’t have my picture splashed all over the national news for finding a dead body. I had to, have to, stay beneath the radar. I was heading back out to pick up an untraceable burner phone, but when I opened the door, I heard the sirens and knew it was too late.”
“So, what are you doing here at the Medivision plant? What did you mean when you said I was going to blow it?”
“I have a tour scheduled. I’m already late. As a physical therapist, I’m a potential customer. I was hoping to find some physical evidence they haven’t complied with the recall.”
“Is it too late?”
“I’m late, but it’s the middle of the day. I’ll bet they’re still willing to accommodate me.”
“Let’s go.”
“You can’t come with me. That would be totally suspicious.”
“Say I’m your nurse or assistant.”
“I’m not sure they’d buy it. You’ve been to Ellie’s office, right?”
“Yeah, but the only rep who’d recognize me is Camaya and she wouldn’t say anything. Besides, why would the reps be hanging out at the factory anyway? While you distract the guide with questions, I can be snapping pictures with your little spy cam.”
“I don’t know.”
“Think how many lives we may be saving if we expose this sham.”
“Okay, but just nod and smile.” He grabbed a legal pad from the glove compartment. “Pretend you’re taking notes.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Ready?”
“Yes, sir. Let’s go.”
At the front desk, Travis made up a story about having car trouble and hoping he could still get a tour. Sara looked at the wall and saw a picture of the CEO, Craig Danalchek. He was wearing a captain’s hat and standing in front of a yacht!
The receptionist picked up the phone. “Okay, I’ll send them back.”
Within minutes, they had their very own tour guide. His speech began like a late night infomercial.
