The Deadliest Institution Collection

by Holly Copella

  Jacey knew he was feeling trapped and would soon kill her despite his feelings for her. She stared at him and attempted to remain calm until she could think of a way out. Nothing came to mind.

  He motioned toward the morgue with his gun. “Inside,” he ordered. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Jacey backed against the wall near the door. Her heart pounded harshly and she breathed rapidly. There was a shadowy movement just down the hall behind Jameson. Jacey’s mouth opened slightly with a glimmer of hope, though she didn’t know who it was. She looked back at Jameson and held her breath. She needed to be brave just a minute longer. Her eyes strayed to the diamond tennis bracelet around her wrist. What would Asher do? Her eyes suddenly narrowed and lifted to meet Jameson’s gaze. Her look was chilling and nearly psychotic.

  “Poor pathetic Jameson,” she hissed while sneering. “Dr. Talbert is dead, and by now, those girls have told the others about your involvement. You won’t be getting away with anything.” A twisted smile crossed her face as she portrayed Asher. “They know all about you.”

  Maxwell appeared in the glow of the red lights with the rusted sling blade in his hands. He no longer wore his jacket, revealing the blood on the shoulder of his white shirt. She attempted to keep her attention on Jameson, but she couldn’t get her mind off Maxwell’s blood or the nearly psychotic look on his face. She knew she needed to be strong now more than ever. She needed to play Asher another minute longer.

  Jameson laughed lowly in his throat while shaking his head. “I know what you’re up too, but it won’t work.”

  “Give it up, Jameson,” she scoffed and maintained her psychotic demeanor. “Give it up, and maybe you’ll make it out of here alive.” She suddenly grinned and almost mocked him. “But I’m not making any promises.”

  By the look in his eyes, something about her struck a nerve with Jameson. He seemed unusually tense now. His arrogant smile again returned.

  “Nice try,” he announced. “But, if you don’t mind, I’m short on time.”

  “No,” she replied while sneering. “I’d say you’re out of time.”

  As Maxwell coiled back, the sling blade parted the air with a distinctive sound. Jameson spun from the sound and gasped to the sight of the sling blade swinging at his head. Jameson ducked. The blade struck the stone wall and cracked the cement. Maxwell pulled back with a loud, animal like growl and swung downward at Jameson, who attempted to aim his gun. Jameson cried out and rolled. The blade sliced Jameson’s side, almost impaling him with the long blade. Jameson cast himself against the wall in a sitting position and aimed the gun at Maxwell. Jacey cried out and kicked Jameson’s arm. The gun flew in the air and slid into the shadows. Maxwell slung the blade as Jameson dove in the direction of the gun. The blade struck the floor roughly, causing sparks. The blade snapped in two. Maxwell tossed it aside and lunged for Jameson. Both men punched each other violently while rolling around the floor. Maxwell punched Jameson several times while straddling his waist. Jameson tossed Maxwell off him. Maxwell tumbled across the floor and clutched his shoulder in agony. He slowly moved to his knees.

  Jameson removed the scalpel from his pocket and quickly stood. Jacey screamed and pulled Maxwell to his feet. They ran along the corridor and ducked into one of the darker rooms. Maxwell stopped by the sole red light in the large storage room and smashed the bulb. They ran through the darkness. He toppled several boxes behind them. Jacey could hear Jameson fall over the boxes in the darkness. They continued to run for several minutes until they reached the stairs to the west wing and the gardener’s workshop just before them. Maxwell skidded to a halt and pulled her toward the stairs.

  “This way. The west wing,” he announced while gasping for air.

  Jacey pulled on him harshly in the direction of the workshop. “No, this way!”

  Maxwell ran after her. They entered the workshop and slammed the door, bolting it behind them. Maxwell breathed heavily and clutched his shoulder painfully. He looked around the workshop and grabbed a hedge clipper. Jacey grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the door.

  “Don’t be stupid,” she shouted.

  †

  Within the cluttered basement, someone in black dress shoes slipped through the dimly lit area and approached the gas cans stolen from Asher’s house. Black gloved hands dropped the bloodied ax on the floor then lifted the first gas can and doused nearby mattresses with the flammable substance. A match was lit and tossed onto the mattress. The gas ignited and flames swiftly engulfed the mattress against the wall. As the flames brightened the room, Mayor Howard Norad removed his blood covered, black gloves and tossed them into the flames.

  Chapter Thirty

  Maxwell and Jacey ran from the workshop into the cool night air. The tied horses jumped nervously while watching them. There was a thump against the inside door of the workshop. They ran toward the horses. Jacey untied the paint and mounted without use of the stirrups, allowing the slit in her dress to tear several inches from the sudden movement. There was a loud crack from the workshop. Maxwell untied the black horse and attempted to mount with lack of experience on the nervously dancing horse. There was a crack of a gunshot. Maxwell spun and fell to the ground. The paint horse reared high in the air with a loud squeal. Jacey maintained her balance and stared at Maxwell on the ground while attempting to control the paint horse. She looked to the workshop. Jameson stood in the doorway with his gun aimed at her. Jacey kicked the horse sharply as her only escape. The horse squealed and reared high in the air then bolted forward. She’d forgotten Storm Cloud’s soft touch, and it cost her dearly. She toppled off the back of the horse and hit the ground roughly. Jacey lay motionless a moment as she gasped to catch her breath. Jameson approached. She slowly rolled onto her side and attempted to stand. Jameson aimed the gun at her head. Jacey stared at him from where she knelt. Her eyes remained fixed on the gun he held.

  “Goodbye, Jacey,” he said simply.

  Maxwell grabbed Jacey from behind on the ground with her and shielded her in his arms. Jameson’s finger tightened on the trigger.

  “Haven’t you forgotten something?” came the all too familiar voice from behind him.

  Jameson’s eyes widened. Maxwell and Jacey looked up from their huddled position on the ground. Jameson spun to face Asher while aiming his gun. Asher plunged the long dagger into Jameson’s throat and straight through the back of his neck. Jameson’s eyes widened as blood flowed from his mouth. The gun fired in his hand, shooting Asher at close range. Asher was thrown backward and forcibly struck the side of the building. His eyes rolled back, and he slid down the wall.

  “No!” Jacey screamed as she pulled out of Maxwell’s arms and sprang to her feet.

  Maxwell was now on his feet and staggered after her. Jacey ran to Asher’s side and pulled his jacket away from the shoulder wound. The bullet had gone straight through. She looked back at Maxwell, who held his own bleeding shoulder.

  “Stay with him. Keep pressure on the wound,” Maxwell called out. “I’ll get an ambulance.” He attempted to run to the front of the institution.

  Jacey applied pressure to Asher’s shoulder wound. He gasped loudly and jerked awake from his unconscious state. He looked at her with some disorientation. His eyes rolled shut.

  “Katie,” he gasped softly while smiling and touched her face. “I thought I’d lost you.”

  Jacey moved closer to him and clung to his neck. “Oh, Asher,” she gasped softly. “You’re going to be fine. An ambulance will be here soon.” She pulled away just far enough to look into his eyes and forced a smile. She knew that was a lie and that they’d never get to him in time. “It’s going to be fine,” she said as tears rolled down her cheeks.

  His eyes once more opened. His hand stroked her hair. “I won’t ever leave you, Katie.”

  His mouth covered hers, and he kissed her passionately. Jacey tensed with surprise then returned the kiss. Asher’s arm slipped from her shoulder, and he lie motionless. Jacey’s mouth opened
with horror as the tears flowed.

  “Asher?” she gasped.

  Sirens could be heard in the distance. Jacey lifted her head with confusion. Maxwell couldn’t have gotten help already. The nearest ambulance was half an hour away. The fire trucks, police cars, a taxi, and ambulance pulled onto the institution grounds. They were responding to the fire alarm Asher pulled in the west wing! Jacey sprang to her feet and threw her bloodied hands in the air. A dark figure was seen fleeing from the workshop not far from her.

  “Over here,” she cried out and wildly waved her arms to the approaching ambulance. “Here!”

  There was a loud squeal from a horse. Jacey spun around and saw Mayor Norad climb on top of the paint horse. He spun the horse into a tight circle then sent the horse into a gallop across the back lawn. The ambulance crew rushed around the building. Monique, Coleen, Timon, and Sheriff Monroe came out through the workshop entrance. Timon and Sheriff Monroe pulled a barely standing Brian from the building. Timon released Brian and ran past the ambulance crew attending to Asher.

  “There’s a fire in the basement!” Timon cried out and pointed to the workshop.

  Monique ran across the lawn and stared after Mayor Norad riding her horse across the estate. The disgust was evident on her face. She placed her fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly. The big paint skidded to a halt and slung its large head while Howard fought it with the reins. Monique whistled again. The horse slung its head violently, kicked out its back legs, and bolted back toward the institution despite the taunt reins. Howard fought the horse. The horse ran directly for Monique. She firmly placed her hands in front of her.

  “Whoa!”

  The horse skidded to a halt. She raised her hand high in the air with a cluck of her tongue. The horse snorted and reared up, pawing the air with its hooves on command. Howard toppled off the back of the horse, landing on his backside. He sprang to his feet and ran across the grounds. Monroe yelled and ran after him. The sheriff stopped halfway across the grounds and fired a warning shot. Howard didn’t stop. He passed through the back gate and disappeared into the woods with Sheriff Monroe in hot pursuit. Jacey hurried alongside the stretcher, holding Asher’s hand as they approached the ambulance. Another paramedic escorted Maxwell to the ambulance as well. Professor limped toward them with a look of astonishment on his face.

  “What did I miss?” he asked in an airy breath.

  Jacey looked at Professor. “Watch the girls,” she instructed and climbed into the ambulance with Asher and Maxwell.

  The doors slammed shut and the ambulance sped off. Professor walked toward the small group as the paramedic tended to Brian, who was an off-white color.

  “What happened?” Professor asked with knitted brows. “What’s going on?”

  Monique and Coleen saw Professor. Both screamed and ran to him. They hugged him happily and talked at once. He calmed them, held onto both of them, and looked from Doc and Timon to Brian.

  “What happened to you?” Professor asked Brian.

  Brian looked up and shivered while clinging to the blanket around his shoulders. “I--I locked myself in a freezer.”

  Professor tilted his head with disbelief then looked at the bloodied body of Deputy Jameson. The firefighters pulled the hose in through the workshop and worked frantically. Professor looked back at his colleagues.

  “I don’t suppose anyone wants to hear about my evening, huh?” he remarked.

  Monique and Coleen tugged on Professor’s arms.

  “We have to go to the hospital,” Coleen begged.

  Monique nodded. “We made a terrible mistake about Asher. Now he might die.”

  “That’s the guy who took me to the hospital,” Professor said simply. “Was that him on the stretcher?”

  Both girls nodded.

  “Professor, why don’t you and Timon take the girls to the hospital and keep Jacey company? Angela and I will look after Brian and assist the fire department,” Doc announced and nodded them away.

  Professor nodded. Timon hurried after them.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Jacey, looking worse for wear in her torn dress, walked along the hospital corridor with Monique and Coleen. It was a little after midnight. A nurse stormed out of the last room on the right. Jacey paused by the doorway. The nurse looked at her and frowned.

  “Are you going in there?” she asked firmly.

  Jacey slowly nodded.

  “Lord help you,” the nurse scoffed and walked away.

  The nurse was heard muttering the entire way down the hall. Jacey wondered what had happened and uncertainly entered the room first. She could hear two male voices arguing loudly. Asher and Maxwell lie in their respective beds while aiming their remotes at the sole television in the middle of the room. The channel switched back and forth. Jacey paused near the foot end of Asher’s bed and stared at both men disapprovingly. She cleared her throat and folded her arms across her chest. Both men looked at her. Asher tossed the remote aside and looked at Maxwell with a broad smile.

  “Television’s yours. I have visitors,” Asher said while reaching for the curtain and pulled it shut.

  Maxwell pulled it open with a frown. “They’re my visitors too,” he sulked.

  “Knock it off you two,” Jacey snapped. “You sound like a couple of children.”

  Both silenced, appeared scolded, and looked at her. Monique and Coleen entered the room while looking down at the floor with sorrowful expressions.

  “Monique and Coleen would like to talk to you, Asher,” Jacey said gently then nodded them toward him.

  Jacey walked between the two beds and pulled the curtain for privacy. Monique and Coleen approached Asher’s bed.

  “We’re so sorry about how we treated you the last couple of days,” Coleen said softly.

  Monique nodded. “We were scared, and we didn’t know what to do, especially after what we’d seen--”

  Asher smiled warmly. “I understand that you were frightened. After all the things you’d been told about me by Deputy Jameson, you had every right not to trust me.” He inhaled deeply then cringed with some discomfort to his shoulder. His smile returned. “I hope I hadn’t upset you too much with what I had to do in the corridor.”

  They shrugged.

  “I think we’ll survive the trauma,” Monique teased.

  Jacey sat on the edge of Maxwell’s bed on the other side of the curtain and smiled reassuringly. “They’re keeping both of you overnight just for observation.”

  Maxwell chuckled softly and raised his brows. “I think our nurse is in for a long night,” he announced. “Your friend is a terrible patient.”

  “I heard that,” came Asher’s voice from the other side of the curtain.

  “You were meant to!” Maxwell shouted back at the curtain. Maxwell then returned his attention to Jacey. “I can’t believe I was shot and stabbed in the same night.” He appeared to consider. “In the same shoulder too. What are the odds?”

  She smiled and shrugged. “I’d say pretty good,” she remarked. “Jameson was obviously a lousy shot.”

  “I’m grateful to that,” he replied. “Are the others coming?”

  Jacey nodded. “Brian wanted to come along, so Doc and Angela are going to bring him in an hour or so. Professor is with Timon in the emergency room. He needed stitches on his arm. They’ll be up just as soon as he’s been seen.”

  Maxwell looked at her torn evening dress and stockings then met her gaze. He smiled timidly and raised his brows. “So--did you enjoy the party?”

  Jacey hid her smile and shook her head while laughing softly. “No, not really, but it certainly wasn’t boring. I think we should spend a quiet evening at home on our next date.”

  Maxwell gently tilted his head and smiled timidly. “You really want to go out with me?”

  “Yes, I really do,” she replied warmly and stroked his hand. “I’m looking forward to spending time with you.” She leaned closer and kissed him on the lips. Jacey pulled away and gent
ly bit her lower lip.

  His smile broadened. “I’m not doing anything for the next fifty years,” he said and gently stroked her lower arm without looking into her eyes.

  Jacey giggled softly, kissed his cheek, and whispered in his ear. “Neither am I.”

  The curtain bounced as something struck it. “It’s too quiet over there,” Asher snapped.

  Maxwell held Jacey in his arms and moaned softly. “And I thought Timon made a terrible roommate.”

  “Talking about me?” came Timon’s voice from the foot end of the bed. He stared at them and grinned. “Oh, Asher! He has her in his bed!” Timon laughed evilly.

  Professor, Monique, and Coleen peeked around the curtain as well. Jacey cleared her throat and stood while blushing. She pointed to the curtain.

  “I’ll be right next door.”

  Jacey walked toward the foot of the bed and playfully smacked Timon as she passed. She walked around the corner and saw Asher holding a stuffed teddy bear in a hospital gown. He looked up at her and smiled.

  “Look what your friends got for me,” Asher said with a boyish grin.

  Jacey approached his bed and sat on the edge facing him. “I think they’re your friends now too,” she said warmly.

  “I think you might be right. Our first official poker game is the day after tomorrow,” he said with a tiny laugh. “I like them. They’re a nice bunch.”

  Jacey placed her hand on his with tears in her eyes. “I was really afraid you were going to leave me,” she said softly.

  He squeezed her hand and mocked her with his smile. “You couldn’t get rid of me even if you tried. I’m beginning to think I’m immortal or something,” he teased warmly. “The doctor said the gunshot wasn’t bad. He was more worried about my concussion when I hit the wall.”