The Deadliest Institution Collection

by Holly Copella

  The conversation continued in the same direction for nearly half an hour. All three cleaned dishes after dinner. The phone rang, startling Sidney, though she attempted to hide it. She picked up the kitchen receiver.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Sidney?” came an unfamiliar male voice. “It’s Denny. Is Billy there?”

  “Uh, yeah,” she replied with some confusion then handed the phone to Billy. “It’s Denny.”

  Billy looked puzzled. “Really?” He took the phone from her. “Yeah, Denny?”

  Sidney walked toward her father as he rinsed the dishes and looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Both shared the same look of concern.

  Billy made few comments in the two-minute conversation. “Thanks, Denny.” He hung up the phone and turned toward them with a strange look in his eyes.

  Sidney looked back at him as her father dried his hands. “Something wrong?” she asked gently.

  Billy frowned and shook his head. “It would appear someone’s broken into my house. I hope it’s not Harlan. I’m not in the mood to deal with him tonight.” He held his breath then attempted a polite smile. “I don’t mean to eat and run, but I’d better see what’s happening.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Sidney said quickly.

  She could feel her father’s eyes but didn’t bother to look at him. She didn’t want to hear him lecture. Billy nodded and headed toward the living room and the front door. Sidney’s father grabbed her arm before she could follow. She jumped with concern as he stuck the gun down the back of her pants.

  “You better know what you’re doing,” he muttered lowly while staring into her eyes.

  Sidney nodded then hurried from the kitchen and grabbed a jacket as she followed Billy out of the house. They walked briskly along the sidewalk, heading toward the development.

  “I assure you,” Sidney announced simply. “It’s not Harlan. He went to the hospital with Trisha’s mother.”

  As they passed Trisha’s house, Sidney subconsciously turned her head. Harlan’s rental car was in the driveway, which surprised her. When Harlan got out of his car and walked toward them, Sidney thought she’d die. Billy stopped when he saw Harlan.

  “Sidney, where are you going?” Harlan demanded to know and glared at Billy.

  “Someone broke into Billy’s house,” she remarked simply.

  Harlan grabbed her arm and slung her behind him without releasing her. He pointed a warning finger at Billy.

  “Let’s get something straight right now,” Harlan growled lowly. “She’s my girlfriend, not yours. Whatever was between you two is over.”

  Billy’s eyes narrowed with anger. “I don’t know who you think you’re talking to,” he snapped, “but I don’t like the way you’re treating her.”

  Harlan raised a cocky brow. “The way I treat her is none of your concern.”

  Sidney became painfully aware of what Harlan was attempting to do. He was giving Lyle time to get out of Billy’s house by picking a fight.

  “Harlan, stop this,” Sidney gasped loudly and pulled her arm from his hand. She was genuinely concerned for Harlan’s health. Billy was bigger, younger, and stronger than Harlan. “I’m not some possession!”

  Harlan glared at her but kept Billy in view. “I will not share you with another man, Sidney. You knew that the other night. Either we date exclusively, or it’s over.”

  Sidney stared at Harlan with her mouth open. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to respond. Which answer would provide Lyle the time he needed to escape and also keep Billy from beating Harlan senseless? She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

  “How dare you threaten me?” she snapped lowly and looked him up and down. “I don’t recall exclusive rights being part of that conversation.”

  “We’re about to have a whole new conversation,” Harlan snarled and raised his brows. “Wait in my car. I want a word with Billy boy.”

  Sidney stared at Harlan, uncertain how to react.

  He raised his brows sharply. “Wait in the car.”

  Sidney drew a deep breath. “Fine,” she snapped. “We’re going to talk all right.”

  She walked away from the men, uncertain of her next move. She hoped she’d be able to keep Billy occupied while she had it out with Harlan. When she looked back, Harlan and Billy were rolling on the ground, punching each other. A car pulled into the driveway and slowed upon seeing the men fighting on the ground. Lyle got out of his car and watched the two men with surprise. He shook his head with a frown, walked toward the house, removed the garden hose, and showered cold water on both men. They jumped apart and sprang to their feet while breathing heavily. Lyle shut off the hose and cast it aside.

  “I don’t know who either of you are,” Lyle announced gruffly. “But I suggest you get off my aunt’s property before I call the police.”

  Both stared at him while dripping wet.

  Harlan approached Sidney. “Let’s go,” he said firmly and nodded toward his car.

  Lyle placed his arm around Sidney’s shoulder and pulled her against his side. “Uh, I think you’d better stay with me, Sidney,” he announced and glared at the two, soaked men. “I don’t trust either of these characters.”

  Sidney placed her arms around Lyle’s waist and hugged him. “I’m so glad to see you, Cousin Lyle.”

  He laughed softly and returned the hug. “I bet you are. We have some old times to catch up on.” Lyle turned her toward the house then glared at Harlan and motioned with his hand. “Go on. Get out of here. You’re wrecking the lawn.”

  Chapter Forty

  Sidney entered the house with Lyle and watched as he closed the door behind them. Once the door was closed, both looked out the separation in the curtains. Harlan backed out of the driveway, and Billy continued in the direction of his house.

  “What happened?” Sidney asked Lyle with a concerned look in her eyes.

  Lyle smiled and laughed, humored at the snafu. “One of the neighbors must have seen me enter the house, though I can’t imagine how. It’s so much easier at night in the dark,” he remarked lowly. “Anyway, the snitch decides he’s going to capture me himself.”

  Sidney’s eyes widened. “What did you do?”

  “Locked him in the pantry.”

  “Did he see you?”

  “Not with a pillowcase over his head,” Lyle remarked simply and cast himself into the reclining chair. “There’s a reason why I’ve never been caught.” His smile brightened. “I’m just too damned clever.”

  Sidney laughed and shook her head. “I’d better call my parents before they worry themselves to death.”

  Lyle jumped out of the chair. “I’m starving,” he boldly announced. “I wonder if Trisha’s mother has any leftovers in the fridge?”

  Sidney followed Lyle into the kitchen. He was a work of art. She called her parents from the kitchen phone, telling them not to worry and everyone was all right. She watched Lyle remove several packs of lunchmeat. Sidney hung up the phone, leaned against the counter, and watched him build a sandwich. He smelled one of the packages then made a face.

  “This one’s no good,” he announced with disgust and cast it aside. “Should have grabbed lunch at the doc’s house. He had fresh turkey in his fridge.”

  “You looked in his refrigerator?” she asked with some surprise while staring at him.

  He looked at her innocently. “I get hungry when I work.” He removed some mayonnaise from the refrigerator.

  Sidney casually turned and leaned on her elbows to watch him. “Have you ever killed anyone?”

  He ate a piece of ham and gave her a surprised look. “No, it’s not in my nature to kill.”

  “Did you steal a lot?” she asked while raising her brows.

  He placed the last slice of bread on top of the sandwich and shrugged without looking at her. “Enough.” He then looked at her. “When I went straight, I gave most of it back.”

  Sidney gave him a surprised look. “That’s a little
hard to believe.”

  “Didn’t say you had to believe me,” he replied simply and took a bite from the sandwich. “But I have nothing to gain by lying to you.”

  He sat at the kitchen table with his thick sandwich. Sidney joined him at the table and sat across from him.

  “Why’d you decide to go straight?”

  He stood, approached the refrigerator, and removed a can of soda. Lyle returned to the table and sat down. “A woman,” he replied simply while sliding his chair closer to the table.

  “You fell in love with a woman and went straight?” she asked with a tiny, romantic smile.

  He lifted his eyes above his sandwich. “No, she nearly shot me. When I stared down the barrel of that shotgun, I realized it was time to choose a new profession.”

  “Were you arrested?” Sidney asked with wide eyes.

  He smirked. “Uh--no. She wasn’t interested in calling the police; just wanted me dead. I disarmed her just before she fired. Shot a hole right through her ceiling. I made a hasty exit out the back door.” He opened the can of soda.

  “So why give the money back?” she asked.

  “I wasn’t really in it for the money. I just wanted to prove I could do it,” he replied simply. He drank some soda and studied her a long moment. “I know what you’re thinking. You think Trisha can do a lot better than an ex-burglar.”

  “No, I didn’t think that at all. You made a couple of wrong choices, but your heart seems to be in the right place,” she replied. “Trisha needs something more than what she has right now, and I think you’d be good for her. That is if you want her.”

  He smiled charmingly and leaned back in the kitchen chair. “Well, that’s a fresh opinion. Usually, when I’m honest, decent women get all uptight.”

  “Are you serious about wanting to see Trisha?” Sidney asked while giving him a curious look. “You weren’t just telling her what she needed to hear?”

  “No, I was serious.”

  “You’ll have to tell her about your past,” Sidney stated simply. “She’s really touchy about secrets.”

  “She already knows,” he replied simply and continued to eat his sandwich. “We talked for several hours. I’ve always found women difficult to talk to, but Trisha was different.”

  Sidney laughed softly. “Yes, Trisha is very different. The two of you will have entertaining stories to swap.”

  “What I find ironic is her obsession with this murder,” he remarked. “The entire evening we spent together, she never once mentioned Emily Fisher.”

  “That is strange,” Sidney replied.

  The front door opened. Sidney sprang to her feet and hurried to the living room. Harlan entered the house wearing clean, dry clothing. He bolted past Sidney and entered the kitchen.

  “I suppose you thought that was funny,” Harlan snapped angrily at his friend.

  Lyle leaned back in his chair and smiled with a childlike innocence. “I could have allowed that ape to beat the crap out of you, but that wouldn’t have been very nice on my behalf,” he teased. “And, yes, I thought it was funny.”

  Harlan groaned and shook his head. “At least tell me you found something useful.”

  “Plenty of useful stuff,” Lyle replied. “But nothing to convict a man of murder.”

  Harlan frowned and collapsed in the kitchen chair Sidney once occupied.

  “There was an empty bottle of Thorazine,” Lyle said simply. “With the hospital label on it, I might add. I found a phone in the doc’s bedroom, one in the kitchen, one in the hall, but none in the grandmother’s room. There was an extra phone in the doc’s closet, though, which I found a bit strange.” Lyle shook his head. “There should have been a needle mark on her arm somewhere. The sheriff should have insisted upon an autopsy after seeing a needle mark, even if he knew she’d been given an injection.”

  “Sheriff Drukard isn’t very observant,” Sidney replied simply. “When Emily Fisher was found, they had to call the police from Brighten. Drukard didn’t want to admit it, but he didn’t even know where to begin.”

  “As I remember it,” Harlan added. “He was traipsing all over the murder scene.”

  “How did he get that job?” Lyle said while shaking his head in disbelief. “Sounds to me like this town would be an excellent breeding ground for a criminal. Stupid sheriff and no one even locks their doors.”

  “He was deputy when the first sheriff retired,” Harlan stated. “I remember that was a couple of months before I arrived. Herb was complaining about it.”

  “Trisha expressed her opinion as well,” Sidney added. “Even back then, Drukard thought she was trouble.” She sighed with disgust and leaned against the wall near the table. “We’re never going to prove Billy killed either of them. Sam and Mrs. Randall were the only ones who knew anything, and they’re both conveniently dead.”

  “I could search the tavern,” Lyle announced simply. “Sam lived above it, didn’t he?”

  Harlan inhaled deeply. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt, but I doubt if you’ll find anything to incriminate Billy.” Harlan then looked at Sidney. “What time are visiting hours at the prison?”

  Sidney’s brows rose with some surprise. “I doubt they’re open anymore tonight. Do you want to visit Alex?”

  “He’s the only one left who might know something,” Harlan replied. “After Alex, I’m fresh out of witnesses.”

  Lyle stood with a sigh. “Well, I have work to do.” He smiled deviously and placed a hand on Harlan’s shoulder. “Don’t you kids wait up for me.” He tossed his soda can in the garbage and left the kitchen.

  “I suppose I should walk you back to your parents’ house,” Harlan said gently.

  “What do you intend to do?” Sidney asked.

  “There’s a pub not far from the hospital,” he replied. “I guess I’ll go there for some dinner and a couple of shots.”

  “I could use a drink too,” Sidney moaned lowly.

  Harlan stood and took her hand. “Come on. Let’s get sloshed.”

  Sidney stopped him. “Wait,” she announced with a devious smile. “I have a better idea.” Sidney opened one of the lower cupboard doors and removed a bottle of brandy. “Trisha’s mother is staying at the hospital all night. Why don’t we stay here, watch some movies, and kill this bottle?”

  Harlan smirked and laughed softly. “There’s a pizza place just outside town. I’ll pick up a pizza, and you pick some movies. And, please, something amusing. I’ve had enough seriousness and drama to last me a lifetime.”

  Chapter Forty-one

  Sidney and Harlan sat on the floor against the sofa and watched the movie of non-stop laughter while drinking steadily. Both were fairly drunk by the end of the first movie. Sidney put the second movie in while Harlan replenished their drinks from the bottle sitting on the coffee table. Sidney sat on her feet and attempted to figure out which way the tape should be inserted. They kept the lights off so no one would know they were in the house. Mary wouldn’t mind, but she feared Billy might decide to return and cause a scene. The doors and windows were locked, and the shades were drawn so that they could have a quiet, dull evening. She started the tape and crawled back to her spot by the sofa. Harlan collapsed on the sofa and watched her while snickering.

  Sidney looked up at him and smiled drunkenly. “What’s so funny?”

  “I don’t really know,” he replied with a soft laugh and handed her the drink as she returned to the sofa, collapsing alongside him. “I guess I’ve just never seen you drunk before. You’re so grown up.”

  Sidney set her drink on the coffee table before them, placed her arm on Harlan’s shoulder, and leaned against him to watch the movie. It took her nearly ten minutes to realize his right hand was on her knee. Her heart pounded as a dull ache swept through her body. While Harlan watched the movie, Sidney now watched him. The alcohol seemed to enhance her feelings for him beyond any rationalization. His hand subconsciously moved along her leg. He didn’t appear to notice his own actions. Sid
ney’s breathing became rapid and shallow. She placed her right hand on his arm and stroked it affectionately. Harlan laughed at something that happened in the movie and patted Sidney’s thigh. Sidney straightened and attempted to watch the movie.

  Harlan looked back at her through drunken eyes. “Are you uncomfortable?”

  “I’m fine. Just a little cold,” she said gently.

  He placed his arm around her and pulled her to his side. “Better, love?”

  She closed her eyes and exhaled. “Much, thank you,” she whispered.

  Halfway through the movie, Sidney went to the bathroom down the hall while Harlan again refilled their drinks. Sidney found walking a little difficult on the return trip. She stopped just inside the living room and studied Harlan while he placed their drinks on the coffee table. He turned his head and smiled with amusement.

  “I’m surprised you can still walk,” he remarked with a low snicker.

  She walked toward him despite her unsteady gate. He met her halfway while chuckling.

  “Need some help?” he teased and gallantly helped her stumble to the sofa.

  They collapsed on the sofa together. Sidney’s heart pounded, and she was no longer interested in the movie. She stared at Harlan as every emotion and feeling she’d ever had for him came back to her. Sidney instinctively touched his beard with her right hand and caressed his face. Harlan looked at her with some surprise and searched her eyes. His hand covered hers and gently caressed it. Sidney swallowed dryly. Harlan removed her hand from his face and kissed her palm in a way that sent shock waves through her body. He released her hand and smiled with embarrassment while looking down.

  “Each time I look at you I live with a terrible guilt,” he said softly.

  She stared at him with some surprise. “Really? Why?”

  “The first time I saw you, I didn’t know you were only fifteen.” He then searched her eyes and smirked timidly. “I thought you were the most beautiful girl. Sure, eighteen was a little young but acceptable.” He inhaled deeply and shook his head. “Once I found out you were only fifteen, I knew I had to forget any thoughts I had,” he said gently. “I had this insane plan to ask you out on your eighteenth birthday. But after the murder and the way your father had treated me, I couldn’t stay. He’d never allow me near you again. He said so much.”