Suspicious Circumstances

by Rita Herron

  “I’m on my way to the hospital. Can you stay until I get there?”

  “I promised not to leave her, and I won’t. She’s in room 310.”

  Peyton murmured her thanks and hung up. Rain began to drizzle down, fog blurring the road, and she slowed as she rounded a curve. A pair of oncoming headlights nearly blinded her, then the car swerved, tires squealing as it corrected itself into the right lane.

  Perspiration dotted her skin, and she maneuvered a bend in the road, then glanced in her rearview mirror to see if Liam was still following her. He was two cars back.

  A half mile down the road, a dark SUV pulled out from a side street and barreled toward her. She swerved to avoid being hit but had no place to go as another car was in the oncoming lane. Suddenly the SUV smashed her in the passenger side and sent her into a spin.

  She clenched the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip, brakes squealing. But the force of the impact made her lose control. She hit the guardrail, crashed through it, then her car flipped upside down.

  She screamed as she skidded toward the side of the mountain.

  * * *

  LIAM’S HEART HAMMERED as Peyton’s car slammed into the rocky mountain wall. The car behind her managed to swing around her and avoid crashing, then drove on while the vehicle that had hit her in the side raced away.

  He swerved to the side of the road, and prayed Peyton was all right as his tires screeched and he careened to a stop. As he jumped out and ran toward Peyton’s overturned car, he punched Jacob’s number. “A car just crashed into Peyton. Dark SUV. Couldn’t get the license plate. Send an ambulance.” He gave him the address.

  “Is Peyton hurt?” Jacob asked.

  “I don’t know yet. I’m just getting to the car.” He ended the call, shoved his phone in his pocket and climbed over the crushed guardrail. His boots skidded on the graveled embankment as he hurried down the hill. When he reached the car, his stomach lurched.

  Glass had shattered and sprayed the ground and the front of the car was crunched. Panic shot through him. Peyton could be trapped.

  He hurried to the driver’s side, stooped down and looked through the broken window. The airbag had deployed, and Peyton was slumped in the seat unconscious.

  “Peyton.” He called her name over and over as he struggled to open the car door. It was jammed, but finally he managed to yank it open. Then he pulled his pocketknife and slashed at the airbag, ripping it away so he could check her for injuries.

  He pressed two fingers to her neck to feel for a pulse. Seconds ticked by. “Peyton, wake up.”

  Finally, he felt a pulse, then she groaned and opened her eyes.

  “What happened?” she asked on a ragged breath.

  “You had an accident. Don’t move. Medics are on the way.” He stroked her hair from her forehead and noticed blood at her temple. “Are you hurt?”

  “I...don’t know,” she mumbled.

  “Can you move your arms?”

  She slowly lifted one hand, then the other, then coughed. “My chest hurts.”

  “The airbag,” Liam said. “You probably bruised or cracked a rib or two. How about your legs?”

  Her face pinched into a frown as she struggled to move. “My legs are trapped.” Panic tinged her tone.

  Dammit. He brushed her cheek with his thumb. “Just stay still. Medics are on the way,” he repeated.

  Terror filled her eyes. “Mama...”

  “Jacob sent a deputy to the hospital,” Liam assured her.

  She closed her eyes with a groan, and fear clawed at him. The SUV that had hit her came out of nowhere. It hadn’t slowed or even attempted to stop after the crash.

  His gut clenched. Had the crash been intentional? An attack on Peyton?

  A siren wailed, and lights twirled in the sky as a fire engine and Jacob’s squad car roared up. They careened to a stop behind his vehicle, then Jacob and the firefighters jumped out and raced down the embankment.

  “She’s alive, but her legs are trapped!” he shouted. One of the firefighters raced back to the truck for equipment, and Jacob and the medic approached.

  “I didn’t attempt to move her,” Liam said, knowing he could have caused worse damage if he had. She needed to be boarded and her neck secure before pulling her from the car. “She has a pulse and regained consciousness long enough to move her arms. Don’t know how badly her legs are injured. She complained of a sore chest.”

  The firefighter hurried toward them, and Liam stood back and watched as they used the Jaws of Life to cut Peyton out of the car. She groaned and stirred again, and Liam squeezed her hand.

  “The medics are taking you to the hospital,” he said. “You’re going to be okay, Peyton.”

  Yet a helpless feeling overcame him as he watched the medics secure her neck and ease her onto the board.

  “Liam?” she called.

  “I’m here,” he assured her. “I’ll follow the ambulance.”

  She sighed, then closed her eyes again, then the medics loaded her onto the ambulance and closed the door.

  Liam turned to Jacob. “Get a forensics team to process her car. Tell them to look for paint samples from the SUV that hit her.”

  “You think it was an accident?”

  Liam shook his head. “No. I think the person threatening Peyton just tried to kill her.”

  * * *

  PEYTON DRIFTED IN and out of consciousness as the ambulance rocked back and forth. The shrill sound of the siren was giving her a headache.

  But she thanked God that her legs hadn’t been broken or worse...that she could move them. When she’d realized the front of the car had crunched in on her, she was terrified of being paralyzed.

  Then what good would she be to her mother or the other patients who needed her?

  Her life flashed in front of her eyes. No more nursing. No family or baby of her own.

  Odd, but she hadn’t considered finding love or her own family the past few years. Taking care of her mother and the guilt weighing on her had consumed her time and her thoughts. But when the car had spun out of control and slammed into the rocky wall, she’d realized she wanted all those things.

  Liam’s handsome face taunted her. If things were different, she’d be attracted to the sexy agent. Heck, she was attracted to him. What red-blooded woman wouldn’t be?

  But he saw her as a suspect. Had interrogated her. And he still might arrest her and send her to jail.

  The ambulance veered to the right, then slowed and she realized they were stopping.

  “We’re here.” The medic introduced herself as Helen.

  They opened the back door, and carefully hauled her out, then rushed her into the ER. As a nurse, she knew the drill, although she hated being a patient.

  They wheeled her into a room, began checking vitals and the attending ER doc on duty and a resident examined her. The next two hours were filled with tests, blood work and endless questions.

  Liam stood by the room as if on guard, his dark eyes assessing as he watched the hospital staff at work. She’d asked him to inform Joanna of what was going on, and Jacob’s deputy watched her mother while Joanna rushed down to see her.

  Peyton’s friend gave her a hug. “My God, Peyton, are you okay?”

  “Nothing broken, thank God,” she murmured. Although how could she be okay when someone had tried to kill her and her mother?

  “That agent said it was a hit-and-run. The driver didn’t even stop to see if you were okay?”

  She shook her head. He hadn’t stopped because he’d thought she was dead.

  When he learned she’d survived, would he come back to finish her off?

  Chapter Fourteen

  While Peyton’s friend Joanna visited her, Liam conferred with Jacob and his deputy Martin Rowan outside Mrs. Weiss’s room. Another deputy had arrived at the sc
ene of the crash and stayed to supervise the evidence-recovery team while they processed the scene and had Peyton’s car towed to the lab for forensics analysis.

  “I want a limited staff taking care of Mrs. Weiss,” Liam said. “And those employees vetted.”

  “I’ll handle that,” Jacob offered. “FYI, coordinating the timing for the exhumation. I’ll let you know when it’s done and she’s at the morgue.”

  “So, who or what am I looking for here?” Deputy Rowan asked.

  “I wish I had a name or a face,” Liam answered. “Peyton said the caller’s voice sounded male.” He pulled a photo of Dr. Butler from his phone. “This is the doc who was on duty the night Gloria Inman died. He’s still at Whistler Hospital, so if he shows up here, don’t let him in the room with Mrs. Weiss.”

  “You think the doctor tried to kill Peyton?” Jacob asked.

  “I don’t know, but he’s a person of interest.” He accessed a photo of Herbert Brantley, and then one of Miller Conrad. “Both of these men are also suspects. Call me if they show up, and don’t let him near Mrs. Weiss either.”

  Deputy Rowan nodded in understanding.

  “Peyton’s friend Joanna has been with Peyton’s mother. Consult with her if Mrs. Weiss is given any medication. We want to make sure someone doesn’t sneak in and try to kill her while she’s too weak to know what’s happening.”

  “No one will hurt her while I’m on guard,” Deputy Rowan assured him.

  “I’m going to send a forensics team to Golden Gardens,” Jacob said. “And I’ll follow up about the paint sample from that vehicle that hit Peyton.”

  Liam checked his phone for messages from Bennett. He still wanted more info on Herbert Brantley and Miller Conrad. But Bennett hadn’t responded yet. The men dispersed, and Liam headed back to Peyton’s room.

  When he reached the door, she was trying to get out of bed. “I’ve been examined. I’m fine.”

  Joanna gripped Peyton’s arm. “You’re not going anywhere tonight, Peyton. The doctor wants you to rest.”

  “I don’t need to rest,” Peyton insisted. “I need to be with Mama.”

  “You look a mess,” Joanna said. “Is that the way you want her to see you when she wakes up? You’ll scare her to death.”

  Peyton went still, then sank back onto the bed with a frustrated sigh. “I just don’t want her to be alone. If she wakes up and I’m not there, she’ll know something is wrong.”

  Joanna sank onto the bed beside Peyton and put her arm around Peyton’s shoulder. “I promise I’ll stay with her tonight. And if she wakes up, I’ll come and get you. Okay?”

  “You have to be exhausted,” Peyton said.

  “We both know how to handle long shifts,” Joanna said with a small smile. “So, don’t worry about me. I’ll be in your mother’s room so you can rest, and tomorrow I’ll bring you to see her. Deal?”

  Peyton nodded, although she looked miserable. Joanna gave her a hug and stood. “Call me if you need anything. I’m right upstairs.”

  “I will. Thanks, Jo.”

  As Joanna left the room, turmoil suffused Peyton’s face. He crossed the room to her and claimed the chair beside her bed. “Deputy Rowan is guarding your mother. He has strict instructions not to let anyone but the staff into the room. With Joanna there, she’ll be safe for the night.”

  Peyton muttered okay, although she didn’t sound convinced. He understood her distrust and fear and hated she’d been put in this position when she’d dedicated her life to helping others.

  He placed his hand over hers, determined she know she wasn’t alone. “Joanna is right. You won’t be any good to your mother if you don’t take care of yourself.”

  She winced as she tugged the covers over herself, a reminder she’d bruised her ribs. Then a tear rolled down her cheek as she closed her eyes. Liam gently wiped away the tear and settled into the chair.

  Gloria Inman had died in a hospital. One of the medical staff might have been responsible. Not knowing exactly who was to blame made it even scarier for her to be alone.

  Someone could disguise themselves as a staff member, sneak in and try to kill her.

  Sweat broke out on his brow. He wouldn’t leave her side all night.

  * * *

  PEYTON WRESTLED WITH SLEEP through the night. First the nightmares of the crash. She was flying toward the mountain, skidding and slamming into it. Her own scream echoed in her ears.

  Then the ghostly faces of all the people who’d died in the fire.

  It’s your fault. You could have saved us.

  Val: You have to help me, sis. Someone’s after me.

  Her mother’s cries filled the air. I won’t be around forever. Take care of Val.

  But she’d tried and failed. And now her mother was dying.

  Then she was running, tripping, falling into the darkness as she darted through the woods. A shadowy figure chased her, clawing at her, his footsteps crunching dry, dead leaves as he closed in on her. She panted for a breath, forced one foot in front of the other, climbed the hill, wove among the thick mass of trees. She increased her pace, pushing weeds and tree limbs aside. A sharp branch slapped her in the face. Her foot caught on a tree root. She stumbled, grappling for control and lost the battle.

  Then she careened forward over the edge of the ridge. The drop-off was a half mile long. She clawed at the ground, at tree branches and brush, but they slipped through her fingers and she went plunging over the ridge.

  She screamed and jerked awake, fighting the air as if she was still falling. But two strong hands caught her just before she smashed into the rocky canyon below.

  “Shh, you’re safe now, Peyton.”

  A man’s voice. Gruff. Tender. Concerned.

  She blinked and looked up into Liam’s eyes. The sexy federal agent who’d asked her to trust him. He rubbed slow circles over her back.

  “You had a nightmare,” he said in a low voice. “It’s over now and you’re safe.”

  She leaned into him, trembling and shaken. Was she safe? If the man who’d tried to kill her worked in the medical field, he could slip in and she’d never know she was in danger.

  “I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” Liam said quietly. “Go back to sleep, Peyton.”

  She sighed and laid back against the pillow again, missing his arms when he released her.

  * * *

  GRATEFUL PEYTON FINALLY seemed to rest, Liam pulled the recliner next to her. If anyone attempted to get near Peyton, they’d have to walk past him and around the foot of the bed.

  Not going to happen.

  He’d taught himself long ago how to catnap in short stretches and remain in tune to any sound when he was on a stakeout or working a case.

  Tonight no one would bother Peyton.

  He closed his eyes, frustrated that the case had him stumped. He felt like someone had dropped a puzzle on the floor and the pieces had scattered in a hundred directions. He couldn’t quite make them fit back together.

  Mentally he reviewed the facts he knew to date, then pulled out a notepad from his pocket and jotted down his thoughts.

  His first question—had someone in the hospital made a mistake that cost Gloria Inman her life? Or had she been murdered?

  The fact that Dr. Butler, the attending physician, had encouraged Peyton to keep silent regarding the possibility of negligence suggested a mistake had been made. The threat she received also added credence to a hospital cover-up or foul play.

  But who was responsible? Peyton? Dr. Butler? Another staff member?

  According to Peyton, Dr. Butler had evidence proving her code had been used to remove morphine from the medicine cart. What if Dr. Butler had made the mistake in the ER, then faked the incriminating paperwork against Peyton to save his own reputation?

  Mrs. Inman’s tox report was missing. And the
files for the night she’d died had been destroyed in the fire. All suspicious.

  The only two people with motive for killing Gloria were her husband and Sondra Evans, and both claimed they were innocent. However, both had access to drugs via their jobs as pharmaceutical reps.

  Liam ran his fingers through his hair.

  Peyton still hadn’t given him a complete list of everyone who’d been in the ER that night. When she woke up, he’d press her to write down the names.

  Logic led them to believe that the fire had been set to cover up whatever had happened that night. That Dr. Butler wanted to save his own reputation by passing the blame on to Peyton.

  Frustration tightened his chest. Although that was the most logical conclusion, he had to remain open to other possibilities.

  Herbert Brantley’s financials had improved drastically after Mrs. Inman’s death. As a med tech, his salary was modest. If he’d witnessed foul play the night Gloria died, he could have been paid to keep silent—or to set the fire and destroy evidence.

  Then there was Miller Conrad, the PA who had a soft spot for seniors. He’d been questioned regarding deaths at other medical facilities. He could be an angel of mercy.

  Although Gloria Inman hadn’t been elderly or on her deathbed.

  He rubbed a hand over his bleary eyes and leaned his head back with a sigh. Hopefully tomorrow the exhumation would take place, and the ME could analyze Mrs. Inman’s remains. Forensics might give them a solid lead.

  Next, he’d question Dr. Butler and Herbert Brantley. One way or the other, he intended to make them talk.

  * * *

  PEYTON WOKE TO the soft sound of someone breathing. Confused, she blinked to clear her vision and realized she was in the hospital. The past twenty-four hours returned in a rush, and she jerked to a sitting position.

  The man next to her bed startled and opened his eyes. Then she realized his hand had been lying over hers. She’d felt it during the night when she was in the throes of her nightmares.