Josephine waited until Ming closed the door before she turned and walked to a vacant chair in front of the large mahogany desk.
Intrigue and confusion twisted inside of Ming as she took her time to move over to the desk. When she settled behind it, she reached inside leather jacket and pulled out her notepad.
“Had I known Michelle had a sister, I would’ve contacted you sooner,” she said, wondering why she didn’t have this piece of information. “Not many people know.” “Ming frowned. “Why is that?” Josephine paused as if to weigh her words. “Until a year ago, Michelle and I didn’t know the other existed.” The response generated only a mild surprise from Ming. “So you don’t know your sister that well?” “Not as well as I would like to.”
“In this past year, how much time did you spend with her? Do you know her friends, boyfriends, or anyone who might want to cause her harm?”
“Can’t say that I do.” Josephine opened her handbag and withdrew a pack of cigarettes. “Do you mind if I smoke?”
“Not at all.” Ming spotted an ashtray and pushed it toward her. “Does the name Daniel Thornton mean anything to you?”
Josephine lit her cigarette. She took her time as she drew a deep drag and blew out a long stream of smoke. “Never heard of him.” “He was Michelle’s boyfriend.” Ming studied her. “Really?” Ming nodded. “At least according to Thornton’s friends.” Josephine shrugged while boredom glazed her eyes.
“Daniel Thornton was a slippery felon—at least that’s how we viewed him down at the department.” She waited, but when she received no response from Josephine, she continued. “He was murdered about six weeks ago. He was found dead under a tree in Grant Park.”
“Sounds like he was in a dangerous profession.”
Ming gave her a sardonic smile. “True. But despite the bullet in his chest, the autopsy report states that he drowned. Strange, wouldn’t you say?”
Josephine blew out another stream of smoke. “I suppose, but I fail to see what any of this has to do with me or my sister.”
“Your sister is missing, and a dead doctor was found in the parking lot. Michelle might know something about Thornton’s death. My notes say that Michelle attempted suicide the day after Thornton’s body was found. It’s possible whoever killed your sister’s boyfriend is responsible for killing a doctor here and kidnapping Michelle.”
Josephine laughed. It wasn’t a light, amused sort of thing, but a head-back hearty cackle that further shocked Ming.
“You know what I think?” Josephine leaned forward and snubbed out her cigarette. “I think you and Mr. Hines are on a great fishing expedition, and you’re bound and determined to snare Michelle in this whole fiasco.”
“Ms. Ferrell…”
“Let me finish,” she snapped, rising from her chair. “This institution lost my sister. Most likely, Michelle stole someone’s badge and walked out of here. I have no idea who or why someone killed a doctor here—maybe it was a random act of violence, maybe the doctor was into something shady. I don’t know, and I doubt that you know either because you’re too busy trying to place the blame on my sister.” “I’m not blaming Ms. Andrews for anything.” “Could have fooled me.” She headed toward the door. “Sorry I couldn’t be any more help, but I have a sister to find.” Ming sat back as she watched the angry woman storm out of the room. “Wow. What a bitch.”
Chapter 7
William made himself a pot of coffee after languishing in the sweet, love-filled memories of Paris. Despite so many years of trying to forget, it astounded him how clearly those images came back to him. The sights, the smells, and the sounds stirred up a lot of painful memories. Yet he knew if he had the chance to go back, he would in a heartbeat.
During the three months he spent in Paris, he’d hardly left Josie’s side. He didn’t know exactly when she fell in love with him, bit he was pretty much smitten that first night.
He smiled to himself as he reached for the powdered creamer from one of the cupboards. Just as quickly, his mood shifted. He wasn’t out of the woods yet. There was still a high chance for his colleague, Dr. Bancroft, to finger him as a possible suspect in Michelle Andrew’s disappearance.
William took the first sip of his coffee as he reviewed his last visit to Meredith’s office...
“I’m telling you I know this girl,” William insisted, as he closed the door to Meredith’s office.
Meredith settled behind her polished mahogany desk and looked at him with her kind, chocolate-colored eyes. “Maybe you do, Dr. Hayes, but it doesn’t change the face that Ms. Andrews is a very sick woman.”
William shook his head while he paced in front of her. “That’s just it. Her name isn’t Andrews.”
“According to her chart it is.” Meredith crossed her arms. “She has a long history of mental illness and has been in and out of trouble with the law for most of her life. It started odd with petty thief and cruelty to animals. Before long she was a full-fledged menace to society. By fifteen her adoptive mother had had enough and kicked her out onto the streets.” He shook his head and rejected everything Meredith said. “It’s a lie. The woman I met…” “Isn’t it possible that this woman just simply looks like the person you’re referring to? I’m told that she has a sister…” “I’m not wrong about this.” William slammed his hands down on her desk. Meredith blinked and calmly stared up at him. “I don’t know what this is all about, Dr. Hayes, but this conversation is over.” He closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.” She didn’t respond.
He drew himself upright and took another calming breath before he started again. “Can we at least lower her medication so that she’s not so sedated? I’m sure that she’ll be able to tell us who she is.” “I already know who she is,” William’s temper threatened to explode again. “Dr. Hayes, did you happen to notice the slashes across Ms. Andrew’s wrists?” The question deflated his anger.
“No? I did. There were slashed pretty badly by Ms. Andrews herself. Do you want to know who else wants to talk to Ms. Andrews?”
William now lowered his weight into the vacant chair across from Meredith’s desk as her words punched him hard.
“The police,” she answered for him. “She’s a suspect in her boyfriend’s homicide.” Meredith stood, then walked around to the front of her desk and leaned against it. “Do you see why I won’t let you go in there and talk to her?”
“No,” William said truthfully. “This is a case of mistaken identity.”
“On your part, yes.” Meredith crossed her arms. “If you go in there filling her head that she’s someone else, trust me, she’d going to agree with you. She’s going to tell you whatever you want to hear so she can get out off this place.”
“That’s not true.”
“Sure it is,” Meredith said. “Andrews is the smoothest liar you’ll ever meet. She’s not only a danger to herself, but to those around her as well.”
“And all of this is in her chart?”
“Most of it. The rest is from personal experience.” Meredith nodded. “This is not the first time Andrews has been here at Keystone. I’ve treated her before.”
The phone rang, and William returned to the present. He sloshed coffee over the rim of his cup and burned his hand. “Christ!” Clumsily, he sat that cup back on the counter and waved his hand around as he made his way over to the phone. “Hello.” “Ah, Dr. Hayes. You’re there.” Ecaterina’s thick Romanian accent came over the line. “Good morning, Cat,” he said. “You got my message.” “Yes. I would’ve called back sooner, but Nicolae and I had a few errands to run this morning.” William chuckled. “No need to explain. I understand.” “I just don’t understand why you need me to go all the way out to Pine Mountain.”