After the room cleared out, Tracy, Hunter, and Aldon remained. “Terrific meeting,” Hunter said to Aldon.
“Thanks,” Aldon replied, “the best part was Tracy.”
Hunter smiled wanly. “It always is,” he remarked. “We loved her up in Boston as well.”
Tracy made light of the banter. “It was all good,” she replied, “and the message Furst delivered was strong. We’ve got to find the killer immediately.”
“We can’t know for a fact that we’ll bring in the killer, but we’ve got to take at least one or two suspects into custody,” Aldon edited Furst’s message. “It will calm public anxiety.”
Hunter was about to say something else, when his phone rang. “Sorry, give me a minute,” he remarked, then took the call and moved to the side.
“I loved your comments,” Aldon said, moving closer to Tracy. “They were fascinating and right on point.”
“Thank you,” Tracy replied. “You did wonderful work yourself in what you dug up about Enid and Jarnow. We need to know exactly what kind of excessive force she used.”
“Could be code for killing someone down there,” Aldon remarked. “You know how Caribbean law enforcement is. We’ll know more for sure, soon.”
As they continued to chat, Tracy and Aldon could hear Hunter’s voice rise.
“Okay, okay, I got it,” said Hunter, seemingly upset. “You don’t have to keep repeating the same thing.” Then he quickly hung up.
“What’s wrong?” asked Aldon, alerted.
Hunter returned to where they were standing. “Sorry about that,” he said. “Personal call, nothing about the case.”
Aldon looked at him more closely. “The wife?” he asked.
“The ex-wife,” Hunter remarked distinctly.
“Trouble in paradise again?” asked Aldon.
“There always trouble in paradise, isn’t there?” murmured Hunter.
“Doesn’t always have to be,” Tracy couldn’t help remark.
“But most of the time there is, isn’t there?” Hunter replied.
“Most of the time isn’t always.” Tracy stood her ground.
Hunter looked at her then and smiled. “And what exactly do you base that comment upon? Have you personally inhabited paradise yourself?”
Tracy laughed. “Regularly,” she joked. “It’s lovely there, with room enough for everyone.”
“Well, I certainly want an invitation to paradise.” Aldon joined in the fun.
“Me first,” Hunter cut in. “I’m certainly due for a little happiness.”
“You’re due for a lot of happiness, Hunter,” Tracy added, remembering how difficult his divorce had been and feeling sad for him.
“If you say so, I’ll believe you.” Hunter became playful.
“I heard that you and your wife had reunited,” Tracy said slowly. “I felt happy for you.”
Hunter looked surprised. “Aldon tell you?”
“Yes,” said Tracy.
“It’s not as good as it sounds,” said Hunter softly. “Who knows if we’ll make it, after all?”
Suddenly uncomfortable, Aldon wanted to get back on track.
“So, Tracy, as a psychologist what’s the next step on the case?”
“The next step is for me to talk to Sam,” Tracy responded.
“Great,” Aldon agreed. “I’ll drive you out to the hospital.”
“I’ll come along,” Hunter joined in.
“Don’t you need a little break, Hunter?” Aldon asked quietly. “You were at the hospital really late last night.”
“A break, now?” Hunter looked surprised. “I’ll have plenty of time to rest once this thing is solved.”
Aldon called ahead then and arranged a meeting between Tracy and Sam before they all piled into the car and took off.
*
The drive to the hospital was quick, with odd tension in the air. Tracy was glad that Hunter was with them, though, and that the intensity between her and Aldon was diffused.
They all spoke about the case the entire way. Hunter was convinced that the letter to Jarnow would be found and held the key to the real suspect. Aldon was focused upon Enid and her time in Anguilla. Tracy looked forward to speaking to Sam.
Aldon and Hunter pressed Tracy about who she thought the main suspect was, but it was difficult for her to reply. Although there were definitely a few possibilities, no one really clicked in Tracy’s mind. She felt someone else lurking in the background. Tracy needed more time to smoke them out of the shadows. She was sorry about that, wished things had fallen into place already. But they hadn’t. Rushing to judgment was the worst thing they could do. Each case has its own natural timing and Tracy knew she had to respect that.
In a few moments they arrived at the hospital, got out of the car, and to Tracy’s relief, all decided to go their separate ways for now.
*
Tracy immediately went to the back garden of the hospital, where Sam was waiting for her. She was told the garden was a place where he usually spent a great deal of time. A large, stone circle surrounded the garden, which was bordered by a thin, gray fence. When Tracy walked in she saw Sam on his knees, pulling out stray weeds.
“Hi, Sam,” Tracy said as she approached him.
“This is my home,” Sam replied, continuing to pull up the weeds. “I like it here, take good care of the place.”
“They’re lucky to have you here,” Tracy responded.
“Very lucky,” he muttered, turning a bit and looking up over his shoulder at Tracy.
At first glance, Sam looked like any other young man, slender, nice looking, with good features and slightly messy hair. If you passed him on the street, you’d never think he was an inmate.
“You’re Tracy Wrenn?” Sam finally asked, not taking his eyes off her.
“Yes, I am,” said Tracy, taking a step closer. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
“I’ve talked to a few cops already,” Sam answered, “I’ve told them everything I know.”
“I’m sure you have,” said Tracy. “And I appreciate your talking to me, too. It’s different talking to a woman, isn’t it?”
“Sure is,” Sam agreed, scrutinizing her closely. “Of course it depends on the woman, too. Some women out there are rougher than men. They’re meaner.”
Tracy immediately wondered if he was speaking about Enid. “Anyone in particular you’re thinking of?” she asked.
At that Sam bent back down and continued pulling the weeds. “No one,” he muttered. “Why did you ask me that? Are you trying to trip me up, Tracy Wrenn?”
Tracy knew she had to break through the shell around him and gain his trust.
“I don’t want to trip you up, Sam, I’m not like that,” Tracy said, taking a few steps closer to him. “I just want to find out what happened to Maggie and Deidre. Everyone misses them.”
“They died, that’s what happened,” Sam grumbled.
“But how?” Tracy’s voice grew louder.
Sam sat up again and stared at her. “You think I know?”
“Not really,” Tracy whispered. “But I think if you tell me what’s on your mind it can help me put the pieces of the puzzle together. I know you want the answer every bit as much as I do.”
Sam nodded somberly. “I do,” he said, “and I like your answer.”
“And I know you liked Maggie and Deidre,” Tracy went on. “I know you cared about both of them very much.”
“I did.” Sam’s voice caught for a second. “I care about everybody.”
“And I know how hard this must be for you.” Tracy leaned down and then decided to sit beside him on the ground.
“Really hard.” He finally looked at Tracy again.
“You like working in the garden, don’t you?” Tracy wanted to change the topic for a moment.
“Love it.” Sam looked at the patch of earth he’d been working on. “They need me here at Ashton. No one takes care of the earth like I do.”
“I can see that,” said Tracy, impressed.
“My being here is good for me and good for them,” he continued.
“How is it good for you, Sam?” Tracy was quick to ask.
“Ashton’s my home,” he said in a softer tone. “I’m getting stronger here day by day.”
Tracy was suddenly moved by this young, frail man. She couldn’t help wonder what his life had been like before he’d arrived. How had he been weak? What had happened to him?
“I’m sorry, Sam,” Tracy murmured.
“Sorry about what?” Sam’s eyes lit up.
“Sorry for that hard time you’ve had, that you have to be here,” Tracy said.
Sam was taken by that, pleased. He moved closer to Tracy. “Don’t be sorry,” he whispered. “From every bad thing, something good can come.”
Tracy was surprised by his comment. “Seems like there have been a lot of bad things at Ashton recently though,” she proclaimed.
“It could have been worse,” he muttered. “I’ve seen much worse.”
“Worse than friends getting killed and a girlfriend too?” Tracy asked, amazed. “What’s worse?”
Sam looked surprised. “What do you mean, a girlfriend?” The idea made him nervous.
“I heard that Maggie was your girlfriend,” said Tracy.
“No one is my girlfriend.” Sam stared at her then. “Maggie wanted to become my girlfriend, but I kept telling her that we were just friends. She was desperate and refused to believe me. So I let her think what she liked. It didn’t bother me. I let everyone think what they like. That’s what I learned at Ashton Pillars. Let everyone think what they like and do what they do. It’s not my business to change them.”
Sam had an odd kind of wisdom, thought Tracy. “Do you ever want a girlfriend, Sam?” Tracy couldn’t help but ask.
Sam grew silent a moment and then laughed. “One day I’ll have a girlfriend,” he finally said, looking at Tracy strangely. “Why? Do you like me?”
Tracy was aghast. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she insisted.
“Most of the women here like me,” Sam went on, “except for Enid, of course.”
“Why of course?” Tracy was alerted.
“Enid already has someone.” Sam looked at Tracy through the corner of his eyes, to see if she knew what he was talking about.
“Who?” asked Tracy.
“It’s secret,” Sam whispered. “Certain things are secret and you’re not allowed to tell.”
Tracy’s heart started beating fast. “Right now you’re allowed to tell me everything, Sam. Things are different at Ashton these days. All the rules have changed.”
“Really?” Sam’s eyes lit up again.
“Really,” Tracy whispered back to him as if they were old friends. “Tell me more about Enid. Who is her boyfriend?”
Sam seemed delighted to be able to talk freely. “Enid and Jarnow have really got it going on,” he replied. “I’ve seen it myself, with my own eyes.”
“Seen what?” asked Tracy, nervous.
“I’ve seen them kissing in his office,” Sam continued breathlessly. “Isn’t it disgusting? Of course they don’t know I saw them, but there’s a broken slat in the blinds. When the light shines the right way, it’s easy to see through. Do you think it’s terrible that I look in?”
Tracy was mesmerized. “No, I don’t think it’s terrible, Sam. I think you do what you need to do. There’s something you’re looking for, want to find.”
“Exactly, exactly.” Sam clapped his hands together excitedly. “I’m looking and looking and won’t stop until I find it.”
“And you see more than anyone realizes,” Tracy prompted him along.
“Right,” he said proudly. “And Jarnow has no idea I know about the secret files in his office, either.”
“What secret files?” Tracy asked fervently. “Where are they, exactly?”
“Jarnow has secret files stashed under his desk in the office,” Sam said quickly. “I saw both him and Enid crawling down there and putting things in. There’s a trap door under his desk.”
“My God,” whispered Tracy. “What do they put in there?”
“Who knows?” said Sam. “But one thing I do know is that Enid’s got Jarnow wrapped around her little finger. Whatever she wants, he does. They’re hiding something down there, that’s for sure.”
Tracy had a hard time speaking for a moment. “You’re sure about this?”
“Positive,” said Sam.
“Thank you, Sam, thank you.” Tracy grabbed his hands and squeezed them. “You’ve helped us all tremendously.”
Sam quickly pulled his hands away. “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Take it easy. Go look in the files if you want to. Then come back and tell me what you found. I’m here for you, Tracy. But only as a friend, of course.”
Chapter 23
The minute Tracy got out of the garden, she put in a call to Aldon. “I’ve got it. I’ve hit gold.” Her words tripped over one another.
“Calm down, what’s happening?” he asked.
“Get some guys over to Jarnow’s office immediately. There are secret files in a trap door under his desk.”
“Whoa, where did you hear this?” Aldon sounded astonished.
“Sam told me,” Tracy breathed.
“Really?” Aldon could barely speak.
“He was comfortable with me, opened up,” Tracy continued.
“I knew it would make a difference for him to speak to a woman,” Aldon said.
“Not only did Sam see Jarnow and Enid kissing,” Tracy continued, “he actually saw them hiding things in the file.”
“Incredible!” Aldon was thrilled.
“Who knows what they’ve got hidden there?” Tracy went on.
“Fantastic!” Aldon sounded charged. “We’ll get Jarnow’s office checked out ASAP. You did a fantastic job getting that information, Tracy.”
Tracy breathed a sigh of relief.
“Meet you there in a few minutes,” Aldon added. “This could be the lead we’ve been waiting for!”
*
By the time Tracy arrived at Jarnow’s office, it was cordoned off with yellow rope and a swarm of police were inside pulling it apart. Tracy stood at the doorway, looking in, when Aldon spotted her and rushed out.
“Great job, Tracy,” he said again.
“How’s it going?” she asked quickly.
“You’re right, there’s a trap door. We found it immediately,” Aldon confirmed.
“My God,” murmured Tracy.
“Everything points to Enid and Jarnow now,” Aldon went on. “Who knows what they’re up to?”
“Let’s see what we find.” Tracy wanted to slow him down. “Could be nothing but old tax returns.”
Aldon laughed. “Doubt that,” he murmured as Hunter came to the door.
“Great find, great find,” Hunter said to Tracy. “What have we got so far, Aldon?”
“Just found the trap door,” Aldon remarked.
Hunter shook his head. “Fabulous development. I’ve just come from talking to Kaylna again. She actually asked to talk to me.”
That caught Tracy’s attention. “What did Kaylna have to say?” Tracy wondered why Kaylna asked to speak to Hunter instead of her.
Hunter looked nervous. “Kaylna said another killing’s coming soon.”
Tracy and Hunter stared at each other. “Another killing?” Tracy breathed, aghast. “Why did she want to tell you instead of me?”
“I guess she wants to spread the good news around,” replied Hunter.
“It’s the same old refrain from her, over and over,” Aldon burst in. “Just could be her way of getting more attention.”
“Or Kaylna sees more than we realize,” Hunter responded.
Tracy was struck by his comment. “Maybe?” she replied.
“There can be a thin line between madness and genius,” Hunter went on. “It’s possible Kaylna really gets glimpses of the future. I don’t count it out.”
“Count it out, Hunter.” Aldon didn’t like that. “Insanity can be contagious. Crazy people can make you as crazy as them.”
“I believe some people can see what’s coming,” Hunter replied quietly. “All departments use psychics on occasion.”
“As a last resort,” Aldon piped in. “And they’re usually right about half the time. Just like anyone else. Just plain, dumb luck.”
Tracy was troubled by both the possibility that Kaylna actually saw what was coming and the message she’d had about another killing. Was Ashley truly in as much danger as she claimed? After all, she was Kaylna’s roommate.
“Let’s stay with the facts that we have,” Aldon continued. “First let’s see if we can find the letter Jarnow received. I only hope it’s hidden in the secret files. Once we find the letter we’ll know if it was written by Kaylna. Then we can take the next step. “
“Hey, hey,” yelled one of the cops who’d been digging into the files. He was holding up a piece of paper. “Look at this! Look what we got here!”
All three of them raced over. Aldon took it carefully and read it first.
“We got it!” Aldon cried out. “This is it! The letter to Jarnow!”
Tracy and Hunter huddled over his shoulder to read it as well. The letter was written carefully, in a deliberate hand.
Dear Dr. Jarnow,
I am writing this to you because I believe you will listen, I hope you will listen. So far, no one has paid any attention to me. I am warning you now though, that another killing will be taking place at Ashton Pillars. Sooner than you can imagine! You know how to stop it. You know what to do! Do it right away and the blood will stop pouring.
Your friend.
Transfixed, Tracy read the words over and over. “Jarnow knows what to do to stop the killings?” she mused.
“What?” asked Aldon.
“Jarnow’s definitely implicated,” said Hunter.
“Not necessarily,” Aldon replied. “This could just be the ravings of a madwoman. That’s why he threw the letter away.”
“There’s no excuse for throwing this away, or rather for hiding it,” Hunter objected.
“The letter was written by his ‘friend,’” Tracy mused, “or at least someone who thinks of themselves as his friend. Let’s find out which of the patients thought of him as their friend. I don’t think many do.”
“The only one who fits that description right now is Enid,” Hunter remarked.
Tracy had to agree that it didn’t look good for her.
“Okay, enough speculation,” Aldon exclaimed. “We’ll know for sure in a few minutes. We just have to find out whose handwriting matches this letter! Let’s check handwriting samples for everyone in the hospital, both patients and staff, ASAP.”
Two of the officers took the letter and left the room immediately.
“Just the fact that the letter was hidden here, not thrown away, just the fact that Jarnow lied about it, tells us a lot.” Hunter was excited.
“Jarnow may not have known it was here,” said Tracy. “Enid knew about the secret files. She could have grabbed the letter and filed it away.”
“Let’s wait to hear who the handwriting matches!” Hunter broke in. “That will tell us everything.”
*
While they were waiting for the handwriting results, Tracy decided to go to Ashley’s room and check on her. The message Kaylna had given Hunter unnerved Tracy. She wanted to make sure Ashley was all right. Tracy also wanted to tell Ashley about her visit last night with her family.
Tracy walked quickly down the corridor to Ashley’s room and to her surprise the door was half open. Tracy slipped inside, eager to see Ashley.
To Tracy’s horror, the first thing she saw was blood on the floor. Then she saw Ashley, immobile, lying there in it.
“Ashley,” Tracy screamed, “are you okay?”
Ashley’s eyes fluttered open. She was still alive.
“Who did this? What happened? Tell me!” yelled Tracy, relieved that she was still alive.
Ashley’s eyes fluttered closed again.
Tracy took a step closer and saw that the blood was coming from a wound on Ashley’s arm. Her neck had not been slashed!
“You’re okay, you’re going to make it,” Tracy kept repeating. “Stay with me, Ashley, you’re going to be fine!”
Then Tracy immediately grabbed a sheet and bound the wound before pressing the emergency button in the room. After that she put in a call to Aldon.
“Emergency!” Tracy yelled. “Ashley’s lying in a pool of blood in her room.”
“What? What?” Aldon was stunned.
“She’s alive, she’s breathing,” Tracy quickly filled in. “The wound is on her arm. It doesn’t look life threatening.”
“Is she speaking?” asked Aldon.
“Not really,” breathed Tracy.
“I’ll be there in a second.” Aldon could barely get the words out. “I’ll notify everyone.”
“I pressed the emergency button,” said Tracy.
“Stay close to her.” Aldon sounded horrified. “The room will be packed with help in a few seconds.”
Tracy kneeled back down close to Ashley as guards, doctors, and nurses quickly burst in. The medical help pushed Tracy out of the way and swarmed around Ashley. Someone immediately started giving her CPR.
“How long has she been here?” one doctor asked, taking her vitals.
“I have no idea,” said Tracy.
“There’s significant blood loss,” the doctor said, “but she’ll be okay.”
“We’re taking her over to the emergency medical wing,” a nurse informed Tracy.
“Where’s that?” asked Tracy, terrified.
“It’s right here at Ashton Pillars,” the nurse replied as Ashley was carefully lifted onto a stretcher.
“She’s going to make it, isn’t she?” Tracy was trembling as she heard the familiar bells clanging in the hallways, announcing an emergency.
“I hope so,” the nurse replied as they lifted the stretcher and carried Ashley out into the hallway.
Tracy started running after them, but was stopped by the nurse. “She’s probably unconscious from the shock of that attack. Her vital signs are okay,” the nurse tried to calm her.
Tracy was horrified. Ashley had known this was coming; she’d warned Tracy.
“We’ll get her back on track in a little while,” the nurse continued.
“You’re positive?” Tracy had to know.
The nurse smiled at Tracy. “It’s going to be okay, you‘ve got to calm down.”
Tracy stepped back then and watched them going down the corridor with Ashley on the stretcher.
In another moment both Aldon and Hunter arrived along with some officers. “Let’s go back to the room,” Aldon said quietly, putting his hand on Tracy’s back and guiding her gently.
When they got to Ashley’s room, they stopped and scanned it before taking a step in.
“What’s that?” Hunter suddenly yelled, pointing to an old steel knife, lying under the blood on the floor.
“A knife!” Tracy was stunned.
“The weapon!” shouted Aldon. “They left it this time!”
“Okay, we’ll take care of it.” The forensics officers stepped inside.
“We need fingerprints ASAP on the knife!” Aldon thundered.
“Kaylna was right, another killing was coming.” Hunter seemed dazed.
“Where is Kaylna now?” asked Tracy, agitated.
“She’s still downstairs talking with FBI,” said Hunter. “I can’t get over it. She was right.”
“She was wrong,” Tracy interjected. “Ashley is alive. The wound was on her arm, not her jugular.”
“And the weapon was left behind this time,” Aldon added.
“And we’ve got a different MO and signature,” Hunter agreed.
“But it’s the same killer,” Tracy breathed.
“How do you know that?” asked Aldon, disconcerted.
“I know it for a fact,” said Tracy. “The killer’s getting sloppy. They’re getting desperate, something is getting to them. They want to do as much harm as they can in as short a time as possible.”
“They know we’re closing in,” Hunter said.
“I’m not sure exactly what they know,” Tracy exclaimed. “I do know they’re feeling trapped. Their judgment is slipping. Leaving Ashley alive tells us that, at least.”