“Did he come here?” She shakes her head again.
Rachel sighs. “I guess there’s no hope.” I’m not losing hope.
“He didn’t? So why are you afraid to talk when we’re detectives here to help you put him in prison?”
“I’m not afraid. I just don’t know him… he was covered,” she says. I sigh and straighten my blazer. Rachel has her hands shoved in her pockets. Our eyes meet briefly; she avoids mine. I don’t know how he did it.
“Thanks for your time and cooperation, Ms. Gray,” I say, and she nods. We leave.
“She says she doesn’t know him,” Rachel says as she closes the door and I hiss.
“Bullshit!” I snap. “I don’t know how he knew I was coming, but he did and he threatened her.”
“You think so?” Rachel asks.
“I know how criminals work,” I say, heading over to the head doctor.
“I want to see the control room,” I demand.
He hesitates for a few seconds, then tells us to follow him. Thought so. In the control room, I scan the footage. She didn’t lie about her mother. Moving on, I press keys, eyes sharp on the CCTV screens.
I step back, arms crossed. No sign of anyone else. “If they were here, it’d show here,” I mutter.
“What’s happening, detective?” the doctor asks.
“I feel like someone came into the patient’s room,” I say. “She’s hiding something. I’m sensing fear. I’m looking for that person.”
“Nothing unusual happened yesterday,” he replies. I zero in on the screen and smile when I see something.
“Why the hell is the footage from 2 a.m. missing?!” I slam my hand down.
“That piece of shit was here! He was here! How did he know I was coming?” I storm out. Rachel follows.
“They knew we were coming. Someone tipped him off,” Rachel says. I know.
“Must be someone at the station,” I say, hopping into the car.
“What’s our next move?” she asks. I sigh. That piece of shit. Willing to do anything to protect himself, even break into a hospital to threaten patients. I’ll give it to him, he’s clean. Or so he thinks.
“That bastard won this time, but it’ll be his last. I’m finding him, a different approach,” I say, driving off. And I’ll find out who tipped him off. They made it easy. They’re working with him.
20
Business
“Welcome, Zara.” Dr. Jacobs’ voice is warm, grounding. She smiles politely at Mama, extending her hand. “And you must be her grandmother.”
“Yes, I am,” Mama replies, shaking her hand with grace.
“Have a seat, ladies.”
We sit. The room smells like antiseptic and lavender-scented hand lotion. Nickoi and my mother had flown out on Monday. My mom kept a family dinner Sunday night, something to make it feel like Christmas for Mama before she headed back to California. Work calls, always. So, it’s just me and Mama now. Just like old times.
Dr. Jacobs turns her attention to me. “How are you feeling today, Zara?”
I look away from my phone. Nickoi’s face lights up the screen. He’s lying down, half-awake, staring at me like I’m the only thing in his world.
“I’m okay,” I say, managing a soft smile.
