I fold my arms over my chest. I don’t tolerate people disrespecting my friends. “What are people saying about Kelly?”
Bailey looks furtively over her shoulder, rounds the bed, and whispers in my ear, “One of the nurses here used to work at a psychiatric hospital. She said Kelly was a patient there. Apparently, she was in there formurder.”
I jolt.
My watch beeps.
I take a deep breath and hide the watch beneath the sheet when Bailey looks at it curiously. “Was that my fault? I’m sorry.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you. I just didn’t expect you to say anything that ridiculous.”
“It’s true,” Bailey insists. “She said Kelly was in and out of the hospital, but she got kicked out because she threatened to kill her psychiatrist.”
I picture my sweet, cheerful friend. We talked for hours and clicked so well. I would know if Kelly was a mental patient. There would be signs.
You mean like the way she calls the Jinx phone every night for hours? Or all the angry texts?
It shows she loves her husband, not that she’s a crazy murderer. Who am I going to believe—Creepy Bailey or my friend?
“Does the nurse have any proof?” I demand. “Pictures? Medical records?”
Bailey shakes her head.
“Then I choose to believe Kelly is innocent until she tells me otherwise. Please get out and don’t come back. I’ll ask another nurse to be assigned to me.”
“But…”
Martina skips back inside. “I found someone. They’ll bring the soup.”
I turn my head. “Martina, do you mind helping Bailey to the door? I’m very tired and I want to rest.”
“Of course. Come, Ms. Nurse. Let’s talk outside about more food options for the patient.” Martina hurries Bailey away.
Shaken, I wilt into the pillows and stare at the ceiling in thought.
Kelly was in the psychiatric hospital for murder.
That day when I visited Kelly’s aunt, the old lady kept insisting her niece was dead. Now Bailey thinks Kelly was in a psychiatric hospital. Something isn’t adding up about my friend.
Shooting out of bed, I run to my computer. My gut is telling me I shouldn’t ignore this out of blind faith.
Something about Kelly is desperately wrong.
It’s time to trade a secret for a secret.
Chapter Fifty-Three
FINN
“How is she?” I ask Martina as I trail Dutch and Zane through the lobby of Mom’s building.
“She’s sleeping now, but she was up for a while before,” Martina responds.
I clear my throat. “Did she… say anything?”
“She asked why she was in the hospital. Then one of the nurses came in and they had a short conversation. She seemed a little upset?—”
“No, Martina.” I clear my throat. “Did she say anything aboutme?”
