“A fuckin’ bit?” Slaughter roared.
“Maybe a lot. I don’t care. That fucker knows where Julie is, he’s playing games. If Julie’s alive, I’ll find her. If Margrave killed Julie, then I’m going to send him personally to hell,” I shouted.
Marie made a squeaking noise, and we both glanced down.
“It’s okay,” Slaughter soothed, and Marie bobbed her head up and down. “Office now, asshole.”
I followed Slaughter into his office and had barely shut the door when he pinned me with a gimlet eye. “What the fuck is going on, Harlequin?”
“Margrave knows where Julie is, and my gut is telling me time’s running out,” I replied.
“So, you confront him publicly? Stand outside his house and yell accusations?”
“Yup. I needed Margrave rattled; fucker’s too calm and is playing mindfuck games. Now neighbours are watching, and the cops have taken him in to talk about his bullshit statement. Margrave’s on edge, which is where I wanted him.”
“And what if this guy is just a fuckin’ weirdo and you’re persecuting him?” Slaughter shot back.
I opened my mouth to reply and then shut it again. Deep down, I searched my feelings before shaking my head. “Nope. I’m one hundred and ten per cent certain Margrave’s guilty.”
“You’d better hope so, or you’ve opened us to a lawsuit. Worse, your actions might have tipped off Julie’s kidnapper, and he could kill her before she’s traced. Start praying you ain’t just screwed up. Get out and find Julie!” Slaughter yelled.
I left convinced I’d not fucked up because if I had, the repercussions were unthinkable.
April
I glowered at Mahoney as she slunk past me in the ER. Teagan stood by my side with a matching glare.
“I just heard.”
“What the fuck is Mahoney doing back?” I demanded as Mahoney scuttled down a corridor and disappeared from view.
“The hospital has put her on a final warning. However, Mahoney’s been forced out of the ER and onto the men’s geriatric ward. She hates it there. Have the police contacted you?” Teagan asked.
“Yes. They charged Mahoney with assault; there wasn’t enough evidence for attempted murder. Bitch has a clean record, so she got a slap on the wrist and community service.”
“For assault?” Teagan exclaimed.
“Yeah, and that she’s a nurse and valuable to society. They’re making that bitch do a hundred hours of community service. It’s higher than usual, but the judge wasn’t too happy. Apparently, although she copped a guilty plea, Mahoney pouted and sulked and blamed the hospital for her actions.”
“Mahoney was processed quickly,” Teagan exclaimed.
“Yeah. Seems her granddaddy plays golf with the judge and wanted this resolved swiftly. But with her spoiled attitude in court, the judge threw the book at her; can’t say I blame him. I’d have thrown a brick.”
“I would have too,” Teagan agreed.
Resigned, I shrugged. “And Mahoney’s on her last warning here?”
“Yup, they’re giving her scut work, and Mahoney’s livid. She thought she ruled the roost down here, and she’s got her comeuppance,” Teagan replied.
“Any news on Reines?”
“No, Reines has been acting his usual douche self, but if you look closely, it’s a front. With all the complaints against him, I can’t see Reines getting away with shit.”
“The man is a walking STD,” Teagan muttered.
“Oh, ain’t he just. And Mahoney was desperate to get laid by him? God knows why, because some of the comments I heard weren’t complimentary,” I bitched, and Teagan laughed.
“Yup, I overheard similar stuff.” Tegan snickered.
