“We are.” Kurt sat in one of the two leather guest chairs and took the lead. “I find it suspicious that you have ties to two dead women, Dr. Bankston.”
Jeremiah flicked his gaze to Mia. “What do you think?”
“I think you should answer the question,” she prodded.
Jeremiah’s eyebrows rose. “There wasn’t a question.”
Kurt cleared his throat. “Did you kill either of those women?”
“No,” Jeremiah said.
Kurt slightly leaned forward. “Listen, TJ—”
“No.” Jeremiah held up a hand. “You can call me Jeremiah, or you can call me Dr. Bankston. I don’t go by TJ any longer. I haven’t for a long time. I’m not playing these games with you, Agent Colbey. Either be polite or get out of my office.”
Mia leaned forward to take the focus off Kurt. “Tell us about Bobbi, Jeremiah.”
“She was a good nurse. She was young and energetic, and I liked her,” Jeremiah admitted. “I don’t know who would kill her.”
“Did she have any problems?” Kurt asked.
“No,” Jeremiah said. “Not that I know of. I only knew her from work. I don’t know anything about her personal life.”
Mia tapped her fingers on the desk. “It doesn’t seem like anybody knows anything about her personal life. Did she even have one?”
“I have no clue. I do know she was always available to work double shifts and holidays.” He shrugged. “I guess I never really thought about it. She came to work, was efficient and careful, and then left. She was never late, and she did her job.”
Mia looked at the diplomas behind Jeremiah’s muscled body. “Why don’t you have CCTV here?”
For the first time, Jeremiah cracked a smile. “This is an asylum. Privacy matters, and there’s never been a need for cameras. Why? Do you think Bobbi was taken when she left work?”
Mia shook her head. “We don’t know. We know she left work and then disappeared, as did her vehicle—like the other two local victims. We have techs checking highway camera footage between here and her home, but we don’t have any results yet.” All three of the recent victims had disappeared with their vehicles. Mia’s gaze wandered to the diplomas again. “How long were you in DC, Jeremiah?”
“About five years. Wasn’t my kind of place.” His desk was pristine, yet even so, he wiped an invisible smudge off a corner with his sleeve. His papers were stacked neatly, and his computer was off to the side. He must have to dust the place every day, and by the looks of it, he did. Nothing was out of place, even on the credenza behind him.
“Did you know a Robert Delaney?” she asked suddenly.
One of his eyebrows rose. “You mean the serial killer you shot and killed?”
A chill scratched down Mia’s back. “Yeah, that Delaney.”
Jeremiah shook his head. “No, sorry. Only things I know about him are what I read in the newspaper and what I investigated after you appeared in town and started dating Seth Volk. If I find out anything else, though, I’ll let you know.”
Lovely. Sarcasm from the good doctor. That was all Mia needed. “What about Rodney Newcomb? Did you meet him while you were in DC? I have no doubt he sought counseling in the past. You were one of his counselors, weren’t you?” She had no clue if Rodney ever underwent therapy after discovering his boss was a sociopathic killer, but sometimes a bluff worked.
Jeremiah leaned back and crossed his arms over his muscular chest. “Now, Agent Stone, you know as well as I that doctor-patient confidentiality would prevent me from discussing any patients with you.”
“I’m aware of that. I’m also aware you’re not answering the question,” she said. “Have you or have you not treated Rodney Newcomb?” If the doctor hadn’t treated Rodney, nothing prohibited him from saying so—unless he was just being an ass.
Jeremiah shook his head. “No, I have never met nor treated anybody named Rodney Newcomb. We both know I don’t have to tell you that, but since you’re obviously fishing here, there you go. I don’t know who that is. I am not involved in your former case or this one in any manner, Mia. I hope you’re just pursuing an avenue and not harassing me because of your boyfriend.”
Kurt watched the interchange and partially turned to look at Mia.
“Why would I harass you because of Seth?” she asked pointedly.
Jeremiah’s gaze slashed across her face. “We both know there’s something wrong with Seth and Lost Lake. I don’t know what is going on, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he were involved in these murders,” he drawled. “We both know he killed Pete.”
“Do we now?” Mia asked. “How do we know that?”
