“Mom, Dad, did you know about this?” Noah demanded.
Farmer tapped his mug with a teaspoon, and all eyes focused on him. “We are working to find out where the seating changes came from. Bynum Jr. and his date, Phyllis Wilson, were the original occupants scheduled for Cassie and Ames’s seats. Ms. Wilson was found dead, and we’re searching for Bynum Jr.” Martin went on to explain what occurred in the bathroom, minimizing the gore and explaining how heroic Cassie was, successfully killing Ames.
Ian held his hand up to prevent any more conversation. “Andy Blake supported the idea that it was a crime of rejection. His theory changed with supporting video from the attack of Ames saying, ‘She should have died six years ago.’”
A low rumble grew to a roar. Noah slammed his hand on the table, while Caleb held his head between his hands. Christian pushed to his feet. “I warned you it was her story to tell.”
“And she’s suffered because of it. I spoke with the five of you in the ICU, and you stonewalled me. My team has put in a lot of man-hours to figure this out. I saw the police file, and I know what happened six years ago. Cassie suffered a brutal assault.
“You also know Cassie’s home was ransacked.” He shared the evidence they had about the break-ins. “Since then, I ordered her home under twenty-four-hour surveillance. A cleaning crew removed the perishable material after the insurance company did a walkthrough and took photographs. Martin, please coordinate with the insurer and take Rachel and Sophie to do a second walkthrough to tell us if anything is missing. I provided Sophie with a line of credit to use at Cassie’s favorite stores to replace her wardrobe. Hunt says she needs to wear supportive athletic shoes. Does Jimmy Choo make sneakers?” Ian’s lips turned up. Everyone laughed.
Ian turned serious. “I need to know Cassie’s unwritten history, and I need to know it tonight. No more secrets, no more stonewalling. Someone wants her dead, and I don’t think whoever is behind this is going to stop unless we stop them. I can hear it from you—or I can go up there and interrogate Cassie. Is that what you want?” Ian hoped they would not call his bluff.
Everyone jumped when they heard a loud crash followed by Cassie’s room alarm.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Pete led the run up the stairs with Ian on his heels. At the entrance to Cassie’s room, he stopped in his tracks. He raised his right hand into a fist, signaling he needed everyone’s attention.
Eric, bleeding heavily from a long slash to his forearm, stood five feet from Cassie. She sat perched on a windowsill holding a large glass shard from a broken vase in her blood-stained left hand. The monitor was screaming and flashing red, and the leads were in a tangled mess on the floor. Blood dripped from her PICC site, mixing with the feeding leaking onto the floor from the pulled tube. Her bandages covering her shoulder were crimson, and the immobilizer lay on the floor. The blinds fluttered through the open window.
Pete entered and silenced the alarms. “Cassie, come sit on the floor with me.” Eric attempted to get her attention.
Pete slipped behind Eric, handing him gauze to staunch his wound. Jameson moved in front of Eric, taking over trying to calm her. Hunter and Ian pulled Eric into the crowded hall.
“What happened?” Ian maintained his position behind Pete at the door threshold, listening to Eric and keeping an eye on Cassie and Jamie.
“She was watching TV when I went to get another bottle of nutrition. I heard the alarm, and when I got back, she was crouched in a corner. As I approached, she grabbed the flowers, smashed the vase, and slashed me. She perched on the sill, saying she is soiled goods; she’s a murderer. Hunt, she’s lost in a repressed memory. Listen to her.”
Jamie was getting nowhere. If he moved closer by even an inch, she screamed and backed up against the window screen. Every time she brushed up against it, it loosened more.
Kieran and Martin pushed the Paulsen brothers into the bunk room. “Luke, Rachel and Christian, stay here and try to reason with her.” Martin texted as he spoke, “Sean, Noah, and Frank, come with me. Noah, you and Frank, I’ll get you materials. Make your way to the roof, rappel down and catch her if she falls.”
“Sean…” Kieran typed on his phone. “They’re bringing a dart gun from the main house. I’ll have Hunt fill it. I need you to spot for Martin. He will shoot the tranquilizer as a last resort.”
* * *
Water filled her lungs. “Help me. It hurts. I can’t breathe.” Hands held her down. Voices called to her.Frigid bitch, Cassiopeia.Sweat covered Cassie’s brow, and tears ran down her cheeks. All she saw was darkness. “Help me!”
Cassie, I’m sorry. I…can’t.
Her body went rigid at the sound of the voice.
“Cassiopeia is dead.” Her screams increased in volume. Glassy, vacant eyes twitched. Her breath came in ragged gasps.
“It’s not your fault… You did nothing wrong,” Jaime said.
Cassie’s breaths turned to sobs; her lips tinged blue. “You don’t understand. Let me die. I’m soiled. Murderers have to die.Shlyukha dolzhna umeret.’” Cassie cowered. “No talking. You’re not safe. No one is.”
* * *
Christian looked at Ian. “See if she will listen to you. Please.” Ian grasped Christian’s shoulder and crossed the threshold.
Pete handed Ian a syringe. “She’s in trouble. If you can’t calm her fast, use it.” Ian slipped it in his sleeve.
“I’m soiled goods. Murderers die. Let me die.” Cassie leaned over and clutched her chest, gulping air between cries. “I’m a coward. I let them die. Garett knows. He will tell everyone I was dirty and killed him. They will kill everyone I love. Let me die, so no one else does.”
“Cassie, no one can get to you here,” Jamie said.
