"What you’re saying is insane, Brynn. Martin wouldn't commit a crime. What is he accused of?"
"Murder. Talbot Reed and Hal Dufour."
"Did he say anything else?"
"No…I guess he thought I could intercede."
Ian smiled at Kieran. "Did you catch it?"
"She never mentioned Martin telling her he figured something out. Who passed the information that Hal Dufour was the other man killed? Run down who knew specifics and when. Now I hope we can keep Martin alive long enough to reel her in."
"I'll stay here if she doesn't fly out to Silverton. You better catch your flight," Ian said.
Inside Lola's room, Julian squatted at Elizabeth's side. "Beth,chère. Can you wake up for me?" Used to functioning on no sleep, she awakened clear-headed. "Chère,come outside with me. We need to speak with you."
"What's wrong? Where's Marty?"
"Come, please?" He guided her to the door.
Elizabeth walked into the warmly furnished room. Tate and Zach stood with Paul Young and Wilbur Blake. The solemn faces of the two detectives warned her. "What happened to my father?" Her tone was flat.
"Dr. Reed, please sit," Young said.
"So, Detective, you aren't going to blurt out the gory details?" she cracked.
"Dr. Reed, I regret to inform you that your father is dead."
Elizabeth took a breath. "What happened?"
Young sounded sympathetic, "He was shot to death in his home. His friend Hal Dufour was also killed. I'm sorry. We need you to make a formal identification."
"Did you catch the person?"
"We placed someone into custody," Blake said.
"Hailey Ullman or Pietra Hahn?"
"No, the man we believe responsible for their deaths is Martin Bailey. I'm sorry," Young said.
The world collapsed beneath her. “Thank you, Detectives. Where is my father? I will make the identification." Then she turned to Julian. “Could you come to the morgue with me and then take me home? I want to speak to Seth. Tate, would you do me a favor and call Steven and Patrick? Tell them what happened, and I will call them later."
"Sure, Beth," Tate said.
Elizabeth walked into Lola's room. "Seth, tell Tucker I'll see him tomorrow. My father is dead. I need to identify him," her speech was robotic.
"I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. Please let me know if there is anything I can do."
Elizabeth leaned over and kissed Lola. "I'll make sure you get your second chance."
Martin couldn't clear his foggy brain. The harder he tried, the more he came up empty. Louella and Patrick walked in with dour faces. "Mr. Bailey, your toxicology screen is positive. There is a high concentration of an opiate in your system," Louella said.
"Opiates? I don't take drugs. I swear!"
Murray and Emerson moved closer. "Bailey, take it down a notch," Emerson demanded.
"Our lab is trying to identify the substance. I'm going to give you naloxone to negate the last of the effects." Patrick drew up a syringe. "Lieutenant, we will hold Mr. Bailey for an hour. If all goes well, he will be medically cleared."
"Doc, is that irritation on my calf from the drug?"
