"Randy's dead. Who told you to find a humane solution for Tonette?" Martin's voice toughened.
Krystal shook her head. "I want protection. She's crazy."
"Who, Krystal?" Martin's breath tickled the back of her neck.
"Doctor Ullman. Hailey Ullman," she said the name like acid burned her tongue.
Martin didn't need to ask; Ford and Mike left the room. "Who else is involved?"
"I swear, I don't know. Hailey gives the orders." Martin stepped back. "What's happening?" Krystal cried.
Tate lifted her out of the chair. “Krystal Slater, place your hands behind your back. I am Investigative Agent Tate Webster from the Department of Homeland Security. As per federal statute, there is probable cause based upon what was found on your person in addition to your direct statement that you committed a felony, allowing me to place you under arrest." He applied a pair of flex cuffs. She bowed her head as he and Kip led her past her colleagues.
Patrick and Martin returned to the somber vigil beside Elizabeth. They could only support her and wait. When Martin's phone vibrated, he showed Patrick the message. Hailey Ullman disappeared from the hospital after Tonette's code.
An agitated Henrietta Krump knocked on Elizabeth's door. "Mr. Bailey, may I speak with you? You can't do this," Krump said, red-faced.
Martin narrowed his gaze at the administrator. "What can't I do?"
She tapped her pointed shoe for emphasis. "You can't disrupt the hospital staff by searching them every time they enter a room."
Martin flexed his neck. "Mrs. Krump, let me educate you. Please ask the hospital lawyers. Under the authority of the federal government's Department of Homeland Security, I am charged with, among other things, overseeing the possession, use, and transfer of biological agents and toxins that can pose a severe threat to the public. Under that mandate, if I deem searching staff necessary, I will do so. I would think you would be more concerned that at least one former and two current employees participated in harming multiple patients. Can I answer any more questions?"
Tighe's heart tugged for the abused little girl nicknamed Victoria, and the Raggedy Ann story made him smile. A red wool-haired doll rested beside her. "The other dolls sat upon the shelf and looked straight before them, for it would never do to let grown-up men know that dolls were really alive."
A little hand reached out. Tighe grasped her fingers with one hand and waved over Vanessa Rudolph, a Chase nurse from New York, with the other. "Hello, princess. Don't be afraid. You’re safe now." He was smitten when two bright brown almond-shaped eyes focused on him. When she bucked against the tube, Tighe took an exaggerated breath. "Shh, the tube is helping you breathe. Slow and easy."
His knees weakened as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "Are you hurting? I'm here. Squeeze my hand if you hurt.” He felt her hand squeeze.
"Hello, my name is Vanessa; your eyes are so beautiful." She hit the call bell. "Tighe, I need an order for pain meds."
When Tighe moved to give Vanessa space to work, the child held on as hard as she could. "I'm not leaving you."
Bruce rushed Joyce inside, then blocked the residents and only allowed Kat Archer in after he searched her. Joyce and Kat examined the little girl. "Hi, I'm Dr. Joyce. We’re going to take that tube out and make that hurt go away." The doctors removed the tube, and once the little girl was settled, Kat departed.
Tighe knelt at her bedside to be at her eye level. "Princess, can you tell us your name? My name is Tighe, and this is Vanessa, and this is Dr. Joyce."
"Lis...sa." Her arm wrapped around the doll with the red wool hair.
"What a pretty name. How old are you, Lissa?" Joyce spoke. Lissa held up four fingers. "Wow, four."
"Lissa, what's your big person name? My name is Tighe Cummings."
Lissa scrunched up her face. "I not s'post to tell."
"Who told you that, Lissa?" Tighe's tone was gentle in spite of the anger burning inside him.
"You don't have to keep secrets," Joyce said. "No one will hurt you. Do you want to whisper to me?"
Lissa shook her head and pointed to Tighe.
Tighe leaned in closer. "Okay, Princess. You whisper it to me."
"Lissa Satanta."
He forced himself to smile. "Thank you, Lissa. What is your mommy's name?”
"Mommy. Daddy calls her Ho." The little girl's reply was so innocent. The three caregivers turned their eyes from her sweet face. "Mommy went to sleep and never woke up. Daddy said she was Sleeping Beauty, and he took her to the castle. The next day he brought me to stay with Uncle Boyd." Lissa's monitor alarmed at her increased heart rate.
