“Your throat’s pretty bruised.” Louisa’s expression hardened. “That butcher wasn’t exactly gentle with the syringe.”
“Sit up,” Olivia whispered, struggling to rise.
“Hold on.” Louisa raised the bed, and both she and Theo grasped her gently under the arms, helping her up, as Erica passed them a couple of plump pillows, which she tucked behind her gently.
“Thirsty.”
Theo poured her a cup of water from a nearby pitcher and held the straw to her lips so she could take a sip.
“Thank you,” she replied tiredly, slumping back against the pillows.
Louisa took a small penlight from her breast pocket and checked her pupils.
“Well, it looks like you’re going to be fine,” Louisa told her. “Most of your injuries are pretty minor, mostly bruising. We were a bit concerned about that knock to the head, but we ran a CT while you were out, and it turns out you do have a brain, so it’s all good.”
Olivia managed a small smile.
“We’re still not sure exactly what he gave you. It was probably some kind of sedative, so you’re going to feel pretty sleepy until it wears off completely. We’ll monitor you for the next twenty-four hours and then you should be okay to go home.”
“How long have I been here?” Olivia frowned.
“Several hours already,” Theo replied.
“Where’s Beau? You shouldn’t leave him at home on his own, he’s only a puppy.” She frowned.
“Relax,” Louisa replied as she scribbled some notes on Olivia’s chart. “He’s fine. He’s in the staff lounge being spoiled rotten by my interns.”
“Oh.” She smiled. “Okay then.”
“Olivia.” Mac stepped forward. “I know you’re tired, but I really do need to ask you a few questions.”
“Me first,” she replied, her eyes narrowing.
“Okay.” Mac nodded.
“Where’s Chief Walcott?”
“We haven’t found him yet,” Mac admitted. “Unfortunately for us, he grew up in those woods, so he knows them better than just about anyone. It may take us a while to find him. But the good news is, he has no food or supplies. He can’t hide out in the woods indefinitely, especially with the weather turning. Sooner or later, he’ll surface. Trust me, we will find him.”
“Why should I trust you?” Olivia snapped. “Look what happened last time.”
“I know you have no reason to trust me, Olivia, but I really am on your side here.”
She shook her head. She knew it probably wasn’t the guy’s fault, but she’d really had enough of cops and Thomas Walcott in particular. However, she wasn’t stupid enough to ignore the situation. She knew as long as Walcott was on the loose, she was in danger, so whether she liked it or not, she needed the police on her side.
“Fine, ask.” She shrugged.
“Why don’t you start by telling us what happened?” Mac said gently.
“I was down in the parking garage waiting for a ride home.” She stared at Mac. “Erica went outside to make a phone call. I heard a noise, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in a cabin in the woods with Thomas Walcott for company. He was crazy before, but now he’s almost completely unhinged. He’s convinced the body you found today was James Talbot.”
“His lover?” Mac clarified.
“You know about that?” she replied with some surprise.
“Yeah, I know,” Mac replied contemplatively. “So, you think Walcott’s confused?
“It’s like he’s getting the past and present mixed up. The victims then and the victims now are all the same, and he’s also getting me mixed up with my father. At one point, he was convinced I killed James. He couldn’t seem to reconcile that I was a child at the time. He sees me as I am now, but back then, if that makes sense. He’s completely lost touch with reality. He was using me as bait.”
