“Is he worth no questions asked kind of help?”
“Rocco was an undercover cartel doctor for the D.E.A. for the past few years before the cartel seduced him away. He has access to everything we need to ensure Ike gets the best care. We need him.” Everett looked annoyed.
“That’s the only answer I need. We’ll have his back when he calls,” Sebastian said, then lowered his voice. “This is going to sound crazy, but I’m not sure Shannon was the one who attacked Gabrielle at the safe house.”
“Why not?” Everett leaned closer.
“All our research on Shannon points to him being aggressively ambitious. He wants to move up in law enforcement. Has political aspirations. Doesn’t sound like the same man who’d risk all of that by getting his hands dirty?” Sebastian said, allowing his chaotic thoughts to ramble. “The attacker was deranged. He was livid that Gabrielle wrote in her journal about being in love with her bodyguard. He was so crazed that he screamed at Gabrielle and the guard when both were unconscious. Ranted about how heartbroken he was that Gabrielle loved another man. Just doesn’t fucking fit.”
Everett stared at the ceiling. “I agree. After the way Brooks was killed, not likely he was the attacker at the safe house either. So, we’re dealing with another unknown stalker who is just as obsessed with Gabrielle as Damian Hester.”
Sebastian froze.
Marvin charged Gabrielle. “My brother is hanging on for his fucking life, and you say, ‘good riddance.’ I hate you for what you did to him. He needed psychological help. Not a fucking prison cell. You bitch!”
He stood up from the stool. “It’s Marvin Hester. He’s the attacker from the safe house and Gabrielle’s real stalker. He hates Gabrielle and blames her for his brother going to prison. Now that Damian’s dead, that’s enough to push him over the edge.” Sebastian walked over to Bobby. “Can you find Dr. Marvin Hester’s last known whereabouts?”
“I’m on it.” Bobby typed quickly on the keyboard.
“What about his parents? Didn’t he go to Toronto to fly his brother’s body up there for the funeral?” Kane asked.
Everett said, “Yeah, let me give them a call. I’ll pretend to be a colleague of his from St. Killian General Hospital. If he’s not still up there, you could be right, Sebastian.”
Minutes later, Sebastian had all the information he needed to know he was right.
“His folks said the plane arrived with Damian’s body, but Marvin wasn’t on the flight. They held the funeral without him there,” Everett said, frowning as he tossed his phone onto the table.
“I have footage of Dr. Marvin Hester leaving St. Killian General Hospital on the same day that Gabrielle was admitted after the attack on the safe house. Records show he met with Dr. Roger Pinkerton to request a sabbatical from his psychology residency that day, which was approved. He’s not expected back into the program for a year,” Bobby added.
“So, Marvin never left the islands, and he’s not working. He’s been here the whole time.” Panic raced through Sebastian. “He got to Gabrielle. I know it, and there’s only one place he’d take her.”
“Where?” Everett asked.
Sebastian said, “Back to the scene of the crime.”
Chapter52
“Marvin! Help me, please,” Gabrielle screamed as she rocked the chair backward and reached down to try to remove the constraints from her ankle. “Brad kidnapped me.”
“What? That doesn’t make sense,” Marvin said, looking from her and then back to Brad.
“She’s confused,” Brad said with an enigmatic smile. “It’s nothing like that, Dr. Hester.”
“Then what are you doing on my family’s private property? Why is she tied up?” Marvin asked, stepping into the kitchen.
“It’s a misunderstanding,” Brad said, walking toward Marvin. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“You have to help me. I know I’m not your favorite person in the world, but please help me stop him,” Gabrielle said, yanking at the plastic ties around her ankles as they dug into her skin. They were impossible to break without a knife or sharp object. She could not run if she couldn’t get them off.
“Then cut those things off her ankles,” Marvin demanded, his voice quivering. “Now, detective.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I can’t let you stop the plan I have in motion.” Brad grabbed the knife from his back pocket and flashed it toward Marvin.
“Watch out!” Gabrielle screamed. “He has a knife!” She toppled over in the chair, crashing against the floor.
Marvin jerked backward as Brad swiped the blade toward him. Brad swung again, slicing across Marvin’s chest, ripping a gash in his buttoned-down white shirt. Marvin yelped, stumbling backward. He pulled the torn fabric as he glanced town to see if he was cut. Shaking his head, he looked up at Brad. “You almost cut me. What the hell is going on?”
“It’s in your best interest to leave,” Brad said, then charged toward Marvin with the knife. Panic crossed Marvin’s face, then he dipped low and rushed toward Brad, ramming into the man’s abdomen. The two men fell backward, banging into the kitchen counter. Marvin held on tight, punching Brad in the side. The knife fell to the floor as Brad went on the offensive, pounding his fists against Marvin’s back and jerking from side to side to free himself.
