“Thanks.” I make a note and put the pen down. “I think that’s everything for now.”
“Great, because I need to get back.” He stands.
“Go. Good luck with your patient.” I stand too. “I may have to follow up with you. I kept this short because of your situation.”
“Of course. Anytime. Just let Carla know, and I’ll be there. I’m sure that Dr. Keller is innocent. She would never do something like this. I hope you know that.”
He’s out the door before I’ve sat back down.
I stare at the page in front of me and decide on a list of follow-ups, which I write down. I need to speak with neighbors and family members to verify that all the information given is accurate. I need to recheck the camera footage.
My list of follow-ups runs to nearly a full page by the time I’m done.
Before I leave the building, I want one more pass at the storage room. I go in and take my time, but nothing new jumps out. I take pictures to look at later.
I lock up behind me and head back through the hangar to the main corridor. I take the stairs up to reception. I need some information from Carla.
She is at the reception desk and looks up as I approach. Her smile dies as soon as she sees me.
“You have got to be kidding me.” She says it loud enough that an orderly turning the corner glances over and decides to keep walking.
“Hi, Carla.”
“Don’t ‘Hi, Carla’ me.” She stands. There’s color high in her cheeks. “Do not. I cannot believe you have the gall to walk through these doors. You had better not be here to ask me for something, because those days are gone.”
“I just finished with the interviews, and?—”
“The interviews.” She lets out a hard laugh. “Right. So that you can put the final lock on Robyn’s cell door. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Her voice has gone lower now, but itcuts harder for it. “Robyn is in jail because of you. She could be found guilty.”
“I was doing my job.”
“Your job.” Her eyes are bright. “Really, now? Was that what you were doing when you slept with her, Ridge? Was that the job?” She lowers her voice.
I don’t answer.
“Because that’s what you did. You slept with her while you were investigating her. While she was opening her door to you and trusting you and letting you into her life. You were collecting evidence the whole freaking time.”
“I was in the wrong. I shouldn’t have done that.”
She looks a little shocked that I admitted it.
“You know what kills me?” She steps out from behind the desk and folds her arms. “I liked you. I encouraged her because I thought you were good for her. I sat at this desk and watched her come alive in a way I hadn’t seen in years. I thought, finally… Finally, she’s met someone who makes her happy. I was wrong. I was sooooo wrong, and now she’s paying for it.”
“Carla. Listen to me. I am not done with this. I am going to keep digging. I am going to find who set her up, and I am going to get her out. That is exactly what I’m doing here today and what I’ll be doing tomorrow and every day after that, until she’s home.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t expect anything from you. I’m telling you what I’m going to do and why I’m here.”
“You’re full of it.” She shakes her head. “You have a hell of a nerve showing your face in this building. After what you did. After what you put her through.”
“I need a printout of?—”
“No!”
“I’m trying to help her, dammit! I need a printout of uniform and shoe sizes for all of the staff who have access to the high-end equipment storage room. Once you give it to me, I’ll leave.” I keep my voice even.
“What, so that you can use it to bury her even further?” Her eyes are shimmering with tears.
