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Melanie opened her mouth, but I gestured for her to be quiet.
“As much as I’d love to interrogate you about that, that’s not why we’re here.”
“Then why are you here? I’ve already told the police I had nothing to do with your kidnapping, Dr. Carmichael.”
“I don’t believe that either,” I said, “but that’s still not why we’re here.”
“Then what the hell do you want? And you’re going to pay for that door, by the way.”
“Yeah, I’ll pay for it. And don’t even think about calling the cops on me. I’ll make your life hell.”
He opened his mouth, but I raised my fist at him.
“I’m doing the talking now. I’ll let you know when it’s your turn. We need some information. Information that Dr. Carmichael was never able to get from your daughter while she was alive.”
“I don’t see what—”
“You don’t listen very well. I told you I would let you know when to talk. Now shut the fuck up. I want to know the name of your brother-in-law. The one who assaulted and raped your daughter. You remember? The reason she needed therapy?”
“Doesn’t matter. He’s dead.”
“How did he die?”
“Uh…cancer.”
“What kind of cancer?”
“Lung cancer.”
“Was he a smoker?” I asked Melanie. “Did Gina ever say her uncle smoked?”
Melanie shook her head, biting her lip.
“Seems like something Gina might have mentioned.”
Cates fidgeted nervously. “You don’t have to smoke to get lung cancer.”
“True. But most lung cancer cases re
sult from smoking. If your brother-in-law didn’t smoke, it’s unlikely he had lung cancer. I think you’re lying, Dr. Cates. And you know something else? I don’t think he’s dead.”
His face turned red. “He’s dead.”
“Let me see the death certificate.”
“I don’t have it.”
“Then give me his name. I’ll go to the records office and get one myself.”
His face turned ruddier. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”
I lunged at him, grabbing him by the collar and pushing him up against the wall. “That’s where you’re wrong. We’re not leaving until we get the information we came for.”
“I’ll call the cops on you.”
“Go right ahead. I’m sure they’ll be interested in the information I want from you too.”
Melanie stepped forward. “Dr. Cates, please. Gina would never give me this information. I don’t know why, but I have my hunches.”
