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“With the interview.”
“Oh. Fairly well, I think.”
“Why’d you do her that favor? She double-crossed us.”
“I didn’t do it as a favor. I—”
She cut Elle off. “I guess you know by now that I told Frank the location of the safe house. I’m to blame for the place being shot up.” Her mouth twisted. “Are you mad at me over that?”
Elle didn’t go down that path. Obvious to her was that Dawn was mentally and emotionally unstable and should never have been allowed to leave the hospital. Clearly, she needed supervision.
Easing into that topic, she said, “I was surprised to learn that the doctors discharged you so soon after you’d suffered a concussion.”
“The doctors didn’t. I got Mom to sort of push it through. We had to sign a bunch of paperwork, relieving the hospital of liability.”
“Why were you in such a hurry to leave?”
“I was tired of everybody watching me. I didn’t have a minute’s peace. I think they were afraid I’d hurt myself. You know, because of me being to blame for those deputies, and especially Frank.”
Elle looked at her with empathy. “Don’t take all the blame on yourself, Dawn. There were many contributing factors.”
“Maybe.”
Elle noticed that her fingers were linked together in her lap like an intricate knot, so tightly clasped that her knuckles were white. “Did you see Dr. Sinclair?” she asked.
“A few times.”
“Was she helpful?”
“Yes. Well, I mean, I guess so.”
“Do you have thoughts about hurting yourself?”
“Not you, too.” She shook her head with annoyance. “I wish everyone would stop asking me that.”
Suddenly, in place of the automaton was a woman in a state of irrational anger and vehemence. Elle backed down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“How did you get here?”
Taken aback, Elle had to think for a moment.
“From the hospital,” Dawn said with exasperation. “How did you get here? I didn’t see a car, and you couldn’t have walked all that way.”
“I… I took an Uber.”
“What about Mr. Hudson?”
“Calder?”
“Yes, Calder.” She rolled her eyes. “You know, Calder Hudson?”
“What about him?”
“Where is he? I know you must be in contact with him. Y’all were getting so lovey-dovey. Where is he?”
Unsure where this hostile inquisition was coming from or where it was leading, Elle answered carefully. “Compton and Perkins have found another safe house for him.”
Dawn’s eyes narrowed on her. “Where?”
