Chapter 10
One week later
Meri and Chase sat in the waiting area for Dr. Schneider.
Meri was a little nervous. “I’ve never had stitches removed before.”
Chase took her hand. “It’s nothing. You’ll be fine.”
“Will you come in with me?”
“Of course, if you want me to.”
“I do.”
“Meridith Anderson,” called a CNA holding a tablet.
Meri and Chase stood and followed the dark-haired woman who looked to be Meri’s age. She wore a plain gold band on her left hand. After holding the door for them to enter, she took the lead and led them down the hall.
“Hi, my name is Tara, and we’ll be in room eight, the last door on the right.”
Following her, Meri suddenly needed to hold Chase’s hand. She took it in her right hand as her left arm was back in the sling.
Tara held open the door while they entered, followed them in, and closed the door. “Okay, I’ll get your vitals and then Dr. Schneider will be here in a few minutes.” She pulled a gown from a drawer under the examination table. “Put this on, opening in the front and then get on the table, please.”
Meri removed her shirt and put on the gown. She wasn’t shy, having Chase in the room with her. With her bra on, she wasn’t revealing any more skin than in a bathing suit. As a matter-of-fact she was showing a lot less than some swimsuits she’d seen.
After Tara finished, she left and closed the door behind her.
Shortly, the tall man she remembered as her surgeon entered.
“Well, Meri, how are you doing? Not out being a target anymore, I hope.” He chuckled quietly, then looked at Chase. “Good to see you again, Chase.”
“You, too, Doc.” Chase held out his hand.
The doctor shook it and then turned back to Meri. “Let’s take a look at your wounds. Have you been keeping them clean? Changed the bandage every two to three days?”
“Yes, sir.” She looked at Chase and was very glad he’d seen that she’d stayed with him and remained safe. She was certain if she’d gone home and been alone, she’d be dead right now, despite her boasting about being able to take care of herself.
“Good. Please remove your gown.”
“Certainly.” She removed the garment, letting it slide down her arms and pool onto the table.
Dr. Schneider put on gloves and took a package from a drawer under the cabinet and removed the bandage, then he poked and prodded the wounds with a finger.
The sutures needed to be taken out and then hopefully she would be free.
“Okay. Everything looks good. Let’s get those stitches out.” He returned to sit in front of her on a small round stool, sliding it a little closer after he sat. Then he ripped open the package and took out a small pair of scissors.
She heard the snipping sounds of the scissors and felt little tugs. She smiled tentatively at Chase.
“It’ll be over quickly,” he whispered.
After less than a minute, the doctor set them on the metal rolling tray. “There you go. All done.” He wiped the areas with an alcohol wipe. “You can dress now.”
Meri jumped when he rubbed it with the alcohol wipe. “Oww. That stings.”
“I know, but it’s necessary,” said Dr. Schneider.
She put on her shirt and buttoned it. “Thank you. Hopefully, it’ll stop itching now. That has been the worst part of being shot. The pain was nothing compared to the itching.”
Doctor Schneider chuckled. “You don’t know how many people tell me that. Thankfully, I’ve never had to experience it myself.”
“The first thing I’m doing when I get home is taking a nice, long shower and scrubbing these scars.”
The doctor smiled. “You do that, and don’t let me see you back here again.” He sobered. “Be careful. Whatever you’re doing, someone doesn’t like it.”
“Rest assured, I don’t want to see you either.” Her eyes rounded. “No offense meant.”
“None taken,” chuckled Dr. Schneider.
Meri stepped down from the examination table to leave.
Chase stood, too. “Thank you.” He again held out his right hand to the doctor.
“You’re welcome.” He shook Chase’s hand.
“Yes, thank you for helping me.”
“Of course.”
The doctor left the room.
Meri and Chase followed him.
When they were outside, he walked beside her to the Charger in the parking lot.
Meri adjusted the purse on her right shoulder as she stopped to see his face.
“I didn’t say anything earlier, because I didn’t want to pry.
But when I was pulling a shirt out of the closet, I found something that I think belonged to Paige.
She lived with you for a year or so before she was killed, right?
Anyway, I think it’s her diary, but it’s locked.
It’s a thin piece of leather and I’m sure you could cut through it. It might hold a clue to her murder.”
Chase frowned. “I didn’t know she kept a diary, and I never looked in that room for anything. I didn’t realize she used it for more than storing clothes. Unlike you, she was a definite clothes horse.”
She chuckled. “I might not have a lot of clothes, but the pieces I have are quality ones. They’ll last a long time.”
“I stand corrected. Let’s look at that diary. I want to see what it says.”
They walked to the car, got in and drove back to his building, and took the elevator up to the apartment. When they entered, she headed to her room, placed her purse on the bed and found the diary, then returned to the living room.
Chase stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows, looking out over the city and toward the mountains. His vantage gave him the best of both views.
He turned.
How he heard her she couldn’t fathom. The carpet was deep and thick, muffling any footsteps. Maybe he saw her reflection in the windows.
She handed him the small book. Before she released it, she laid her hand on an arm. “You might find out things you’d rather not. Are you sure you want to read it? I can read it and tell you if anything stands out.”
“Thank you for wanting to protect me, but I need to know for myself. We can read it together.” He headed for the sofa and sat in the middle.
She followed and sat to his left, close enough that their legs and arms touched.
He took a knife out of his pocket and slit the leather that held the book closed. He opened it and leafed through to the last entry. Then he read out loud.
Dear Diary,
I’m meeting Marco again tonight. I shouldn’t, but I can’t seem to stay away. I know he works for the cartel, and he’s dangerous, but that’s part of the attraction. In addition, he’s great in bed. Chase would never forgive me if he found out. I know this, and I still can’t stay away.
I’m going to tell him that tonight is our last time.
I can’t keep doing deliveries for him. I know what I’m doing is wrong.
If the police caught me, I’d go to jail for life, and I’m not sure I could last anytime in jail.
If another cartel catches me, I’m dead. But Marco insists that I’m the perfect person for the job.
No one would ever suspect me of helping drug traffickers.
I know he’s right, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.
I have to quit, and I’m going to. Tonight will be the last time for both Marco and the drug drops.
It has to be. I love Marco, but Chase can give me all the things I need.
And, anyway, he’s too busy to notice if I’m gone.
I’ve always met Marco at his place on Sixth and Downing, but tonight he wanted to meet me at White’s.
That’s not the kind of place I usually frequent, but if he wants to meet me there, I’ll go.
If he had more money, Marco and I would marry, I’m sure of it.
Oh well, need to dress and go see him. I intend to make this last night one to remember.
Chase turned toward her, snapping the book closed. “White’s is where she was killed. I wonder if the police know of a Marco that lives at near Sixth and Downing? We’ll ask when we give this to the police. We have to let them investigate. I’ll do whatever I can legally do.”
“This could be the information they need to finally have a lead on a suspect in her death.” She placed a hand on his thigh. “I’m sorry for the rest of it. I’m sure it must hurt.”
He shook his head and stood. Then he paced to the windows and stared out. “I knew something was wrong between us, but I never thought the problem was another man.” He ran both hands through his hair. “She’s right, you know. I do work too much. I didn’t notice she was so unhappy.”
Meri walked to the windows and stood beside him. “Did Paige have a job? What was she supposed to be doing that night?”
“No, she didn’t have a job. She was supposed to be at a concert with her friends. They were all questioned and weren’t any help. They all said that she’d been with them.”
Meri fisted her hands. “With this new evidence, they might be persuaded to tell the truth and explain why they lied.”
“Perhaps. I’ll run this,” he shook the diary, “by the detective in charge of the case and see what he wants to do. After I’ve made a copy of these pages.
Just in case the diary is somehow…misplaced.
As a matter-of-fact, I’ll keep the original and give the detective the copy.
But I want to re-question them myself and take the information to the police.
They’ll have a harder time turning me down in person.
These women won’t get away with lying a second time. ”
She laid a hand on his back in what she hoped was a comforting gesture. “Do you know where they work? Or perhaps have them meet you at your office here. Then you can get them all together. How many people are we talking about?”
He gazed down at her. “Just three. Carissa Tyson, Lacey Cooper and Emma Foster. I have an employee who’s great at digging up information. I’ll have their contact info in no time. I’ll give them each a call.”
“Great. When do you think we should do this?”