Chapter Fifteen #2
“Yeah, that’s the one.” Bryn levered himself out of his beanbag then came to stand at Gunnar’s shoulder.
“A young woman was involved in a hit and run. She was found unconscious on a side street in the West End. Some lowlife took advantage and grabbed her purse so she had no ID on her. She took a knock to the head and can’t remember who she is.
The local PD thought I might be able to help find out who she is. ”
“You can see past amnesia? Isn’t that memory loss by definition?”
“Yeah, but the memories are still there, the person just can’t access them. I can’t get past permanent brain damage or degradation due to a disease like Alzheimer’s, but that doesn’t apply to this woman.”
“No. The doctor’s note says there was some brain swelling but that she should recover fully in time. There’s no reason why she needs to stay in the hospital but they need to release her into the care of someone who knows her. She was wearing a wedding ring.”
“But she doesn’t match a missing person’s record?”
“Apparently not, but if she’s from out of state, searching those could take a while.”
Emmett peered around his computer. “Over six hundred thousand people are reported missing in the US each year,” he contributed.
“Thanks, Emmett. Okay. Let’s take it.” Gunnar stood. “Let them know we’re on our way would you, Emmett?”
“Will do. I’ll text a contact name and I’ll let Warden know where you’re going. Are you going to take your bike?”
“Yeah, it’ll be quicker. We’ll grab some lunch while we’re out so remember to take a break, Emmett.”
“I’m going to meet Talbot and discuss moving plans. I won’t forget.”
The routine for getting their kit on and heading out was well-polished and they were soon on the road. Gunnar leaned into the curves, enjoying Bryn’s arms around him. “You wish there were more cases like this one, don’t you?” The helmet mike made a slight echo.
“It feels like a good way of using what I can do.”
“What if her strongest memory is of being hit by a car?”
“It could be, but there might be something in her future intent to help. It’ll be better if she didn’t see the vehicle and that happens more often than not in hit and runs.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“I had a test once where the victim had been deliberately run down. He saw the vehicle coming. He was in a coma and didn’t survive.”
“Did you get the plate?”
“Yeah, but the cops already had it. It was one of Delacourt’s experiments.”
That killed the conversation and Gunnar concentrated on the road. He and Bryn were getting out of their gear in the parking lot when his cell buzzed. “That’ll be Emmett with our contact.” He checked the screen. “Hmm, Emmett says to call him.”
“Strange.” Bryn came to stand next to him and Gunnar placed the call.
“Emmett?”
“Oh hey, Gunnar. Is Bryn with you?”
“When am I not?” Bryn muttered.
“Hi, Bryn!”
“What’s up? I’m putting you on speaker.” Gunnar checked to make sure there was no one in earshot.
“The jury came back in the mafia accountant trial. Guilty on all charges.”
“That’s good…isn’t it?” Gunnar was puzzled.
“Well, it is and it isn’t. Warden wanted me to tell you that word on the street is that The Hammer said he would offer a reward to anyone who brings Bryn to him if the verdict didn’t go his way.”
“You have to be fucking kidding me.” Gunnar immediately examined their surroundings.
“I don’t think Warden kids about anything, Gunnar. Anyway, I’m texting you your contact at the hospital. You need to go to Psychiatrics and ask for Doctor Sonya Tolliver. If you let me know what happens, I can pass information on to the police department.”
“Okay, thanks, Emmett, we’ll see you later.” Gunnar stowed his cell in his pocket.
Bryn’s shoulders were slumped. “Sorry.”
“What for?”
“Being me.”
“Hey, every cop wants a partner that’s the target of a serial killer and a mob boss. It makes for an exciting life.”
“Don’t joke. What if you end up in the firing line?”
“In law enforcement, that happens every day, Bryn. Let’s go do what we’re paid to.”
“But…”
“No buts.”
Bryn stripped off a glove then grabbed Gunnar’s hand. He squeezed his eyes shut. “Oh!” He blushed beet red.
“Heh heh. See something interesting in there, did you? What’s in my future?
” Gunnar had dreamed the previous night about spanking a naked Bryn over his Harley’s saddle so he had a pretty good idea what Bryn had seen.
And I fully intend to get that done. Bryn was already striding across the parking lot and Gunnar jogged to catch him.
“You’ve no idea how many filthy things I plan to do to you.
” He blew against Bryn’s neck. “Focus on that.”
Bryn whimpered. “You know I’m wearing tight jeans, right?”
“I am very aware of that, yes.”
When they crossed the threshold of the psychiatric unit, Gunnar’s sensitive nose started working overtime. “I hate hospitals, they stink.” He headed for the reception desk. “Disinfectant masking disease. Yuck.”
“Sounds gross. I’m glad I don’t have your sniffer.”
The receptionist gave Gunnar a big smile. “Hi! How can I help you?”
“We have an appointment with Dr. Tolliver.”
“Who is right over there.” The woman pointed and a white-coated woman hurried toward them.
“Hi, I’m Sonya Tolliver, it’s so kind of you to make time to come over here. Call me Sonya.”
“I’m Gunnar and this is Bryn,” Gunnar said.
“The augur! From a professional point of view, you are fascinating. I apologize in advance if I get too curious. Tell me to back off if that happens, okay?”
“Uh, sure. I hope we can help you out.”
“Does your patient know what we’re here to do?” Gunnar asked as they followed Sonya down a long corridor.
“Yes, and she’s very excited at the possibility she might find out something about herself. It’s very frustrating not being able to remember who you are.”
“I can imagine,” Gunnar agreed.
“Here we are.” Sonya took them into a small private room that had been made cheery with flowers and pictures. “This is one of our family waiting rooms. I thought this might be better than a ward. And this is Jane…which is the name we’ve been using.”
A young woman rose from a chair. She was a redhead, her face colored on one side by fading bruises. Some of her hair had been shaved and there was a stark scar on her scalp.
“Please sit down, ma’am,” Gunnar said, helping her back to her seat. “We won’t keep you long.”
Bryn sat next to her. He took off his gloves. “Hi, I’m Bryn. Pleased to meet you.” He took off his dark glasses and there were two gasps as he revealed his eyes.
“Oh, wow. You can really do this!” Sonya said. “I was a bit skeptical, I have to admit.”
“I really can,” Bryn said before turning to Jane. “Is it okay if I take your hand?”
“Sure.”
Gunnar never failed to be impressed by how Bryn could put a subject at ease. He made sure he wasn’t threatening, was polite and friendly. It’s a total personality switch.
Bryn grasped Jane’s hand and wrist then closed his eyes. “Okay, it’s a bit misty. She’s walking down the aisle on the left of someone whose arm is linked with hers. I assume it’s a male from the jacket. It’s gray. White shirt. Gold cufflink.”
“Where are they?” Gunnar asked.
“Not a church. It’s outside, sunny. Her arms are bare so I assume it’s warm. There’s a kind of pagoda thing at the end of a red carpet and the groom is waiting for her, smiling. Behind the pagoda, I can see the ocean.”
“Can you describe the groom?”
“Dark hair, beard and mustache. Wearing formal dark trousers, a white shirt and a bright floral waistcoat. The minister behind him is female. Short gray hair, robes. Jane is happy, excited, looking at the guests to either side of the aisle.”
“Can you describe anyone?”
“No. She’s looking but not seeing. All her focus is on the groom. Wait. He mouths I love you, Susan or Suzanna, not sure.” Bryn released his grip then put his gloves back on. “You had a beautiful wedding, Susan or Suzanna.”
“How about we go with Suzie?” Gunnar said. “Cover all bases.”
“Suzie’s good,” the patient said. “I can’t believe you saw all that.”
“Your strongest memory,” Bryn said. “Unfortunately, I can’t tell how long ago it was.”
Dr Tolliver sat next to Suzie. “Bryn has given us a lot to go on. It won’t be long before we find out who you are.”
“Our colleague will pass everything on to your police liaison,” Gunnar said. “It should be enough.”
“Thank you so much,” Suzie said. “You have no idea what this means to me.”
“Our pleasure. We should be going but, Doc, you let us know if you get any more forgetful patients, okay?”
“I will.” The doctor shook Gunnar’s hand and then Bryn’s. “I understand the need for the gloves. That’s quite the talent you have.”
Bryn slid his glasses into place. “Pleasure.”
“We can find our own way out,” Gunnar said. “Let us know when you have news. We don’t always get to hear how cases end up.”
“I will.”
Gunnar called Emmett as soon as they were beyond the door. When he ended the call, he and Bryn strolled down the corridor toward the exit. “How are you doing?” Bryn was even paler than normal.
“I could use a snack and some Tylenol.”
“There’s a vending machine over there. I spotted it on the way in.
” Gunnar extracted a blister pack of tablets from his pocket.
He popped two out, tipping them into Bryn’s hand.
“Here you go. We can get a water from the machine too.” Bryn chugged the pills dry.
“Or you could do that.” Gunnar examined the contents of the machine.
“They have granola bars, protein snacks…”
“I’ll take a Snickers, a Kit-Kat and a packet of double-stuff Oreos. Please. Ooh, and a can of Blue Bottle chilled coffee!”
“Good grief.” Gunnar pressed the required buttons and delivered the haul. He got a granola bar for himself. They lingered inside the building while they ate and Bryn swigged his coffee.
“That’s better. I hope they find out who Suzie is, she seemed nice.”
“Yeah. You got plenty of clues from her memory. Any detective with a brain cell should be able to track her identity down in no time.”
“I wish we had more cases like this.”
“Better than the usual assorted psychos.”
“Yeah.” Bryn finished his snacks. He dropped the wrappers in the nearest trash can. “I guess we should get back.”
They’d gone fewer than twenty paces outside when the sharp crack of a gunshot echoed through the air. Chips of stone spat from the ground next to Bryn. Gunnar dropped, pulling Bryn with him.
“Down!”
“Fuck!” Bryn gave him a panicked glance.
Gunnar surveyed their position. It was farther back to the building than to get to the first row of cars in the parking lot.
He pointed at the nearest car. “Keep low.” Crouching down, Bryn scuttled over to the car with Gunnar close behind him.
Another shot took out the car’s wing mirror, which exploded with a spray of glass shards.
Gunnar dragged Bryn to the other side of the vehicle.
He scanned the surrounding buildings and a caught a brief glint of light from a rooftop.
“Shooter’s over there. We need to get more obstacles between us and him. ”
“Yeah.” Bryn had a hand pressed against his cheek. Blood oozed from between his fingers.
“You’re hit!”
“No. Piece of mirror caught me. Nothing serious.”
“Okay. You stay behind me and we’ll make our way to the back of the lot.
” They crawled and crouched their way through three rows of cars but they were beginning to thin out and there was less cover.
“Lie flat. I’m calling this in.” Gunnar made sure that his body was always between Bryn and the shooter’s position then made the call.
No one else had emerged from the building and he couldn’t catch any more flashes of light.
“I think he’s gone but we don’t move until the cops have cleared the rooftops. Let me look at your face.”
Bryn rolled onto his back then took his hand away from his cheek. “Stings a bit. I pulled the shard out.”
“I don’t think it’ll need stitching. It’s messy but not too deep. Those shades of yours may have saved an eye.”
“You think this is The Hammer’s doing?”
“I don’t want to jump to conclusions but yeah, probably. I also don’t think the shooter was trying to kill you, or me for that matter. We were completely exposed when we came out of that building. I think he was a very good shot and those bullets hit exactly where he planned. It’s a message.”
“Most people send a fucking email.”
“Yeah. They do.”
Bryn sat with his back to a car door and Gunnar sat next to him. Distant sirens grew closer.
“It’ll be okay.” Gunnar attempted reassurance.
“Will it?”
Gunnar locked eyes with Bryn. The world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them. He reached out and brushed a stray lock of dark hair from Bryn’s eyes. “Is this okay?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Bryn nodded.
Without another word, Gunnar cupped Bryn’s face, pulling him closer, and their lips met in a lingering, gentle kiss.
Gunnar drew back but Bryn chased him, demanding more.
Gunnar got rougher, grazing Bryn’s cheek with his stubble.
He rested his forehead against Bryn’s. “Not quite the location I had in mind for our first kiss, but hey, whatever works.”
“I got blood on you.”
“My ass is wet and there’s a bit of gravel sticking in it.”
Bryn burst out laughing. He leaned his head on Gunnar’s shoulder. “It was still good. Really good.”
“Yeah. Yeah, it was.”