“I didn’t have time to think it through!” Alex sounded thoroughly annoyed. “All I knew is I didn’t want you to die and I thought of a way to prevent it. So I did.”
Though Alex tried to sound as casual as she could, Dante could hear a sense of unease as she confessed, “I really don’t know what to do now.”
“Neither do I. Everything was clear two days ago. Funny how that can change.”
“Ok well, seeing as though neither of us know what to do, how’s about we start off slow?”
“All right.”
“Where are we going?”
“To Michelle’s. She needs sleep.”
“Would you like me to stay with her?”
Dante thought about it for a minute and then nodded. “Until she gets back on her feet. If you could, that would be appreciated. Call me for anything you need.”
Alex pulled up at Michelle’s apartment. Alex grabbed Michelle’s bag and headed toward the building. Dante went to open the back door but Michelle had already done it and stepped out.
“Please don’t come up,” Michelle said, looking beyond him and heading off.
Dante stared after her for a few seconds as he shut the car door. Alex saw him wavering slightly on his feet.
“Dante?”
Alex grasped him as he leant against the car for support. “My god,” said Alex, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Dante groaned, pressing his thumb into his temple. “I just haven’t fed in a few…hours.”
“Oh,” Alex said, followed by a deeper understanding. “Ohhhh….”
Dante shook his head, clearing the cobwebs. “It’s just hitting me now. I’ll be fine. I just need to rest.” He gently took Alex’s arm. “Please take care of her tonight. She may fight it, but she needs someone.”
“I will.” Alex nodded firmly and turned toward the door of Michelle’s building again.
“Alexandra…”
Alex turned to him, looking worried and a little afraid.
“I will never forget what you have done for us tonight,”
She nodded tightly and followed Michelle inside. Dante hated the idea that she’d soon need to submit to his feeding.
*
“I’ve brought dinner,” said Margaret, when Alex answered Michelle’s door two days later. The three of them sat down to eat and chat a bit when the phone rang. Alex grabbed it. “Hello?”
“Is this Alexandra Hensley?”
“Yes, who is this?”
“My name is Robyn Tulley and I am calling from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. I am terribly sorry to call you so late, but we have had a…situation.”
“I’m sorry?”
“It is regarding Matthew Carrington.”
“Matt? What about him?”
After a brief pause, the woman cleared her throat. “It would be better if this were conducted in person. Can you come down here right away?”
*
Alex was afraid she hadn’t heard the detective correctly. “What do you mean you can’t find him? How do you lose someone in a hospital this big?”
“There was a three minute blackout at the hospital last night. The generators kicked in, but they are designed to power emergency medical equipment first and foremost. Door locks and surveillance cameras are not prioritised. No one noticed he was missing for at least twenty minutes.”
“Ok. But I’m sorry, I don’t know what you need from me?”
“From what we understand, he was your boyfriend?
“Ex.”
The detective nodded and made a note. “His injuries prevented him the ability to walk?”
“Yes…that’s correct.”
“Do you know how he got that way, Miss Hensley?”
“I made a statement to the hospital when he was admitted.”
“Yes, we’ve read that, but it was vague. We were hoping you could clarify a few things. Like what happened that caused his spinal cord to be completely dismantled the way it was.”
“Like I said, he was attacked by a gang.”
“They must have been very strong.”
“Obviously.”
The detective made a note, and when he spoke again, his tone had changed. Alex imagined this must be his detective voice. “Why do you believe he was attacked, Miss Hensley?”
“How would I know? Maybe they wanted his money?” Alex tried not to sound defensive.
“He still had his wallet, cash and cards on him when admitted. They are still here in the hospital’s patient belongings area. It seems the assailants just wanted to hurt him.”
Alex swallowed. “I guess they did.”
“Would your ex-boyfriend have enemies, Miss Hensley?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you remember the name Ryan Teeran by any chance? You must, seeing as though you were seeking his arrest at one stage for holding your friend against her will.”
“Yes…what about him?”
“His body was found in his apartment, Miss Hensley, brutally murdered. Were you aware of that fact?”
Alex gulped and shook her head, knowing she was a terrible liar.
“You don’t seem surprised.”
Alex thought she could answer that honestly enough. “I’m not. Ryan was a low life.”
“I see. And the whereabouts of your friend?”
“She’s dead,” Alex replied. She knew by the looks on their faces and the conviction in her voice, she had caught them off-guard. Unfortunately for Alex, in her heart, it was true. The fact Lauren was walking around meant nothing. Her friend was gone.
“Miss Hensley, I think you know more than you’re letting on. The man you accused of kidnapping your friend was murdered around the same time you made your claims. You say your friend is dead, but we have no body. Your ex-boyfriend was critically injured, his body appearing to have been severely mangled, yet the perpetrators took nothing from him, content to let him suffer. A month later we find he has disappeared from his very hospital room. He had no ability to walk, which meant those that came must have had to carry him in some fashion, but no one has seen anything. How did they get in and out?”
