“I’m here on behalf of the trustees,” Cameron said. “We’ll do whatever it takes to ensure your safety.”
“Maybe if we knew how Raj was targeted it would help others avoid the same situation,” Leon said.
“Dr. Laxman, do you feel able to share your experience?” Laurie asked.
“Sure, if it helps,” Raj said. “I was working late, catching up on paperwork. When I came out of the building, I went straight to my car. As I unlocked the driver’s door, I heard a noise and turned my head. Chief Delaney thinks that could have saved my life.”
Laurie nodded. “It seems likely the attacker intended to hit Dr. Laxman over the back of the head.”
“When I turned, he got me on the side of my face instead,” Raj said. “Even though I was stunned, I didn’t go down. I knew if I did I was lost. He hit my shoulders and body with a baseball bat, but I fought back. As soon as I did, he ran off.”
“Did you get a look at him?” Leon asked.
“No. He had a dark mask or balaclava over his face,” Raj said.
“You could have been killed, Raj.” Julie Ricks looked slightly queasy.
Leon glanced at the faces around the table. Even without Julie’s comment, it was obvious that everyone was aware of the seriousness of the situation.
“Even though you didn’t see his face, did you form any other impressions about him?” Leon knew the police would have already asked Raj these questions, but he was keen to get as much information about the assailant as he could.
“It all happened so fast.” Raj frowned in an effort to remember. “He was about my height, so average for a man. I didn’t get the sense that he was heavy-set or muscular. Other than that, I didn’t notice anything. There was nothing distinguishing about him, but I was kind of distracted by that whole fighting for my life situation.”
“What if he wasn’t waiting specifically for Raj?” Julie asked. “What if he was just hiding in the shadows, waiting for the next person to leave the building?”
It was a good question, and every eye turned toward Laurie for the answer. “I can’t rule anything out,” she said. “Which is why you all have to be careful. Don’t work late on your own. When you leave the building, do it in pairs or groups. Consider vehicle sharing until we have this person in custody.”
“But when will that be?” Julie’s voice rose on a note of hysteria. “I mean, surely the center should close until he’s caught?”
Cameron looked around the room. “That has to be your decision. My concern is that, if we close the Ryerson Center, we risk leaving the people of Stillwater, and the surrounding area, without vital medical services.”
“What do you propose?” Leon asked.
“Since the police are all involved in the investigation, the trustees have agreed to employ a private security firm until this is over,” Cameron said. “But, if anyone feels they can’t continue working here while the attacker remains at-large, we will allow you to take a paid leave of absence. Your employment at the Ryerson Center will be protected until the investigation is concluded and we’ll be working to ensure that local people have access to a full range of medical services.”
Silence fell over the room, but no one moved. Even Julie, who had appeared nervous, remained in her seat.
“My job is to care for people.” Flora’s voice was quiet but determined. “I don’t know what this person’s motive is, but he’s not going to stop me.”
There were nods and murmurs of agreement.
“I don’t want to alarm anyone.” Eve looked at the clock on the wall as she spoke. “But it’s past the time Dr. McAuley would usually be here, and her first appointment is in ten minutes.”
“Can you contact her?” Flora asked. Although she was turned away from him, Leon could hear the concern in her voice.
“I’ve tried, but my calls are still going direct to voicemail.”
The morning dragged by. In between seeing her patients, Flora checked in with Eve to see if there was any news about Vivien. The answer was the same each time. “Chief Delaney said she’d call when she has any information.”
“She hasn’t called, so what does that mean?” Flora asked Leon, when they grabbed a half-hour lunch break in her office.
“Maybe that she doesn’t have any information?”
“Has she found Vivien? Not found her? Is Vivien okay? Not okay?” Flora pressed a hand to her forehead. “I don’t know whether hearing nothing is good, or bad.”
He took her hands in his, drawing her to him. As always, his nearness acted like a balm, soothing her and reducing her anxiety. “Let’s accept it as a positive sign. There’s nothing else we can do right now.”
She leaned against him. “I just have a picture of him running off after attacking Raj, still looking for a victim—”
“Hey.” Leon lightly gripped her chin, tilting her face up to his. “Don’t torture yourself with this. It’s interesting that this person has never attacked you directly. He’s burned your house, gone after people around you, but not attacked you?”
She nodded. “If I wasn’t so tired, I might find that interesting. Even scary.”
The afternoon passed in a blur. Several emergency cases cropped up and needed to be seen as well as the scheduled appointments. By the time Flora was able to draw breath, it was 5:00 p.m.
“Chief Delaney is in the conference room. Dr. Sinclair and Dr. Laxman are already there,” Eve said, when Flora finally emerged from her office.
Flora headed for the meeting room with a sinking heart. She knew before she got there that this wasn’t going to be good. If Vivien had been found alive and well, Laurie could have called to give them that information. The fact that the police chief had taken time out of a busy murder investigation to show up in person was not a hopeful sign.
“We’re tracking Dr. McAuley’s phone. There is no
