“That means the murderer could have gotten to her the same way he did to Jennifer,” Flora said. “She could have been killed in her own car.”
“Before we jump to that conclusion, let me ask you what you know about Vivien McAuley.” Laurie looked at Flora, then Raj. “I’m assuming you met her for the first time when you all started working here at the Ryerson Center, is that correct?”
Flora looked at Raj and saw her own confusion reflected on his face. “Yes.”
“Did she share any information about her background?”
“She told me she was from Minnesota,” Raj said. “And she went to medical school in Nebraska.”
“I’m not sure I ever heard her talk about her family.” Flora made an effort to remember. “She’s a very private person.”
“Why is this relevant, Laurie?” Leon asked.
“When we found out that Dr. McAuley was missing, I naturally instigated a search for her. I also did a background check. Five years ago, Vivien McAuley and her husband, David, were involved in a car crash in Colorado Springs. They were taken to the nearest hospital, where David died of devastating head injuries. Vivien, who wasn’t seriously injured, refused to believe that he could not have been saved. Distraught with grief, she threatened to sue the doctors who treated him. Not content with that, she vowed to ruin the non-profit organization of which the hospital was a part.”
“Let me guess,” Leon said. “That hospital was part of the Mountain States Health Group?”
“Yes.” Laurie flipped through her notes. “After Vivien’s lawsuit was unsuccessful she took an ER job in Cheyenne. From there, she came here to the Ryerson Center.”
“Wouldn’t this have shown up on her pre-employment background checks?” Flora asked.
“Vivien hasn’t broken any laws,” Laurie said. “I doubt she’d have been given the job here if the trustees knew she’d sued the company, but there isn’t a question about that on the application form. I’m guessing there will be in the future.”
“Are you saying that Vivien, having failed to get her revenge by conventional means, deliberately targeted the patients and staff of the Ryerson Center?” Leon asked.
“No.” Flora spoke before Laurie could reply. “I’ve only worked with Vivien for a short time, but I can’t believe she’s a killer.”
“I agree,” Raj said. “She is a kind, compassionate person and a dedicated doctor.”
“Could Vivien have been the person who attacked you?” As Leon spoke, Flora focused on his calm voice, using it to keep her grounded. Vivien? How could this be happening?
Raj fell silent for a moment. “I honestly never considered that it might have been a woman.”
“But it could have been?” Laurie said.
“Vivien is as tall as me, so I guess so.” Raj sounded like the words were dragged from him reluctantly. “But, if she is the killer, why would she run now?”
“Maybe she was afraid she went too far when she attacked you?” Laurie said. “Possibly she believed that, since the attempt on your life went wrong and you fought back, you would be able to identify her.”
“So now, as well as searching for Alan Grayson and Luella French, you are also looking for Vivien McAuley?” Flora battled to keep the incredulity out of her voice.
“I know it must seem we are adding to the list of questions instead of finding answers.” Laurie’s voice was sympathetic. “It’s often like this in a big case. Before we get a breakthrough, it can feel like there are so many threads we will never untangle them all. Right now, finding Dr. McAuley has become the number one priority. She’s either a suspect, or she is in danger.”
When Laurie had gone, Flora leaned back in her chair. Her insides were like ice water, her thoughts slow, as though what she had just heard had made them clumsy.
“I know you’ve both had a shock and you don’t want to hear this about a colleague you like and respect.” Leon leaned forward, his hands clasped lightly on the table in front of him. “But Vivien had vowed to cause harm to the Mountain States Health Group. Why would she come and work for one of its medical centers unless she intended to carry out that promise?”
“Even if her intention was to do some damage, I just can’t see her as a killer,” Flora said.
Raj nodded. “My imagination won’t stretch far enough to picture her attacking me.”
Leon got to his feet. “One thing is for sure. We won’t solve anything by sitting here worrying about it. It’s been a long day. Let’s go home.”
It was only as Flora accompanied him from the room that she realized that, when he said the word “home,” she thought naturally now of his house. Her already low mood dropped several degrees further. Could she really have lowered her guard so far without noticing?
Flora had known when she accepted Leon’s offer of protection that she was vulnerable. Even so, she had believed she was strong enough to give in to the attraction between them and deal with the consequences later. Now she was starting to doubt her ability to do that.
She knew Leon cared for her. He didn’t need to say the words out loud. But he had been upfront about his inability to offer her anything long term. She had believed a temporary relationship was enough for her, and this was a bad time to find out that wasn’t the case. Her heart had been through so much, and the fear of losing another man she loved was like a knife tearing through old scars. Could she recover from that? Was she willing to risk it—for herself or her boys?
She glanced at Leon’s profile as they walked to the car. Somewhere along the line, her feelings had changed. She wanted more. Maybe he did, too. If she was willing to take the next step, would he be prepared to take it with her?
As several days passed
