“If I do, it implicates me, you, and the person who did it.”
“But…”
“If I don’t, and I never tell another soul, then you’re not implicated, nor am I—because it would be my word against the killer’s.”
“That’s only true if there’s no evidence of your meeting with the killer.”
“There isn’t. Besides, Claudia wouldn’t want this to come out.” Gage paused. “You’ll recall her desire that I eliminate the killer, correct?”
“Gage, we’re talking on mobile phones. I’m not comfortable disc—”
“Don’t worry, because I’m not doing it, Boris. No way in hell. The person who did this was justified in my eyes. Actually, scratch the part about ‘my eyes.’ This person was absolutely justified—period.”
Boris was silent for a moment. “I can tell you’re serious.”
“Quite.”
“Very well, then,” Boris answered, clearing his throat. “I suppose you’re willing to stake your name and reputation that you indeed found the killer.”
“I am.”
“May we discuss it further, in person?”
“Of course. Please, however, take action with whatever you have to do to release the estate. I wanted you to know what I’d learned in the event something happens to me.”
“I will, Gage.”
“The courts have no idea of her instructions to you, do they?”
“No. She trusted me to be the arbiter. It’s a private affair. The documents in my possession will appear as if her last will and testament left everything to the daughters.”
“And you have witness signatures and all that?”
“The documents are impeccable.”
“Here I am worrying about the daughters losing their estate if something happens to me. Conversely, since you have all the documents, what would have happened if you had an accident?” Gage asked.
“I took advance precautions. All the correct documents would have come to light.”
“Good.”
Boris shifted gears. “I’ll need you to stay for a few more days. I still need to create full documentation of all that transpired, just in case anything is ever called into question.” Before Gage could respond, Boris kept talking. “That’s the proverbial nuclear option.”
“What is?”
“Revealing Claudia’s private investigation and all that happened. It would only be brought forth in the event all avenues were somehow blocked in the bequeathing of the estate to the daughters. I cannot imagine any reason it would ever occur.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, especially if her direct heirs—her daughters—are the beneficiaries.”
“Fine,” Gage said. “Have you gotten any update on Katja?”
“No update, yet. I’d imagine I’ll get one this morning.”
“I’m headed to see her.”
“Gage, you can’t give them her identity.”
“I’m the one who cooked up this scheme, Boris. Pretty sure I can manage an anonymous hospital visit.” The first hints of a coming sunrise shone behind Gage. “Has anyone been sniffing around, asking about an accident near Grosser Feldberg or checking to see who died in wrecks?”
“Not that I’ve heard.”
“Are you sure you’ll know?”
“Only if they try to find out through people I’ve made arrangements with. But the government, and the many angles one could inquire about a car wreck, is sprawling. You know that. Don’t get your hopes up.”
“Thanks, Boris. I’ll update you on Katja.”
* * *
At the hospital, infiltrating the critical care area wasn’t difficult. Remaining there proved otherwise.
Gage first spent a few minutes walking the floors before he discovered a separate area for neurological patients. There, Gage watched the pattern of nurses and doctors. When they were distracted by a patient who was wheeled in after surgery, Gage walked into the unit and passed by several patients before he saw Katja.
Judging by the dressings, they’d already performed surgery on her head.
There was bruising underneath her eyes, and abrasions all over her face that hadn’t been as prevalent at the accident site. For now, she appeared to be resting peacefully. Gage stood beside her bed, holding her right hand as he eyed her vitals. Her pulse and blood pressure were slightly low, but not alarmingly so. He wondered if perhaps she was in a medically induced coma.
That wonder ended when her eyes fluttered open.
“Katja,” he whispered, lifting her hand to his mouth and kissing it. “I didn’t know you’d woken up.”
She swallowed with some difficulty and her voice was barely a whisper—probably raw from intubation. She managed to rasp, “Last night.”
“Katja, I don’t want to upset you. Just nod or shake your head, okay? Have you told them your name?”
She shook her head and he squeezed her hand.
“Good girl. Don’t tell them, not yet anyway. Just act confused, okay?”
“Why?”
He briefly explained. She nodded her understanding.
“Did someone run you off the road?”
A brief look of fear flashed over her face.
“Don’t be scared. You’re safe here. That’s why we’re keeping your identity hidden.”
Deep breath and a nod.
“Did someone run you off the road?”
She nodded.
“Do you know who it was?”
After a moment, she nodded again.
Gage’s forehead broke out in a sheen of sweat. “You do know who it was?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “Well, kind of.”
Then…
“Excuse me, but who are you?” The voice from behind was loud and authoritarian.
Gage turned, eyeing a nurse. It took only a glance to see that she was all business. The nurse wore a blue smock, white pants and had a stethoscope around her neck along with a number of other devices clipped to her uniform. Also hanging from her smock was her nametag displaying her name as Sabine Glinke, followed by several abbreviations. She might have only been in her early 30s but, based on her expression and hands on her hips, it seemed she was in charge of a great deal.
“I…uh…good morning,” Gage managed.
Nurse Glinke’s expression was rather hard. “Do you know this lady?” she demanded.
Clearing his throat, Gage glanced at Katja and back to the nurse. “No. I visit people in the
