Deadly Double

#

Detective Delaney and Simmons stopped by their favorite Chinese restaurant, the Emerald Dragon, for takeout before heading back to the office. They walked through the doors of the dark restaurant exhausted from their long day at Keystone. Xiang Zhu, a petite, Asian woman greeted them from behind the checkout nook. “Ah. Back again?” “Are you kidding?” Tyrese smiled as he leaned against the counter. “This is our home away from home.” He winked. Ming rolled her eyes, and then flashed Xiang a polite smile. “I’ll have my usual.” “One sesame chicken; and what about you, Detective Simmons?” “How about this time you give me your number?” he asked cheekily. “I would love to take you away from all of this.”

Xiang gave him a sweet smile. “My family owns this restaurant. I would never want to leave them. But how about I order you your usual as well?” Tyrese sighed and straightened up. “I guess that’s going to have to do then.” “All right. I’ll be right back,” she said, and walked toward the kitchen. “Another crash and burn.” Tyrese chuckled. Ming smacked him on the back. “The story of your life.”

“Tell me about it.” He sucked in a deep breath and looked down at his partner. “So do you suppose Dr. Bancroft’s husband knows who wanted to kill his wife?”

“No clue, but I have every intention of asking him once he’s stabilized.” She eased out of the way as more customers entered the establishment. “Are you thinking he might have something to do with his wife’s murder?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“True.” She nodded, and then thought it over for a moment. “But then we would be looking at one hell of a coincidence. A murder happening at the same time someone kidnaps a patient.” “If she was kidnapped,” Tyrese interjected. Ming rolled her eyes. “Please don’t tell me you’re buying into Ms. Ferrell’s whole wandered off theory.” “We can’t ignore it.”

“Hey, maybe Andrews stole the badge and killed her doctor on the way out,” Ming added sarcastically. “Of course, I don’t know where she would’ve acquired a gun unless she’s been keeping one beneath her bedpan for the past six weeks.”

Tyrese chuckled. “Anything is possible. Maybe on of her doctors hypnotized her to commit the murder gave her a weapon and everything.”

Ming stared at him. “You really ought to watch something else other than the Sci-Fi Channel.”

He shrugged. “Like I said, anything is possible.”

Ming grew thoughtful. “I guess. Right now my gut is telling me to learn all I can about the sister. That Josephine character, something about her just doesn’t sit right with me.”

#

It was close to five o’clock when Josephine returned to Keystone in a limousine with a team of attorneys. Hines spotted her from his office window on the third floor and grumbled under his breath. Maybe if he ran, he could get out of there before Ms. Ferrell made it to his office.

“Wishful thinking.” He turned away from the window and pinched the bridge of his nose. Dealing with lawyers, cops, news crews, and an antsy staff, Hines was thankful the day was finally drawing to a close. At the brief rap on his door, he marveled at how fast Ferrell made it up to his office. “Come in,” he called out. William poked in his head. “I just got a message that you wanted to see me?” Hines exhaled and flashed the tall, handsome doctor a brief smile. “Ah, yes. Come on in.”

William entered the office and closed the door behind him. “I meant to stop by earlier, but I arrived a little late this morning.”

Hines nodded. “I doubt if I would’ve had time to talk with you. It’s been one thing after another today. I’m sure you’ve heard about Meredith and our missing patient?”

“Yes. Dr. Coleman filled me in. Any news on Brian?”

“Looks like he’s going to pull through. Thank God. It’s the only good news of the day.” Hines took the seat behind his desk. “I know you’re new, but trust me this sort of thing doesn’t normally happen around here.”

William nodded but was mindful to mask his emotions, especially when so many bubbled just below the surface. “I know this is a trying time for the staff.”

“Tell me about it. I’ve had calls from most of the women on third shift fearful about returning to work. With there being such a shortage of nurses in the state, that’s the last thing I want to hear.”

Again, William nodded and waited.

Hines sighed. “I’ve talked to some of the other doctors and because of this recent tragedy, we’re going to be a little short-handed. Is there any way you can move your vacation from next month to this week?”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, Meredith would have been on vacation this week and next week. But she would have been here when you took yours next month. Actually, we have quite a few people who requested time off in November. Bottom line is that I rather spare you now instead of later. Dr. Turner and Dr. Coleman have agreed to share your appointments if you could do this for us.” William blinked and recognized the gift horse for what it was. “Sure. That wouldn’t be a problem.” Marcus sighed and visibly relaxed. “Great. So after you wrap up today, then we’ll just see you back in two weeks.” “Two weeks?” “I know it’s short notice,” Hines went on. “But you’ll be doing me a great favor.” “Then consider it done.” William relaxed and forced a smile. At the sudden loud pounding on the door behind him, William jumped.

“Ah, that must be Ms. Ferrell.” Marcus’s shoulders slumped. “I wish I was going on vacation. Can you please let her in?”

Blood drained from William’s face. “Ms. Ferrell?”

Hines straightened his tie. “Yeah. She’s...something else. Of course, you probably already heard about her by now.” He sighed. “But I better go ahead and get this over with. Go ahead and let her in.”

Slowly, William turned. A combination of fear and anticipation swelled within him as he took a deep breath and opened the door.

Chapter 12

“Good. You’re still here.” Josephine breezed into Hines’s office while a strong trail of heavy perfume wafted in her wake. “I brought you your damn papers.”

She brushed past William without sparing him the slightest glance.

Josie. Air rushed from William’s body as his gaze followed the immaculately dressed caramel beauty. Diamonds clung to her ears, neck, and wrists while a magnificent fur coat was draped around her slim shoulders. She was stunning.

William’s attention was so focused on the woman from his past that it took him a while to notice the four men dressed in black suits behind her. He should leave, he realized, but couldn’t manage to move. Instead, he wanted her to look at him…to recognize him. “Dr. Hayes,” Marcus said. William’s gaze shifted toward Marcus. “Yes?”

“I don’t think you’ve had the pleasure to meet Ms. Ferrell. Ms. Ferrell, Dr. William Hayes. He’s one of our new physicians at Keystone.”

“Are you one of the jerks responsible for losing my sister?”

He flinched as his brows furrowed. “No. But you must be the sister Michelle gave a black eye. I see that it’s healed rather nicely.”

Marcus coughed, but William suspected it was to mask a snicker.

Slowly Josephine’s lips curled. “Funny.” Her gaze swept over him. “You sure are handsome. I’ll give you that much. Dead ringer for that actor.” She snapped her fingers as if trying to recall. “George something or another.” William forced a smile. “George Clooney,” he said. “I get that a lot.” “I bet you do.” Her smile brightened as her eyes twinkled. He felt nothing as he stared at her. Nothing at all. “I better get going. Someone is waiting for me.” “Thank you, Dr. Hayes,” Marcus said, smiling. “Have a nice vacation.” William nodded and turned toward the door. “Sure hope I see you around,” Josephine called after him. A hint of a Southern accent clung to her words.

William glanced back and failed to manage a smile. He didn’t know what the hell was going on, but he did know that this woman was not Josie.