Critical Diagnosis (6 page)

Stephanie pushed her half-eaten plate of food aside and folded her hands on the edge of the table. “I’ve never made my ambitions a secret. Never. I’ve always wanted to run Medlink.” She tipped her head. “Now we can both have what we want.”

For some reason Stephanie’s decisiveness unnerved him. “Give me a chance to talk to Grandfather again. Make him understand. I owe him that much.”

Stephanie took a bite of a strawberry and chewed thoughtfully. “Fair enough. In the meantime, work on getting Lily someplace safe. We can’t afford for anything to happen to her.”

James let out a mirthless laugh. “How considerate of you.”

“But it’s true. Lily won’t acknowledge it, but her life is in real jeopardy. Send her away on a nice vacation. Until this—” she lifted a shoulder as if searching for the right word “—unfortunate situation blows over.”

“Do you really think I can convince her to walk away from her research, even for a short while?”

Stephanie’s eyes darkened. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

FIVE

L
ily picked up the lab rat and cradled it in the palm of her hand, drawing it close to her face. The poor creature sniffed her hand, thinking it was in for an evening treat. She loved all animals—all of God’s creatures—but as a scientist, she understood these rats were bred for research. To make sure pharmaceuticals were safe for humans.

“You know that, right?” she whispered to the rat, tracing a finger across the top of its head. She sighed heavily. A couple days back in the lab and she had been able to shake most of the stress from this past weekend’s events. Even though it was already midweek, she was still waiting for a phone call from the police department to go in and work with the sketch artist. Once she did that, she’d try to put this whole situation behind her.

Tilting her head from side to side to ease the kinks, she placed her hand flat and the rat scurried onto the shredded paper on the cage floor. She latched the door and made a few notes. By nature, research was painstakingly slow. She prayed the clinical trials continued to go well. But her work in the lab was far from complete. Although a treatment was within reach, a cure was Lily’s ultimate goal. Her beautiful niece’s face came to mind. Thankfully, her niece had not shown any more symptoms in over a year.

God had truly blessed her.

She tossed her pen on the counter and glanced toward the door. Her lab was tucked into a far corner of the complex and not exactly the hub of activity. She hadn’t run into James at all these past few days. Just as well. She didn’t need any more heartache when he reenlisted. She rolled her eyes at herself. It wasn’t as if he was knocking down her door to start a relationship. And when he did find that someone special, he deserved the whole package. A wife.
A mother to his children.

Not her.

She shook off the thought.
Focus.

Lily washed her hands and checked the clock. Her lab assistants, Sarah and Talia, had gone home hours ago. Or maybe they’d met up with some of the other young researchers at the coffee shop. Well, Sarah, the more social of the two, probably went. Talia had begged off more recently. Sarah speculated Talia had a new boyfriend.
Good for her.
Talia had reminded Lily of herself—all work and way too serious.

On Monday morning, her two assistants—who had been at the party—had been all questions about the incident by the pool at the O’Reillys, but by Monday afternoon, it was old news. Such was the digital age. Gossip about Lily’s run-in had probably been replaced by the latest celebrity haircut. Or breakup. Or something equally unimportant. The short-term attention span of her generation was depressing, but no more than the memory of the creep’s warning. Why would a gang member threaten her? Was it all just a ploy to keep Lily from identifying him?

Rubbing her temples, Lily figured it was time to call it a day before a full-fledged migraine took over. If that happened, she’d be useless tomorrow.

She left the lab and strode through the long corridor leading to the exit near the security guard. Long shadows crept into the corners of the mostly empty—but highly secure—complex. Glancing over her shoulder, she had the distinct feeling someone was watching her. She quickened her pace. A mixture of apprehension, nerves and exhaustion tightened her stomach.

She’d have to call Chief Farley and demand he get a sketch artist to Orchard Gardens by the end of the week, or she’d drive to Buffalo or Rochester herself—wherever the sketch artist worked. Until the thug who threatened her was in custody, she’d be looking over her shoulder forever.

The tiny hairs on the back of her neck prickled to life. Lily had never believed in a sixth sense until the day she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong at home. She was in the middle of a final exam her senior year of high school and the overwhelming urge to leave and check on her mom drove her to distraction. Of course, she couldn’t leave her exam. She was on track to be valedictorian.

Two hours later she’d found her mother dead in her bed.

The backs of Lily’s eyes burned at the memory.
Stop it.
You couldn’t have known.

The squeak, squeak, squeak of wheels rattling against the tiled floor caught her attention. Down a long corridor, the janitor was pushing a mop and bucket. She squinted, recognizing the young man. “Have a good night.” The janitor nodded in response. Lily was careful not to step on the section of floor he had already washed.

“I think you’re the last one here. Don’t you have a social life, Dr. McAllister?” the janitor asked.

“I have a thing for lab rats.”

He shuddered. “Their beady eyes give me the heebie-jeebies.”

She flicked a wave. “Night, Brian.”

Lily strode toward the exit, swiped her badge through the security reader and waited for it to turn green. She gave a quick wave to the older gentleman manning the security station. He seemed preoccupied by something on the television. She pushed through one set of double doors, then another until she reached the outside.

Ah, fresh air.

The balmy evening air caressed her chilled skin. Bright light from the lampposts illuminated the parking lot. A jagged flash lit the night sky followed by a loud rumble, making her jump. A big fat drop of rain plopped onto her shoulder
.

“Great,” she muttered.

Hugging her purse close to her, she bolted for the car, the only one in the back parking lot. She had parked along the edge of the lot under a tree. A drop of rain hit her head. Her arm. Her shoulder. The air smelled as if the skies were ready to open. She pointed the key fob at the car and nothing happened. “That’s strange.” She studied the key fob in her hand for a brief moment, wondering how she was going to unlock the door, before realizing she was being ridiculous
.
She had a key.

Of course—the key.

Feeling a little foolish, she inserted the key into the lock and yanked open the door. She slipped in behind the wheel and slouched in the seat, relieved as the raindrops danced on the hood of her car. Jamming the key into the ignition, she heard her cell phone going off in her purse.

“Hello?”

“Hey there.” James’s voice was like a soothing embrace. “Glad I caught you. Are you still in the lab?”

“No, I just got in my car.”

He huffed, sounding frustrated. “Okay, I was hoping to catch you at the lab. Escort you home.”

“I’ve made it home fine by myself the past two nights.” Her pulse kicked up a notch. “I’ve been careful. I’m fine.”

“Sorry,” he said, his tone sounding contrite. “I got stuck with a patient at the clinic. Trying to keep up there and at Medlink has been tough.”

“I can imagine.” She watched big, wet drops splatter on the windshield.

A tension-filled pause stretched over the line. “Any chance we could meet to talk tonight?”

Lily massaged her temple with her free hand. “It’s late.” As much as she wanted to see him, she knew it was in her best interest to keep her distance.

“It’s important. I tried reaching you earlier.”

“I was in the lab.” She felt as though they were talking in circles. When she was in the lab, she often turned off her cell phone to minimize outside distractions. She squinted against the streetlamp, her headache thumping dully behind her eyes.

“Please. It’s important.”

Blinking slowly, she realized James was hard to refuse. “Where do you want to meet?”

“I’d suggest the coffee shop, but I think they’re closed now.”

She squinted at the rain, now sluicing down her windshield. “Would you mind coming by my house?” She didn’t want to go in and out in this rain.

“Not at all.”

Lily turned the key in the ignition and nothing happened. Her heart sank. Her eyes darted outside to the empty parking lot. “Wait a minute.” She touched the tip of her tongue to her upper lip. She turned the key again. Nothing. Not even a click-click signaling a dead battery. “Oh, great.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My car’s dead.” She gritted her teeth and wrapped her hand around the door handle.

“Are you in Medlink’s back parking lot?”

“Yes.”

“Hold on. I’m on my way. I’m not far.”

“Thanks.” She pressed End, then tossed her phone on the seat, annoyed with the delay. Leaning back against the headrest, she traced the automaker’s insignia on the center of the steering wheel over and over again until she felt the imprint in the tips of her fingers. She wasn’t used to sitting around doing nothing. She scooped up her phone, tapped a few apps, but quickly got bored. How did people waste so much time on these stupid things?

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a shadow, a hint of something moving in the rainy night. Her head snapped up, wondering if James had gotten there already. Blinking, she tried to clear her eyes. She spun around, checking her surroundings. No sign of headlights from another car. Her hand slid over the armrest of her door and she flicked the lock control. Nothing happened. Panic sliced through her.

Right—no power.

She reached across and slammed down her lock and double-checked the other three locks, like a crazy woman in a horror movie. The steady beat of the rain plus the shaky sound of her breathing spooked her even more.

You’re imagining things.

She wrapped her fingers around the cell phone, her connection to help. She could have Medlink security out here in five seconds. With that thought, she slumped back in her seat and tried to relax. A second later, a loud crash sounded from behind her. She bolted upright and shifted in her seat. Her rear window was shattered. Instinctively, her hand went to the door handle. Her escape. She froze. No.

Someone was out there.

With trembling fingers she scrolled through her contact list, searching for Medlink security. Blinding headlights swept across her face. Tenting her hand over her eyes, she squinted. Her hammering heartbeat drowned out the sound of the driving rain. A blurry image moved outside her window. Someone was getting out of the vehicle. Lily stuffed her hand in her purse and found the leather case for her Mace. During her college days, she used to walk with it in her hand for safety on campus. She had thrown it in her bag after this weekend. Wrapping her fingers tightly around the cool leather, she realized now was not the time to wonder if it still had any efficacy.

The figure pounded on her door. She swallowed a yelp. James’s face poked out from under the hood of a rain slicker. A relieved breath came out in a whoosh. She fumbled for the lock, then found the handle and pushed open the door.

“Do you have an umbrella?” he yelled over a rumble of thunder.

She stepped out of the car and into the soaking rain. “Did you see anyone out there? Someone just broke my back window.” Her words tumbled out. She squinted toward the line of trees but couldn’t see anything beyond the artificial light cast by the lamppost some fifty feet away.

“You’re getting soaked.” He nudged her by the elbow toward her open car door. “Get back in the car. Let me check it out.”

“No.” She shook her head for emphasis. “I’m coming with you.” Rain dripped from her nose.

“You’re staying here, where I know you’re safe.” A gust of wind pushed back his hood. He didn’t seem to notice.

“Fine.” Her fear had morphed into anger. She climbed back into the car, not bothering to shut the door. Getting wet was the least of her problems.

A few moments later James returned to the door with his cell phone pressed to his ear. “No, I think they’re gone.” He listened intently and nodded. “Okay.” He ended the call and turned to her. The rain had slowed to a drizzle.

She sat sideways on the driver’s seat with her legs propped on the frame of the door, scanning the empty parking lot.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, but I’m about done with this nonsense.” She reached behind her and unlocked the back door. She stood up and yanked it open. A brick lay on the backseat. She muttered under her breath. She scooped up the umbrella sitting on the floor of her car, shook off the broken glass and popped it open. She held it over both of their heads.

Huddled together under the protection of the umbrella, she jerked her head toward the back of the car. “How much do you want to bet that’s my friend?” Now she was mad, almost apoplectic. “Why does he keep coming after me?”

“I don’t like this at all.” A drop of water fell from his hair and landed on his nose. “He doesn’t want you to do the composite. Until he’s caught, you can’t take any more risks.”

The backs of Lily’s ears were on fire despite her soaking-wet hair. “Risks? I’d hardly call getting into my car after work a risk.” She said it with an air of confidence she didn’t feel. “I am going to meet with a sketch artist. Then they’ll catch this guy. Then life will go back to normal.”

“And until then...” He raised an eyebrow at her. The sky opened up again and the rain poured down on the umbrella, leaving the impression they were in a world all their own. She tried to ignore his close proximity.

She shook her head in anticipation of what he was about to suggest. “I can’t go into hiding. I have my work. Too many people are counting on me.” She lowered her voice. “I am not going to hide. I’m not.”

James gestured for her to get behind the wheel of her car. “Pop the hood.”

Lily did as she was told. Wrapping her arms around her middle, a chill racked her thin body. She felt like a drowned rat. The initial surge of adrenaline had drained out of her. Through the droplets of rain on the windshield, she tracked James’s blurred movements around her car. He checked a few things and then slammed the hood shut.

He jogged around to her side of the vehicle. Holding the umbrella over the space separating them, he said, “Come on. I’m driving you home.”

Once they were both in his car, he scrubbed a hand across his short hair. Water glistened on his angular face. “Your battery’s gone.”

Lily plucked her wet shirt away from her skin. “Someone ripped out my car battery?”

“Yes.” James ran his hand under his nose. “I’m going to call Security. Maybe they have something on surveillance cameras.”