Shadow of Perception (18 page)

Dizzy from the hair flipping and all the “likes,” Hudson nodded. “I get it, kid.” He walked to the driver’s side of the Trans Am. “Just call if this guy approaches you again,” he said before climbing into the car.

“Wait,” Evan shouted, and ran to Trans Am. “I did feel the package, and it did feel like a DVD. Did you see what was on it? Was it one of those makeover shows?”

Without answering, Hudson closed the car door, turned the ignition, then pulled the Trans Am into the street. What would he say to the kid anyway? Yeah, it was an extreme makeover.
 

Extreme in that the doctor tortures his patients until they die.
 

*

Eden woke, then snuggled next to Fabio. As the big cat purred, she reached to stroke Brutal. She felt around the comforter and realized the dog had probably followed Hudson from the bedroom earlier. The little traitor had taken an obvious liking to Hudson, which didn’t bother her. She loved that her dog had finally become a little more social. After he’d been attacked, he’d shied away from strangers, and sometimes piddled on the floor when someone came to the house. What bothered her though, was that she more than liked Hudson.
 

She had to admit to herself that she’d never gotten over him. She also had to face the fact that he was right. When she’d had the opportunity to run from their relationship, she’d taken it. When there had been a prime opportunity to talk about her past, and their future, she’d avoided it. She’d only lied to him once, and that had been about her phantom date, but she
had
skirted the truth over and over.
 

Her past had never been something she’d been interested in sharing. With anyone. Her family had never known what had happened to her, and to tell them now would break their hearts. She’d been on the investigating circuit for too long not to understand the human psyche. She’d seen families destroyed when secrets had been disclosed. Her secrets wouldn’t destroy her family, but she hated the thought of her father or sister blaming themselves for something they couldn’t have controlled. Or beating themselves up because they hadn’t had the chance to help her through the after affects of the rape. Will would have been too young to understand, but as an adult and a sensitive soul, she knew he’d have a hard time grasping at the thought that his sister had been gang raped.

Yawning, she stretched. Every part of her body still ached, but at least she didn’t have the urge to puke. She glanced at the clock. Just past three, she could still make it into the station. She shifted and pulled her legs over the side of the bed. Blinked several times to ward off the dizziness, then placed her feet on the floor.
 

Her mind still a little foggy, she tried to remember what else she’d planned to do today. Exercise was obviously out of the question. Was she supposed to go to the grocery store and pick up more dog and cat food? Wait, the high school kid. They were supposed to interview the high school kid.
 

Anxious to tell Hudson she was ready to meet the boy who had delivered the DVD, she stood, then wobbled. She reached for the nightstand to steady herself. A wave of blinding dizziness knocked her off her feet. The nightstand and its contents crashed to the floor. She tripped on the clock, then landed on her ass.

Seconds later, the Aryan from the other night scooped her off the floor, then set her on the bed. “Are you okay? What happened?”

She had to be hallucinating. Why else would this man be in her bedroom. Unless…

“Where’s Hudson?” she asked.

“He had to leave. Now answer me. Are you all right?”

Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she nodded. “Just lost my balance. Have you seen my dog?”

“He’s in his bed,” the Aryan said as he righted the nightstand. “Rest here and I’ll go grab you some water.”

Confused and suddenly overheated, she started to unbutton her blouse. “It’s hot in here. I need something cold.”

“Ah, okay,” the Aryan said, then looked away. “I’ll make sure it’s cold water.”

“No. Make it a frozen daiquiri. Wait. A Pina Colada. Do you like Pina Coladas?” she sang, then giggled. “I love that song. Don’t you? I don’t really like Pina Coladas though. Or getting caught in the rain? If some guy asked me that I’d think he was an ass. Who wants to stand in the rain? Makes your makeup run, messes up your hair…” She lay back on the pillow, closed her eyes and thought about dancing in the rain with Hudson. Actually, that might be fun. But she’d have to do it without makeup. “Don’t want to have raccoon eyes.”

“I’m sorry, what was that?” the Aryan asked.
 

“Lloyd?” a familiar voice said from the bedroom door.
 

She opened her eyes and smiled. “Hey, you. I was just getting ready to go for Pina Coladas.”

“What’s she talking about?” Hudson asked the Aryan.
 

Wait. Dumbass. The Aryan was Lloyd, Will’s partner. And why the hell was she suddenly talking about Pina Coladas?
 

“I don’t know,” Lloyd answered. “She woke up, fell and has been…out of it.”

She frowned. “I’m not out of it. I’m totally with it. You know, hip, happening, Superfly.”

Hudson felt her forehead. She closed her eyes and smiled, relished the caress of his warm hand.
 

“Mmm, you always did have a nice touch,” she murmured, and tried to move closer to him.
 

 
“Something’s not right.” Hudson said, his voice tinny, muffled.

As he left the room, she shook her head hoping to clear her clogged ears. They must be clogged, why else had Hudson and Lloyd sounded as if they were the teacher from the Charlie Brown cartoons? She always liked Charlie Brown.

“We used to call Will, Pig Pen, when he was a baby.” She giggled, then curled on her side and looked at Lloyd. Will had been such a cute, chubby toddler who had made sure no rock had been unturned, and no worm left alone. “And now you’re banging my baby brother,” she whispered, and winked at Lloyd.
 

Lloyd smiled. “So you do remember me.”

“Don’t let her move,” Hudson said as he entered the room carrying a duffle bag.
 

“Where we going?” she asked, and tried to rise. The moment her head lifted from the pillow, her stomach lurched and she gripped Lloyd’s arm. “Puke. Gonna puke.”

Within seconds Lloyd had the trashcan from the bathroom in front of her. Thank God. Who wants to sleep in vomit?

Hudson zipped the bag. “She okay?”

Lloyd smoothed her hair. “I think she’s finished. What next?”

Hudson tossed the bag to Lloyd, then scooped her in his strong arms. If she hadn’t been so damned confused and felt as if someone had run her over, she’d have loved this moment. She’d missed having him hold her. Anyone who knew her assumed she was strong, and they were right. Badass. Hardcore. With Hudson though, she didn’t always have to be strong. She could take a mini vacation from being a badass and simply be herself. Well, minus all that truth-telling crap Hudson had harped about earlier.
 

She touched his cheek. “I hope I don’t stink,” she said as he carried her from the bedroom.

He kissed the top of her head. “You don’t,” he said with a small smile. “Lloyd, her coat.”

As she clung to Hudson’s neck, Lloyd draped the coat around her. When she realized they were leaving, she squirmed in his arms. “Where are you taking me?”

He held her firm and steady as they exited the townhouse. Once they reached the Trans Am and she’d been stowed into the backseat, Hudson handed Lloyd the keys and joined her. “You drive,” he said to Lloyd.

“Where am I heading?”

“St. Mary’s Medical Center.”

*

“May I help you?” Gretchen Meyer asked as she opened the door.

Pudge smiled and touched the bill of the baseball cap worn to keep the wig in place. “Evening, Ma’am. I hope this isn’t a bad time, but we’re checking the building for potential gas leaks. Your apartment is next on my list.” Pudge jangled the tool belt for effect.
 

“Oh my, that sounds serious. Should I be worried?” Gretchen asked as she let Pudge into the apartment.

“No, Ma’am. Just a precaution. With the weather getting colder by the day, and everyone cranking up the heat, Management wants to make sure all of the apartments are safe.” Pudge sniffed, and caught the scent of spaghetti sauce. “This won’t take long. I’ll be long gone before you have a chance to eat your dinner. Now, if you could direct me to where your hot water tank is stored…”

Gretchen lead Pudge down the hallway, then pointed to a closet. “It’s in here with my washer and dryer.”

Pudge eyed the scrubs hanging to dry. “Are you a doctor?”

Gretchen laughed. “Hardly. I’m a nurse. I usually take care of patients at their homes.”

Because of their low income, Mama rarely allowed Pudge to call upon a professional to fix things around their home. Over the years, Pudge had become quite adept at fixing leaks and simple electrical issues. Falling into the role of a maintenance worker hadn’t been difficult, plus the tool belt gave Pudge a place to store the necessary equipment to take care of Nurse Gretchen.

“I bet you meet some real characters in your line of work,” Pudge said, and pulled out a long, heavy-duty flashlight. Holding it high and leaning into the crevice behind the hot water tank, Pudge pretend to search the water and gas lines.
 

waiting waiting stop waiting

Gretchen laughed. “You have no idea. But I love my job. I’m not stuck in a hospital all day working a twelve hour shift. Instead I get to go to different places and meet all kinds of
characters
.”
 

kill her dr dread kill her waiting waiting

Pudge ignored the taunt. The space in the hallway and closet were too small for what they’d planned. The kitchen would provide the room needed to take care of Nurse Gretchen.
 

“Gotta love what you do for a living,” Pudge said, then stepped back and closed the door. “Everything looks good here. Let’s check the kitchen.”

Once inside the small room, Pudge inhaled. “Smells delicious. I hope I’m not interrupting a dinner party.”

“Yeah, a party of one,” Gretchen said with a smile.
 

alone all alone kill her kill her now now

“More for you,” Pudge said, then frowned. “I don’t know much about cooking, and I don’t want to screw up your sauce. But I’ll need you to take the pots off the stove so I can pull this thing out and check the gas line.”

now dr dread now kill her kill her

Gretchen nodded, and moved past Pudge to the stove. “Not a problem. I was just warming the sauce while I was waiting for the noodles to boil.”

now now kill now now
 

“Shut the fuck up,” Pudge muttered.

The pots on the stove left untouched, Gretchen turned. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” she asked, her boney face contorting in confusion and alarm.

“Mind your business, bitch.” Before the nurse had a chance to react, Pudge swung the heavy flashlight. As metal connected with bone, the light died, and Gretchen crumpled to the floor. “I was having a private conversation,” Pudge finished, then gave the woman a kick.

When Nurse Gretchen didn’t move, Pudge checked her pulse. Alive. Bummer. While playing Dr. Dread had been fun, cleaning off the blood had been a pain in the ass.
 

sorry so sorry are you mad at me sorry

“I can’t stay mad at you,” Pudge said, and slipped the flashlight back into the tool belt. “But you have to be patient. I know what I’m doing.”

 
yes yes so smart precious so smart

Pudge smiled. “
We’re
smart. Together we can accomplish anything.” Pudge pulled out the scalpel hidden next to the pliers in the tool belt pocket.
 

slice dice slice dice

“Yes, my love. We’ll slice and dice this bitch, and consider what we do here today…” Pudge slit the nurse’s throat. “Practice for what’s to come.”

Chapter 10

“Ms. Risk has a moderate case of dehydration,” the E.R. doctor said as she closed the curtain surrounding Eden’s hospital bed. “The fluids we’re running into her system now should improve her condition, but if she remains dehydrated, feverish, confused, I’ll admit her.”

Hudson sucked in a deep breath. While he wanted Eden healthy, he worried about her staying at the hospital unprotected. Then again, the hospital might be the perfect place for her to remain until they discovered more about the killer and her stalker. Right now, there were too many uncertainties in the case.

“Is she awake?” Hudson asked.

“No. I gave her something to help her sleep. She was extremely confused when she first arrived and I worried she might pull out the I.V.”

Nodding, Hudson pulled the curtain slightly aside and peeked at Eden. She lay in the hospital bed, sound asleep. Color had already begun to infuse her pale cheeks, but her face held a gauntness that unsettled him.

“She’d been vomiting all day, but would that have caused the dehydration?”