Fractured (31 page)
Authors: Kate Watterson
“I don't know.” Mrs. Levine looked over to where a set of stairs led upward to the second story. “Right after it happened she'd have nightmares about someone she called the lion man. Then they stopped and she never mentioned it again.”
Georgia said quietly, “I am sure he was a monster to her. Someone who had taken her brother away. Her young psyche gave him an identity that she found frightening. Lions are scary, so maybe that's where the reference comes from.”
Ellie wasn't as sure. She respected Georgia's professional opinion, but then again â¦
When they were back in the car, Ellie stowed her crutch carefully in the backseat, still thinking, but out loud. “This lion thing ⦠It's pertinent. Lauren was a child ⦠it means
something
. Santiago is as bored as I am right now. We can't do anything about Lauren's case, but we can look into this cold one as asked, and so far, this is our first clue.”
Georgia lifted a brow as she started the car. “I am starting to see the passion for law enforcement that gives you and Jason Santiago something in common that not everyone shares. By the way, want to talk to me about him? Not as a patient-to-doctor consultation, but as a friend.”
“Why?” Ellie gave her a swift glance. “I talk to you about him enough. How he annoys me half to death, andâ”
“And?” Lukens began to back the car out.
Ellie asked carefully, “What's the actual question? I feel a little like I'm in high school or something.”
“Is there a romantic element to your relationship that has nothing to do with being partners in the homicide division of the Milwaukee Police Department?”
“Seriously? Have I said something to indicate there is? Did Metzger call you?”
“It's what you are
not
saying that makes me wonder.” She pulled out onto the street. “You just indicated that you wouldn't mind spending time with him voluntarily when not on duty. He's appealing and your relationship with Bryce is less than ideal right now. And let's face it, as women, we usually know when someone is attracted to us.”
There was no way she was going to discuss that unsettling kiss. “I can't get involved with Jason Santiago. I have Bryce.”
“I think you do. That does not mean you are necessarily right for each other.”
“Is this your professional assessment of our relationship?”
“Just an observation. I assume you want to drive by the church where the accident happened.”
The change in subject was welcome. Ellie adjusted her foot to a more comfortable position. “You just read my mind.”
Georgia said serenely, “If only I could.”
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
“You want me
to what?” Jason picked up the remote and flicked off the television. They were just recapping the playoffs anyway.
“Pick me up. I still can't drive.” Ellie sounded impatient. “I want to go to a little town north of Olathe. You're coming with me.”
He was already on his feet, picking up his keys from where he'd tossed them on the table near the door. “What's this about?”
“The last piece of the puzzle. I just talked to your good friend Lauren. Or maybe it was Rachel or Lea, I have no idea which one, but I have a lead ⦠or maybe it isn't one, but I can't not go after it. Are you in or not?”
“Relax. I'm already walking to my truck. Where exactly are we going?”
“Lexington. Home of the Lions.”
“Home of the Lions? What the hell does that mean?” He passed one of his neighbors on the stairs and nodded, aware that since he'd been on the news again, most of the people in the building knew what he did for a living. Since he'd also had his car blown up once in the parking lot, it was a dubious celebrity status he didn't really appreciate.
“High school. The truck that hit Lauren Levine's brother had a bumper sticker on it, and guess what? There was also a class date that matches the year of the accident. I have to give Dr. Lukens the credit. Lauren trusts her and she was able to walk her back in time and somehow cajole the memory out of her.”
He pressed the button for the automatic starter. “No shit?”
“Now all we need is to go through the yearbook and see if anyone in that graduating class kind of looks like you.”
“Yeah, lucky me.”
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
Georgia sat in
the chair on the opposite side of the desk and smiled. “I'm usually where you are. Behind the desk.”
Grant smiled back. “If we were in your office, I'd let you sit here. In fact, if you'd like to switch placesâ”
“No, we're fine. I just needed to talk and it seems like when that happens, you are the one I think of, so I took a chance you might have the time.”
“I'm flattered.” He was as distinguished as ever in tailored slacks and a sweater over a crisp blue shirt, like a benign college professor, the kind that inspired a girlish freshman crush.
“My patient murdered four people.”
“I can honestly say I wondered if that wasn't her just on the basis of our previous conversations.”
“Clever deduction.” She was no longer smiling.
“Georgia, you told me enough that it really was not all that clever. I assume you are now wondering what you could have done differently.”
“Of course.”
“Nothing.” He spread his hands on the desk. “As clinicians we need to face that there will always be patients who successfully deceive us and don't respond to treatment. You cannot shoulder the burden for those four lives.”
“Five,” Georgia argued softly. “Let's not forget hers. I shot her.”
“I stand corrected. Five. But she'll recover.”
“Physically. She was trying to obliterate the memory by slashing their faces until she could no longer find a hint of the man who killed her brother.”
“By your account, she is a bright young woman. Isn't it fascinating how our minds work when rational thought is at war with emotion?”
“I think I can still help her.”
Grant looked interested. “Oh? How?”
“In this life, one thing that holds true is that it is who you know. I might not have been able to help Lauren Levine, but I think I know someone else who will.”
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
Ellie limped up
the sidewalk, but it was Santiago who knocked on the front door. The man who answered was too old to be the one they were looking for, but maybe he could provide an answer.
“Mr. Upton?” Santiago identified himself by flashing his badge. “Can we have a word about your son, Terry? We'd like to locate him and this is his last known address.”
Tall and spare, his weathered face perplexed, the older man said, “Well, he lives here. He's taking over the farm little by little ⦠what's this about?”
“Can we talk to him?”
“I suppose so. Mind telling me why?”
“Dad? I've got a question aboutâ” A man, mid-to-late thirties, blond, leanly built, and blue-eyed came into view. “Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you were talking to someone.”
A perfect match in many ways, but it was hardly conclusive. Ellie was torn over whether or not this was even the right thing to do, but she had confidence that Georgia would tell her everyone needed closure, not just Lauren. To a certain extent, given the emotional impact of this case, she needed some herself. The family of the missing boy at least deserved being able to properly mourn.
“They're police detectives. They want to talk to you.”
Terry Upton went utterly pale, but he wasn't shocked, and that said something. When he spoke his voice was somber. “I think I might know why. I've been waiting for this visit for twenty years. You might not believe this, officers, but in a way, I'm glad you are here.”
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Kate Watterson
grew up on a steady diet of mystery/suspense novels. If it invovles murder and intrigue, she is bound to be hooked. She lives in rural Indiana with her husband, three children, and a temperamental cat. You can sign up for email updates
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TOR BOOKS BY
KATE WATTERSON
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CONTENTS
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
FRACTURED
Copyright © 2015 by Katherine Smith
All rights reserved.
Cover design by Drive Communications, NY
Cover images copyright © 2014 Shutterstock
A Forge Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
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The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-0-7653-7758-6 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7653-7759-3 (trade paperback)
ISBN 978-1-4668-5676-9 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466856769
First Edition: March 2015