He tucked his fingers in his pockets again and rocked back on his heels. It was the hand holding, wasnt it. Too over the top for you? I was afraid so, but youre a tough one to read.
She didnt know whether to be annoyed or disarmed by his matter-of-fact admission. It suited her to be annoyed. Has it ever occurred to you to just be upfront about what you want?
Sure, I tried that first. Figured you for a more straightforward approach. When that didnt work, I had to improvise.
Even as she was shaking her head at his blatant confession of manipulation, he was continuing. You wont be in any danger in there, if thats what youre afraid of. LeFrenz cant get out of the bed, and if he could, the officer and I will be in there with you.
Im not afraid of him, she said automatically.
You should be. His voice was grim. He may look like a choirboy, but hes got a rap sheet as long as my arm. His juvie record dates back to when he was ten and mugged a homeless woman for her social-security check. Hes one of the major drug dealers in the city now.
Despite herself, a chill chased up her spine. The detective was painting a picture of a hardened criminal. But she was painfully aware of the spin law enforcement types could put on peoples pasts. She had no doubt that St. Theresa herself would be demonized beyond recognition if an ambitious prosecutor dug into her life.
It was that knowledge, rather than any real sympathy for LeFrenz, that kept her carefully noncommittal. I dont know what help Id be in there.
Youll only be there to pacify LeFrenz. The detectives mouth curled. The scumbag is being manipulative, but youre the only lever Ive got on him. For some reason hes fixated on you. If he gets what he wants, seeing you, he might give up some information in return.
He didnt seem about to give anything up in the emergency room a few days ago, she pointed out.
He shrugged. Ive got nothing to lose, do I? What do you say?
Shae stalled by checking her watch. If she walked away as she wanted to, shed certainly hear about it from the hospital administrator. But it would almost be worth it to avoid the detective.
He made her uneasy. Not nervous, buton edge. Shed have to be dead not to be aware of the currents of energy that rolled off him. Her femininity might be dormant, but it wasnt dead. She didnt want to get involved in whatever mission drove the man hard enough for him to put his job before his health. She didnt want to get caught up with the police in any capacity.
As if her agreement was already determined, he started issuing commands. When you go in the room, I want you to stand on the side of the bed hes cuffed on. Dont go too close. The officer will stay on the other side, and hell stop him if he makes a grab for you.
I hardly think I have anything to fear from an I.C.U. patient with only one hand free, she said dryly.
His expression was not amused. Dont make the mistake of underestimating him. People who do that have a way of going missing.
He turned and headed back toward the room, leaving her to follow more slowly. Slipping her hand into her pocket, she brought out her beeper, as if she could will it to summon her back downstairs. But it remained stubbornly silent. With a sigh, she dropped it back into her pocket and entered the room.
Angel Eyes. LeFrenzs gaze burned fever-bright. Thought you might have decided not to join our little party.
Me? She kept her voice carefully expressionless as she positioned herself near the side of his bed. I wouldnt miss it.
I was startin to think youd forgotten me down there. LeFrenz seemed intent on ignoring the policemen in the room. Figured youd at least come to check on me.
As I explained to Detective Tremaine, there was no need. Youre under Dr. Lyndstroms care now. Hell do the follow-up visits.
Dr. Lyndstrom dont have big blue eyes that a guy could drown in. LeFrenz looked her up and down with an insulting familiarity. Dont have long legs like yours, neither.
When Shae had worked on LeFrenz in the E.R., hed been just another patient needing her help. But now there was something revolting about that lascivious expression sitting on his cherubic countenance. Her flesh prickled. She experienced the same sort of revulsion by kicking over a rock and watching the disgusting creatures beneath scuttle for cover. In the short time youll be with us, I think youll come to appreciate some of Dr. Lyndstroms better qualities.
Thats right, Jonny. Cade strolled toward the bed. You arent going to be here long enough to get too attached. County lockup has a medical wing, and Im betting they have a comfortable cot with your name on it. Cant promise you any good-looking nurses, but hey he gave a negligent shrug with where youre going, its best you get used to not seeing women, anyway.
For the first time the patient pulled his gaze from Shae and looked at the detective. You dont have enough to hold me, Tremaine.
Derision sounded in the detectives voice. What are you, slow or something? I stood over that dying kids body and he gave you up as the one who sold him the cocaine. I walk in on you in the middle of bagging your stash, you pull a gun on me and fire while attempting to flee. What part of that doesnt add up to enough for you?
Shae had the feeling shed been all but forgotten. This was a private war, being fought between LeFrenz and Tremaine. The patients voice was still cocky when he answered, Okay, so youll get the possession with intent to stick. With the new sentencing laws in Louisiana, Ill be out in five. You cant tie the kid to me, though. With him dead, his naming me is hearsay. Aint no jury in the world gonna convict on only your word.
Tremaines face remained remarkably calm. That might be true under normal circumstances. But that kid was the nephew of the mayors wife. He waited for the news to sink in, noted with satisfaction that LeFrenz had gone a bit paler. Even you have to figure out what that means.
The boys death had already received more than the usual attention from the media. High-profile names in a police investigation always invited scandal, and scandal made for good copy. The political spin on this one was to turn the dead boy into an unwitting victim of a murderous drug dealer. The version was close enough to the truth to suit Cade, especially when resulting local sentiments were screams for LeFrenzs blood.
Your only chance of surviving this is to tell me whos supplying you, Jonny. No one rose as rapidly as LeFrenz had in the illegal drug market without help. Give me the name and you become just another cog in the wheel. Cooperation buys a lot of leniency in the courts. Say the word and I can have the D.A. in here working out a deal.
He knew hed gotten to the man when he glanced away, looked at Dr. ORiley as if hed read the solution on her impassive face. Despite his impatience at the delay, Cade could hardly blame the man for his distraction. The leggy redhead was difficult to ignore. Today her mane of hair was scraped back in some kind of fancy braid that hung to the center of her shoulder blades. The severe style showed off those high cheekbones, her short straight nose and her come-to-bed eyes. With the white examining coat and the shapeless scrubs she wore, it was difficult to guess at the figure beneath. But that didnt stop a mans imagination from filling in the details.