“What’s that?”
“You know perfectly well what it is,” Dr. Baldwin snapped. “I told you before that Miss Winters has violent tendencies.”
Nolan’s brows shot up. “What are you saying? That you think she killed Evie Carter?”
“It’s the only explanation that makes sense,” Dr. Baldwin said. “And for the safety of the other residents, I am going to have her sent to the state security hospital until there can be a full investigation.”
Sage went rigid, fear and anger shooting through her blood like lightning, bright and white-hot. She glared at Dr. Baldwin. “Are you really going to stoop that low? I didn’t touch Evie and you know it. You’re just making up lies to cover your own ass!”
“I guess we’ll find out who’s lying, won’t we?”
“Miss Winters isn’t going anywhere right now, Doctor,” Nolan said. “Not until we get to the bottom of this.”
Breathing hard, Sage tried to calm down. Screaming at Dr. Baldwin wouldn’t get her anywhere. “Do you believe me now, Detective? About my sister?”
“I’m not going to say one way or another, but your story has certainly gained more credibility.”
Nolan turned to Dr. Baldwin. “Do the residents at Willowbrook have access to the newspaper?”
Looking confused by the question, Dr. Baldwin shook his head. “Most can’t read. And even if they could, making the newspaper available would only cause more problems. Why do you ask?”
“What about television?” Nolan said. “Are they able to watch the news?”
“No. The attendants shut the televisions off when the news reports come on and distract the residents in other ways.”
“That’s bullshit,” Sage said. “The attendants never shut off the TV. They do whatever they want. He has no idea what goes on in the dayrooms.”
“And you have no idea what you’re talking about,” Dr. Baldwin said. “It is my job to know exactly what goes on in every building. That’s why the nurses and attendants report to me every day. Isn’t that right, Marla?”
“Yes, sir,” Marla said.
Nolan held up a hand. “All right, all right. I’m only asking because I wondered if Miss Winters had somehow read about the other victims we’ve found and that’s how she . . .” He dropped his eyes to the ground and trailed off, finishing the thought inside his head, if at all. Then he looked up at them again. “It’s the same MO.”
“Other victims?” Suddenly light-headed, Sage looked around for a log or tree stump to sit on, but there were none nearby.
“Yes,” Detective Nolan said. “We’ve found three other women in the same condition over the last couple of weeks on the island. As a matter of fact, not far from here.” He addressed Dr. Baldwin. “So unless Miss Winters has been leaving the premises on a regular basis, I don’t see how your theory that she has something to do with this has a leg to stand on.”
“Who knows what’s she’s been doing?” Dr. Baldwin said. “I’ve never had a resident give us this much trouble.”
“With all due respect, Doctor, that seems like a bit of a contradiction. A minute ago, you were adamant that you know everything that goes on inside Willowbrook, but now you’re saying you don’t know what Miss Winters has been doing. So which is it?”
“That’s not what I—” Dr. Baldwin started, then took a deep breath. “I mean that she’s been exceptionally underhanded and deceitful.”
Sage nearly went limp with relief. Finally, someone was challenging Dr. Baldwin’s authority instead of believing everything he said. Finally, she seemed to have someone who could help on her side.
On the other side of the clearing, twigs snapped in the woods, drawing everyone’s attention in that direction. A few seconds later, a handful of cops came out of the trees, along with a man in a black jacket with the word CORONER across the back. A cop with a German shepherd on a leash began checking the area outside of the police tape, forcing Sage, Marla, Dr. Baldwin, and Detective Nolan to step out of the way. Then three men in business suits and long coats came to the edge of clearing, their shiny shoes slipping and sliding on the mud and snow. Anger, confusion, and something that looked like fear lined their faces. As if on cue, gray clouds started to gather in the sky, darkening the already dim day.
“Who are they?” Nolan asked.
“Administration.” Dr. Baldwin sounded defeated. “And the king of Willowbrook, Dr. Hammond.”
The men in business suits began to enter the clearing, but a man in jeans and hiking boots pushed his way past them, went under the police tape, and ran toward Evie’s makeshift grave. A cop stepped in front of him to block his way.
“And that,” Dr. Baldwin said, his voice sounding even more miserable, “is Evie’s husband, Dr. Douglas Carter, Willowbrook’s program director.”
“Shit,” said Detective Nolan. “Stay here.” He ducked under the police tape and went over to Dr. Carter, who was struggling to get past the cop blocking his way. Realizing that he was Eddie’s uncle, Sage looked for some resemblance. They had the same dark hair, but from this distance it was hard to tell if he and Eddie shared any other features, especially because Dr. Carter’s face was contorted with agony. After putting a firm hand on Dr. Carter’s shoulder and speaking to him briefly, Nolan nodded once at the cop, who stepped aside. When the doctor saw his dead wife, he clutched his hair and made a sound deep in his throat, a low, flat moan of despair that nearly made Sage cry. Then he fell to his knees, his arms loose at his sides, and gaped down at her body, stunned and heartbroken and sobbing.
Nolan returned to Sage, Dr. Baldwin, and Marla just as the men in business suits and muddy shoes reached them. The first man glowered at Dr. Baldwin, then addressed Detective Nolan.
“Would someone like to tell me what’s going on here?” he said, his voice firm with authority.
“And you are?”
“Dr. Hammond, head of administration.”
“Well, Dr. Hammond,” Nolan said, “we found a recently deceased female on Willowbrook property and we believe she was murdered. She was one of your employees.”
“It’s my secretary,” Baldwin said. “Evie Carter.”
Hammond’s face went dark. “Wasn’t her husband involved in that trouble with Wilkins and the parents’ association?” he said.
Dr. Baldwin nodded. “Yes, and I have reason to believe Dr. Wilkins is responsible for the reporters breaking into House Six.”
“Good Lord,” Hammond said. “Do you have proof?”
“No.” Dr. Baldwin glanced at Sage. “But I’m sure Dr. Carter can enlighten us.”
“Excuse me, gentlemen,” Nolan said, sounding irritated. “But right now you have more pressing matters that need your attention. I suggest you concentrate on the fact that one of your employees has been found murdered in the woods surrounding your institution.”
“Yes, yes, of course, Detective,” Dr. Hammond said. Then he pointed at Sage as if noticing her for the first time. “Why is this resident out here, by the way? What does she have to do with this? And why am I paying an attendant to be out here with her?”