The Dark Places by R. Whitfield (novel24 TXT) 📕

Surin snorted. “Did you sleep with another married man, Madison?”

Madison jumped up from the booth involuntarily. “No, I did not!” Tears welled in the back of her eyes, don’t you dare cry, she warned herself. “I will never live that down, will I?” she said, embarrassed. “I honestly didn’t know, but you’re right, at the time I didn’t care.” She sat back down, feeling stupid for getting upset. “It’s not who I am,” she added quietly.

“Sorry,” Surin said, suddenly feeling like a bully. She hadn’t expected such an emotional reaction from Madison. “It wasn’t all your fault, really,” she added. Parker watched Surin as she spoke. “It was Grayson’s. He was engaged, and I guess in a small way, it was mine.” She slouched back in her chair. “Let’s just,” she shrugged her shoulders, “let’s just forget it and move on.”

Madison sat staring at her, this woman she had wronged more than once, and all she could do was nod stupidly.

Surin managed a sad smile. It had been a long time coming, forgiveness, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, but at the same time, she felt so very tired.

“You’re right,” she said quietly. “We are working on a serial case. The information is sensitive but leave me your number, and I give you my word, that when we have new information that we can share, you will know.”

Madison nodded and jotted her cell number on a napkin, passing it over to Surin. Parker’s phone vibrated. He wiped his mouth and answered it quickly, turning his head away from Madison as he listened.

“Surin,” he said abruptly. She looked up, not liking the tone in his voice. “We have to go now.”

“What’s happened?” Madison asked. Parker looked from her to Surin who nodded her OK.

“They’ve found another girl,” he said quietly.

“What!” Surin yelled and stood quickly, grabbing her tote.

“Surin, wait,” Parker said, reaching back swiftly for his jacket. “There’s something else you need to know.” Surin turned and looked at him, confused.

“And what’s that?” she asked.

“This one’s still alive.”

***

Parker had always disliked hospitals. The blunt white walls and fluorescent lighting, the continual smell of disinfectant and, of course, the sick people. Surin was talking to the chief in the lobby, quietly trying to understand what was going on.

“How is this possible?” she asked, hands on her hips. “Are you sure it’s him?” she added.

“I’ll let you be the judge of that,” the chief replied calmly.

Surin started pacing back and forward in the small space. Parker watched as her mind tried to process the situation.

“Elliott,” the chief said, “I‘ve posted a uniform outside her room, twenty-four seven.” He gently grabbed her elbow and turned her to face him. “Go see the doctor, see the girl and tell me what the hell is going on.” With that, he turned on his heels and walked out the automatic doors.

Surin looked up, her face showing the tension she was feeling. “Parker,” she said, “he doesn’t make mistakes, not like this.”

Parker nodded. “I agree.”

They both stayed silent as a teenage couple walked past, eyeing their holstered weapons. “First things first,” he continued once they were alone. “Let’s find out if it is even our guy.” Surin seemed to agree, and they walked together over to the nurses’ station and waited for the doctor.

After waiting, for what seemed like an eternity, a middle-aged man approached them, with an iPad tucked securely under his arm.

“Detectives?” he said in that hushed tone all doctors seem to use.

“Doctor,” Surin replied with a nod. “How is she?” she asked, genuinely concerned.

“Medically, she is stable,” he answered. “Mentally, she is terrified,” he stated, placing his iPad on the desk and clasping his hands behind his back.

“Can we see her?” Parker asked.

“Doctor, we really need to see her,” Surin added, a touch of desperation in her voice.

“I do understand the situation. I have spoken to your chief, so I get the urgency,” the doctor replied. “So yes, I am allowing you two, but only you two, to go in and see her.” Surin sighed in relief.

“Thank you, we’ll go easy,” she said.

“I’m only giving you a short time frame, she’s tired and scared and needs her rest,” the doctor added. “Once you’re done, there’s a social worker coming to see her. Her state of mind is fragile at the moment.” He looked at them, ensuring they understood.

“OK, that sounds reasonable,” Surin replied. They both shook the doctor’s hand and made their way down the bleak hallway to her room. As promised, a uniform was sitting staunchly in a fold-up chair. Surin recognised him immediately.

“Miller.” She smiled warmly. The young rookie stood up quickly, nearly catching his long legs under the chair.

“Detective Elliott,” he replied with a shy smile.

“The chief told me he posted an up-and-coming detective on the door,” she said seriously, paying no attention to the young man’s flaming red cheeks.

“That’s very kind of you to say,” he replied. “Detective Rhodes,” he added, noticing Parker for the first time and nodding.

“Hi, Miller,” Parker replied with a smile. “Thanks again for your help at the crime scene the other day,” he added. “I’m glad it’s you on the door.” The rookie smiled again and looked at his feet.

“OK, we’re going in then,” Surin said, but before she could open the door, Miller gently stepped in front.

“Ma’am, I’m so sorry, but I have been told only those with a pass signed by the doctor and the chief can enter.” His face was beetroot red, but at six-foot-four, his stance was defensive. Surin shook her head, smiling, and reached into her jacket, producing the document Miller required and handed it to him.

“You are one to watch, Miller,” she said, “knew it from the moment I