Running Blind (6 page)

“I don't own him. I just give him food and a place to stay.” She smiled, glancing at her watch, some of her tension returning. “It's taking a long time for my family to come back.”

“They're in the cafeteria.”

“No, they're not. They've found the doctor and they're asking for complete disclosure. That way if it's bad news, they can come in and break it to me gently.”

“Or they're waiting in a long cafeteria line.”

“You forget, I've been through this before. Come on. We'd better find them.” She grabbed his hand, her palm warm and dry against his as she walked to the door.

He could have protested. He might even have convinced her to wait for a while longer. But if he'd been in her position, he'd have gone searching, too, and he allowed himself to be pulled into the hall. Allowed himself to be pulled deeper into Jenna's life. At least that's what it felt like when she punched the elevator button and smiled up at him. That's what it felt like when they stepped off the elevator and saw her family talking to a man in a white lab coat.

“They don't look happy,” Jenna whispered, stopping a few yards shy of the waiting group. “And I'm not sure I really want to know why.”

“Whatever the doctor has to say, it'll be okay.”

“You can't know that.”

“No, but as you said, God is in control. I
do
know that, and it's enough. Come on.”

“Okay.” She took a deep breath, holding tight to his hand as she took the first tentative step forward.

I
t was bad news.

If it weren't, Jenna's father wouldn't have his game face on. If it weren't, her mother wouldn't look pale and shaken. If it weren't…

“Jenna, what are you doing down here?” her mother asked, and Jenna was sure there was a note of panic in her voice. Lila Dougherty never panicked.

So it
was
bad.

Worse, probably, than Jenna had been imagining.

“The same thing you are. I want my test results. Sitting around waiting for someone to come give me the news is driving me crazy.”

“I was just on my way to your room when your parents found me. You really should have waited for us there.” Dr. Shaw, a sixty-something man with a perpetual frown line between his brows, shot Jenna a look of disapproval.

“Perhaps if you'd come a little sooner, she would have.” Nikolai's dry comment was met with another disapproving look.

“As I said, I was on my way up, but I saw Jenna's family and wanted to tell them that the police are in the waiting room. They'd like to speak with her.”

Was that the bad news Jenna could see in her parents' faces? “That's fine.”

“Actually, Jen, we already had a run-in with them, and it
might be best if we put off their questions for a while longer.” Kane frowned, his gaze falling to Jenna's hand. The hand that was clutching Nikolai's. She dropped it quickly, her face heating. What in the world was she doing? Obviously, the pain medication was making her loopy.

“I don't mind talking to the police. The more questions I answer the more likely it will be that they'll find the guy who tried to shoot me.”

“You'd think that would be the direction they'd be heading.” Kane muttered as he glanced up the hall.

“What do you mean?”

“How about we discuss this after Jenna returns to her room?” Dr. Shaw broke in. “It's best if she rests as much as possible.”

His words sent Jenna's pulse racing, all her anxiety rearing up again. “Why? What did you find?”

“That you haven't been taking care of yourself since your release from the hospital. You're dehydrated, anemic and obviously exhausted. The best thing you can do for yourself is get proper nutrition, plenty of fluids and a lot of rest.”

“That's it?” Relief poured through her, and she felt light-headed and dizzy with it.

“Aside from the healing fracture in your occipital bone, the CAT scan was clean.”

“So I can leave?”

“How about we discuss this in your room, Jen? I'd rather not run into the police down here.”

“I already told you that I'd answer their questions, Kane. I've got nothing to hide.”

“That's not what they're thinking, sweetheart.” Jenna's father rubbed the bridge of his nose, something he only did when he was stressed out and worried.

“What exactly are they thinking, then?”

“That you may have been collaborating with Mag dalena.”

“Collaborating on what?” Frustrated, she tried to keep the
bite out of her tone, but knew she was doing a poor job of it. And that frustrated her even more.

“You know they think Magdalena was involved in drug trafficking, sis. Take another giant leap of logic and that'll take you exactly where they've gone.”

“Let them go wherever they want. I've got nothing to hide.”

“Neither did Magdalena.” Nikolai spoke quietly, but his words echoed loudly in Jenna's mind. She'd never believe that Magdalena was involved in the drug trade, and she'd never have believed that the DEA would find drugs hidden in her bags and in her home. They had, though.

“They're trying to get a search warrant for your house, Jenna. You may as well know that now.” Kane's voice was tight with frustration.

“I'd say that they won't find anything, but look what happened to Magdalena. They found plenty.”
Would
they find something in Jenna's house if they searched it? The thought filled her with cold dread.

“It would be best if you all discuss this in Jenna's room. As I said, she needs to rest. We'll admit her for the night and release her in the morning once she's better hydrated.” Dr. Shaw glanced at his watch, his impatience obvious.

“I'll rest better at home. Can you please send a nurse up to take out this IV?”

“I strongly recommend that you stay here for the night.”

“It's a good idea, Jen, and it might keep the police from bothering you,” Kane said falling into step beside her as she started walking back to the elevator. Nikolai flanked her on the other side, and Jenna had a quick glimpse of her future. Only rather than walking between Nikolai and Kane, she'd be walking between two police officers with handcuffs around her wrists.

“Do you have a friend you can call? Someone who can be in your house if the police do get a warrant?” Nikolai's practical question pulled her from her unhappy musings.

“My neighbor will be happy to supervise, but I'd rather he not have to. If I can get a ticket out of town tonight, I'm going to head back to Spokane.”

“We'll fly back with you, dear. Richard, why don't you call the airport and see if we can get tickets for the three of us?”

“I appreciate it, Mom, but you've already been away from New York for too long. Nicole is probably going nuts with the twins and the new baby. I'll bet she's desperate to have you there to lend a hand.” And hopefully Jenna's oldest sister wouldn't mind being used as an excuse.

“We can't just leave you to fend for yourself during this crisis,” Lila said.

“It's not a crisis. It's a little blip on the screen. Besides, you've already got your tickets home.”

“Tickets can be changed.” Her father spoke up as they stepped onto the elevator, and Jenna patted his arm, offering a smile that she hoped was filled with confidence.

“They can be, but there's no need to change them. I haven't done anything wrong. The police are just pulling at straws—they're not going to find anything.”

“I'm not worried about what they're going to find. I'm worried about you.”

“Don't. I'm a grown woman, remember?”

“A grown woman and still my little girl.” But her father didn't argue further as the elevator doors opened.

Jenna stepped out, her gaze drawn to the nurses' station where two uniformed officers waited. Her heart jumped, and if there hadn't been five people stepping off the elevator behind her, she would have turned tail and run.

Instead, she pasted a smile on her face and moved forward.

“Ms. Dougherty, it looks like you're feeling better.” A young female officer stepped toward her, offering a brief smile.

“I am. Thank you.”

“Good. We have a few questions we need to ask if you're up to it.”

“I am.”

“Are you sure, Jenna?” Nikolai stood beside her, his expression grim.

“I've got nothing to hide.”

“How about we talk in your room, then?” The officer smiled again, but her eyes were hard, and Jenna knew she was already forming an assessment and deciding Jenna's guilt or innocence.

“That's fine. Mom, Dad, why don't you two go back to the hotel and get packed? I know your flight leaves in a few hours. Yours, too, Kane. I'll call you all as soon as I'm done here.” She knew they'd protest, but she really didn't want her folks hanging around while the police gave her the third degree.

“We'll wait out here. You'll need a ride to the hotel when you're finished,” Kane said, and the female officer shook her head.

“We'll be happy to give her a ride. You folks go ahead back to the hotel. It's best if we question Ms. Dougherty alone.” It was an order. There was no doubt about that. Whether or not her family would obey it remained to be seen.

Jenna stepped into the room, pulling her IV pole along, her heart pounding way too fast and way too loudly. Could the officers see how nervous she was? She hoped not. The last thing she wanted to do was give them the impression that she had something to be nervous about.

Her legs were shaking, her mind fuzzy from the pain medicine she'd been given. Maybe answering questions
wasn't
a good idea. Before she could say as much, the second officer closed the door, sealing the three of them into the room together. Jenna winced at the sound, her pulse racing with anxiety. Should she send the officers away? Try to answer their questions? Refuse to answer them?

“Would you like to sit down before we begin?” The female officer pulled out a notebook, and Jenna did as she suggested, dropping into a chair.

“I hope this won't take too long, Officer. It's been a difficult day, and I'm not up to more than a few questions.”

“A difficult day seems an understatement. You were at your friend's funeral reception when you were shot at, right?”

“I'm not sure if I was the target, but, yes, I was at Magdalena's funeral reception.”

“You and Dr. Romero were close friends, weren't you?”

“Yes.”

“Had you known each other long?”

“Since college.”

“So, it's safe to say that you two have spent a lot of time together?”

“I wish I could say that was true, but Magdalena and I had only seen each other a handful of times in the past few years. She moved here after college, and I stayed in New York and then moved to Washington.”

“But you went to Mexico together.”

“I'm a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics. Magdalena asked me to take part in Team Hope.”

“That's the group that runs medical clinics down in Mexico?”

“That's right.”

“And Dr. Romero was the founder of the organization?”

“Yes, she coordinated several trips every year.”

“I suppose she told you her reasons for doing so.” The second officer, a tall, dark-eyed man in his twenties, spoke up, his expression bland. He looked bored, and Jenna didn't blame him. She'd been answering the same questions for a week, and her answers hadn't varied.

“She loved people. She had a heart for helping others. I don't think she needed any other reason than that.”

“But she did have a young son. A little boy she left at home so that she could go serve others.”

“Magdalena's love for her son and her service to others were not mutually exclusive.”

“I'm sure there are a lot of mothers out there who would disagree with you.” The male officer tapped his fingers on his thigh impatiently, and Jenna bit back a harsh retort.

“I think there are more who would agree.”

“So, you think that she went to Mexico out of the goodness of her heart, to serve others and to help those who weren't as fortunate as she was?”

“Of course, I do.” Jenna's voice rose, and she didn't bother to lower it.

“And this was your first trip to Mexico with her?”

“You know it was, and if you've got nothing to ask except the same questions I've already been asked a hundred times, then I'd prefer that you leave.”

“Do you know that the DEA found illegal drugs in Dr. Romero's house?”

“Her husband told me.”

“And did he also tell you that a large sum of money was deposited into her bank account a few days before she left for Mexico?”

“No.”

“There was.”

“Look, you've already decided Magdalena is guilty of drug trafficking. Everything you find and everything you hear is going to be used to prove your theory. There's nothing I can say that will change that.”

“We haven't decided anything. We're simply gathering facts.”

“What facts? You have a bunch of circumstantial evidence that means absolutely nothing.” She knew she was losing her cool but couldn't make herself keep quiet, the heat of her anger chasing away the fuzziness in her head. “Ms. Dougherty—”

A soft knock interrupted the officer's words and the door swung open. “Sorry to interrupt, but I grabbed a nurse and got
the doctor to give her the go-ahead to unhook the IV. She'll be here in just a minute.” Nikolai stepped into the room, and despite the apology, he didn't look at all sorry.

“We're in the middle of an interview, Mr….?”

“Jansen. Nikolai. And I'm sure there's nothing that you're saying that can't be said in front of me.”

The male officer frowned, but the female officer simply shrugged. “You're a friend of Ms. Dougherty's?”

“Yes.” He moved in close, his arm bumping Jenna's, and she was sure she smelled French fries and hamburgers. Two of her favorite foods.

She almost leaned in, inhaled deeply, let herself sink into the comfort of Nikolai's presence. Surprised, she stiffened her spine, forced herself to stay upright and focused. Obviously, anger hadn't completely chased the fuzziness from her brain.

“Were you part of the trip to Mexico, Mr. Jansen?” the officer asked.

“No.”

“Then, if you'll wait out in the hall for just a moment, we'll be finished shortly.”

The female officer offered a smile and turned her attention back to Jenna, obviously expecting that Nikolai would do as she'd asked. “No.”

“Pardon me?”

“I'm not leaving.”

“The interview will move more quickly if it's conducted in private. I'm sure that you and Jenna understand that.”

What Jenna understood was that she'd been asked the same questions over and over again during the past few days. What she understood was that answering those questions wasn't going to convince anyone of anything. While she hadn't expected Nikolai to stick around, she was glad he had, and there was no way she was going to make the interview any easier on the officers than she already had.

“Up until now, I've been happy to cooperate, but the questions you're asking are no different than the ones I've already answered. Maybe the interview would go more quickly if you asked some new ones.”