Adrianne Byrd - Deadly Double

She listened, pleased that he’d recognized her the moment he’d laid eyes on her. He recanted how he approached a Dr. Bancroft with his suspicions. “She told you that she’d treated Michelle before?” “Yep. It’s in Michelle’s chart, too, if you still want to take a look at it.” Josie nodded, but urged him to continue.

“Well, I noticed one morning how the cleaning crew seemed to move about the institution without drawing anyone’s attention. It’s like they’re invisible to staff or something.” He finished preparing her coffee the way she liked it and handed it to her. “Anyway, one day I had to take my SUV in for some minor repairs. One of the doctors recommended a shop not too far from the institute. While I was there, I also noticed a few vans belonging to the same cleaning company that did our office. And just like that, I had an idea.”

Josie sipped her coffee as she listened to the rest of the story. But then her heart dropped when she heard about what happened to Dr. Bancroft. “Murdered?”

“Yeah.” He took the first sip of his coffee and exhaled. “I still can’t believe it.”

“It’s kind of an eerie coincidence, don’t you think?” She set down her cup and brushed down the tiny hairs of alarm on her arms. “And now another doctor is dead?” He nodded. “Yeah.” “Do you think that the deaths are connected?” she finally asked. He hesitated again; he even entertained the thought of lying.

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” she answered for him. “It has to be Michelle, surely she knew it was just a matter of time before the doctor realized that I wasn’t her.”

“She seemed pretty convinced when I talked with her.”

“Michelle wouldn’t have known that.”

Suddenly the scars on her wrists itched. “Those guys at the cabin,” she said, meeting his eyes. We know they were sent by Michelle.” “What is she going to do, systematically kill everyone that works at the institute? That’s crazy.” “That’s what we’re dealing with.” He released a hard laugh, but it failed to sound genuine.

Josie didn’t find it so funny. “Look what she’s already done.” She thrust out her wrists. “I’ll sure as hell never underestimate her again.” The color drained from William’s face. He took her hands and caressed her scars. “So, it wasn’t a suicide attempt?” “I might not have liked how my career had turned out, but I never been suicidal.” She pulled back her hands. “Then that settles it,” William said, crossing his arms. “We’re going to the police.”

Chapter 26

Ming kissed her husband, grabbed some toast and a cup of coffee, and then raced out of the house. In her car, she dialed Tyrese and spilled the beans before he finished saying hello.

“Surveillance duty. You have to be kidding me?” Tyrese laughed.

“Afraid not.” She shifted gears and adjusted her cell phone simultaneously. “We need proof that Andrews is masquerading as Josephine. After our visit yesterday, she’s probably going to try to leave town. With Josephine’s money it won’t be too hard to do.” “Maybe you shouldn’t have exposed your hand,” he admonished. “I always said that women shouldn’t play poker.” “No one likes a Monday morning quarterback,” she retorted. “I need you on her tail to make sure she doesn’t skip out.” “And what will you be working on while I’m doing all the grunt work?” “A little entrapment project.” “Hey, hey. Careful with the E word,” he warned. “The lines on these things aren’t exactly secure, you know.” “Good point.” Ming chuckled. “I have a few places I need to hit: Turner’s residence and Keystone.” “Keystone again?” “We need fingerprints,” she said. “Did I miss something?” Realizing she’d left out vital information, she laughed again, and then filled Tyrese in on her clever plan.

# “The police?” Josie repeated, slowly thawing off her stiff movements. “Today?” William nodded. “I don’t see where we have a choice. If Michelle is behind three murders…” “Three?”

“Well, possibly three. Dr. Bancroft mentioned to me that the police wanted to question you…well, Michelle, regarding her boyfriend’s homicide. I’m only guessing, here. But I don’t think it’s too far out the realm of possibility.” Josie swallowed her surprise. “The police?” “Yeah, but I don’t know any details.” She fought a wave of panic. “Won’t you get into a lot of trouble if we go to the authorities?”

“Initially...but I didn’t kill anyone. They’re not going to be able to pin Bancroft’s murder on me. I don’t even own a gun.” “I’m not going to the police,” she said stubbornly. “Besides, how do I prove any of this? William frowned. “Let’s just wait until we receive my medical records,” Josie decided. “Better yet, my dental records.” “Well, surely she’s not fluent in French or can play the piano…?”

“What if she can? We have to have concrete proof, or they’re going to think I’ve just pulled some con job on you. And then you’ll be locked up for kidnapping, and I’ll be headed back to Keystone in a straight jacket. “C’mon, Josie. That’s just crazy talk. We both know who you are.” “Then why weren’t you able to convince that Dr. Bancroft?” William stalled.

“I’ll tell you why. It’s because you had no proof. And you still don’t.” She drew a deep breath and moved closer to him. “I’m just asking that we wait until we can get hold of my medical records. That’s all.” She held his gaze, while he struggled with his decision. Josie turned to reclaim her coffee but was disturbed by the visible tremor in her hand. “Are you okay?” he asked. She lowered the cup again and flashed him a weak smile. “I’m fine.” William glanced at his watch. “It’s past time for your shot. I should go upstairs and get it.” She cringed at the thought of another injection. “How much longer will I have to take that stuff?”

While he crossed his arms and thought it over, Josie had no trouble picturing him in a white, doctor’s coat with a stethoscope around his neck.

“Given the amount of drugs everyone had pumped into your system, I’m guessing anywhere from thirty to sixty days,” he said.

“That’s a lot of shots.”

He shrugged. You could try going cold turkey; but I have to warn you, the convulsions, nausea, and migraines are usually severe. What you’ve experienced the last couple of days will seem like a trip to Disneyland compared to going cold turkey.” Josie’s eyes widened. “If you’re going to put it like that, then I’ll take the shots.” “Good. I’ll go upstairs…” “I’ll get it.” Her smile trembled at the corners. “You write down the address for this place so I can call my doctors again.” William nodded. “All right.”

She flattered him with a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back.” With that, she turned, and strolled out of the kitchen. Once she was out of William’s line of vision, she dropped her calm façade and leaned warily against the staircase’s wooden rail. She had to do something fast. There was no way she was turning herself into the police.

#

“I need a forged passport,” Michelle informed her longtime buddy, D’Angelo. She moved farther into the cramped apartment and slid a hand lightly down his corded chest muscles. He chuckled and blew a steady stream of cigar smoke into the air. “Is that all?” “I’ll make it worth your wild.” She pressed a kiss against his dark chocolate skin. “Like old times.” He fixed her with a hard glare. “Sort of how you did for old Danny boy?” Michelle dropped her hand. “Danny was greedy.”

“Never met a thief that wasn’t.” He looped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “That includes you, my beautiful pet.”