Adrianne Byrd: Deadly Double

Toxicology reports lethal levels of lithium, Prozac, and Tefretol. William shook his head and struggled through the rest of the report. Hair strands from subject are inconclusive to history of abuse. Patient shows a lack of awareness to time and place and often shows high levels of agitation when called by her name. Behavior may be due to mental illness.

William lowered the chart and thought back on his first day at Keystone Institute six weeks before and remembered his reaction when he’s walked into Ms. Andrews’s room. It was perhaps the first time in his life that he was rendered speechless. When Dr. Turner inquired if he was okay, he forced his professional mask on and resumed his work. But in the days that followed, he couldn’t get Michelle out of his mind and her striking resemblance to Josephine Ferrell.

Closing his eyes, the sights and sounds of Paris some sixteen years afo welcomed him back like an old friend....

Rushing to get out of the rain, William and five of his closest friends ducked into Le Petite Opportun. They were looking for a jazz club and were pleasantly surprised that they had stumbled onto a nice one. “Hey, looks like getting lost was a blessing in disguise,” Bernard Watson announced with a beaming smile. Bernard’s girlfriend, Brenda, rolled her eyes. “Nice try. Seeing that you’re the one that got is lost in the first place.” “There’s a method to my madness,” Bernard assured.

The rest of the groups, William, Ryan, and Eddie, laughed and rolled their eyes before turning and seeking a table large enough to seat them all.

A bass started up with a smooth melodic beat that had William immediately tapping his feet, and when the gentle tickle of the ivories came into play his mind searched for the name of the haunting tune.

Unexpectedly, the soft, silky voice of an angel flowed over a microphone. William’s eyes flew to the stage, where a gorgeous caramel beauty held him spellbound.

Willow weep for me. Willow weep for me. Bend your branches down along the ground and cover me.

Despite being dressed in all black, the sultry singer’s hourglass figure was obvious in a tight turtleneck and form-fitting stretch pants. Her eyes remained closed as she continued to belt out the tune. It was as if she’d experienced every word of that sad fable of lost love and, as a result, he was sure that everyone in the room felt it.

At the tug on his arm, he lowered himself into a chair without taking his eyes off the stage.

Her lush lips were something to behold, but it was the gentle flutter of her lashes that caught his attention. Given the depth of which she sang, he wanted them to open and reveal the mirrors of her soul or tears to slide from them.

A hand waved in front of his face, forcing him to blink.

“Looks like someone is on the prowl again.” Brenda chuckled and wiggled her eyebrows playfully at William. “I guess this means he’s gotten Sammy out of his system.”

“Thank God,” Ryan muttered.

Before William could respond, the rest of the group chimed in their agreement. His brief fling with Samantha Godfrey during his last semester at school started out well but quickly cooled into friendship. “However,” Bernard said. “I say the honey onstage might just be what the doctor ordered.” Miffed, Brenda popped him on the back of the head and scowled when he looked at her incredulously. “What?” he asked, rubbing his head. William just smiled and returned his attention to center stage.

Weeping willow tree, weep in sympathy. Bend your branches... “She’s something else,” he marveled. “Something else.” Eddie leaned forward in his chair and spoke in his heavy Caribbean accent. “I didn’t know you had an eye for the sistas.” “I have an eye for beauty.” A petite blonde approached the table with a wide smile and tray. “Bonsoir. Vous êtes Américains?” “Yes, we are,” Brenda answered brightly. “Do you speak English?” “Yes, I do. Would you like to place your order now?” “Excuse me,” William interrupted. “But may I ask who’s performing?”

The waitress turned, glanced up at the stage, then turned back to him with a shrug. “I don’t know her name, but I’ve seen her several times.” “What’s the name of the band?” “Actually, it’s open mike night. Everyone’s welcome to sing.” “You mean she’s not a professional?” Bernard jumped into the conversation, only to receive another pop on the head. “Why are you so interested?” Brenda sassed.

Whatever else was said, William didn’t hear it. He was on his feet and moving toward the stage. He didn’t plan what he was going to do next, he just allowed instinct to take over.

The song ended to a heart round of applause, and William tapped the piano player on the shoulder and politely asked id he could take over. Concluding she had a love for Billie Holiday, he knew just the song to play next. “I’m a fool to want you,” he sang slyly. The singer turned to him and met his stare as he repeated the opening line. She brought the microphone to her lips and picked up where he left off. “To want a love that can’t be true.” And just like that, the world melted away.

While he realized that his voice was no match for hers, their notes still complemented each other as they continued the song of longing.

He had never seen anyone like her.

She removed the microphone from the stand and sauntered toward William like a seductress on the prowl. And despite the melancholy tone of their song, a small smile lifted the corners of his lips as he watched her.

When she reached the piano, the faintest scent of her perfume tickled his nose, and he knew that he would remember the sweet fragrance for the rest of his life.

His fingers drifted over the final notes of the song just as she sat on the piano bench next to him and smiled. Not only did she look good, she smelled like flowers and sunshine. Was that even possible?

Their performance played out as if it was a well-rehearsed act, and the resulting round of applause finally dissolved their private world and jarred them back to reality.

“You’re pretty good, whispered to him before nodding at the audience.

“Thank you.” Pleasantly surprised by the husky lilt of her voice, he continued to smile. “But you’re very good.”

Together they stood from the bench and worked their way off the stage before he extended his hand in an awkward introduction. “William Hayes.” When she slid her small hand into his, he was more than aware of its softness. “Nice to meet you. I’m Josephine Ferrell, but please call me Josie.”

Chapter 5

Ming’s leather jacket did little to warm her against the early-morning chill. She uttered no complaint as she supervised the forensic team and the question process outside Keystone.

Detective Tyrese Simmons made his way over to her, shaking his head and flipping through his small notepad. Partners for five years, Ming and Tyrese had found their own rhythm when working a crime scene, but for the most part he was the brawn and she was the brain. “Any ideas?” he asked. She frowned and glanced at her own notes. “Nothing inspiring, one dead doctor and a missing patient.” “Not just any patient but Thornton’s girlfriend. How do you feel about coincidences?”

“Never been a believer.” Flipping the notepad closed, she drew in the morning’s cold air while contemplating a connection between this case and the Thornton case. “Maybe Thornton’s murderer believes the girlfriend knows something—or has something.” Tyrese shrugged. “Well, they sure went through an awful lot of trouble.” “And had a lot of luck on their side: an empty parking lot, a farewell party, and no witnesses inside the hospital.” “Luck or calculation. Could be someone on the inside,” Tyrese added. Ming looked over at him as he gave her a sheepish smile. “What can I say? Even I get an idea every once in a while.”