Murders & Romance: A Psychic Detective Romantic Mystery (Isaac Taylor Mysteries Book 5) by Lashell Collins (ready player one ebook .TXT) 📗

“Detectives? You’ve come back?”

“Nurse Turner, sorry to bother you again.”

“Not at all. Lindsey is going to make a copy of Amber’s visitors log for you.” She motioned to the receptionist. “I understand you wish to speak with any staff who helped take care of Amber?”

“That’s right.”

“May I ask why?”

“We’re investigating a triple homicide. The CPD believes in leaving no stone unturned when it comes to murder.”

“Of course. Well, that’s quite a few people over the course of her time here. We are talking years, after all. How far back would you like me to go?”

“Let’s say the last six months.”

“Very well. I can set you up in the boardroom if you like. You can conduct your interviews in there.”

“That would be great. Thank you.”

She led them down the hall to a small room where the long, polished table and chairs dominated the space.

“We have our staff meetings in here, so you should be comfortable. And it should give you ample privacy for your interviews. I’ll send in the first in a few moments. Would you like the others in fifteen minute intervals?”

“Just send in the first. We’ll let you know when we’re done and ready for the next.”

“Very good.”

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

Josephine only gave a curt nod. Then she turned and left the room.

“There is something about that woman that I can’t put my finger on.” Pete stared at the door she’d just disappeared through. “But I feel like she’s hiding something.”

Isaac looked at Pete and grinned.

“Your instincts are getting better all the time, young padawan.”

Pete rolled his eyes at the term.

“Oh, so now you’re the Jedi master?”

“That’s right.”

“Bullshit.”

“Well, one of us has been a detective for over nine years, while the other is still a little wet behind the ears. I think that makes me the Jedi master and you the padawan.”

“Whatever. You’re such a nerd.”

“Sticks and stones, Pete.”

“Grow up.”

Isaac huffed out a breath. “This coming from the same guy who teased me about whistling an hour ago?”

“The difference is that my teasing was funny. Yours is just awkward.”

“I am a very funny guy.”

“No, you’re not.”

“You’re just jealous because you don’t have my Jedi skills.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure I’d want your Jedi skills, Ike.”

Pete looked at him, and Isaac knew they weren’t talking about Jedi mind tricks. He sighed and glanced over at the door before looking Pete in the eyes again.

“No. You would not.”

Pete nodded and a moment passed between them.

“So… you think there’s something fishy about Nurse Ratched too?”

“I do. She’s been very accommodating since we met her, but there is something. It’s in her tone of voice, the weight of her stare. Something about her just feels… off somehow. Almost like she’s trying too hard to be helpful. Maybe so that we won’t suspect her of anything.”

“She is a big, healthy girl.”

“Yes, she is. Although I’m not sure she’d possess the upper body strength to string up victim number one to that tree. Not by herself anyway.”

“Now there’s an angle we haven’t really discussed.”

“More than one person?”

“Yeah. I mean you mentioned Amber’s brothers possibly knowing who our killer is, but what about the possibility that they were actually in on it?”

“I think the possibility that the killer had help is more than good. I mean, think about it… victim number one was tied, spread eagled to a wide tree trunk. Hiroshi says the autopsy suggests that the victim was incapacitated by a blow to the head before he was strung up and killed. Now how much effort would it take for one person to handle all that dead weight? They’d have to subdue him, transport him, and then string him to that tree.”

“That’s a whole lot of work for just one person.”

“Yes, it is. Not saying it couldn’t be done, but… it’d sure be a hell of a lot easier with a second set of hands and muscle power, now wouldn’t it?”

Pete nodded just as someone knocked on the open door. They turned to see a male orderly standing in the doorway.

The man was of average height and build, and looked as though he were perturbed to have been summoned.

“I was told to come speak to the detectives in the boardroom.”

“Yes, sir. That’s us.” Isaac motioned for him to come in further. “I’m Detective Sgt. Ike Taylor. This is Detective Pete Vega. We’d like to ask you a few questions.”

The man stepped into the room, clearly guarded. Pete motioned for the man to sit at the head of the table.

“Your name, sir?”

“My name is Randy Luden. What’s this about?”

Isaac and Pete each took seats on either side of him.

“Mr. Luden, we’re investigating the murders of three men. Bobby Cook, Craig Wentworth, and Michael Rivers. Do you know any of them?”

Randy Luden shook his head.

“No. I don’t think so. Did they work here or something? Is that why you’re questioning us?”

“We’ll ask the questions, if you don’t mind. We understand you’ve had a hand in taking care of Amber Camden during her stay here. Is that right?”

“Amber Camden? Yeah, that’s right. I help get her out of bed and into her wheelchair. Stuff like that.”

“How long have you worked here, Mr. Luden?”

“Going on five years now, I guess.”

“So, you were here already when Amber Camden first came to stay here?”

“I suppose so.”

Isaac nodded. “And during that time, have you ever known Amber to speak?”

“No, sir. Amber never says nothing.”

“Does Amber ever get up and move around on her own?”

“No, sir. One of us always has to get her up and into her wheelchair or her bed. I mean, she can move and walk on her own. She just don’t want to no more.”

“She doesn’t want to?”

“No, sir. I heard her doctor say once that she’s just lost the will to do for herself. It’s like that old saying, you know? All the lights is on, but ain’t nobody home. It’s like Amber just ain’t home no more, and don’t nobody know if she’ll ever come back.”

Isaac nodded. It was way more information on Amber’s