“I’m done.” Kendra glided across the room from the bathroom. “Where’s that nurse?”

“She got up and went down the hall toward the waiting room a few minutes ago. Since there don’t appear to be any visitors on this floor, I’d bet on her hitting the coffee machine.” She swung the door open, glanced at Room 302 before gesturing for Kendra to leave. “Out.”

Kendra strode out of the room and down the hall with Eve following. “I’m out. Stop being so nervous. We made it.”

Eve drew a deep breath, slowed down, and stopped. Kendra was right. The immediate danger was over. She just didn’t like to cut things so close. “Then let’s find a place to sit down and be impatient when Piltot shows up. After all, he’s been very rude to keep us waiting.” She dropped down on a bench across from the nurse’s station. “Did you find anything else in the bathroom, Kendra?”

Kendra shook her head. “Nothing that’s made an impression. But someone had to have helped her if she got out of here. Maybe we’ll know more when we check the file records on Beth Avery tonight and see who has been in attendance or at least in close proximity.”

“Tonight?”

“Well, we can hardly march into personnel and tap their records during regular business hours. It will have to be tonight.”

“And how are we supposed to get into personnel? It’s an administrative office. The chances are that it will be locked up tight as a drum.”

“What’s locked can be unlocked.”

“You’re saying we’re going to burgle the place?”

“Of course we are. You said you needed information. You must have known there wouldn’t be any other way when you brought me here.”

Eve nodded. “I suspected that would be the only way. I’m not objecting, just clarifying.” Her lips tightened. “Will I do it? You’re damn right I will. Conium. I wasn’t sure until you identified that drug that there actually was a threat to Beth.”

“And are you sure now?” Kendra asked quietly. “You have only my word based on a very freaky talent. A lot of people wouldn’t be willing to trust me.”

Eve was silent. It was a freaky talent, and she had known Kendra Michaels for less than twenty-four hours. Why was she so certain that the clues Kendra had found and identified in that room were real? Instinct? She just didn’t know. But the certainty was there. “I’m sure.” She smiled with an effort. “I’ve been known to believe in a few freaky things in my life. What’s one more?” She added, “So I suppose we should start planning a way to get into that locked office. As a matter of fact, I believe I may have the keys to that particular kingdom.”

“You do?” Kendra asked, startled. “What the hell are you talking about? Keys? I was going to call a man who—” She broke off as she saw Piltot coming out of Room 302. “Later.” She frowned, turned on him, and said sharply, “May we see your prize movie star or not? What kept you?”

Piltot flushed. “I had a phone call. I apologize. I couldn’t get rid of him.”

“Did you try hanging up?” Kendra asked coldly. “What’s the verdict? Do I get a personal interview with your patient or just examine her records?”

“Neither. I’m afraid that her manager has said that she’s not to be disturbed.”

“Great.” Kendra turned away. “Then shall we continue? You kept us waiting so long that we’re behind schedule, and we’ll have to get a move on to finish our appraisal by the end of the day.”

“Certainly.” Piltot was ushering them toward the elevators. “But there are only the two wards left. I’m sure that I can facilitate your work with the patients and make sure you can turn in your report on time.”

CHAPTER

7

IT WAS CLOSE TO SEVEN in the evening when Eve and Kendra left the hospital. In spite of Piltot’s marked annoyance, Kendra had gone over all the records of the eighty-seven patients in the two wards. She had interviewed twelve of that number, and Eve had been surprised at the thoroughness and intensity of those interviews. She had questioned, taken notes, and even played bits of music on the small iPod she had with her. If she had wanted to appear authentic, there was no doubt in Eve’s mind that she’d accomplished her goal.

“So what do you think, Kendra?” Eve asked. “Are those patients getting good treatment? Everyone seemed very caring and efficient to me.”

“As far as I can tell without in-depth investigation. I’m no psychoanalyst. I wouldn’t expect anything else. Pierce wants to be a shining star of the community, and he wouldn’t do anything to damage his image. He had one ugly skeleton in his closet, and he couldn’t afford any more.”

“You were very good,” Eve said, as they walked toward the rental car. “Even I was convinced that you intended to accept those patients as students.”

“You should have been convinced,” Kendra said. “I’ll probably accept eight out of the twelve. I don’t believe the other four are ready yet. I can’t help them.” She smiled crookedly as she saw Eve’s expression. “I don’t cheat, Eve. Life has already cheated those poor souls. I’m not about to compound it. I can fly up here every other week and help them. Usually, I prefer dealing with patients before they reach the point where they have to be confined, but I won’t raise hopes, then walk away.”

Eve’s gaze narrowed on her face. “That’s why you didn’t want to take this job. You knew that it would mean a long-term commitment for you.”

Kendra laughed and shook her head. “I’m not that noble. I told you the truth. I would have turned the job down anyway. Yes, I knew I might get caught, but I wasn’t thinking about anyone but Justin.” She got into the passenger seat. “And he’s still my main focus. We need to get this business over with tonight, so I can keep my appointment with him tomorrow.” She turned to face Eve. “Now talk. What do you mean ‘keys to the kingdom’?”

Eve fished in her pocket and pulled out an off-white keychain fob. “While you were taking stock of the DVDs on that nurse’s desk on the second floor, I unclipped this from a dietician’s lab jacket hanging on a chair back.”

Kendra’s eyes widened. “Damn. I didn’t even see you do that.”

Eve chuckled. “Is that chagrin? I take that as a great compliment. Not much gets past you.” She brandished the fob. “I saw a nurse swipe one of these over a reader at a computer workstation. It gave her access to a patient’s medication list.”

“That I did see,” Kendra said. “But we also need to get back inside the building. Are you going to get Joe to help you?”

She shook her head.

“Somehow I didn’t think so.”

“He’s a detective. Breaking and entering could destroy his career. Beth is my sister. This is my job.”

“I should point out that we could report our suspicions to the local police,” Kendra said. “But then they’d come and wave badges around, and whatever useful records there are in that office will be wiped clean if they haven’t been already. It makes sense for us to go in and get them right away. Okay, you’ve been able to get us access into the computer. Now how do we get into the office?”

“I haven’t gotten that far. Do you have any ideas?”

Kendra was silent for a moment, and Eve could almost see the wheels turning, rapidly processing all the information she had assimilated that afternoon. What must it be like to experience the world as Kendra did?

Kendra finally said, “We’ll walk in through the side gates.”

Eve raised an eyebrow. “Just like that?”

“Two members of the kitchen staff come in at 3:30 A.M.” Before Eve could ask, she added, “The schedule is posted in the office of the food services director that we passed. We’ll be waiting in the trees that line the driveway. When the gate opens for one of their cars, we’ll scramble in under the cover of darkness.”

“That doesn’t get us inside the building.”

“No. But we know that the early-morning kitchen staff takes frequent smoke breaks and is fond of propping the outside door open.”