Passions of the Dead (A Detective Jackson Mystery/Thriller) (25 page)

“I’m thinking about it.” As he parked, she caught his eyes. “The good ones are all married or taken. I’m feeling a little SOL.”

“Be patient. It’ll happen.” Jackson was ready to change the subject. “Good cop, bad cop again? It got Engall to finally talk.”

“That’s the plan.”

The red-brick two-story building sat at the base of Skinner’s Butte less than a mile from the park where he’d picked up Katie the night before. The jail was also within shouting distance of the Hult Center, Eugene’s performing arts venue, and the Fifth Street Public Market, where upscale shoppers spent their money. It seemed like an odd spot to house criminals, but at least the county-run facility was close to the city-run police department.

A crowd of newly released inmates hung out in front of the jail, some waiting for rides or to catch a bus, others simply socializing with their peers before they wandered downtown to look for more trouble. A disheveled women looked him over but no one else paid any attention to their arrival. Jackson’s jaws tightened as they strode through the group. Criminals were arrested and released faster than you could throw back an undersized fish. One whole wing of the jail had been shut down for years because of lack of funding, and the morale of uniform cops was plummeting as a result. What was the point of making arrests if the criminals didn’t suffer any consequences?

Evans jogged up the stairs to the admitting desk and Jackson pushed through his pain to keep up with her. He was paying for his jog that morning. They waited while a haggard-looking woman tried to convince the deputy on the other side of the plexiglass her inmate son needed a certain prescription. The deputy noticed their presence and asked the woman to step aside. She glanced at the two of them in their dark jackets with gun bulges, rolled her eyes, and lumbered out of the way.

“Detectives Jackson and Evans. We’re here to see Shane Compton. We need an hour with him in the interrogation room.”

“I’ll see where he’s at this morning.” The deputy, who looked ready to pop out of her beige uniform, keyed the name into the computer system. After a moment she read from the digital file. “Shane Compton was transferred to North McKenzie yesterday. He developed a fever and our staff doctor thought he needed IV antibiotics.” She looked up. “I’m sorry. Would you like me to call the hospital and check on him?”

“Did you send a deputy with him?” Jackson knew better than to hope.

The deputy gave him a quizzical look. “Compton was officially released after he left the facility.”

Jackson tried to keep his irritation in check. “Why was he released? He’s a suspect in a murder investigation.”

“He was booked in on possession of a controlled substance. He has no history of violence.” The deputy didn’t even sound apologetic. She dealt with annoyed and angry people all day and Jackson was just one more. “There was no reason to keep him in jail except your request for a twenty-four-hour hold, which expired last night. Our staff doctor sent Compton to the hospital because he was too sick to turn out on the street. I’m sure he’s still there.”

Jackson started to say something sarcastic and caught himself. He turned to walk away, then spun back. “Please make a note that the detective who brought him in would like to have been notified about Compton’s transfer and release.”

“I will, sir.”

Lori wished her Aunt Rita would go home. She knew Rita was missing work and it made her feel guilty. There was nothing anyone could say to make her feel better and nothing Lori wanted to talk about either. They were trapped in this room together, Rita quietly reading her book and Lori wishing she could be alone.

The nurse who’d said she could probably “go home” tomorrow had meant well too, but Lori had no home. The house was still there but she would never set foot in it again.

How was she supposed to keep on living when her family was dead and Shane no longer wanted to be with her? Thoughts of suicide came and went. The act would require planning and follow through, and she wasn’t capable yet.

Her cell phone rang on the sliding tray next to her bed. The familiar ringtone made her smile. When they’d heard she could leave soon, Rita had rounded up her cell phone and backpack from the police, and these small pieces of her old life gave her some comfort. She picked up the phone, looked at the ID, and her heart quickened. “Shane. I’m glad you called. Why haven’t you been in to see me?”

“I was in jail. Now I’m in the hospital.”

“Oh my God. What happened?” Lori got out of bed and padded toward the window where her aunt couldn’t hear.

“They questioned me about the–” Shane paused. “About what happened to your family. They think I did it.”

“No. That’s crazy. Why?” Lori didn’t understand. Rita tapped her shoulder and signaled she was going out for coffee.

“They found my fingerprints on the bat.”

“We play softball together. Did you tell them that?”

“It doesn’t matter; they don’t believe me. They see me as a drug addict. To them I’m a criminal just like rapists and murderers.”

“Why are you in the hospital?”

“My tooth is abscessed and the infection made me feverish. I took advantage of that and got myself transferred.”

“I want to see you. I mean, we’re still friends, right?”

“Lori, I love you. I think we should get the hell out of here. Go to Maui like we planned.”

Shane wanted to be with her! A surge of pleasure found its way through her wounded soul. “I would like that. I’m getting released tomorrow.”

“We can’t wait. The police will eventually realize I’m not in jail. We have to go now.”

Lori was frightened and excited at the same time. Why not? She had nothing to live for here in Eugene anymore. “What about money? I have five hundred saved but it’s not enough.”

“I’ll find the money. Just be ready when I get there. The nurse is here. Gotta go.”

Lori’s blood pulsed with life. She had something to look forward to.

Rain battered their car on the quick drive to the hospital, but it cleared by the time they walked out of the parking garage. Jackson had no idea where Shane would be in the building. They started with the information desk in the lobby. The volunteer smiled brightly as they walked up. After a quick look in the computer, she told them Shane was on the third floor in the ICU. He and Evans headed for the elevator.

“IV antibiotics sounds serious,” Evans commented.

“It could be. Drug users are prone to nasty infections because their immune systems are ruined.” Jackson pressed the button. “They can die from an infected flea bite.”

“Let’s hope not. I’d hate to see Engall get the death penalty because the real perps are all dead.”

“Don’t feel too sorry for Engall. He’s an irresponsible cheat and a worthless drunk, at best, and a possible killer, at worst. He’ll probably plead out when Slonecker gets hold of him.”

They hurried off the elevator and turned right as instructed. Daylight filled the wide hallway between the wings, then disappeared as they rounded the corner into the ICU area. Jackson noticed a young couple and a middle-aged woman in the waiting area, but no patrol officer.
Damn
! Someone was supposed to be protecting Lori. How hard was it to stay in the area and screen visitors?

They followed a guy in scrubs through the double swinging doors. Jackson glanced in the rooms as they passed but didn’t see his suspect. An older male was behind the counter at the nurses’ station. He finished his task on the computer before looking up.

“We’re here to see Shane Compton.”

“Are you family members?”

“Detectives Jackson and Evans with the Eugene Police Department.”

The nurse looked at his monitor, then said, “Room 413.” He gestured for them to keep heading down the hall. “It’s on the left toward the end.”

They found the room and its sliding pleated door was closed. Jackson pushed it open and rushed in. The bed was empty. The door to the bathroom stood open, and it was empty too. Behind him Evans said, “This is not good.”

They hustled back to the center station and this time Jackson didn’t wait for the nurse’s attention. “Alert security to watch for a missing patient. He’s about six feet tall, broad shouldered but skinny, with blond hair and green eyes.”

“What do you mean missing?”

“He’s not in his room.”

“He could have gone to the lounge.” The nurse scowled. “He’s probably too weak to want to leave the hospital. Is he a criminal?”

“He’s a suspect in a homicide.” Jackson lost his patience. “Alert security now.” He turned to Evans. “Call in an attempt-to-locate, then search this entire wing. I’m going to check with Lori.” Jackson hustled down the hall, going around a kitchen worker with a food cart. He had half a hope Shane would be visiting his girlfriend.

The room was empty. No Shane. No Lori. No Aunt Rita. He checked the bathroom just to be thorough.

At the nurses’ station he said, “Lori Walker is missing too.”

A nurse in yellow scrubs said, “Lori was transferred to another room yesterday. She’s recovering nicely and may go home soon.

“Where?”

“Second floor. Room 112.”

“Tell Detective Evans I’m headed there.” He walked quickly through the ICU, then broke into a jog as he exited the swinging doors.

Jackson took the stairs to save time. He pounded down the cement steps and his still-healing incision felt every thud. He slowed a little when he entered the busy ward below. A young stocky patrol officer was seated in the waiting area, but his eyes were closed. They popped open as Jackson walked up.

“How’s Lori Walker?”

The officer jumped to his feet. “She’s fine, sir. Her aunt is in with her now.” He held out his hand. “Officer Ray Garrick. I took your crime scene workshop last year.”

“I remember you.” Jackson shook his hand. “Have you seen a young male patient go through here this morning? Blond, six feet tall, broad-shouldered and skinny?”

Garrick blinked, then cleared his throat. “He came through about twenty minutes ago. He was wearing a hospital gown, so I thought he belonged on the ward.”

“He’s a suspect in the Walker murders.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“If you see him again, stop him.” Jackson started for the open ward. His heart pounded with fear of what he would discover.

The bed in room 112 was empty and Rita Altman was on the phone, talking excitedly. She looked up, said, “Gotta go,” then clicked her phone shut. “I’m glad you’re here. Lori is missing and I’m worried sick.”

“When did you see her last?” Jackson already knew the answer.

“Maybe around 9:30. She asked me to go out and get her a copy of
Entertainment Weekly
and a Snickers bar. When I got back, she was gone.” Rita’s voice bordered on hysteria. “Do you think the killer came back for her? Why would he take her?”

“I think she’s with her cousin Shane. Do you know where they might go?”

“What do you mean ‘go’?” The aunt registered more confusion. “Why would Lori leave with Shane? She was supposed to come home with me tomorrow.”

Rita apparently didn’t know the cousins were romantically involved. Jackson repeated his question. “Where would they go together?”

“I don’t know. Maybe to Shane’s parents’ house.” Her lips trembled and a tear rolled down her cheek. “Please tell me what’s going on.”

“I’m not sure but I have to find them. Lori might be in danger.”

Evans burst into the room. “Lori’s gone too? What the hell?”

Jackson eased away from Rita, not wanting her to hear his theories. “Best case scenario, Shane is scared about being charged with murder so he’s on the run and taking his girlfriend.” He and Evans strode into the hall. “Worst case scenario, Shane is the killer and plans to silence Lori as a witness.”

“If Lori doesn’t remember that night, maybe she’s safe for now.” Evans looked around at the layout. “How did they get out past the patrol officer?”

“I’m not sure it matters right now.”

The nurse at the computer in the hallway offered, “They could have gone out through the surgical area, then crossed over on the physicians’ skywalk.”

“Let’s go,” Jackson said. “We’re only fifteen minutes behind. They could still be in the facility.” He handed the nurse several business cards. “This has my cell phone. Give one to Officer Garrick and one to the head of security. I want to be updated on the search of the hospital. First, take us to the surgery area and show us the way out.”

As they started off, Evans said, “Should we call the other team members?”

“Let’s search the building and parking garage first. Shane is sick and Lori is wounded. They may not get far.”

The nurse led them through another set of double doors, into an area where the lights were brighter and the temperature cooler. The hospital personnel wore blue scrubs, mouth masks, and hair coverings. Jackson stopped once to ask a doctor if he had seen the patients, but after getting only a peculiar look, he decided to skip the effort.

Even following this route was likely a waste of time, except they would end up in the garage where his cruiser was parked. They might also get lucky and find the couple still in the parkade. Would they leave on foot or would Compton steal a car? Shane hadn’t been arrested in more than a year, but if he was using again and running from the law, anything was possible.