A Deadly Wilderness by Kelly Irvin

Author:Kelly Irvin [Irvin, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-22T13:06:48+00:00

Chapter Twenty

“Stay here.” Ray shoved the Bronco into park in front of the Doyle mansion, opened the door, and ran as fast as his limp would allow.

A door slammed behind him. He didn’t have time to argue with Susana. He’d wasted twelve minutes on the trip. A SWAT van was already on the scene, along with half a dozen PD units, lights flashing. An officer with a rifle in his hand leaned against a vehicle as he peered through the scope.

Ray’s gaze followed the barrel. The back of a woman on a second floor balcony. Melody.

The crowd of uniformed officers, paramedics, and family members parted as he limped up the front steps. Cynthia Doyle attempted to stop Ray, but Kevin Doyle restrained her. Ray brushed past both of them without acknowledging a barrage of angry words. Martin Elliott, SWAT team commander, stood at the top of the winding staircase, deep in conversation with Armando Juarez, one of the department’s negotiators. Armando wiped a pair of gold-rimmed glasses with a handkerchief, his forehead wrinkled in concentration.

“What’s the story?” Ray negotiated the stairs, the pain in his ankle flaring. The sound of footsteps followed him. He glanced back at Susana. “Go back outside—please.”

“I’m a trauma counselor.” She had that stubborn look on her face.

“Ms. Doyle is asking for you.” Armando handed Ray an armored vest, his gaze traveling to Susana. “Who’s this?”

“This is Susana Acosta. She’s spoken with Melody on the crisis hotline.” He dropped the cane and struggled into the vest, debating what to tell the negotiator about Susana’s connection to Melody. It was tenuous at best—and confidential. Still, the two women had connected. “Did you talk to Melody?”

Armando nodded at Susana, but returned immediately to Ray. “Yes, Ms. Doyle and I had a conversation. She claims she’s scared and needs protection. She says you’re the only one who can help her.”

“There are a dozen or more armed police officers on the premises. They could’ve easily escorted her out.”

“She took a shot at her brother-in-law. He’s pressing charges. She’ll be arrested, and she knows it. She insists her in-laws are setting her up for her husband’s murder.” Juarez shook his head, his lips pursed in a frown. “The Doyles claim she’s delusional, a state brought on by the stress of her husband’s death. The mother-in-law says she believes Ms. Doyle has taken some prescription medicine. She apparently has prescriptions for various things—an antidepressant, a sleep aid, something for her nerves. Mrs. Doyle Sr. couldn’t be specific. She also said Ms. Doyle made a pitcher of margaritas and took it with her into the room earlier this evening.”

“Drugs and alcohol, but we don’t know how much of what.” Any attempt at rational dialogue was liable to be stymied by the sheer incapacitation of Melody’s faculties. Juarez didn’t know any of the actors in this little drama, but Ray did. He was more inclined to take Melody’s word than Cynthia’s, but he trusted neither of them. “Did she threaten to harm the

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.