Cari Hunter by No Good Reason (epub)

Author:No Good Reason (epub)
Format: epub
Published: 2016-10-03T00:00:00+00:00

*

Even without the presence of a police officer outside Josie’s room, visitors would have suspected there was something unusual about its occupant. Unlike every other bay and cubicle in the ITU, room three blazed with light, illuminating a wide section of the surrounding corridor and making Sanne squint as she and Eleanor drew closer.

Once her vision had adjusted to the fluorescent glare, the first thing she registered was the room’s quietness. The automated noise of the ventilator had been replaced by Josie’s soft snoring, and there were fewer drips or pumps to set off alarms. With her breathing tube removed and the swelling around her eyes less pronounced, Josie was starting to resemble the woman in the lakeside photograph again. She appeared to be sleeping comfortably, her hand held in a loose grip by a slight, grey-haired woman sitting at her bedside.

Eleanor told the uniform on duty that he could take a break, and at the sound of their voices, the woman looked up.

“Mrs. Medlock.” Eleanor greeted her with a familiarity that suggested they had already met. She beckoned Sanne over and introduced her. Mrs. Medlock’s handshake was firm, but grief and pain were etched across her face, and her eyes were swollen from crying.

“Please, call me Helen,” she said, gesturing to two empty chairs. She regarded Sanne steadily, as if trying to piece together half-forgotten details. Then she brightened as she made the connection. “Oh, Sanne Jensen. It’s good to meet you. I wanted to thank you for helping Josie.”

Sanne glanced at the floor, uncomfortable accepting gratitude from someone whose daughter was still missing. “I just happened to be in the right place,” she said quietly, pulling one of the chairs closer and sitting down. “I’m sure the boss has told you we’re doing everything we can to find Rachel.”

“Yes—yes, she has.” Fresh tears broke into Helen’s reply. She wiped her eyes with a tissue and looked over to Eleanor. “Would you like me to wake Josie up for you?”

“I’d appreciate that,” Eleanor said. Despite her reluctance to rush the start of the interview, she had been unconsciously tapping her foot since she sat down.

Helen laid her hand on Josie’s cheek, her thumb stroking the discoloured skin as she spoke to her. Within seconds, Josie made a guttural sound and smacked her lips in confusion. She blinked against the light, her body frozen, until she recognised her surroundings and sagged back onto her pillows.

“Helen?” she whispered.

“It’s just me, sweetheart. Alec went to get some sleep.”

“Rachel?”

Helen shook her head. “Nothing yet. There are two detectives here who need to speak to you. I told you they were coming. Do you remember?”

Josie’s eyes had closed, but she forced them open again. “Mm. Not really.” She tipped her head, searching for her visitors and flinching at the pain.

Sanne leaned forward to make things easier. “Hey, Josie. My name’s Sanne. I’m one of the detectives working your case.”

Josie nodded slowly. “You were here before.” Like Helen, she spoke with a mild Scottish accent.

Sanne smiled, surprised she had any memory of that.

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