Midnight Crossing (Josie Gray Mysteries #5)(21)

“I appreciate you staying to talk with me,” she said.

“No problem. I’ll do what I can. She’ll need intensive therapy once you find out where her home is. Until then, I’d be glad to try and fit her in again over the next day or two.”

“Thank you.” Josie wondered about payment for this type of service but elected not to ask. The police department had been charged for services such as this in the past, and the charges were a mess to explain to the city council, which ran the city budget as if guarding the U.S. Mint. Sadly, there wasn’t much money in Artemis to guard.

“We discovered her name is Isabella Dagati. She started talking with us this afternoon. Not a great deal, but we did get some basic information,” he said.

“That’s great,” Josie said. “In English?”

“She understood English, but she is traumatized to the point that her verbal communication is almost nonexistent. Given that she spoke with us today, I think there’s great hope for her recovery, but it could take weeks, even months.”

“Still, that’s encouraging,” Josie said.

The doctor’s expression changed, as if he were puzzled. “She spoke two words repeatedly this afternoon. She said the words help and Josie.”

Josie was taken aback for a moment. “I found her hiding at my house. I guess she associates me with helping her.”

He gave her a doubtful look. “I don’t think that was what she was communicating.”

“I don’t understand. I helped get her to the hospital. I imagine that’s what she means.”

He pressed his lips together for a moment, seeming to consider her comment. “I definitely think she sees you as helping her. But when posed a series of questions, I came to understand that she arrived at your house looking for help.”

Josie furrowed her eyebrows.

“She repeated your name like a talisman, like she saw you as her savior.”

Josie shook her head, not liking the term. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Keep in mind, I’m basing my hypothesis on limited conversation, gauging her facial responses and body language and so on. But when asked questions about why she came to the United States, and why she came to Artemis, her response was always, Josie. Help.”

She wasn’t sure why the information was so unsettling, but Josie wanted no part of being a savior to anyone. “I think we should hold off on this line of thinking until we’ve had more time to talk with her.”

“I understand. I’m only trying to provide you with information that may be useful to your investigation.”

She nodded then, embarrassed by her reaction. “You’re right. It’s just an uncomfortable thing to hear. I can’t imagine how this woman would know my name, as well as where I live. She clearly isn’t from this area, so how could she have found me?”

“That I can’t answer. I wasn’t able to get a feel for her native language either. I suspect she speaks Spanish along with limited English.” He held out his hand and Josie shook it. “I’m headed back to Odessa. I would suggest getting Isabella out of the trauma center and into a safe place where she can rest and recover. Meanwhile, I’ll be available by phone if you have follow-up questions.”

“I appreciate it. Just one more quick question?”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

“Since I can’t question Isabella directly right now, can you tell me if she was sexually molested?”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Gray. Confidentiality laws prevent me from sharing information like that.”

He handed Josie a business card and left the center.

*

Mark raised an eyebrow at Josie. “What do you think about all that? Thinking you’re her savior?”

She choked out a laugh. “Actually, I’m a bit stunned. I should be happy, from an investigative point. Information like that can lead to a break in a case.”

“But you’d prefer the break in the case not to involve you,” he said.

“Exactly.”

*

Otto stood next to Cowan, pretending to look down at the dead body while instead gazing directly above the body and across the room to a poster of the periodic table. He suspected that Cowan knew he had a weak stomach, and that’s why Cowan delighted in discussing the case over the top of a cold stitched-up cadaver. There was no need for Otto to see the body. Cowan could have easily explained his findings without the theatrics, but Otto couldn’t figure out a way to tell Cowan he didn’t want to see the body without feeling incompetent.

“You’ll notice the bruising and lacerations on her inner thighs and pubis area.…” Cowan went on and on, finally stating what he could have said initially without the poor dead woman being laid out on the steel gurney. “The victim was most definitely raped multiple times before she was shot and killed.”

“What’s the time frame on the rapes?”

“Recent. A matter of a week or two.”

“Was she killed instantly?”

“The gunshot wound would have killed her within minutes.”

“Does it look as if there was any tampering with the body after she was shot?” Otto asked.

“No. Other than insects and animals, I didn’t see evidence the body was moved or touched.”