The Dollmaker(The Forgotten Files #2)(101)

“A little.”

“Who did you sell to?”

Ms. Coggin glanced at her attorney, who nodded. “The doctor treated a patient last year who also had cancer. The gentleman was having trouble sleeping. Dr. Bailey refused to prescribe any additional meds, believing the patient was exaggerating his situation. The patient then asked me if I could help. I knew what he needed, but I played dumb. He came back again for a follow-up visit, and this time he begged me for help. He said he’d pay top dollar. I told him it could be arranged, and then I visited his house with several vials of propofol. I showed his wife how to set up the IV. The man died of cancer six months later.”

“Who was the man?”

“Eugene Radcliff. He lived in the area.” She met his gaze.

“Did he use them to kill himself?” Sharp asked.

“No. He didn’t want to die. He was trying to live long enough for his daughter’s wedding.” She shifted in her seat again. “I went by the house to get the extras, but his wife couldn’t find the vials.”

“And you believed her?”

“Yes. Mrs. Radcliff was really worried. She thought her husband might have resold some of the drugs to a third party. Mr. Radcliff was worried about paying for his daughter’s wedding and leaving money for his wife. The woman was terrified she was going to jail if anyone found out.”

“She say who the buyer was?”

“Her husband never told her.”

“And then?”

“I got a call from this guy, who said he wanted more of what I’d sold to Radcliff.”

“And you did what?”

“Nothing. I thought he was a cop. But he called again. And this time he offered a lot more money. I wasn’t going to make the delivery and risk arrest, so I asked Jimmy.”

“And Jimmy got his son.”

“I suppose.” Her slim white fingers twisted around the strap of her purse. “I never saw the buyer or met him directly. But I did see a white van parked outside my house recently. It gave me the creeps.”

“What can you tell me about the van?”

“It was outside my house three nights in a row. I knew it was the buyer. I just knew it.”

“Did you see the driver?”

“I couldn’t see his face. He sat back, staying in the shadows.”

“What about a license plate?” he challenged.

“I wrote down the license plate of the van. At least part of it. I couldn’t see it all.” She pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and put it on the table.

Sharp looked at the scrawled numbers and letters that were three short of a full license. Not a name. But a lead. Playing into her fear of this man, Sharp offered, “You’re likely in danger until we catch this man. If you think of anything else, call me immediately.”

He gave her his business card, moved out into the hallway, and called Andrews, giving him the partial license number. Andrews promised an answer within minutes.




Tessa kicked off her shoes as she entered her cousin’s apartment. After twelve hours on her feet, she was exhausted. As she padded into the kitchen, the front doorbell rang. Checking her watch, she moved toward the door, carefully remembering Dakota’s words of warning.

She glanced out the peephole and saw Veronica holding a bag. She opened the door.

“Veronica.”

A brittle smile tugged at red lips. “I asked around and found out where you lived. I wanted to see you and talk to you about Elena.”

“Dr. Kincaid gave you a full briefing, didn’t she?”

“Yes, yes, she did. But it’s not the same. I wanted to talk to someone who knew Elena. Please, can I come in?”

“I’m happy to meet with you in my office tomorrow. Now is really not a good time.”

“I know this is out of the ordinary. But we knew each other a little as kids. Please, I need closure.”

Tessa, against her better judgment, stepped aside. “Sure, come on in.”

Veronica glanced around the apartment. “I found this bag on your front porch.”

“Oh, thank you,” she said, accepting it.

“Aren’t you living with your cousin? How is she doing?”

“She’s great.” Tessa rolled her head, trying to release the tension.

Veronica looked around. “Is she here?”

“No, we have the place to ourselves.”

“Good. It’s hard enough to talk about this.”

Tessa glanced toward the bag, but when Veronica began to cry, she set it aside.

“I was on the phone with Mom and Dad,” Veronica said finally. “They’re flying back from California right now.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She shook her head, wiping away a tear. “I’m trying to understand this. I’m trying to figure out why someone would be so full of hate that they’d do what they did to her face.”

“I don’t know, Veronica. This person is clearly sick.”

“You know Elena was sorry she didn’t visit with you after your accident.”

Absently, Tessa rubbed her leg. “It was a long time ago.”

“Does it still bother you?”

“Only when I’m tired and have been on my feet too long. For the most part, it’s not too bad.”