Showdown in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #3)(83)

“Which he has in his closet,” Helena pointed out.

Raissa shrugged. “Doesn’t prove anything. Besides, I have a feeling that suit is long gone by now anyway.”

Helena shook her head. “Sonny put himself in the middle of a big fat mess. How do you think he’ll get out of it?”

“There had to have been other people in on this—doctors, nurses…Someone else knows what they were doing, and the cops are going to want their heads on a platter big-time, especially since Dr. Breaux is dead. They’ll need Sonny to testify about what Monk told him of the kidnappings and Dr. Breaux’s confession, so the cops will deal. That ought to kill them.”

Helena blew out a breath and looked at Raissa. “But that means you’re still on the hook as far as testifying for Sonny’s other crimes goes. Shit. I was hoping the FBI could get Sonny on something else so you could live normally. I guess there’s no chance of that, is there?”

“No. If the FBI can’t get Sonny on the kidnappings, they’re going to want me to testify on the racketeering. The time on that case is almost up.”

“So you’ll be gone again.”

Raissa looked at their expressions, hoping there was another answer but not believing there was. “Gone or dead. There’s really no other way. I’m sorry, guys.”

“That’s bullshit!” Helena said. “I know Sonny’s a bad guy, but he was only trying to help those girls, and he told you where Hank was. It’s not fair that the FBI leaves you in a position of having no life, and no future but running from Sonny and his family.”

“I agree,” Maryse said. “Surely something can be done.”

Raissa shook her head. “I’m the only witness who can testify to the things I saw and did. No one else is qualified to provide that testimony. I’m all they have.”

“Makes me wish you weren’t so good at your job,” Mildred said. “If you didn’t know anything, you could marry Zach and live in New Orleans, or maybe even in Mudbug with Maryse and Sabine.” Mildred sighed. “I guess that’s just wishful thinking, huh?”

Raissa stared at Mildred, an idea forming in the back of her mind. It was risky in all sorts of ways. In fact, it was the biggest risk she’d ever taken, and that was saying a lot. But it just might work.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Raissa looked up in time to see the doctor who had examined her earlier, Agent Fields, and Zach enter her room, followed by Sonny and two NOPD officers. Zach went straight to Raissa and kissed her on the lips. “How are you feeling?”

“My head hurts, but I think I’m okay.”

The doctor gave her a critical look. “These people insisted on seeing you and asking some questions. I am totally against putting any more strain on you, given your head injury, but I was forced to give you an option.” The doctor shot a dirty look at the police and Agent Fields. “If you aren’t up to talking, just say the word, and I’ll clear the whole lot of them out of here.”

“It’s okay,” Raissa said.

“You’re certain? I don’t like to think you’re being intimidated.”

Raissa smiled. “I promise, if any of them get out of line, I’ll ask them to leave myself.”

The doctor nodded, but didn’t look convinced. He gave all of the men a frown and left the room.

Agent Fields stepped forward, followed by the two cops. “First off, we need to hear from you who shot you.”

“I have no idea,” Raissa said.

Agent Fields frowned. “You came to the hospital to get evidence against Dr. Breaux, and then Sonny showed up. Shots were fired, but you can’t say who hit you?”

Raissa frowned. “I came to the hospital?”

Zach looked over at Mildred and Maryse, his face filled with worry. “What’s wrong with her? Has she been talking to you?”

Maryse looked over at Raissa, her eyes wide. Raissa looked her in the eye, willing her to understand. Mildred started to speak, but Maryse took her hand and squeezed. “She’s been talking,” Maryse said, “but mostly about stuff we did months ago.” Maryse bit her lower lip and shot a worried look at Raissa. “We were just about to call for the doctor when you guys walked in.”

Raissa managed to look confused and made a mental note to talk to Maryse later about her superb ability to lie on command. The woman was a pro.

“I think maybe you should call the doctor now.” Zach leaned in close. “Do you know who I am?”

Raissa laughed. “No, I let strange men kiss me all the time. Of course I know who you are.”

Zach nodded. “We met because you were trying to figure out why those girls were kidnapped, remember? You figured it all out by looking at girls’ records.”

“Kidnapped…Melissa Franco. She was kidnapped.” Raissa sat up straight. “Is she okay? Did they find her? She always made her mom buy blue candles.”

“Melissa’s mother confessed to her part in everything, and they found Melissa at a warehouse Dr. Breaux rented in New Orleans. All his notes are there—decades worth of testing. We’ll be able to fi gure out everything he did. Melissa’s on her way to the hospital but appears to be fine.”

“Thank God. I’m glad to hear that.”