The Perfect Alibi (Robin Lockwood #2)(39)

The doctor nodded. “You’re here about Mr. Armstrong?”

Anders nodded in turn, and the doctor started walking toward a room that was halfway down the corridor. “Can you tell me what happened to him?” Anders asked.

“Mr. Armstrong was wandering around downtown at three in the morning. An officer spotted him and brought him here. He told me he didn’t know who he was or what had happened to him, and he didn’t have a wallet or phone we could use to identify him. This morning, he remembered his name and we called his wife.”

Anders stopped in front of the room. “What injuries does he have?”

“There’s some superficial damage to his face—a gash on his forehead, a split lip, black eyes, and cuts and abrasions on his nose, but nothing serious.”

“Does he remember how he was injured?”

“No. He told me the last thing he remembered before the police found him was flying back from Seattle last Tuesday.”

“Do you think his injuries caused his amnesia?”

“Neurological amnesia can result from a brain injury, but I found no sign of that.”

“Last week, Mr. Armstrong’s partner was beaten to death in an extremely violent manner. I’ve heard that amnesia can be caused by witnessing a traumatic event. If Mr. Armstrong witnessed his partner being bludgeoned to death, could that have brought on the problem?”

“There is a rare type of amnesia called dissociative amnesia, which is caused by emotional shock or trauma, such as being the victim of a violent crime.”

“Can a person who develops dissociative amnesia recover lost memories?

“Loss of memory caused by emotional shock is usually brief.”

“Can I talk to Armstrong?”

“Yeah, but I’ll want to be in the room to observe. If I think he’s getting too upset, I’m going to stop the interview.”

Anders started to open the door to Armstrong’s room. Then she thought of something. “Can I tell Mr. Armstrong that his partner is dead?”

Dr. Sanchez frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. If he remembers, you can ask him what happened. But the news that his partner was murdered would probably upset him.”

“Okay,” Anders said as she opened the door.

When the detective walked into the room, Doug stared at her.

“Good morning, Mr. Armstrong,” Anders said as she walked to the side of the bed and displayed her shield. “How are you feeling?”

“Not great.”

“Do you know who I am?”

Armstrong’s brow knitted and he looked closely at Carrie. “Did you work on one of my cases?”

“Yes. My name is Carrie Anders, and I’m a detective with the Portland Police Bureau. We’ve met on a few occasions in connection with some of your cases.”

Doug shook his head. “I’m sorry, but my memory…”

“No need to apologize. Dr. Sanchez told me that you’re experiencing some memory loss. In spite of that, I’d like to ask you a few questions. Do you feel up to answering them?”

“I’ll try.”

“Can you tell me how you were injured?”

“No.”

“What is the last thing you remember?”

“I … There was a plane. I was at the airport. I think I flew from Seattle. After that, nothing.”

Anders was about to continue when Marsha Armstrong rushed into the room. Dr. Sanchez blocked her.

“Please, I’m Doug’s wife.”

The doctor looked at Anders. The detective nodded. Sanchez stepped aside. Marsha walked to Doug’s side. She took his hand and teared up.

“Hey, I’m okay,” he said. “Don’t cry.”

Marsha wiped her eyes. “When I heard Frank was dead and you disappeared, I thought you were dead, too. I was so scared.”

Doug stared at Marsha. “What do you mean, Frank is dead?”

“Oh God, you don’t know?”

Doug looked bewildered. “How could he be dead? What happened?”

Dr. Sanchez stepped forward. “Mrs. Armstrong, you don’t want to excite your husband. This is too much information right now.”

Doug looked desperate. “You can’t just leave it like that. Does Frank’s death have something to do with what happened to me?”

Anders looked at the doctor.

“Go ahead,” Dr. Sanchez said.

“Frank Nylander was killed in his office on Tuesday evening, the night you returned from Seattle,” Carrie said. “We have no idea who killed him. We’re hoping you can help us when your memory returns.”

Doug closed his eyes and let his head sink into his pillow. “How could this happen?” Doug muttered. “It makes no sense.”

“This is enough for now,” Dr. Sanchez said. “I’d like everyone to leave me with Mr. Armstrong.”

“Wait!” Doug said. “I do remember something. Is … Was Blaine Hastings … Is he still in jail?”

“No,” Carrie answered. “There was a problem with some of the evidence in his case, and he was released the day you flew back to Portland from Seattle.”

Doug closed his eyes for a moment. Then he looked at Carrie. “My memories are all jumbled. But I’m sure I told Frank that Hastings was out.” Doug’s brow furrowed and he looked upset. “That’s all,” he said after a moment. “I can’t even be sure it happened.”