Midnight Exposure (Midnight #1)(50)
Doug leveled a skeptical look at Jayne. “Let me get this straight. Somebody abducted you and chained you up in a basement. You fought with this man and escaped. Then Reed found you on Route 27. He took you home and kept you there until the roads were cleared this morning. When you arrived in town to meet former Chief Bailey, the municipal building was on fire. Then you were attacked again?”
Jayne nodded.
“Do you think it was the same man?”
Jayne squeezed her eyes shut and tried to recall as many details as possible. The attacks blended in a violent collage of images and sensation that brought her sweat glands to life despite the freezing room. “I don’t know.” Her voice was as weak as her description.
Doug’s huff conveyed his opinion of her statement. “Can you give me a physical description?”
“Not really. He was wearing a ski mask. He has blue eyes, and he was at least as tall as me.”
“Well, that really narrows it down.” The cop didn’t roll his eyes, but Jayne could tell he wanted to. “An average-to-tall man with blue eyes.”
Not much to go on, she admitted, but it wasn’t her fault the kidnapper had worn a ski mask. But the cop was right. Her captor could be anybody. He could be walking down Main Street right now.
Or standing right in front of her.
The cop jotted something down in a small notebook. “What about the house? With zero description of your attacker, I have a better chance of finding the farmhouse. If Reed gives me the exact location he picked you up, I’ll map possible places as soon as I get a chance.”
“I took a statement from Jayne as soon as she woke up Friday evening. My notes are in the Yukon. Her story is exactly the same,” Reed offered. “And she remembered more details when the incident was fresh.”
Doc shushed him and concentrated on the stethoscope pressed to Reed’s back.
Doug held up a hand, crossing-guard-style, toward Reed. “Excuse me, but you’re not a cop.”
“You know damned well that I was.”
“Was is the key word there. You’ll have to leave this to a real professional. I don’t like civilian interference.” The cop gave Reed his back and faced Jayne. “Pardon me, Miss Sullivan, but this all seems a bit far-fetched, don’t you think? Especially since you reported an attempted abduction in Philadelphia four years ago. I don’t know a single person who’s been kidnapped, yet you’ve reported three attempts, all in broad daylight with no witnesses.”
“What the f*ck are you saying, Doug?” Reed yelled, and then burst into a coughing fit. Behind him, the doctor yanked out his earbuds and shook his head in disgust. He moved around the table to inspect a row of cuts on Reed’s arm.
“You have to admit that Miss Sullivan either has the worst luck in the entire universe or she does something to incite violence. What kind of photographer are you, anyway?”
Bile rose in Jayne’s throat as she groped for a response. If she said she was paparazzi, he’d definitely blame her job. His investigation would stop before it started. Her eyes shifted to Reed. She should tell him what she really did for a living, but not with the cop around. Instead of answering directly, she ripped the bandages off her wrists. The two-day-old scabs were dark and raw-looking, slightly puckered around the edges. “You think I asked for this?”
Doug crossed his juiced-up arms and puffed out his chest.
“For your information, there was a witness to the attack in Philly,” Jayne said. “If he hadn’t been there, I’d be dead.”
The doctor turned his head to frown at Jayne’s wounds. His gaze drifted to the scar on her cheek. His mouth went tight before he turned back to Reed’s arm.
“I’m just saying you might not be as innocent as you seem,” Doug sneered.
Reed’s face purpled. “You—”
“Easy, Reed,” Doc cut in and glared at the cop. “Consider this your only warning, Doug. I will not tolerate you upsetting my patients again.”
Doug lowered his voice. “Did you know Miss Sullivan has a sealed juvenile record? Wonder what that’s all about.”
Over the clear plastic mask, Reed’s gaze darted to Jayne. His bloodshot eyes were filled with anger. He opened his mouth but erupted in a series of hacking coughs.
Doug’s verbal barrage continued. “Ever use drugs, Miss Sullivan? Because drug use would explain a lot.”
“Never.” Jayne glared at Doug. Her pulse pounded through her temples. Her peripheral vision reddened. She didn’t trust her temper enough to say any more.
“Stick around town, Miss Sullivan. I’m going to have more questions for you.”
Reed wheezed, “Unless you arrest her for something, you don’t have the authority to hold—” Coughing interrupted his statement.
“How the hell is she going to identify the house or her attacker if she’s not here? Either you want me to investigate or you don’t. Make up your mind.” The cop glared at Reed. “I didn’t ask for this job, Kimball. If anything it’s her fault. None of this would’ve happened if she hadn’t come to town.” Despite all his protests, Doug’s cold blue eyes were glittering. He might not have asked for his new authority, but he was enjoying every minute.
Doc tore off his latex gloves with a loud snap. “All right. That’s enough, all of you. Reed, shut up and breathe. Miss Sullivan, it’s your turn. Doug, get out.” He jerked a thumb toward the exit.