Someone like Harvey…the guy probably had all sorts of contacts both inside and out of those prison walls. So yeah, he could vanish. No problem there. The only question was, was the man planning to start a new life…
Or is he planning his revenge?
“Come on, El,” Neil’s prodding voice—and the arm he’d just wrapped around her shoulders—broke through the unsettling memories. “Let’s you and me go have that lunch, yeah? You’ll forget all about that murdering asshole before the waiter brings the first course.”
Seriously? Like I’ll ever forget the man who’d tried to kill her…with his bare hands…in a courtroom full of people.
The corded phone on her desk began to ring; the sudden peeling sound was a welcomed interruption.
“I’m not going to lunch, Neil,” Ellie made her point clear. She slid past Neil and went back to her desk. Glancing down, she wasn’t surprised to see the caller’s name illuminated on the phone’s digital display. “I appreciate you stopping by, but I really need to take this.”
Finally realizing he wasn’t going to get his way, Neil blinked with a slight frown. “Oh. Um…okay. Another time then.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
More like never.
Not bothering to flash the man a parting smile, Ellie lifted the phone’s receiver and answered the call. “Give me a second.” She put the call on hold long enough to turn toward the door and tell Seth, “Will you please show Mr. Peterson out?”
“Of course.” Her young assistant nodded solemnly. “Are you…okay?”
“I’m fine, Seth,” she lied.
She did givehima smile. Of course, she liked Seth, so there was that.
“Talk to you soon, Eloise.”
Without even looking, she gave Neil a parting half-wave as she returned her attention to the phone. The door shut, and she was alone once more.
Ellie pressed the button to take her off mute. “Sorry, Donald,” she apologized to her former boss. “I’m back.”
“Did you hear?” The man sounded understandably grim.
“I just saw.” She swallowed hard. “How the hell did this happen?”
“I’m still gathering all the details, but I spoke to Warden Foss right before I called you. He said Harvey was taken to medical after exhibiting signs of a possible heart attack during dinner. His symptoms worsened, and he was taken to the prison’s on-site hospital. But when his condition continued to decline, they arranged for transport to Providence St. Mary’s since they’re more equipped to handle a major cardiac emergency.”
“So the guy practically dies from a heart attack, yet he still had the strength to overpower a guard and the two paramedics, and then race off in a stolen ambulance?” Ellie frowned. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“I thought so, too,” Donald agreed. “Which is why we’ve been given the green light to test the blood the medics took from him prior to the escape.”
She considered this a moment. “You think he took something to mimic a heart attack?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.”
The man wasn’t wrong. Criminals were notorious for trying all kinds of crazy, desperate, creative ways to break free. Someone with the right connections—both inside and out—could easily obtain the right kind of drug to accomplish the same kind of physical symptoms George Ray Harvey had reportedly experienced.
“But don’t worry,” Donald assured her. “The FBI is in on this one, as is every available officer and deputy in the county. They will find the murdering son of a bitch and bring him in.” There was a slight pause, and then, “He’d be stupid to try to come after you, Eloise. And one thing about George Ray Harvey—”
“He’s not stupid,” Ellie finished for the well-meaning man. “I’m not worried about myself, Donald.” Okay, so maybe she was alittleworried about the asshole making good on his promise.Even so, “I’m more concerned about him hurting another innocent young woman.”
“We’re not going to let that happen.”
Her former boss and mentor meant well. She knew this. But the man’s promise was a guarantee no man on earth could make.
If Harvey wanted to hurt someone, he would. It was that simple.
“What can I do?” Ellie asked.