Death by Request (Caribbean Murder #11)

Cindy was upset. “He didn’t consult with us about any of this.”


“I guess he didn’t feel he had to,” said Mattheus. “Owen’s claiming that the medical staff at the hospital are shifty and have easy access to drugs. That isn’t sitting well with the private donors. There’s a lot of pressure developing to get this case closed.”

“I heard exactly the same thing from Todd,” Cindy jumped in. “Not only did he say that there’s lots of drugs available at the hospital, he said that many of the doctors and nurses are users.”

“Whew,” Mattheus exclaimed, “that’s a big claim. Tell him to prove it. Give us names and facts, then I’ll listen.”

“Good point,” Cindy agreed.

“Did Todd suggest that Alana was using?” Mattheus was riled up. “Was that why she was fired from her other job?”

“I don’t think Todd knows for sure, exactly who is or isn’t using,” replied Cindy.

“Or he knows and doesn’t want to be implicated,” Mattheus added. “Todd’s got a great job, assistant to the hospital administrator! It’s amazing he said that to you at all.”

“Todd doesn’t like Konrad,” Cindy quickly added. “There’s something off between them.”

“He implied that Konrad was on drugs, too?” Mattheus couldn’t drop it.

“He didn’t say who was using specifically,” Cindy repeated. “Drug use is a problem at lots of hospitals, isn’t it?”

“Yes, definitely,” Mattheus replied. “And the fact that the staff can get hold of drugs easily can point us to who put the substance into Tara’s IV. I’ve been doing research on this hospital, but still have to look into medical mistakes here. I had a good talk with Tara’s doctor, though. Dr. Padden’s a great guy, very smart, and wants this case solved, too. There’s too much publicity and pressure on everyone. But Owen’s keeping the fires flaming big time.”

“I can understand why, can’t you?” Cindy could feel Owen’s desperation and wished she could do more to help him.

“Sure, I can,” said Mattheus. “The guy’s well connected and he wants out.”

“What’s the new evidence the police have against him?” asked Cindy.

“They’re keeping it close to the vest,” said Mattheus. “I haven’t heard details yet. But I’m sure Owen knows they have something else on him. That’s probably why he’s cranking things up.”

“We need to go to the police station right now and find out what they’ve got,” said Cindy.

“We also need to talk to the lawyer who’s prosecuting the case,” said Mattheus. “Unless we come up with something new, it looks like Owen’s going on trial.”

Cindy felt frightened. “Have we got anything to stop this at all?” she asked.

“Our information about Alana is new,” Mattheus suggested. “I don’t know if the police have heard that she was fired from another job for patient negligence. But that could certainly make a dent.”

Cindy felt upset by the idea, she didn’t want to get Alana into any more difficulty than she was in right now.

“First let’s look into medical mistakes and drugs at the hospital,” Cindy suggested, “that’s a better way to go. And, let’s get over to the police station immediately and find out what they have on Owen.”

“You’re protecting Alana?” Mattheus gave Cindy a long, slow look.

“For now, I am,” said Cindy. “We don’t have anything definite on her yet, and it’s too easy to put the blame where it doesn’t belong. The hospital’s in a better position to defend themselves than Alana.”

Mattheus agreed and stood up. “Okay, we’ll wait and see about Alana. Let’s get to the station right away,” he said.

*

Eric Holder, Chief of Police was pleased to see Cindy and Mattheus when they walked into the station. It had been awhile since Cindy had been around, though Eric and Mattheus had obviously met a few times.

“I got your message, Mattheus,” Eric said as soon as he saw them. “I’ve arranged for Tom Dillard to join us. He‘s the chief lawyer on the case and can answer any questions you guys may have. I told him you’ve been cooperating with us, that we’re working side by side.”

Cindy was surprised not only by Eric’s comment but by his new founded warmth and cordiality. He and Mattheus had probably gotten on well together. Mattheus always had a way with the police.

In a few moments Tom Dillard walked in and joined them. An attractive ex pat, he looked suntanned and confident. After introductions they all sat around a table and after a few minutes Cindy decided to start the meeting off.

“What’s the new evidence you have against Owen?” she asked, getting things rolling.

Eric rubbed his face slowly. “Who told you about that?” he asked.

“The word is out,” said Cindy.

“Eric closed his eyes a second. “There’s nothing you can keep quiet here for more than a few seconds,” he murmured to Mattheus, “word leaks through a thousand cracks in the walls.”