The smell of the center was similar to Red Rock, so at least, my grandmother had that. I resisted the strong urge to visit her. Her Alzheimer had progressed over the years making her less lucid and less my grandmother each time she saw me. Pictures and other memorabilia no longer helped. It seemed we were destined to lose her one way or another. The part of my heart she held had already broken and was ready to let her go. I only wished I knew which part was selfish.
Brushing off thoughts of my grandmother, I took a deep breath and followed the direction Sheldon reluctantly had given me. When she questioned why I needed to know his room number, I hadn’t known myself, but I stored the information anyway. I only told her it was to keep a safe distance. Over two weeks, I slowly let the idea of what I had to do take root until I couldn’t see any other solution.
Mitch had to die.
Since I entered from a back exit, it wasn’t as easy to find his room, but eventually, I stood in front of room 216. The center was a pretty large one-level building with the dying tucked far away from recovering survivors. This corner was left deserted except for the residents confined to die alone in their rooms. On the other side of the building, I knew nurses and family members roamed.
Here, no one cared.
Those dying were left for dead.
It was only because of the fear of death and the need to avoid it I was able to slip into his room undetected. The room was lit only by a slither of sunlight to keep the room from being completely shadowed by darkness. There were no pictures or memorabilia to overburden the small room. Nothing to testify that the form lying still on the bed meant something to the world. Mitch Masters would leave nothing behind but a legacy of nightmares and greed.
“I knew you would come back for me.”
The voice that traveled from the other side of the room was a far cry from the man who kidnapped and held me for ransom four years ago. He didn’t look capable of killing anyone, much less his son.
“Hello, Mitch.” His head turned to face me, and I knew he was searching my voice out in the dark. I imagined his eyes would be wild with fear and uncertainty.
“Who’s there?” He tried to sound unfazed, but it lacked the luster from four years ago. All I heard was desperation to know who had intruded.
“Or is it Mr. Martin? You favor false identity if I remember correctly.” If I weren’t so alert to my surroundings, I would have missed the way his breath caught.
“Impossible.”
“Oh?”
“Why are you here and not my son? He got you doing his dirty work for him now? Didn’t think he had it him,” he answered before I could. I detected a hint of pride among the malicious intent of his taunt.
“He doesn’t know I’m here.” It was hard to catch, but a smile slowly spread across his withering face.
“Bad mistake, little girl. I admit, I don’t know my son well, but a blind fool could tell he likes control—most of all, of you. You lied to him.”
“I did.”
“I’m flattered.” His voice was bitter when he spoke again. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”
“My presence will be anything but pleasurable for you.”
“My, my, how you’ve grown.” He was smiling again. “He has sunk his claws into you, hasn’t he?”
“This isn’t about me, Mitch.” I felt the pain from my teeth grinding and bit down harder, doing anything to keep him from making me run.
“On the contrary, pet. It has everything to do with you. You’re here, and he doesn’t know it. You snuck away to see me. Do you think my son will give a damn what your purpose is?”
“He won’t find out.”
“He will. I’ve kept eyes on him long enough to know where his obsession lies. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has eyes on you right now. Come here, girl. I’ll make this worth the pain you’ll feel when he finds out you betrayed him.”
But it wasn’t betrayal. I was here to protect him. If not me, it would be Keiran standing in this room. Mitch would already be dead, and Keiran would face the rest of his life in prison if he were caught.
I inched closer to the bed watching Mitch warily. His bloodshot eyes came into clear view as he watched me, too. His skin was pale and too weathered for even his age. He was no longer the strikingly handsome man he once was.
“I hear my brother died.”
“Yes. I’m sure you had something to do with that.” I blinked away tears for John. Tears that Keiran failed to shed for his uncle. I shifted from one foot and then quickly shifted to the other. Each minute that passed, I drew closer to getting caught. I should have already been gone.
“I won’t deny it,” he smugly drawled. I sucked in a breath and hated that he noticed. “Though I regret to inform you my involvement was… indirect.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The man who I’m sure killed John was hired by me for a different job.”
“What job?” He didn’t need to answer, though. I realized the answer as soon as I voiced it and felt rage transform my body. I welcomed it and channeled it to my mind. I needed to go through with this.
“My grandniece.” His eyes sparkled with a sick sense of pride over what he’d done.
“Or your grandchild,” I corrected. Just as quickly, the light in his eyes was extinguished, and he was glaring back at me with the same disdain I showered on him.
“So I’ve heard.”