Scene of the Crime Deadman's Bluff - By Carla Cassidy Page 0,7
a more normal pace, and the trembling that had taken hold of her eased.
She wasn’t in bed long before an aide came in. She looked like a teenager and chirped a cheerful greeting as she removed the breakfast tray and then disappeared out of the room.
Linda came back in the room, carrying a pair of lightweight blue jogging pants and a matching T-shirt and underclothes. “Do you feel up to a shower?”
She nodded eagerly. There was nothing she’d love more than to wash the sand out of her hair, to feel clean again. Maybe a shower would better prepare her for whatever happened next.
Even though she needed no help, Linda offered her an arm to lean on as they walked to the bathroom. This time she consciously avoided looking in the mirror and leaned against the wall as Linda started the water in the small shower enclosure.
“I brought you some clothes,” Linda said. “Actually, they belong to my daughter, Samantha. She’s sixteen and you look to be about the same size. Shampoo...soap, it’s all in the shower. Take as long as you need and I’ll be back to check on you in just a few minutes.”
Moments later she stood beneath a warm spray of water and scrubbed the shampoo into her hair. It took three shampoo-and-rinses before she felt as if all the sand and grit were finally gone.
She’d wanted to thank Linda for the clothes, for her kindness, but she was afraid to speak, afraid that somehow the sound of her own voice would make this all frighteningly real. And she didn’t want it to be real.
There was toothpaste and a toothbrush, a hairbrush and a comb on the sink and she used them all before finally leaving the bathroom. She almost felt human again...almost.
As she returned to the bed and sat on the edge, the knot of anxiety returned, make her feel half-breathless. Amber Lake Memorial Hospital. The name was everywhere. But where exactly was Amber Lake, and how had she gotten here?
At that moment the sheriff and Seth walked into the room. Linda entered as well, leaning against the wall and out of the way.
She immediately looked into Seth’s eyes, seeking the same kind of calmness she’d found there the night before. She wasn’t disappointed.
“Well, you look much better this morning than when we left you last night,” the sheriff said with obviously forced cheerfulness. “How are you feeling?”
She knew an answer was required from her, but her mouth would form no words, and her diaphragm refused to work to allow her any speech.
The sheriff frowned. “Are you up to a few questions?”
She hesitated a moment and then nodded.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
Tears began to press hot at her eyes. Sand...it was everywhere, stifling her ability to draw a deep breath, filling her mouth and making it impossible for her to speak, to move.
“Ma’am? Can you tell us who you are?” the sheriff asked.
She was aware of the tears beginning to trek down her cheeks as she remembered the weight of the sand on her body, the sound of the shovel scooping up more...more sand to throw on top of her.
She couldn’t seem to get past those moments of sheer terror. She couldn’t access any other information. She was trapped in that moment, her mouth, her brain filled with sand, unable to move forward from the experience.
Seth stepped closer, his chiseled features softened. “You know you’re safe now.” She hesitated a moment and then nodded. “Can you talk to us?” She paused again and then slowly shook her head negatively as the tears fell faster down her cheeks.
“Maybe we should try this again later in the day,” Linda suggested, her concern for her patient obvious.
Seth’s gaze never left hers as he reached out for her hand. Again she hesitated and then slipped her cold hand into his warm one. He squeezed slightly. “Will you talk to us later?”
She wanted to please him, this man who’d saved her life. She wanted to be able to give him whatever it was he and the sheriff needed to know, but she couldn’t. Slowly, she once again shook her head.
“She needs more time,” Linda said. “She’s obviously still traumatized.”
Seth released her hand and stood, a frown tracking across his handsome forehead. “We met Dr. Kane on the way in. He gave me the name of a counselor for her to see if necessary and told told me she’s free to go, that he intends to release her.”