“Absolutely. There are a few administrative offices facing this way, but those are mostly group areas and recreation rooms up there.”
“Very nice. It’s beautiful.”
They continued on their way, and true to Piltot’s word, they walked past a row of Dumpsters. “It smells,” Kendra said. “When is trash pickup?”
Piltot hesitated, probably wondering how in the hell this could affect the dispensation of a state grant. “Uh, Mondays and Thursdays, I think.”
Beth had disappeared from the facility on a Wednesday, which almost ruled out one method of escape. Neither night would have been for Beth’s escape, Eve thought, which was obviously Kendra’s motive for asking the question in the first place. And as they stepped closer to the Dumpsters, she noticed that each lid was secured by a large padlock.
Kendra obviously noticed it, too, and she shot Eve a look. No refuge for Beth there.
Piltot pointed to the employee entrance. “We can go inside here.”
“Actually, I’d like to continue around and go back through the front,” Kendra said.
“Well … sure.” He was obviously mystified by her insistence.
They completed the circle and reentered the complex through the main entrance.
“I’ll need to examine all the wards and private accommodations,” Kendra said brusquely. “Where do you suggest we begin?”
“The wards?” Piltot made a face. “That will be a bit chaotic. You may prefer to focus on the private patients. I’m sure they’ll be much more receptive to cultural stimulus.”
“People are people, and music bridges all gaps.”
“Just a moment, and I’ll see what the schedule is for group-therapy sessions. There are probably some going on now.”
“Take your time.”
Kendra lowered her voice as she spoke to Eve. “The private rooms are on the second and third floors. Beth Avery was on the third floor in Room 305. As soon as Piltot takes us up to the third floor, we’re going to need a distraction to get rid of him.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Eve was already taking out her phone. Actually, she was glad to have something positive to do. It was beginning to annoy her having to stay in the background and letting Kendra handle everything. She would just have to bite the bullet and look and listen and see if she could find a way to contribute. “I’ll tell Joe to call Piltot when I buzz him and start questioning him again. That should give us time.” She looked at Kendra. “But how much time will you need?”
“How do I know? It depends on how well the room has been cleaned. What kind of trace evidence has been left.” She grimaced. “For all we know, the room might have a new occupant.”
“True.” Eve hadn’t thought of that. “We’ll play it by ear.” She smiled slyly. “Or at least you will. You’re more qualified in that area.” She ignored Kendra’s disgusted groan as Joe came on the line. “Joe, we may need some help.”
* * *
AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, Piltot took them to the second floor first, and they spent over three hours meeting patients and checking over their medicines and prognosis. It was early afternoon when Piltot took them up to the third floor.
Eve’s gaze flew down the corridor as they got off the elevator. Clearly the hospital luxury quarters, she thought. Wide halls, modern paintings on the walls, and a nursing station at the far end of the corridor. The nurse at the cherry desk was on the phone, and she was smiling and chatting. Good, a distraction. They could only hope that she stayed absorbed in her conversation.
“At present there’s only one occupied suite on this floor. Room 302,” Piltot said. “The patient is a young actress who suffered a nervous breakdown two months ago. Patient confidentiality prohibits me from telling you who she is, but—”
“On the nurse’s desk downstairs on the second floor, there were two DVD cases of Laura Tagnon’s most popular movies, along with a thin, silver inked Sharpie pen that one uses for an autograph on the case’s dark background.”
“Very perceptive, Dr. Michaels,” Piltot said.
Maybe too perceptive, Eve thought. But Kendra’s display didn’t seem to arouse any special concern on his part.
However, evidently Kendra was aware that she’d slipped up because she added quickly to distract him, “Not the most professional request for a nurse on duty to make, but I suppose there’s really no harm.”
Piltot smiled. “As long as you didn’t hear it from me.”