Peril by Jordyn Redwood Read Free Book Online Page B

inside?” Nathan suggested.
    Dr. Adams showed them to a well-sized formal living area just off the foyer. The room was painted a light golden brown. Heavy, red velvet curtains and a red stuffed chenille couch popped against the more neutral tones. The main sitting area was poised in the middle of the room with a bi-level wood table facing two additional wing chairs. Adams motioned to the wing chairs and Brett and Nathan took seats. Morgan shuffled in and seemed to melt into the couch next to her husband.
    Brett cleared his throat. “Dr. Adams, I’m sorry to bother you tonight. I’ll try to keep it brief due to the late hour. Have you heard anything about Zoe’s case?”
    Tyler leaned back and folded his hands on his lap. “Just that a young girl was attacked on a local trail. Obviously I know that she was admitted to Morgan’s unit.”
    Brett could see Morgan studying Nathan.
    Guess the mothering instinct never goes away, even when your child has died. It just carries over to other children.
    She leaned so far forward on the couch, she almost tumbled off. “You were one of the detectives assigned to Teagan’s case.”
    Nathan nodded. “Yes, I was. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
    â€œYou were so kind to us.” She eased her hand over Tyler’s but then pulled it away as if it breached some unspoken line. “I never felt like you assumed I was guilty.”
    Nathan nodded. “I appreciate your kind words. It was a difficult situation.”
    Tyler crossed his arms over his chest. “You said this was about the girl, Zoe Martin.”
    Evidently, further discussion on the topic was not permissible.
    â€œRight,” Brett said. “I was part of the police team that searched the park today where her body was found.” From the folder, he removed the clear plastic evidence bag that held the business card. “Not far from the site where they found Zoe’s body, we also found this.”
    Brett held it out. Tyler stood and pulled it from his fingers, looking it over on both sides before handing it back. “It’s one of my business cards. So?”
    â€œCan you account for your whereabouts today, Dr. Adams?”
    â€œYou can verify where I was with my secretary and nurse. They were with me up until thirty minutes ago. I was seeing patients all day. Every thirty minutes.”
    â€œTerrific. If I could have their numbers, that will be great. Any idea how this card would have ended up on the trail next to an assault victim?”
    Tyler inhaled deeply. “Honestly, it could have been any number of ways. I must give two dozen of those out a day and who knows how many are grabbed and handed around.”
    Adams’s body language was congruent with his statement. He sat comfortably. Arms relaxed. Facial expression sincere.
    â€œDid you see the time and date on the back?” Brett asked.
    Adams nodded.
    â€œDo you recall anything significant about that date?” Brett followed.
    â€œThat was almost eighteen months ago. I’d have to look back into some records to see if something strikes me. Sorry, nothing stands out.”
    â€œWhat do the letters NPO mean? The noted time of midnight mean anything to you?”
    â€œNPO is a medical term that stands for nothing by mouth. If I had to make an educated guess, I would say that date denotes a surgical date and this was another reminder of a procedure. Though, this is not normally something we would give to patients. First of all, this is medical lingo, and most patients won’t understand what the abbreviation means. Second of all, that card comes from Sacred Heart. We don’t operate on adults there.”
    Brett tucked the evidence back into the folder. “A couple of your medical colleagues mentioned you were doing some contract work? Where is that?”
    â€œNeuroGenics,” Tyler said. “I’m sorry. Did you think I was at Sacred Heart