Page 49 of Beautiful Prey

“No.”

His eyes darkened, though his smile remained. “Come on, Eve. The weekend then. Any time.” I glared at him, and he moved a little closer. “Otherwise, I only have you here, and I don’t think you want me asking questions around you know who. I just wanna talk.”

I clenched my jaw and made the mistake of looking over at Emery whose smiling skull face was made only more sinister bythe shadows. The other guards didn’t seem to notice or care as they chained him back to the wheelchair.

Would Ethan seriously dare to say anything just because I wouldn’t go out with him? What a prick.

“Fine. Tomorrow night.” I wasn’t ready to deal with this shit right now. But if he just had to know, then I’d tell him. Then maybe he’d leave me alone.

His smile widened. “Great. Awesome. I’ll call you.”

Heat stirred in my chest. “How do you know my number?”

“Oh, Dr. Langley gave it to us in case you were to call the front desk so we’d recognize the number. It’s in the employee contacts now.” He moved behind Emery and started to steer him to the door. The silence from Emery only heightened my anxiety. I could hardly guess what he was thinking, but I could imagine it wasn’t anything pleasant.Something about busting kneecaps.

I shook my head at him in warning as Ethan wheeled him away.

“Good night, Emery,” I called out.

“See you tomorrow, Eve,” Ethan called back.

Dr. Hannah’s blue Mustang was sitting nearby. She was back again for her now weekly check-up.

I turned my gaze up to the building and took a deep breath. The sky was gray with the threat of rain again.

I got out of my car and dusted off my gray dress pants and pink blouse with the crumbs from my sad dinner. I hadn’t slept last night at all, mostly working on my paper but also researching. Early morning, I watched a couple true crime docs Jamie told me to check out. I didn’t know if it was just my usual restlessness keeping me up or the need for a break frommy dreams. I got winded in the morning and went to the cafe to attempt to work some more, but ended up distracted online instead. By late afternoon, I was starting to lose energy and would have taken a nap if I had time. Instead, I grabbed a wrap and a large coffee to go before heading for St. Agnes.

When I entered the facility, I was overjoyed to see Ethan wasn’t there. Maybe, if I was lucky, he called in sick and I wouldn’t have to see him tonight either.

Kyle took me to the upper level, leaving me at the security point. But instead of turning for Emery’s room, he walked down the hall to a pair talking some ways ahead. I noticed Ethan as he turned his head, and when he stepped aside, I then saw Dr. Hannah.

My heart flipped. Kyle now talked to them both and they each turned their heads my way. Ethan nodded, said something to Dr. Hannah, then disappeared with Kyle down the end. Dr. Hannah walked toward me.

“Hello, Eve,” she greeted with a tight smile, her icy glare flickering down my figure. “I just saw Emery. He seems to be doing alright despite his usual attitude. And Dr. Langley told me you’ve convinced him to take his medication.”

“Yes,” I said.

She nodded. “Well, maybe there’s hope for him yet then. We’ve scheduled a meeting for Monday to discuss it in more detail. Then we can send these reports to the judge on Emery’s case. Assuming he sticks to it…this would be a step for him.”

I agreed. Dr. Hannah passed by me to the security booth. “See you then, Eve. Oh—” She turned back to me. “You should know, the judge is looking to want Emery out of here. He’d be happier to see him in prison. But if Emery doesn’t lapse on his medication from now on, doesn’t have a violent episode, and changes his attitude…he has a better chance to stay. Understand?”

I tried not to bite my lip as I said, “I understand.”

“Good.” She waved at me as she slipped out of the security room. “Nice job, Eve. If this all pans out, maybe Emery will talk to a licensed professional. I hope it works out for his sake.”

Me too, you bitch. I was tired and more than a little cranky. And seeing Ethan and her talking put me on edge.

I waited as usual, watching the monitor as Ethan and a few other guards got Emery out of his room. I tensed when I saw Ethan put his back to Emery more than once. A perfect chance for Emery to do more than just break a leg. Despite the opportunity, he didn’t take the chance. And I was relieved when they transferred him safely to the room.

“All ready for you,” Ethan said when he came to get me. I followed him down, noticing how chipper and alert he was. When we got to the door of the meeting room, he put out an arm to stop me. “Still on for tonight, right?”

I glared at him. I wanted to say no, that I changed my mind. But seeing him talking to Dr. Hannah…

“Yes,” I said. I drew away from the door so Emery couldn't hear. Ethan arched a brow, pretending like it was no big deal if we talked near him. He moved closer down the hall where I stood as I put my back to one wall. “I’ll answer your questions,” I said in a low voice. “You wanna know so bad, I’ll tell you. But only if you don’t say anything to anyone about why I’m here. Can you do that?”

He looked toward the guards by the hallway entrance, then turned back to me. “I’m kinda risking my job already not saying anything, you know.”

“How so?”

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