Page 7 of Rescuing Ryder

“I’ll take water if you have it. Can you tell me more about the hospital? I toured it this afternoon with Dr. Winters and Dr. Meyers. It wasn’t what I expected, even from doing my research.”

“Whiskey helps run the groups for PTSD,” Matthew offered. “He might be able to help you determine if this feels like the right place for your buddy.”

The man at the table glanced up at his name. “I suffer from PTSD and run the groups with Claire. You won’t find a better place. It may come from a biased view, but she refuses to give up on her patients. Chase recently hired another doctor, and he seems very committed to the projects they’re working on. If you met Doc and Kassie, you already see their time invested in this place. She’s passionate about the teens and he works with the vets, but it isn’t necessarily separated. There’s an application waiting list for staff members wanting to work here and there’s rarely any turnover. The last nurse left because she chose to stay home after giving birth to her daughter.”

“What about the therapy? Do you have people who initially don’t take it seriously? My friend has already undergone a few treatments and I’m afraid he’ll balk at trying another one and tends to react with sarcasm.”

All three men laughed. “He hasn’t met the gang.” Matthew handed water to Whiskey and Tex. “The women alone act as a force to be reckoned with. This place offers peace, and they don’t give up easily.”

“I know they don’t. The team brought me here. At the time, I wanted to end it all. I divorced my wife and stayed in this cabin. This place healed me,” Whiskey admitted. “I see the same thing in my brothers in arms when they come here. They’ve lost hope.”A dog sitting beside him raised its head to view her master and he absently petted her head. “Now I manage things here, run a few of the groups, help when someone struggles, and find potential matches for the team.”

“Matches for the team?” Tex asked, confused.

“Leo’s considering a second team. Plus, I need operators for Texas. If someone wants to continue outside the military, we evaluate their strengths and weaknesses here to determine if we might offer them employment with us or one of our contacts.” Matthew leaned back in his chair and placed a hand on his knee. “How’s Wolf and the team?”

“They’re doing great. Ice and Wolf visited us before leaving for a wedding in Hampton.” He opened his water and sipped as he scanned the facility. He envisioned Patch liking the place. “Kassie asked me about attending a family BBQ tonight at the hospital.”

“All of us pitch in. We help run the grilling areas and the teens help set up the movie. It’s an enjoyable evening for everyone. Kassie recognizes anyone graduating from the facility. The Serenity kids love to help and deliver meals to veterans at the table. They don’t miss an opportunity to turn it into a community event.”

“Doesn’t the crowd bother the men?” Tex asked.

“Yes, there’s a separate area for those who don’t want to hang in the crowd or feel overstimulated by the noise. Kassie doesn’t want anyone to feel left out,” Taco explained.

Tex nodded as he thought about all his research into the group. It didn’t touch the surface of what he saw in person. He tried calling Patch, but his phone went straight to voicemail. Knowing Wolf agreed to stay until he checked in, he contacted Ice. She always managed to get Ryder to see reason.

“Hi, Tex,” she answered.

“I need your help, Ice. I went to visit the Winters Foundation. It’s different than the other places. But you know Patch will refuse another admission into a facility. He’ll listen to you.”

Ice paused. “His apartment’s cleaned out, Tex. There are no pictures on the walls, empty cupboards, and the fridge appears cleaned out except for a few bottles of beer. It feels sterile as if he’s prepared everything…” her voice drifted off.

“We must convince him to try one more time. I hate to lay this on your shoulders, but he’ll keep us at bay. If you can persuade him to come to the mountain, I believe they’ll offer him something the other places didn’t,” Tex explained emphatically.

“I’ll do everything in my power,” Ice promised him, determination sounded in her voice.

“Thank you, Ice. I know you will.” Tex assured her before he hung up the phone. He only hoped they would succeed in the battle with his friend so Patch would win the war he fought alone.

CHAPTER SIX

Claire ran to her office for her clipboard. Tonight she planned the family dinner, an exhausting but worthwhile event. As she approached her desk, searching for her list of graduates this month, she noticed a box sitting on the edge of her desk.

Sitting at her desk, she removed her scissors from the drawer and cut through the tape, wondering who sent her something. A note fell to the floor and a horrible smell came from the box. Setting it farther from her, she bent to pick up the paper. Her name scrawled across the folded sheet, and she opened it. Claire swallowed as she read the words on the paper and clutched her stomach in fear. Shakily setting the letter on the desk, she used the end of the scissors and peered inside. A dead animal lay zipped in baggies. The poor thing’s eyes stared at Claire, accusing her as if it was her fault for its demise. She closed her eyes and took a few calming breaths. If the person she thought was responsible for the package gained release, she’d receive a notification.

David Kilner murdered his wife and her mother. He stored them in his refrigerator. They only found half their bodies and he admitted to eating the evidence.

An involuntary shiver went through her as she recalled sitting in court and testifying about David Kilner’s mental state. When she gave her expert opinion, his eyes promised retribution. His attorneys pushed for a temporary insanity plea. Dr. Klein, Claire’s mentor, pointed out that the man’s insanity remained far longer than a heated argument. David Kilner knew what he did and planned it to the last detail. In the end, he got away with murder. Sentenced to twenty years in the Seattle Mental Health Institute, he served five years when his attorney requested parole.

Mr. Kilner claimed himself a reformed man who religiously took his meds to help with a brain chemical imbalance and never caused the staff any issues. He appeared devastated by his actions to his beautiful wife and mother-in-law. He didn’t count on Claire or Dr. Klein appearing before the parole board. Now, he remained institutionalized for at least another five years. It wasn’t much, but she and Dr. Klein agreed to continue showing up to keep him from entering society. The man wasn’t mad. He represented pure evil.

She washed her hands and gripped the sides of the sink, dreading the call to confirm he stayed locked in his room.

Sitting at her desk, she pulled up the number on her phone. Her hands shook as she waited for someone to answer.

“Seattle Mental Health Institute, how may I direct your call?”

“May I speak with Dr. Drew Garrisson, please? This is Dr. Claire Meyers.”

“Please hold while I transfer you,” the friendly receptionist responded before the line played music.

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