Page 21 of So Wicked

Now they werereallygetting somewhere. “When’s the last time you saw him?” Faith asked.

“The last timeIsaw him was one month ago. That was the last time he trespassed. I assumed he had been put in jail for violating the trespass order.”

Slade shook his head. “No, they would have processed him and given him a court date. Typical sentencing in that sort of case is a token jail sentence—usually time served—and probation. It actually takes a lot to put someone away for trespassing. A restraining order, however, is a different thing. Did Lisa ever get one?”

Emma scoffed. “No. I told her to, but she didn’t listen. I think she felt guilty, maybe. I don’t know. She just didn’t want to go to court over anything.”

“What about a lawsuit?” Faith asked. “Did Mr. Thompson attempt to sue the clinic for wrongful death?”

“That’s what I heard. Doctors here are technically independent contractors, but from what I’ve overheard, Thompson couldn’t find a lawyer to take the suit. He never lodged one himself, so I assume they told him he couldn’t win.”

“I’m guessing that Lisa’s mistake wasn’t common knowledge,” Faith said.

Emma shook her head. “No. The clinic went with the official story.”

“And she’s had no contact with Mr. Thompson outside of this clinic?” Slade asked.

“Not that I’m aware of. We all thought he was gone. I can’t believe they released him. I thought that his threats would be enough to keep him in jail.”

“Sometimes I wish it was that easy,” Slade opined. “What about Dr. Rachel Summers? Ever hear of her?”

Emma frowned. “Who?”

“She’s the first victim,” Faith said. “She was murdered two nights before Lisa.”

“Ah. I see. No, I’m sorry, I don’t know her.”

“Lisa never mentioned her?”

“No. Not to me, at least.”

The two detectives shared a sober look. That could mean nothing, or it could mean everything. Faith would have to look a little deeper before she could know for sure.

“I don’t suppose you have contact information for this Jack Thompson?”

“The front desk might,” Emma said.

“We’ll ask them. Thank you.”

“Lisa wasn’t a bad doctor,” Emma said. “She was a good one. She just had a bad day.”

“Everyone does,” Slade agreed.

The three agents made their way to the reception desk. While the receptionist found the information they needed, Faith recalled the times Turk had been threatened by killers over the years. She was grateful that she’d never had to kill anyone for it, but there were times when she wouldn’t have hesitated.

She had a feeling Jack Thompson understood that feeling very well.

CHAPTER TEN

Jack Thompson’s address was in Sheridan, a small town north of Carmel. According to Slade, he didn’t actually live in the town but in a small cabin in the woods off of the Monon Greenway.

“Most of the land is public use and not zoned for residences, but there were a few old hunting lodges repurposed into homes that got an exemption. Looks like Thompson is one of them.”

“We’ll need to be careful going in,” Faith said. “He could be armed.”

“He’s not licensed to own a firearm, but yes, we should be careful. He might very well have one anyway.”

“I suggest we have Turk lead. He’s trained to recognize gunpowder and other explosives from his time in the Corps.”

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