Page 4 of No Escape

Valerie looked into his eyes, her own brimming with vulnerability. “I appreciate that, Tom, more than you know. But I also need you to understand that things might not be easy. I don’t want you to feel like you’re trapped or obligated to stay with me if my mental health continues to be a struggle.”

Tom reached for her hand again, his grip firm and reassuring. “Valerie, I love you. And when I asked you to marry me, I meant it for better or worse. Your mental health doesn’t change that. We’ll face this together.”

As much as Valerie wanted to believe him, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of her doubts, and his, pressing down on her. Only time would tell if their love could withstand the challenges that lay ahead.

“Maybe when I get out of here,” she said, “we can go to the restaurant where we got engaged and—”

Valerie suddenly stopped mid-sentence, her attention caught by a loud laugh from outside. The sound sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt her heart rate quicken. There was something terribly familiar about that laugh.

She stood up and moved toward the bay window, her eyes scanning the picturesque grounds of Shady Pines Retreat. As she peered out, she saw two men in black suits escorting someone in handcuffs through the front door of the facility. The sunlight streaming through the trees made it difficult to see the man’s face clearly, but as the trio drew closer, a chilling realization struck her.

Valerie’s blood ran cold, and she felt the dread coiling in her stomach. It couldn’t be him. It just couldn’t. The last time she had seen him free, he had tried to kill a man named Joshua, his own cousin. Valerie had managed to save the victim, but she never forgot the case. It was one of the most brutal she had ever seen. One year later and the thought of him still turned her stomach, clawed at her nerves.

“Valerie?” Tom asked, concern etching his face as he approached her by the window. “What’s wrong?”

Valerie turned to face him, her eyes wide with shock and fear. She barely managed to speak, her voice almost a whisper. “Tom… I don’t believe it… A killer I arrested in one of my cases… he’s just been brought into Shady Pines.”

The gravity of the situation hung heavily between them, the implications of the killer’s presence in the same facility as Valerie only beginning to sink in. The quiet peace of the afternoon shattered, leaving them both to confront the terrifying unknown that now lurked within the walls.

CHAPTER TWO

Valerie’s heart throbbed in her chest as she rushed through the peaceful corridors of Shady Pines Psychiatric Retreat, her mind racing with fear and adrenaline. Tom hurried after her, trying to keep up with her frantic pace.

“Valerie, wait!” Tom called out, but she paid him no heed. She had to do something; she couldn’t just sit idly by while that killer was brought into the same facility as her.

It wasn’t the place for someone so dangerous. It wasn’t high security enough. Shady Pines could not provide the type of safety or treatment such a violent personality required. There was no doubt in Valerie’s mind that the killer would look for the first opportunity to murder someone, perhaps even her or her sister. Vengeance seemed to be his thing, and he had plenty of reasons to want revenge against Valerie herself. She was the one who caught him.

As Valerie reached the door of an office, a receptionist stopped her. “Ma’am, please calm down,” the receptionist said, her voice soothing and measured.

“I need to speak with the director of the retreat, immediately!” Valerie demanded, her voice full of verve and panic.

The receptionist frowned. “You should speak with your case worker first to make an appointment.”

But Valerie wasn’t in the mood for procedure. She banged her fist on the door, determination burning in her eyes. The door swung open, revealing a man in his fifties with a gray mustache and a sparkle in his eye. He was Quincy Jensen, the director of Shady Pines Psychiatric Retreat.

“Come in,” he said, stepping aside to let Valerie and Tom into his office.

Valerie wasted no time, her voice shaking as she spoke. “I just saw two men in black suits—”

Quincy raised a hand to interrupt her. “Please, Agent Law, take a deep breath and start from the beginning.”

Valerie inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. “I saw two men in black suits escorting someone in handcuffs into the facility,” she explained, her voice still laced with urgency. “I recognized the man they were escorting. Tall and powerful. Unmistakable. He’s a killer I arrested in one of my cases. He has no business being here. He is a violent psychopath who needs the correct environment for treatment. Shady Pines is mostly for non-criminal patients and has minimal security. It’s only a matter of time before he hurts someone. He should be in a maximum security facility. You have to do something!”

Quincy’s eyes narrowed, concern flickering across his face. He glanced at Tom, who nodded in agreement, and then turned back to Valerie.

“Valerie,” Quincy began, his voice measured, “I am aware of the situation. The patient you’re concerned about has been placed here at Shady Pines Retreat via a court order. It’s out of my hands.”

Valerie’s eyes widened, disbelief written across her face. “How is it possible that a killer could be brought to a place like this, where patients are supposed to get treatment?” she demanded, her voice trembling with anger. “Do you know his history? Do you know he killed several of his own family, stalking them like animals and murdering them in cold blood? Someone like that is too dangerous for a place like Shady Pines. It’s unbelievable that anyone would think this is appropriate, never mind safe!”

Quincy sighed, running a hand through his hair. “The patient in question, John Murphy, is a psychiatric prisoner. He was granted an insanity plea and has been helping the authorities with some other inquiries. In return, he’s been brought to Shady Pines Retreat as a reward for his cooperation.”

Valerie’s anger only intensified. “Bureaucratic nonsense! That man is a violent killer with an IQ of 158!” she exclaimed, her voice laced with incredulity. “He’s a master manipulator who can bend people to his will. He’s ex–Special Forces, too, and managed to execute three police officers during his last killing spree with his bare hands. And you’re allowing him to stay here among vulnerable patients?”

Quincy held up a hand to placate her. “I understand your concerns, Valerie, but we will be watching Mr. Murphy very carefully. This isn’t the first time we’ve had a patient who previously was violent. He has made magnificent progress in his treatment, and it’s time for him to be trusted in a more comfortable treatment center like Shady Pines. I assure you, the safety of our patients is paramount. You needn’t worry. At the first hint of any violence, he will have violated his agreement and he will be sent back to the Culver Institute.”

Tom stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Valerie’s shoulder. “Quincy is right, Val. They’ll keep an eye on him. You need to focus on your own healing right now.”

Valerie looked at Tom, her expression a mixture of anger and frustration. She couldn’t believe the situation she found herself in. With a huff, she stormed out of Quincy’s office, her emotions boiling over.

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