Page 9 of No Escape

“Suzie, I need you to listen to me,” Valerie began, her voice trembling with emotion. “I know you’ve been told about my outburst, but there’s a reason for it. John Murphy is dangerous, and you’re in danger because of him.”

Suzie frowned, her brow furrowing as she took in her sister’s words. “Valerie, I think you’re being overly paranoid,” she said softly, trying to comfort her.

Valerie felt a sharp sting of hurt at Suzie’s dismissal. “You don’t understand,” she insisted, her voice rising in desperation. “Hedirectlythreatened you to get to me. I need you to stay in your room until I can figure out a way to get John put back into a maximum-security psychiatric hospital. Lock your door and don’t let anyone in other than staff.”

Suzie sighed, placing a comforting hand on Valerie’s shoulder. “I know what it’s like to feel this way, but the paranoia will pass, sis. You just need to continue your therapy sessions.”

Valerie’s frustration boiled over, her anger flaring at Suzie’s refusal to believe her. Before she could respond, another knock sounded at the door. Dr. Stadler entered the room, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.

“Valerie, are you okay?” she asked, her gaze assessing the tension between the sisters.

Valerie took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “John Murphy is dangerous,” she repeated, her voice firm but controlled. “I know what I’m talking about.”

Dr. Stadler nodded. “I acknowledge your expertise in dealing with violent and psychotic individuals, and I understand your concerns,” she said gently. “But the doctors at Shady Pines are best placed to determine John’s likelihood to re-offend. And we believe he is past the point of violence.”

She attempted to reassure Valerie, her tone soothing. “John is well on the path to recovery and showing real empathy for those around him. And we can try to keep both of you separate, if it’s going to cause problems for you. Perhaps scheduling visits to the common room so you don’t bump into each other.”

Valerie shook her head, adamant. “You’re being played. It’s only a matter of time before he either kills someone here or escapes to kill even more.”

Dr. Stadler and Suzie exchanged glances, and Valerie felt utterly lost as they dismissed her warnings. She couldn’t understand how they could be so blind to the danger that John Murphy posed.

As she looked out the window, she noticed the clouds gathering in the sky, the sunlight dipping behind them. “I want to go for a walk,” she said, her voice subdued.

Dr. Stadler hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll allow it, but don’t go for too long. It looks like the weather is going to hit a rough patch. We might be in for some heavy thunder and lightning.”

As Valerie stepped outside a few moments later, the heavy air pressed down on her as she tried to come to terms with the disbelief and dismissal she’d faced. The clouds above mirrored her turmoil, dark and threatening, a storm turning just below the surface. As she walked, she couldn’t help but feel that the storm inside her was just as inevitable, and just as dangerous.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The sky was a deep, bruised purple as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. Charlie gripped the steering wheel of his car, navigating the winding country roads that led to Shady Pines Psychiatric Retreat.

Beside him, Will Cooper stared out the passenger window, his eyes fixed on the encroaching darkness. Tall, shadowy trees lined the road, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal hands, clawing at the last remnants of daylight. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for the storm to break.

“This weather looks pretty bad,” Will commented, his voice barely audible over the howling wind that buffeted the car.

As if on cue, the sky opened, unleashing a torrent of rain that battered the windshield, the wipers struggling to keep up. Each droplet shattered on impact, as if the sky itself was weeping shards of glass, the relentless deluge drenching the world in its sorrow.

Charlie focused on the road, his knuckles white as he gripped the wheel. But his thoughts were on Valerie, the woman who had fought tirelessly to bring down some of the most dangerous criminals in the country. He remembered her fierce determination, her unwavering commitment to justice. And now she was in danger, and he was racing against time to reach her before it was too late.

“What do you think the chances are that she’ll be reinstated as an active agent when she completes her therapy?” Will asked, his concern evident.

Charlie sighed, his grip tightening on the wheel. “The Criminal Psychopathy Unit at Quantico has been put on ice for now,” he replied, a bitter edge to his voice. “Director Heinlein took the opportunity to shut us down with glee.”

Will nodded. “Arthur Heinlein was looking for any opportunity. Valerie’s mental breakdown made that possible.”

Their only hope, Charlie explained, was if Jackson Weller was reinstated as head of the unit. “I just hope he gets his role back when all of this investigation nonsense is over,” Charlie said.

The investigation into the unit was ongoing, and they were all waiting for the final verdict. If Jackson was back, and Valerie could prove she was stable, he might be able to argue that she was indispensable in the field.

“Do you really think things can go back to the way they were?” Will asked, more in hope than anything else.

“I don’t know,” Charlie said. “I prefer to think this is just another chapter in our story. Maybe the four of us will end up in a better place.”

Will’s eyes were distant when Charlie glanced at him, as if he were considering the possibility. “I hope that’s the case,” Will murmured, his gaze drawn once more to the fields and woodland surrounding them.

The wind had grown ferocious, sending branches whipping through the air and unsettling the shadows that lurked in the darkness. The atmosphere was charged, electric, as though the very air was alive with menace.

Sounding unnerved, Will turned to Charlie. “How long until we’re at Shady Pines Retreat?”

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