The Missing Year (23 page)

Ross awoke to the sound of Mattie’s heavy breathing and the warmth of the morning sun through the window on his face. Beautiful memories filled the space, heralding a new beginning. Ross held absolutely still, watching Mattie sleep on his arm, admiring the peaceful softness of her expressionless face as he breathed in the scent of her soft hair.

His fingertips had gone numb, but he didn’t dare wake her.

When the phone rang, he didn’t have to.

Mattie startled awake and looked around the room as if she’d forgotten where she was.

Ross fumbled with the cordless phone and tingling hands, finally hitting the Talk button on the fifth ring.

“Hello?”

“Ross, it’s Guy.”

Ross would have thought the dozen plus unanswered voice mail messages said all that needed saying, but apparently subtlety wasn’t Guy’s forte.

“We have nothing to talk about, Guy. I thought I’d been clear on that,” he said. “Unless this has something to do with Joshua, in which case I will deal with the state directly.”

“That’s been taken care of.”

When Ross had left, the state investigators were digging through Lakeside like ants in an ant farm. He couldn’t help wondering what might have been said in his absence. “How so?”

“Joshua’s expected to make a full recovery,” Guy said. “I told the state you had a family emergency and Dan sent the paperwork I needed to complete your file. Everything is set, except for Lila. Ross, there’s a problem.”

“Is she all right?”

A look of concern came over Mattie’s face.

“I need to know what the two of you talked about that night at the diner,” Guy said.

Ross’s gut said something terrible had happened. He got out of bed and began pacing. “Lila didn’t hurt herself, did she? Tell me she’s all right.”

Mattie reached for him, stopping him in his tracks.

He held her hand and took a deep breath, her presence comforting.

“She’s not hurt,” Guy said. “But everything isn’t all right, either. I had no choice but to put her on seventy-two hour hold.”

Ross was all too familiar with the practice. Seventy-two hour hold was a stall tactic to hold combatant or incompetent patients until a more permanent commitment could be approved. “Why? What happened?”

“That isn’t important.”

“It absolutely is. How do you expect me to talk to you if you won’t answer a straightforward question?”

“If you’ll tell me what the two of you talked about—”

“No, Guy. Either you tell me what happened or I’m hanging up.” Ross didn’t plan on breaking Lila’s confidence regardless of what Guy told him, but he was genuinely concerned. “Why are you holding a patient at a volunteer admission facility?”

“After you left, Lila asked to leave, as well. Our release policy allows time for a final interview, which I feel is reasonable given her length of stay.”

“And convenient because you never got an answer out of her as to why she tried to kill herself.”

“I don’t think it’s safe for her to be released,” Guy said. “You said yourself she’s suicidal.”

“And I took it back. After she and I talked, I told you Lila’s not suicidal as much as she doesn’t know how to start over. How can you hold her if she was voluntarily admitted?”

“Lila’s circumstances were different. She needed additional safeguards.”

“What kind of
safeguards
? Against what?”

“Against harming herself. She was so distraught that the only thing to do was to suggest a Mental Health Agent to help her with her decision making.”

“You mean to make her decisions for her?”

“If needs be and she couldn’t make them for herself, yes.”

“And Lakeside set this up?”

“I don’t like your tone, Ross.”

“Then prove me wrong. Prove you’re not the slimeball I think you are right now.” There was no hiding Ross’s disgust. “What kind of paperwork was filed?”

“I—uh—”

“I assume there are legal issues here, Guy, or you wouldn’t be taking so long to get to your point. Did Lila sign a power of attorney granting someone control over her?”

“She did.”

“And now that she wants out of Lakeside you’ve posited that she can’t be trusted to manage her own affairs, right? That’s how you’ve kept her on hold?”

“You’re making it sound like I’ve done something wrong here. I only want what’s best for Lila, to make sure she isn’t let go of until she’s fully benefited from her therapy.”

“Which you don’t think has happened?”

“She’s not ready, Ross. After that stunt at the lake, you have to see that.”

“You’re playing the metal health crisis card, aren’t you?” If Guy claimed Lila was in a state of crisis, the Mental Health Agent would be the one to make decisions about her care, including her release from Lakeside. “Who holds the power of attorney, Guy?”

“Ross, please. I know she talked to you that night at the diner. I need to know what she said.”

“Not until you tell me who holds the power of attorney? Who, besides you, wants to stop Lila from leaving Lakeside?”

Silence held the line.

“It’s Ruth Wheeler, isn’t it?”

“It’s important that Lila stays here until she’s better.”

“I don’t believe for one minute you’re concerned about what’s best for Lila. I have to go. I told you before and I’ll say it again, if you want to know what Lila told me, you need to ask her. Take care, Guy.”

“Ross, wait.”

Ross hung up the phone and muttered, “Good luck.”

“What’s wrong? What happened?” Mattie said.

Without him, Lila had no advocate.

“I’m sorry, Mattie. I really am, but I have to go back to New York.”

“Why? What happened? Who
was
that?”

“That was Dr. Oliver from Lakeside. Remember the patient I went there to treat?”

“Yeah.”

“I think she’s in trouble.”

Ross booked two seats on a direct New York-bound plane for first thing the following morning. He was sick of the back and forth, of living out of a suitcase, but he couldn’t live with himself if something terrible happened to Lila. Ross verified that Mattie was fit to travel and after gathering a suitcase of her things from her apartment, the two of them boarded a five AM flight. Other than Mattie moving a tad more slowly than Ross was used to, she seemed fine, and had insisted on going back with him.

For that, he was grateful.

His leaving so soon after their reunion seemed a kiss of death otherwise.

He rented a car out of Albany and made the two and a half hour drive north to Lake Placid, securing a luxury suite that was Peak View’s polar opposite.

Mattie went immediately into the soaking tub.

Ross tried to work out a plan that didn’t involve strong-arming the one person at Lakeside that had been an ally.

Several unanswered calls to Mark’s cell phone had him certain there was no other way.

He would have to be creative if he was going to get to Lila, and he couldn’t do it alone.

“Knock, knock.” Camille entered the two-floor luxury loft decorated in modern Adirondack. She wore dark wash jeans and a royal purple sweater, looking every bit as polished as Ross had become accustomed to.

“Camille, come in,” he said, though she took the unlocked door as the open invitation he meant it to be.

She crossed the room and pulled Ross into a warm embrace. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

“That makes two of us,” he said. “Thanks for coming.”

“How was your flight?”

“Long.”

Mattie came out of the bathroom wearing the hotel-issued white robe and her hair in a high ponytail. “That tub is heaven.”

“Feeling better?” Ross said.

“Much.”

“I can’t believe you travelled so soon. How is everything?” Camille said, a little too emphatically. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“I’m good,” Mattie said. “Thank you for asking.” She hadn’t warmed up to Camille completely, but Ross could see she was trying.

He poured himself an afternoon cup of coffee, his schedule off from the hurried morning commute and said, “Anyone else want a cup?”

“I’ll take one.” Mattie settled into a hunter green chaise lounge, facing a wall of windows and a breathtaking mountain view. She leaned to the side, resting her head on her hand.

Ross hadn’t slept more than a couple hours the previous night, hence Mattie couldn’t sleep, either. The two of them laid in bed and talked until the sun came up, which would have been romantic, if they hadn’t been plotting.

Much like Lila had needed to unburden herself, to have her actions validated by someone who understood, Ross needed Mattie to understand what he was into and why he was so insistent on seeing Lila’s case through. After hearing the whole story, Mattie, too, had taken Lila’s side. She offered to do what she could to help, formulating a plan with him to get Lila released from Lakeside.

Camille, they decided, if Mark wouldn’t call back, would be their best solution.

“You know, I thought my acting days were over with you, Ross.” Camille took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and flopped down on the couch.

“And they would’ve been, if Mattie had your expertise.”

“There’s no
way
I could do it,” Mattie said.

“What
it
am I doing?” Camille asked.

“I’ve been trying to get in touch with someone at Lakeside. An orderly named Mark is ducking my calls.”

“Does this have to do with that patient again?”

Mattie turned to Ross. “I thought you said no one knew about Lila?”

“No one
does
know,” Camille said. “Your sweetie, here, has told me enough to keep me in various roles to serve some mysterious greater end. Now, I guess I’m playing courier?” She arched one eyebrow.

“I heard you made a killer Adele Clements.” Mattie smirked.

“Now who’s telling secrets?” Camille rolled her eyes at Ross. “What am I couriering?”

“Is that even a word, couriering?” Ross held out an envelope containing a brief note intended to persuade Mark to meet him. “Take this to Lakeside. Mark should be leaving about four. Give him the envelope and tell him to meet me.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it,” Ross said. “I’d do it myself, but—”

“They know what you look like. How will I know which one is Mark?”

“Young, six-three, slicked black hair. Trust me, he stands out.”

“And what exactly is in here?” Camille held up the envelope.

“Why?”

“If I’m delivering something, I want to know what it is.”

“A note, that’s it.”

“Blackmail?”

“It’s not
blackmail
,” Ross said. “Not exactly.”

“Then what makes you think this Mark will meet you?” Camille said.

“He really doesn’t have a choice.”

Ross smiled when he walked into the Downtowner and found the hostess podium plastered with photographs of a cherubic newborn girl. Morgan had given birth to a beautiful daughter, weighing in at seven pounds four ounces, according to the banner.

Glen Miller’s “In the Mood” played on the jukebox and unlike other times when Ross had been there, most of the booths were empty.

“Table for one?” A rotund woman with a pleasant face, brown hair, and heavy gray roots greeted him.

“For two, please. I’m meeting a friend.”

“You were here a week or so ago, weren’t you?” The vaguely familiar woman recognized him. “My daughter Morgan waited on you.”

No sooner had she said it, than Mark appeared behind him. “Dr. Reeves?”

“Doctor.” Morgan’s mother grinned. “That explains the tip. Table in the back?”

Ross nodded. “Please, and we’ll need a few minutes to talk if that’s okay.”

“No problem.” The woman led them to a secluded table where he and Mark sat across from each other, staring.

“Thanks for coming,” Ross said.

“I don’t see that I had a choice. I don’t want any trouble.”

“I don’t want trouble, either, but I don’t like the position I’m in—the position Guy put me in. What is he up to? Why is he holding Lila hostage?”

“I don’t know anything about that.”

“I don’t believe you. If you didn’t know something, you’d be fired right now. There’s no way after the incident in the community room Guy didn’t at least suspect you of leaving that screwdriver out.”

“He didn’t.”

“Really? None of the maintenance guys talked?” It seemed unlikely given the potential consequences.

“Not that I know of. Besides, it was an accident.”

“Then why didn’t you fess up?”

“Why would I? And risk my job? You were the one who told me to keep my mouth shut. Besides, Joshua’s family dropped the investigation.”

“You don’t think they’d reopen it if they had someone to blame?”

“I’ve done nothing but try to help you, Dr. Reeves.”

“Then what changed? Why wouldn’t you answer my calls?”

Mark didn’t answer the question. “What do you want?”

“I want to help Lila. I know Ruth Wheeler has power of attorney and that Guy’s using the crisis card to keep Lila on seventy-two hour hold. What I don’t know is Ruth’s endgame.”

“What if I tell you I have no idea?”

“A week ago, I’d have believed you.”

“What changed?”

“Guy pulling this stunt with Lila. I don’t trust anyone from Lakeside right now, Mark. I’m sorry, but that’s you included. What is it going to take to get her released?”

Mark refused to talk.

Ross called up a number programmed in his cell phone’s memory and showed him the entry labeled “Hammond Family.”

“What are you going to do with that?”

Ross shook his head. “You’re not making this easy. Joshua’s family is well-connected. The state will be all over Lakeside again and by the time their investigation is done, that psychology degree you’re working on will be useless. No one will hire you. I’m only asking you to do the right thing. Guy and Ruth are setting Lila up. For what and why? I need to know everything.”

“Fine.”

“Fine, what?”

“I’ll tell you what I know, but it isn’t going to do you any good. Dr. Oliver isn’t going to let you anywhere near Lakeside or Lila.”

“Yet I managed to get you a note. What do you know?”

“Ruth believes Lila forged Blake Wheeler’s advance directive.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Ross did his best to look convincing.

“Is it?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Even I’m suspicious.”

Ross refused to be manipulated. If Mark was lying to extort information, Ross wasn’t playing.

“Lila’s no saint, Dr. Reeves. Whatever happened with her husband, her mother-in-law is bent on seeing her hang for it.”

“I told Blake’s mother the truth. She should have been satisfied with that.” Ross was sure once Ruth knew Blake was sick she’d have backed off. It seemed now she had only gotten angrier.

“You told her a
version
of the truth. Dr. Oliver said Blake had Huntington’s, yes?”

Ross nodded.

“Ruth considers that motive. After what happened with her husband, she thinks Lila pulled the plug on Blake to avoid having to take care of him. She sees the whole thing as a way for Lila to cash in on the life insurance.”

“The Wheelers had plenty of money.”

“Maybe so, but terminal illness eats up its fair share. Long-term care is expensive.”

“Lila would have gladly spent the money.”

“It doesn’t matter. If Lila
did
forge her husband’s signature to have him removed from life support, she’s going to look guilty. First degree forgery means jail time, at least one year, but that’s not the half of it. Ruth’s out for blood.”

“What do you mean?”

“She intends to take control of Blake’s estate and dismantle Lila’s life. All she needs is a confession and Guy has every reason to get her one. Either Lila confesses, or the center closes.”

“You knew about that?” Ross thought he was the only other person who knew about Lakeside’s financial trouble.

“I didn’t, until yesterday. I overheard an argument between Dr. Oliver and Ruth. I threatened to tell Lila she had been at the center and Guy told me everything. Ruth agreed to help Lakeside out of its financial hole, as long as she gets what she wants.”

“Revenge. This whole thing is a damn vengeance plot.”

“Hell hath no fury, right? Dr. Oliver
needs
the money, Ross. If you want to see Lila released, there’s only one way. Tell Guy what you know.”

“And what, see Lila dragged off in handcuffs?”

“It’s going to happen either way if she’s guilty. Guy plans on working every angle to get her to talk. He’ll convince her that telling the truth is the only way she’ll get released. He’ll reassure her with doctor patient confidentiality talk and she’ll believe him because she wants to, and because she wants out of Lakeside.”

“She doesn’t trust Guy.”

“And she shouldn’t, but she’s more anxious than ever to get home now that she knows her house is on the market.”

Ross was sorry he had told her.

“Lila knows if she doesn’t get out from under this seventy-two hour hold, her home is as good as gone. Lila has two choices: involuntary commitment or do whatever it takes to get released. Ruth and Guy have set it up so it’s a snare either way. If Lila talks and she’s guilty, she’s arrested. If she doesn’t, Ruth and Guy will use everything they have, including that stunt at the lake, to prove Lila needs a more permanent commitment.”

“Lakeside’s voluntary.”

“I’m not talking about Lakeside, Dr. Reeves. I’m talking the deepest, darkest hole they can put her in. They’ll bury Lila in an institution. Ruth will take everything from her. It’s a no-win situation.”

“How much longer do I have?”

“To what?”

“To talk to Lila.”

“Depends.”

“On what?”

“On whether or not she confesses.”

“I need to see her before that has a chance to happen.”