Dade pulled Chris to the side as they walked toward another door. “This is going to work, right?”
Chris nodded. “Yes. Relax. We’re not going to let anything happen to Cora.”
They caught up to the others as they went into a room. Patrick and Rhonda were waiting there with Kevin.
Rhonda turned and looked at Cora then to Dade. “Should she be here?” She whispered not knowing if there were microphones in the room.
Cora went over and hugged and whispered in her ear. “Chris has some sort of shield on me, I shouldn’t pickup anything for the next few hours.”
Rhonda pulled back a smiled. “Good to know.” She gripped Cora’s hand. “I’m so nervous.”
Patrick ran his hand up and down her back a few times. “Take it easy, he’s on the other side of very thick glass and won’t even be able to see anyone in here until they pull the blinds.”
Rhonda nodded and took a few deep breaths. “So, what have I missed?”
Owen shrugged and grinned. “Nothing too interesting, oh, wait I’m lying.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and pushed a few buttons then held it out to Patrick. “Look like anyone you know?”
Patrick and Rhonda both leaned forward and looked at the phone then turned at the same time and looked at Dade.
Dade frowned. “What?” He looked at Owen trying to put the phone back in his pocket. Reaching out he grabbed it and flipped it open. He scowled at the phone for a second then pushed a few buttons. Holding his other arm out, he stopped Owen from reaching the phone. He brought up the pictures and scrolled through a few. Then his mouth dropped and he looked first at Owen then Doc. “You took fucking pictures?”
Steven pointed at Owen. “He did.”
Owen spun and looked at him. “You asked for a camera and I provided it.”
Dade was shaking his head trying to find how to delete them when Cora leaned over and took the phone. He tried to grab it back, but the look she gave him said ‘don’t try.’
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and glared at Owen as he watched her push a few buttons. She flipped the phone closed and handed it to Owen.
“We’ll discuss that later,” she said quietly to Owen and then went and sat down.
Owen turned to see Leena standing with her hands on her hips beside Rachel in the same pose, looking back at himself and Steven. “Baby…”
“Save it.” Leena said quietly and turned to Steven. Shaking her head, she went and sat down.
Rachel glared at Steven and went to sit beside Leena.
Steven and Owen glanced at each other then back to Dade.
Dade looked at them, then went and sat with the women.
Patrick smirked. “Well, okay so, I have to wait outside while they do this.” He glanced at his watch. “Judge Wilson and both lawyers will be in here with all of you, the doctors will be in with Mr. Hill.” He glanced around at them. “At any point if it gets to be too much just walk out, I’ll be in the hallway.” He looked at Cora for a moment then to Dade, both acknowledged they understood. “Okay I’ll see you in a few. Rhonda, remember what we discussed.”
Rhonda nodded to him before he walked out. Everyone turned to look at her. She put her hand closer to her mouth. “I have instructions from the detective to move things along, if we don’t get the reaction we want.”
Cora reached over and squeezed her hand. “I doubt you’ll have to.”
Everyone turned when the door opened again. Chris turned and walked over. “Greg.” He shook the older man’s hand.
Greg looked over and smiled at Kasey. “Kassandra, lovely to see you again dear.”
Kasey came over smiling. “I hear you’re making an honest man out of this one.” He motioned to Chris and then winked. “You come to me if he gives you any trouble.”
Kasey leaned against Chris. “I think I have him under control.”
Greg laughed. “Good to hear.” He sobered and turned to the two men behind him. “Chris, I believe you know both of the fellows with me.” He looked around the room and motioned to the taller of the two men. “Mr. Walker is the public defender assigned to Mr. Hill.” He paused then motioned to the other, rounder man to his left. “And Mr. Lament works for the attorney general’s office.”
Chris still holding Kasey to him, inclined his head. “I’ll move through this quickly so we can get started. But matching faces to the names on the reports may help.” He motioned to Rhonda. “This is Miss Caruthers, she was one of Mr. Hill’s victims in June.”
Rhonda looked up at the men without standing. Her legs were shaking. Reaching over she took Cora’s hand again.
Chris motioned to Steven and Rachel briefly. “This is Doctor Steven O’Reily and his fiancé, Rachel Winters.” Steven nodded and Rachel smiled at them. The three men smile back at her.
Greg grinned at Steven. “Another lucky man.”
Steven smiled back at him. “Oh yes.”
Greg grinned. “My wife and I are looking forward to the triple wedding coming up. She’s going to cry for hours when she sees such lovely brides.” Rachel smiled at him again.
Chris smirked and motioned to Dade. “Mr. Dade Jones.” Dade nodded briskly, trying to keep an eye on Cora and Rhonda.
Greg’s eyebrows rose. “The Mr. Jones that did the work at Chris’s place?”
Dade smiled and nodded. “The same.”
Greg grinned. “You and I need to talk soon.”
Dade lifted his hands and smiled again. “Whenever you like.”
“Good.”
Chris walked over to the nervous looking Cora and placed his hands on her shoulders. To the strangers in the room, it would seem he was comforting her. But he was taking a few seconds to reinforce his suggestion. “This is Miss Coralee Avery.”
She smiled at them sweetly and tried not to smirk as they all grinned back at her.
Chris walked over and motioned to Owen and Leena. “Ms. Aileena Duncan and her fiancé. You may have heard of Owen Grey.” Greg and the public defender’s eyes both widened with the realization of who Owen was.
Greg grinned. “Mr. Hill’s stories sound like yours, Mr. Grey. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Owen smiled. “Mr. Hill writes his own fantasy, Sir.”
“Indeed.” Greg muttered.
Chris nodded towards Kevin who had sat silently through everything. “The young one over there, who I’m guessing is coming off a long shift, is the paramedic, Kevin Stanley.”
Kevin grinned a boyish smile. “Did I doze off? Just came off a double shift in the ambulance.” He sat forward.
Greg shook his head. “Just stay there and rest, your job is much more demanding than ours.” Greg looked around the room for a moment at the people he’d read reports from. “If you’re Mr. Hill’s witches, then I’m the Easter Bunny.
He nodded to the men beside him. “Shall we get this done so these nice people can get on with their lives?” The two men nodded. He turned to Chris. “Have you filled everyone in on what we’re doing?”
Chris shook his head. “We had just barely gotten here when you arrived.”
Greg motioned to the chairs. “If everyone could sit, please.” He waited until they did, then walked and leaned against the big window in front of them. “This is not a common practice, but I felt it was in the best interest of everyone to bring this to a quick resolution.” He paused for a moment. “We’re going to dim the lights in here for a short while, on the other side of the glass will be Mr. Hill and a doctor. We’re going to be able to hear them, but they will not hear us.”
He folded his hands in front of him. “When the doctors have gone through the questions the two councilors and I have given him, we’ll be turning the lights up in here so Mr. Hill can see all of us.” He searched out Steven. “Doctor O’Reily, Chris told me you filled in the others with a few details on what the doctor’s diagnosis of Mr. Hill means?”
Steven nodded. “As much as they wanted to hear.”
“Good. I feel it’s in the best interest of Mr. Hill that we find the help he needs quickly, so to avoid a lengthy jail wait and trial.” He motioned to the window again. He glanced around the room then took his seat in the back.
Steven looked at the man in the lab coat, walking in. “Question.” He said to no one in particular, but looked at the stranger walking toward the lights. “Is Mr. Hill on any medication right now?”
The man in the white jacket paused at the switches and turned to him. “He’s on a long running script for migraines, undiagnosed cause, and we’ve had him on a mild sedative since he was admitted.”
Steven pursed his lips. “Neither with delusional side effects?”
The man shook his head.
“Thank you.” Steven said briskly then sat back in his chair. He reached and held Rachel’s hand in his lap as the man dimmed the lights.
Dade watched him flip a few switches and they could hear chairs scraping through the speaker. He moved his chair closed to Cora and placed his hand on her knee to let her know he was there.
Cora gripped his hand and laced her fingers through his. He wanted to be her strength right now. Dade looked around at the others to see how they were coping Kasey didn’t seem to care where they were or who was there, she moved over to climb into Chris’s lap. She clearly needed his arms around her. Chris looked more serious than Dade had ever seen him look, but he still stroked a hand down Kasey’s back in a soothing way.
Rachel flipped her denim-covered legs over the arm of the chair beside her and into Steven’s lap. Doc had his doctor face on, but still acknowledged her by rubbing his hand up and down her leg.
Owen wrapped a big arm around the back of Leena’s chair and hugged her closer to him. Leena rested her head on his shoulder and let out a slow, faint breath.
They had their backup plan, it wasn’t discussed with everyone but if Cora showed any sign of distress Leena’s early pregnancy was going to make her suddenly very ill.
A door closing was heard through the speakers and then the blinds were opened. Dade turned his attention back to the room on the other side of the glass. A green room with a table and two chairs. The doctor that had dimmed the lights for them went and sat at the table. He opened a folder and was flipping through the pages when the door opened again.
He turned. “Mr. Hill, please come in and have a seat.”
Another man led a wary looking Charlie to the other chair. He helped him sit down.
Rhonda made a loud enough sound of distress that Dade turned to see if she was all right. Her hand flew to her mouth as she looked through the glass at the man facing them.
He didn’t need to be a brain to figure out that looking at the man that had marked her for life, the man that had stripped her and staked her hands into the ground was harder than she had thought it would be. A tear ran down her face. Dade was in front of her kneeling before anyone else could move. He gripped her hands and looked at her. “If this is too much you can leave.”
Dade looked up to see Greg standing at the back and looking down at Kevin, who was alert, all tiredness gone in case the woman needed help.
Rhonda shook her head and took a deep breath. “I’ll do this,” she said quietly.
Dade squeezed her hand and winked. “Okay, honey, we’re all here with you.” He stood up and glanced briefly at the Judge then took his seat beside Cora again.
“Mr. Hill, I’m Doctor MacDonald, do you remember me?”
Charlie looked away from the large window and at the doctor. “Yes.” He mumbled.
Dr. MacDonald smiled at him. “Good, I have a few questions I need to ask you, but first,” he looked down at the folder with pen in hand. “How are your headaches Mr. Hill?”
Charlie shrugged. “Okay, not any better but not worse, I don’t think my pills are working right though.”
The doctor wrote while nodding. “We’ll see if we can make some adjustments with it for you.”
“Thank you.” Charlie said quietly.
“Have you been resting well Mr. Hill?”
Charlie frowned at the window. “Sure.” He motioned to the window. “Is it night out?”
The doctor turned and looked at the window. “It is but that window only goes into the observation room next to this one.”
“Oh.” Charlie sat back. “Was wondering why there were no stars or anything.”
The doctor wrote for a moment then looked up at him again. “Do you have anything else you’d like me to make a note of Mr. Hill, other than your medication?”
Charlie nodded. “Yes, I’d like my ring. I know you have it, they showed it to me and asked me if it was mine.”
The doctor wrote again. “I’ll see what I can do. The ring is important to you?”
Charlie nodded briskly. “Yes, it’s from school, for honor students.”
“I see.” The doctor sat back and looked in the folder. “I also have some reports here from the lawyers and detective, I have to say Mr. Hill I’m not certain I understand everything in here. Do you mind a few questions?”
Charlie clasped his hands in his lap loosely. “No, I’d just like to get all of this cleared up so I can go home.”
“Fair enough.” He sat up with a page in his hand. “It says in here that you saw a woman writhing around on the ground half naked as others played drums around her?”
Charlie nodded. “Her name is Coralee, she was suffering, I wanted to help her.”
Cora took a sudden breath and sat closer to Dade. He pulled his hand from hers and wrapped his arm around her back. She turned back to the glass.
The doctor studied the notes again. “Okay, and there were two other women, witches, dressed with their flesh showing as they danced to these drums?”
“Yes.” Charlie said quickly.
The doctor read the sheet again. “One of these women, the black haired one slapped you to the ground without touching you?”
Charlie nodded. “Yes, I don’t know with what, felt like a big hand that covered my whole chest.”
Dade glanced at Rachel, she giggled into her hand. Steven turned and smirked at her and then Dade before looking back at the glass.
The doctor set down the one page and picked up another. “This part confused me Mr. Hill.” He paused and waited for him to look up. “You’ve stated that a lawyer, Mr. Larkin was able to take your knife away without touching it and float it in the air to the detective?”
Charlie sat forward. “He did. I would never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself. Pulled it right from my hand without being close enough to touch me.”
Chris grinned into his hand and looked at Kasey out of the corner of his eye. She was smirking as well.
The doctor shook his head and read some more. “And his, you have here, his 'whore witch' smacked you without laying a hand on you?”
Charlie nodded then grinned. “Saw them one night outside one of the cabins.”
Chris sat forward in his chair and glared at the man through the glass. Kasey stroked a calming hand down Chris arm and laced her fingers through his. He turned and searched her face, his jaw clenching, then sat back and placed his other hand over hers.
The doctor sighed. “Okay, Mr. Hill, I have read all these but I’d like for you to tell me the story yourself.” He looked down at his pen. “Can you tell me why you felt you had to hurt these women?”
Charlie sat there for a moment and looked at him, a puzzled look on his face. “I don’t…I’m not sure what you mean.”
Greg motioned to the man beside him to turn the lights on. The doctor asked that they wait until Mr. Hill answered. He watched the man pause and look at everyone to see all were watching him, then brought the lights up slowly.
Charlie froze in his chair and looked through the glass at them. “You have them.” He said quietly. He pushed his chair back and stood. “They’re all here.” His hand went up to his head and he held it like he was in pain. “I failed.” He said in a monotone voice. “They’re here, alive, I failed. They had to be cleansed for all the sins.” He looked at the doctor then back to the window.
Chris’s attention turned to Cora as she sat forward in her chair and looked at the man changing before their eyes. He no longer slumped but stood straight with his hands at his sides. The irritated look was now one of determination.
“Sluts!” Charlie hissed stepping closer to the window. “You call out these poor males.” He glanced to Chris. “It’s not your fault…you can’t help it. They’re evil.” He walked over and looked at Rhonda. “You’re so evil, killing you didn’t even stop you.” His voice was low and hollow.
Trying to stay in his seat through this, Chris turned so he could watch the others. Rhonda sat up straighter her hand gripped Cora’s and pulled her forward with her.
On the other side of Cora, sat Dade, watching her, not caring about the man on the other side of the glass. She was staring at Charlie.
Chris held his breath when Rachel swung her legs off Steven’s lap and got up and walked over to the glass. She looked at the man watching her intently.
“Dance for me witch.” Charlie hissed at her. She stopped in front of him and clasped her hands in front of her looking back at him. “Show the doctor how you dance witch, show him, call him to you with your powers.” He walked over and slapped his hand against the glass. “I can save you.” He said quietly. “It’s not too late.”
Kasey let go of Chris’s hand and walked over to the window with a tear rolling down her cheek. She took Rachel’s hand and looked at the man through the glass.
“You cry.” Charlie whispered. “You know you’re evil, are you crying for me to help you little one?” He slapped his hand against the glass in front of her. “They have my knife! When they give it back, I’ll free you. I’ll cleanse your soul.”
Greg stood up at the same time as Chris did.
“Enough. I’ve seen more than enough.” He glanced at Chris briefly. “This man needs help and he needs it now.”
Chris walked over behind Kasey and wrapped his arm around her waist, glaring at the man on the other side of the glass. Chris turned slowly and put his back to the window holding Kasey against him. He looked over at Greg with his jaw clenched.
Steven was up beside him, blocking Charlie’s view of Rachel.
The other three men got up and walked over to the window creating a very thorough shield between the women and the man on the other side, now laughing. Chris ran his hand gently down Kasey’s neck and looked over to Greg. “Are we done here?”
Greg nodded. “We are. Anything further will not require your attendance.”
Chris inclined his head. “Keep me up to date, Greg.” He started walking Kasey toward the door. Turning, he paused then motioned for her to continue. He walked over to the judge and lowered his head down and spoke very softly. “If that man’s feet ever touch the sidewalks again…”
Greg raised and hand. “I understand. Now take your lovely fiancé home, Councilor. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Chris nodded and turned to follow the others out to the hallway. He watched Cora and noticed she was shaking. Shit. He tapped Dade’s arm to get his attention. When Dade turned, he nodded to Cora. “Get her out of here. Now.”
Dade didn’t stop to ask questions, just walked over to Cora, wrapped his arm around her, and walked her quickly toward the doors they’d come through. Owen walked past him quickly and began opening the doors before they reached them. Right on their heels was Steven.
Chris and Kevin followed behind with the women between them and Steven.
By the time they reached the parking lot Cora was sweating.
Rhonda and Patrick caught up to them at Dade’s van. She looked at Chris then to Cora. “Is she all right?” She looked back to Cora who was taking deep breaths with her eyes closed leaning back in the passenger seat of the van.
Chris nodded to her quickly and watched Steven check her pulse. “The emotions coming off that sick bastard wore down the shield faster then I’d anticipated. She just needs to stay calm while it wears off completely.”
Dade was half in the van and half out as soon as Steven moved. “Cora.” He said quietly rubbing her cheek gently. “Tell me what you need, love.” He whispered against her ear softly.
Her eyes flicked open for a moment and looked at him then closed again. “Just hold me, keep me together, Dade.”
He was out of the van with her in his arms before anyone else could speak. He climbed into the back seat and looked at Chris. “You’re driving. Get us the hell out of here.”
Chris nodded and helped Kasey into the passenger seat. He turned and looked at the others. “There’s a coffee shop about twenty minutes south, a little homey looking one, we’ll meet everyone there.”
Owen nodded. “We’ll be there, just get her far away from here.” He ushered Leena toward the jeep.
“Plan to.” He closed the door behind Dade.
“You did great, love. So strong.” Dade whispered to her. He brushed the curls back from Cora’s face and kissed her cheek softly. “I couldn’t have done it, Coralee.” He smiled at her when she opened her eyes and looked at him. “I wouldn’t have been able to sit through that if I’d been you.”
Cora touched his cheek. “That’s just as well. I don’t think my hair would look very good on you.”
Dade grinned and leaned over to brush his lips over hers. “You scared me again, woman, you really have to stop doing that, I don’t want gray hair yet.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” She ran her hand over his hair and pulled lightly on the pony hanging down his back. “I think I like this.”
He lifted his head and grinned down at her. “At least you didn’t say it was pretty this time.”
“We’re not alone.” She looked up to see Chris grinning as he drove.
Dade hugged her tightly to him. “How are you feeling?” He rubbed his cheek against her hair.
She took a steady breath. “A little steadier. Are we going to get some tea or something?”
“We’ll meet up with everyone at that cute coffee house you spotted on the way here.”
She smirked. “Well at least it’s not pink.”
Dade leaned down and kissed her, because he had to.