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  She loved that they cared enough to want to make sure she was treated right, but Tom and Clayton’s over protectiveness and Brandon’s determination to find the killer was doing her head in. The three of them had drilled her for hours over the details of the case.

  When Tom admitted she’d told him a month earlier about the indecent proposal from Doctor Baker, Clayton and Brandon were angry that he hadn’t beaten the doctor into a pulp. She then spent an hour calming her brothers down and reassuring them she could look after herself. By the time they left, she was exhausted.

  With another sigh, she tucked her feet underneath her and curled up on the couch. She reached for the TV remote and flicked through the channels. She stumbled onto a police drama and when the male lead filled the screen, her heart skipped a beat.

  Tall and dark and brooding, he looked a lot like Bryce. She hadn’t heard from him since her release from the jail cell and as angry as she was at him for her mistreatment, she still missed him. Their night together had been nothing short of wonderful. He’d loved her like no other. She yearned for his touch again and was saddened to think it might never happen.

  Her phone chimed to indicate an incoming call. She leaned across and scooped it up from the coffee table. The Caller ID was blocked. She pressed the button to accept the call.

  “Chanel Munro.” There was a pause and then his familiar voice sounded rough and low over the phone.

  “Chanel, it’s Bryce.”

  She swung her legs over the side of the couch and planted them on the floor, suddenly tense and alert. Her heart pounded so loudly, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to hear him through the blood that rushed through her ears.

  “You probably don’t want to talk to me, but I wanted to call and apologize.”

  His tone was low and uncertain, as if he didn’t know how she’d react. He had every right to feel nervous. She was just as angry with him now as she had been when it happened.

  “You’re damn right I don’t want to talk to you. And why should I accept your apology? In fact, why should I listen to anything you say? You told me you believed in my innocence. Do you think if I were guilty, I’d have left the bottle there to be found? You told me the police were on their way. I had plenty of time to get rid of it. You convinced me that truth would win out on the day. Less than twelve hours later, you had me arrested on suspicion of murder.”

  “I’m not sure what else I can say. When Jett found that bottle, I…I lost my head. We’d just spent the night together—a night that was fantastic in every way. It’d been so long since I felt connected to another woman. I…I could fall in love with you, Chanel. You probably don’t want to hear it, but it’s the truth.”

  “You’re right. I don’t want to hear it. Along with anything else you have to say.” She heard him drag in a ragged breath. He blew it out slowly before continuing.

  “When it looked like you might have been involved in the murders all along, I was devastated. I reacted with anger and hurt and crushing disappointment. I didn’t think it through. I should never have arrested you, certainly not cuffed you and put you in a cell. From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.”

  His voice hitched and she felt his remorse deep inside her heart. “You treated me so badly,” she whispered, still hurting.

  “I did and I’m sorry. My behavior was inexcusable. If I could have that time to live over again, I’d do everything differently. That’s the worst part of it. I can’t change a thing.”

  A part of her remained angry, but he sounded so sad and sincere, Chanel felt herself softening. Bryce wasn’t the only one who’d been shocked at the sudden turn of events.

  Because she knew she was innocent, she hadn’t reacted to the existence of the medicine bottle, but she could understand how it might look to a police officer investigating the deaths of three women by a poison that could be kept in a little bottle like the one they’d found. On top of the anonymous tip off, she could see how it had all come to pass.

  “I’m not the killer, Bryce. I’d never seen that bottle before. Someone’s setting me up, just like you said before.” She paused and then added in a calmer tone, “Do you know any more about the person who pointed you in my direction?”

  “The caller refused to leave their details, but we know it was a male. The call came from a public phone booth out in the suburbs. That’s all we have.”

  “But you must agree, it’s suspicious. I had nothing to do with the murders, so the caller must be in on it. Whether he’s acting alone or on behalf of someone else, I guess that’s what you have to work out.”

  “How did the bottle get into your kitchen?”

  “I don’t know. I only moved in here a couple of months ago. Have you spoken to Tanya, yet? She hasn’t been home since…the night you came over.”

  “No, I’ve left messages on her phone. I’m still waiting for her to contact me. I’ll hunt her down at work if she doesn’t call me back. So, it’s been three days since you’ve seen her. Is that normal? Has she ever stayed away that long before?”

  Chanel shrugged. “Sometimes, she goes to visit her father. Occasionally, she stays overnight. She’s also been seeing someone lately. It’s possible she stayed with him.”

  “Do you know his name?”

  Chanel sucked in a breath and her heart thumped. She didn’t know how Bryce would react to hearing Tanya was dating Doctor Baker, but she guessed he’d find the news odd, at the very least.

  “She’s been seeing Doctor Baker.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “She’s being seeing Doctor Baker.”

  “I heard what you said, I’m just…surprised. I take it you’re certain of this?”

  “He’s collected her from our apartment on several occasions. She told me they’re sleeping together.”

  “Oh, hell, I don’t believe it.”

  Chanel frowned at the growing excitement in his voice. “What is it?”

  “Tanya and Leo Baker. I think that’s our connection. The bottle was found in your kitchen, a kitchen she has access to. Now you tell me she’s sleeping with your boss, a man who already has a gripe against you. All along, I’ve felt you were being set up. I let my anger screw with my head for a while, but I know where I’m headed now. It’s him. Leo Baker. It has to be. Or maybe they’re in it together?”

  Chanel shook her head, stunned at Bryce’s summation. As much as she didn’t want to believe it, the whole thing now made an awful kind of sense. Besides, there was no other way to explain how the bottle got into her kitchen.

  “Oh, my goodness, you might be right,” she breathed, her heart thumping.

  “The only other possibility is that your roommate acted alone. It’s possible your boss has nothing to do with it. We need proof, one way or the other. I need to speak to Tanya.

  It’s time she and I had a little chat.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Bryce scrolled through his contacts until he found the number for the general manager of the Sydney Harbour Hospital. Tanya Singh was still avoiding his calls. He’d tracked down her father who confirmed he’d seen his daughter that morning. He said he’d brought her coffee before she’d hurried out the door to work.

  “Good afternoon. Deborah Healy’s office. May I help you?”

  Bryce identified himself and then told the receptionist he needed to speak with her boss.

  “I’ll put you right through, Detective Sutcliffe.”

  A moment later, the phone was answered by the general manager.

  “Detective Sutcliffe, what can I do for you?”

  “I’m trying to locate Doctor Tanya Singh. I was wondering if you could tell me whether she’s rostered on today.”

  “I’ll need to check with one of the doctors. Sit tight. I’ll call you right back.”

  Less than two minutes later, his phone rang.

  “Detective Sutcliffe, it’s Deborah Healy. I’ve had someone check the roster and Doctor Singh is apparently at work today.”

  �
�Great. What time does she finish?”

  “Around seven in the evening, unless there’s an emergency. Then she’ll be here longer.”

  “Thank you, Ms Healy. I appreciate your time.”

  “What’s happening with Doctor Munro? I heard a whisper she’d been arrested. Is it true? I’m so pleased we acted when we did. When the media gets wind of this—”

  “Doctor Munro was released within hours of her arrest. No charges were laid. I would appreciate it if you made no mention of anything to do with this investigation to the press.”

  “Oh, so… She’s not the one responsible?”

  “No.”

  “Then, who is?”

  Steel determination surged through him. His eyes narrowed. “That’s what I intend to find out.”

  * * *

  Tanya peered over her shoulder and was relieved to see that the corridor that led into the ward was bare. Slipping into the staff toilet, she locked the door behind her and collapsed against the wall. Her heart pounded and her breath came fast. She felt like she’d run a marathon. The thought of running into Leo had her adrenaline pumping.

  She’d heard about the police searching the apartment in North Sydney and how Chanel had been taken away in handcuffs. Apparently, the police had found the poison in her kitchen, in a bottle Tanya had put there just over a week before.

  She couldn’t believe it was the bottle Leo had given her. Even more shocking was the growing knowledge that he must have known what it contained. He’d told her it was some kind of herbal aphrodisiac. He wanted her to keep it on the shelf in the apartment so that next time he came by, they could indulge in it together.

  At the time, the thought of having sex with him in her bed had her giddy with excitement. Until now, he’d taken her to hotel rooms. While the rooms were nice and the sheets were soft, there was something a little cheap about having sex with a married man in a hotel room. A couple of times, they’d even had sex on the back seat of his car. The first time it was exciting, but it wasn’t like they were teenagers and it was hardly comfortable. To have him in her king-sized bed sounded like heaven.

  Now, it seemed like the bottle hadn’t contained an aphrodisiac at all. Why Leo would have her put a bottle of poison in Chanel’s kitchen was beyond her. She had an awful feeling he was involved in the suspicious deaths of his patients and was trying to pass off the blame.

  From almost the beginning, he appeared to have a gripe against Chanel. If she was to be believed, it was because she’d turned him down. Although Tanya hadn’t wanted to believe it at the time, Chanel’s assertion that he’d propositioned her and was rejected rang with the truth. After all, he’d done the same thing to Tanya.

  Only, she hadn’t turned him down. She’d been flattered by the attention and he knew how to work his charm. She’d also been relieved to have the issue of struggling for high grades disappear. If sleeping with him was all it took, she was more than happy to do it.

  But murder was another thing entirely. And framing her roommate… There was no way she’d agreed to be part of that. Even as an accessory after the fact. She’d seen enough CSI and old reruns of Law and Order to know there was such a thing. By leaving the bottle of poison on the kitchen shelf, she’d put herself at risk. When the police found out she was sleeping with Leo, they’d think she’d been in on it from the start.

  Fresh panic surged through her and she trembled from the strain. The phone in her white coat vibrated against her hip and she ignored it, like she’d been doing for the past four days. The screen showed a blocked Caller ID. It could be anyone, but she had a sneaking suspicion the call was from the police.

  Chanel would have denied knowing anything about the bottle. It was natural the police would seek Tanya out. It was the only logical course of action to take. If Chanel didn’t know about it, then her roommate might.

  It was why Tanya had escaped to her father’s place for a few days. She’d lied and told him she needed the peace and quiet to study for her exams. Her father was more than pleased to see her and quietly proud of her dedication. The lie had tasted sour on her tongue, but she didn’t have a choice. She was afraid of going back to face Chanel. She was also afraid to talk to the police.

  A knock on the bathroom door gave her a start and she gasped aloud in surprise. She put a hand up to her chest in an effort to steady her heart.

  “Is anyone in there?” The impatient voice of another female sounded from outside.

  “Um, I won’t be a minute.” Tanya gulped and hurriedly flushed the toilet. Turning to the sink, she quickly splashed cool water on her face.

  She drew in a breath and eyed herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were wide, but to the casual observer, she looked almost normal. She opened the door and brushed past the staff member who waited outside. With her head down, she made her way back to the ward.

  * * *

  Filled with the disquieting knowledge that Leo Baker might be involved in a murder spree, Bryce decided to stop by and visit his grandmother before he confronted Tanya Singh. He’d driven his grandmother to the hospital two days earlier and she’d been admitted with a view to commencing her course of IV antibiotics.

  He stepped out of the elevator and made his way down the corridor. He was pleased to see an IV cannula still in her arm and a bag of fluid attached to the machine. He smiled at the sight of her in her pink cotton housecoat and matching nightdress. With her halo of soft, white hair and eyes that sparkled when she saw him, she looked a decade younger than her eighty-three years.

  “Bryce, how lovely to see you! I wasn’t expecting you until after you finished work.”

  He leaned over and kissed her on her cheek. “Hi, Grandma. I had to pay a visit to the hospital on a work-related matter, so I thought I might look in on you. How are you doing?”

  “I’m fine. It will take a few days for the antibiotics to give the ulcer a kick-along, but I don’t mind. Someone’s cooking all my meals, my bed gets made and I get to catch up on my reading.” She lifted the book she held in her hands. The cover showed the naked chest of a man in a passionate embrace with a woman who looked more than a little enamored of him. His grandmother winked. “Life doesn’t get any better.”

  Bryce smiled fondly back at her and shook his head. “There’s no doubt about you, Grandma. You’re one of a kind.”

  “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being unique.” She smiled. “How are you getting on? Did you eat something decent last night? What are you having for dinner?”

  “I’m fine, Grandma. For the first two nights, I ate the lasagne you left in the fridge and tonight I’ll start in on the meatloaf. You didn’t have to cook and freeze meals for me, Grandma. I do know how to cook.”

  “I know. I taught you, remember? And taught you well. I just thought, with you coming home from work so late, so often, the last thing you’d want to do was cook. I was just looking out for you, Grandson.”

  Bryce looked at the old woman he loved so dearly and breathed through the sudden tightness in his chest. “You’re always looking out for me, Grandma.”

  She shrugged. “I’ve been doing it for a long time. What can I say? It’s become a habit.”

  “Well, I appreciate it.” Bryce glanced at his watch. “I’m going to have to go, Grandma. There’s someone I need to see.” He leaned over and gave her wrinkled cheek a peck. “I’ll see you later on. Probably tomorrow. I’ll call you.”

  “Have a good night, Grandson and thanks for dropping by. It’s always good to see you.”

  He waved to her on his way out and took the elevator up to Level Four. Upon his arrival in the ward, he looked around, hoping to spot Doctor Singh. According to her roster, she should have been there. He approached the nurses’ station and smiled at the nurse who stood behind the counter.

  “I’m looking for Doctor Singh. I understand she’s here.”

  The nurse nodded. “Yes, I saw her coming out of Room Six only a few moments ago.”

  Bryce waved
his hand in thanks and strode in the direction she indicated, but Doctor Singh was nowhere in sight. With a sigh of impatience, he pushed open the door to a treatment room and came up short.

  He recognized her from the photo ID that was pinned to the lapel of her white coat. She looked at him and her eyes went wide with fear.

  “Doctor Tanya Singh?” he asked, more as a matter of courtesy than anything else.

  “Yes. I’m Tanya Singh. Is there something you need?”

  “I’m Detective Sutcliffe with the City of Sydney Police. I’m part of the task force investigating the recent deaths of three patients. I’m sure you’ve heard about it.”

  “Yes, of course. I was interviewed by one of your colleagues about ten days ago. Is there something else you need?”

  “Yes. I need you to come with me and answer a few more questions. Down at the station, if you don’t mind.”

  Her eyes grew rounder and she stumbled and reached out for something to lean on. She shook her head, indicating she’d prefer not, before she spoke.

  “No, no, no, Detective. We don’t need to go down to the station. Let’s just do it here. I’m at work. I can hardly just up and leave.”

  “I’ve approved it with the general manager. She has asked you to cooperate with me. Now, are you coming with me of your own accord, or do I need to pull out the handcuffs”

  His words had their desired effect. She gasped and turned white and her eyes went wild with fright.

  “Please, detective, please, no handcuffs,” she begged. “I’ll come with you, I promise. Just give me a minute to collect my things.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Bryce said, not trusting that she wouldn’t disappear. “Where have you been and why aren’t you answering your phone? I’ve been trying to get hold of you.”

  “I… I’ve been at work. I never answer my phone at work.”