The Maker Read online

  “What about earlier? Your roommate says she hasn’t seen you for days. Where have you been?”

  “I…I went to my father’s. I do that sometimes. He… He lives on his own. He misses me.”

  “So he told me,” Bryce replied, his voice dry.

  What little color left in Tanya’s cheeks disappeared. “You spoke to my father?” she gasped.

  “As I said, I’ve been trying to get hold of you.”

  A short time later, he showed Tanya to his unmarked police car and opened the back door. She climbed in and reached for the seatbelt with an unsteady hand.

  Good. He wanted her scared. She might actually tell the truth if he frightened her enough about what could happen to her if she lied.

  He maneuvered his way through the afternoon traffic and pulled up outside the station. Helping her from the car, he led her into the building and up the stairs to the squad room that housed the detectives. He showed her into a vacant interview room. Not bothering with niceties, he got straight to the point.

  “Why did you leave a medicine bottle in Chanel Munro’s kitchen?”

  Tanya wrung her hands together and stared at her lap. Her bottom lip wobbled, but she refused to speak. Bryce’s temper ratcheted up a notch.

  “Tanya, hindering a police investigation is a criminal offense and so is being an accessory after the fact. We’re talking about a triple murder. You could be looking at some serious time. Now, are you going to cooperate, or should I just charge you now?”

  If it were possible, the woman turned even paler. Bryce felt a surge of satisfaction. He was being a little heavy-handed, but it was necessary. He was sure the key to finding the killer lay in discovering the identity of the person behind the medicine bottle and Tanya, who’d been seeing Doctor Baker, knew a hell of a lot more than she was saying. Which right now, was zilch.

  Bryce’s anger stirred. Pushing away from the table, he strode to the door and opened it, intent on carrying out his threat. Tanya’s head snapped up and her eyes went wide with fright.

  “Okay, okay. I’ll tell you what I know. Please, Detective, sit down.”

  Bryce turned and made his way back to the table. He picked up the remote control that operated the video camera mounted on the wall.

  “I’m going to electronically record this interview. Are you agreeable to that?”

  She gave a jerky nod. Tears glittered in her dark brown eyes and Bryce felt a twinge of guilt. It disappeared the moment she opened her mouth.

  “I got the bottle from Doctor Leo Baker. He asked me to leave it on the shelf in Chanel’s kitchen.”

  Bryce’s gaze narrowed. “Did he specifically mention Chanel?”

  “No, but he knew we shared an apartment.”

  “Did he tell you what was in it?”

  She lowered her gaze and her cheeks flushed pink. “He told me it was some kind of herbal aphrodisiac.”

  Bryce decided to play dumb. It wasn’t necessary to make Tanya aware her roommate had revealed her dirty little secret.

  “An aphrodisiac? Did I hear you right?”

  Tanya’s cheeks turned crimson. She nodded and buried her face in her hands.

  “Are you saying you and Doctor Baker are lovers?”

  Her voice was muffled through her fingers. “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry, Doctor Singh, I need you to speak clearly. Are you and Doctor Leo Baker lovers?”

  She lifted her head and stared at him, tears flowing down her cheeks. “Yes.”

  “For how long?”

  “I don’t know. A month, I guess.”

  “Who initiated it?”

  “He did.”

  “How?”

  She proceeded to relate a story that sounded strangely similar to the one Chanel had related.

  “Did Doctor Baker coerce you in any way?”

  She shook her head. “No, apart from offering me a free pass through his residency program. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

  “Did he give you a choice?”

  “Yes, of course, but to tell you the truth, I was flattered he’d asked. He might have a few years on me, but he’s still a very attractive man. Gaining good grades was an added bonus.”

  “Do you know anything about the deaths of three of his patients?”

  “No, only what I’ve heard around the hospital.”

  Did you ever talk about it with Doctor Baker?”

  “No.”

  “When did he give you the medicine bottle?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. A little over a week ago. It wasn’t that long before you found it.”

  “Have you talked to him about it since?”

  “No, I’ve been too scared to talk to him. What if it does contain the poison? I don’t know what I’ll do!”

  Bryce’s phone rang and he checked the Caller ID. It was Samantha Wolfe from the morgue. Hoping she had news of the lab results, he paused the recording and took the call.

  “Doctor Wolfe, how can I help you?”

  “Detective Sutcliffe, I have those results back from the lab. The powder in the medicine bottle contains a very high strength ricin.”

  Even though he guessed it would turn out that way, Bryce took no satisfaction from having his suspicions confirmed. Doctor Baker had given a bottle containing ricin to his infatuated student and made sure it was found in Chanel Munro’s kitchen. Bryce was sure the good doctor was the anonymous tipster. Nothing else made sense.

  After thanking Samantha for her time, he ended the call and immediately made another.

  “Boss, I’m sorry to call you at home. I was told you’re not well, but I’m in the middle of an interview with a witness in relation to the hospital murders. She’s told me it was Doctor Leo Baker who gave her the medicine bottle we found in Chanel Munro’s apartment. I need to get a voice analysis of the male person who called in with the anonymous tip. I’m betting it’s him.”

  Bryce answered the questions posed by Holt and when his boss approved Bryce’s request, he breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Thanks, boss. I’ll keep you informed. I hope you’re feeling better soon.” He ended the call and turned back to Tanya, who remained drawn and pale in her seat.

  “The bottle you left in Chanel’s apartment contained the poison ricin. It’s the same poison that was used to kill three patients under Doctor Baker’s care. If you had any knowledge about what he was doing or if you participated in any way, I will bury you so deep inside the bowels of a correctional facility, you’ll never see the light of day.”

  Her expression turned frantic with fear. “No, please, Detective. You have to believe me. I knew nothing about the women who died, I swear. My only involvement with Doctor Baker began when I was stupid enough to start a relationship with him. I was sleeping with him. I…I thought I was in love with him. Now, I realize I’ve been used. I was nothing more than a pawn to assist him in his vendetta against Chanel.”

  Bryce nodded grimly. I’m afraid you’re right, Doctor Singh, but lucky for you, there’s no crime for being stupid or for making poor choices. I believe you when you say you had nothing to do with the deaths, but you don’t get to walk away scot-free. I need you to help me.”

  Tanya nodded with an eagerness that would have been comical if the whole situation weren’t so serious.

  “Of course, Detective. I’ll do whatever you want. Does this mean I’m not going to be charged? I won’t have to tell my father?”

  “What you tell your father is your business, Doctor Singh. I can’t help you there. But no, you won’t be charged provided you cooperate with our investigation. You’re going to help me get the evidence I need against Doctor Baker.”

  “What must I do?”

  “I’m going to get approval for you to wear a wire. Then you’re going to meet with Doctor Baker and do your best to get him to talk about the medicine bottle. You’re going to tell him about Chanel’s arrest and that the police suspect the bottle contains the poison that was used on her patients. You sha
re an apartment. It’s not too much of a stretch for him to believe you’d be privy to information not necessarily in the public domain.”

  Tanya looked fearful. “What if he guesses there are people listening? What if I can’t get him to talk?”

  Bryce smiled without humor. “You’re a smart woman. You’ll think of something. Right now, I need to check on my grandmother.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Chanel watched the final segment on the six o’clock news and then switched off the television. She was relieved there’d been no mention of Bryce’s investigation. Although it meant the killer was still on the loose, she was relieved her name hadn’t come to the attention of the media. It was bad enough that her brothers had called her parents, her sister and her other two brothers and told them of recent events. For the past few hours, she’d done nothing but field concerned phone calls from members of her family.

  Not that she could blame them. They were a close family. If it had happened to one of her siblings, she’d have reacted just the same. ‘All for one and one for all’ was the unofficial motto of the Munro family. They looked out for one another and were there for each other when the occasion demanded. She loved that they cared so much, but would be happy when they backed off a little and went back to their normal lives.

  The phone rang again for the umpteenth time. She bit back a sigh and reached for it where she’d tossed it on the coffee table. It was probably her sister again. Josie was about to undergo another round of IVF treatment and was on edge about everything. Chanel’s arrest was her sister’s latest worry project.

  Checking the Caller ID, she frowned. The number was blocked. She thought about ignoring it, but then answered the call.

  “Hello?”

  “Chanel, it’s Bryce.”

  Her heart skipped a beat and then took off at a wild gallop. Just the sound of his voice was enough to send blood rushing through her veins. Despite everything, she wanted to see him again.

  “Bryce, how are you?”

  “I’m fine. I’m still at work. I wanted to bring you up to date on the investigation.”

  “I just watched the news on TV. There was no mention of it. I take it there haven’t been any new developments.”

  “Well, actually, there are. I found Tanya. We had a chat. She admitted to planting the medicine bottle in your apartment, although the way she tells it, she was unaware of its contents. The lab confirmed it contained ricin.”

  Surprise surged through her, even though a part of her resisted the fact the bottle found in her home was linked to the deaths and had been placed there by her friend. Bryce’s original assertion that someone was trying to set her up for murder seemed more and more on the mark.

  “Where did she get it from? I don’t believe Tanya’s capable of murder.”

  “No one knows what they’re capable of until they’re put in the situation, believe me… But I agree, I don’t think she’s the mastermind behind this.”

  “Then who?”

  There was a pause and then Bryce said, “She told me she got it from Doctor Baker. According to Tanya, he led her to believe it contained some kind of herbal aphrodisiac.”

  Chanel digested his words and then winced. She didn’t want to imagine her roommate and Doctor Baker getting down and dirty. The very thought was repulsive.

  “Have you arrested him?”

  “We only have Tanya’s word he gave her the poison. You can bet your last dollar he’ll deny knowing anything about it. Right now, it’s her word against his. We need more. I’m waiting for fingerprint analysis on the bottle. You never know, we might get lucky with one of his prints.”

  “Surely, he wouldn’t be so stupid. He’s a very clever man.”

  “Not clever enough. He chose an assistant who didn’t know how to keep her mouth shut, especially when put under pressure.”

  “What did you threaten her with?”

  “It doesn’t matter. The fact is, we got results. You should be thankful you’re well and truly off the hook.”

  His words stung. “I thought you said earlier you believed me?”

  “I’m sorry, that came out wrong. I do believe you, but it doesn’t hurt to have irrefutable evidence of someone else’s involvement. We’re also looking into the identity of the anonymous tipster.”

  She mulled over his apology and decided he was being sincere. He was a cop. He couldn’t help thinking like one. It was all about evidence and proof. She’d lived with a family of police officers. She knew how it was.

  His voice pitched lower. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m on the couch. I was watching the news, remember? I was relieved when there wasn’t any mention of your investigation.”

  “Yeah, we’re keeping this under wraps until we have more proof. I’m confident we’ll have something more definite soon.”

  “Good. The possibility that Doctor Baker might be the one indiscriminately killing his patients is beyond belief.”

  “I’m hearing you. He’s my grandmother’s physician. He admitted her a couple of days ago for treatment of her ulcer. She’s a diabetic.”

  Chanel digested his words and did her best to contain her disquiet. “Doctor Baker’s an outstanding physician. One of the best we have. It’s why I’m finding it so hard to reconcile him with a cold-hearted killer. Not that we have any solid proof. At least, not yet. I’m… I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

  Her reassurances were met with silence. Finally, he answered. “Yeah, of course she’ll be fine. She has a lifetime of confidence in him and he’s never treated her in an untoward way. Like you said, we don’t even know if it’s him. Tanya’s hardly an impartial witness. Besides, I phoned my grandmother right before I called you. She said she was fine.”

  “Good.”

  There was another pause, this one a little more awkward. Bryce broke it by asking, “So, have you eaten yet?”

  “No. Have you?”

  “Nope. I was just finishing up a report. I have my grandmother’s meatloaf defrosting on the kitchen counter, but I have a hankering for pizza.”

  Chanel’s stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since lunchtime. She loved pizza.

  As if he read her mind, he added, “We could share one, if you like.”

  “I’m…um… I’m not exactly dressed for going out. I’m in my pajamas. I had an early shower, washed my hair. You know, that kind of thing. I didn’t have anything better to do.”

  “I could get takeaway and come over.”

  His words sent a wave of excitement rushing through her. She drew in a breath and eased it out and did her best to get some control over her frantic heart rate. It had taken off the moment he mentioned coming over. They both knew if he did, it would lead to far more than sharing pizza.

  She drew in a deep breath and then jumped off the cliff. “Pizza’s just about my favorite thing to eat. Do I get to help you choose the toppings?”

  She heard him let out his breath on the other end of the phone in a soft sigh, as if he’d been holding it.

  “Of course. Whatever you like.”

  “Thin and crispy super supreme, hold the olives and anchovies, double the cheese.”

  “That’s it?” he said dryly.

  “Yep, that’s it.”

  “Just as well I like supreme. I’ll be there in forty minutes.”

  * * *

  While Bryce waited for the pizza, he sent a quick text to his grandmother. His need to stay in contact with her might appear like paranoia, but with all that had gone on with her treating physician, he wanted to be sure she was all right.

  Much to his relief, she texted him back straight away and assured him once again that she was fine and resting comfortably. Doctor Baker had stopped by earlier and was pleased with her progress. He even thought she might be able to return home in the next day or so.

  Bryce thought again of the questions surrounding his grandmother’s doctor, but forced himself to let it go. What was he going to do? Charge into
the ward and demand that she be discharged?

  She was resting comfortably. She’d told him so. In a day or two, she’d be home and he could forget all about his unease. Besides, Baker was an excellent physician, one of the best, Chanel had said. If she had any concerns about him treating Bryce’s grandmother, he was sure she’d have voiced them.

  At the thought of Chanel, his gut twisted into a knot of excitement. There was no doubt in his mind he’d end the night in her bed and the knowledge had the blood pumping through his veins.

  Ever since their first night together, he’d yearned to be with her again. She’d made him feel alive for the first time in too many years to remember. Now that he’d finally laid his wife to rest, he was in a better state of mind to contemplate the future.

  He’d never dreamed he might find love again, but ever since he’d been with Chanel, the possibility seemed very real. She couldn’t be more different from Angela, in every single way, yet he was still drawn to her. When he thought of the two of them together, he was filled with hope.

  “Thin and crispy super supreme, no olives or anchovies, extra cheese,” the man behind the counter shouted.

  Bryce stepped forward. “That’s me.” Handing over a few bills, he collected the pizza and headed back to his car.

  Less than ten minutes later, he parked outside Chanel’s apartment complex and jogged up the steps, the pizza box in his hand. With his free hand, he knocked on the door and waited for her to open it. He wondered if she’d changed out of her pajamas and hoped she hadn’t. He was curious about her sleepwear. The image of a short, sexy black nightie skimming slim, tanned thighs crowded his mind.

  And then she was there, on the other side of the open door, smiling and looking a little nervous. She wore a faded cotton T-shirt and long, striped pajama pants that should have looked anything but sexy, but on her… He winked at her.

  “I come with pizza.”

  “Mm, it smells good. Come in and let’s eat. I’m starving.”

  His gaze roved over her and he paused to take in the way her T-shirt moulded to her breasts. It was obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her choice of sleepwear suddenly rose in his estimation. It wasn’t the only thing on the rise.