Page 49 of Deception

Clayton took notes, and when she finished, he said, “I don’t understand why she got involved in an organization that’s working to stop human trafficking after what happened before. And I certainly don’t see the US Marshals going along with it.”

“I hope she’s up to telling us.”

“Areyouup to hearing it?”

“Absolutely.” Madison found the US Marshal standing guard at her grandfather’s room and asked him to notify her if there was any change, then she followed Clayton to the nurses’ station, where he asked Rebecca if they could go into her room.

The charge nurse put down her pen. “She indicated if Clayton returned, she’d like to speak to him.”

“How about me?” Madison asked.

“Maybe I better go in with him, and the two of us can lay the groundwork for you to talk to her.”

Madison agreed. As much as she wanted to question Lindsey/Dani or whatever her name was, she didn’t want her to be so shocked that she had a heart attack.

27

Clayton followed Rebecca into the ICU room. Lindsey, or Dani, whichever her name was, lay in the bed with her eyes closed.

“Hello, sweetie,” Rebecca said. “You want me to raise the head of your bed?”

“Please,” she whispered. As Rebecca elevated her head, Madison’s lookalike opened her eyes and turned toward him, frowning when their gazes locked.

“You were here earlier,” she said.

He had to step closer to hear her. “Yes. You told me your name was Lindsey Tremont.”

“So that’s where...” She coughed, and then sucked air from the cannula. “Mistake ... shouldn’t have said that.”

“May I move a chair closer to your bed so we can talk without stressing you?”

“Sure.”

She searched his face as if trying to place him, then her eyes widened. “You bought our dinner. Thank you.”

“Glad to do it.” He didn’t tell her he’d thought she was Madison. Clayton slid a white plastic chair beside her bed. “Lindsey Tremont ... thatisyour name?”

“Lindsey Tremont died.”

He scooted closer to avoid missing her breathy words. “And Dani Parker was born?”

She nodded and closed her eyes. He wasn’t certain she’d fallen asleep until her breathing became even. Clayton let her sleep.

Now that the vent was out, he could see that the resemblance to Madison was even stronger.

Rebecca’s rubber-soled shoes squeaked as she came to stand by him. “She may sleep a while,” she said softly. “Would you like me to let you know when she’s alert again?”

Before he could respond, Lindsey said, “Not asleep ... just resting my eyes. Bri ... she okay?”

“I don’t know. We haven’t found her. Was she the person who shot you?”

“No. She wouldn’t do that.”

“Did you see your assailant?”

“Afraid not.” She fell silent again.

He didn’t want to exhaust her, so he stood up to go. “Tell her I’ll be back.”

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