Page 69 of The Drowned Woman
McKinley and Harper left first while Leah remained to do a bit of crisis intervention with Risa; even though the journalist denied any need of counseling—said it was no different than reporting from a war zone, and she was merely an objective observer—Leah knew firsthand the cost of walling off emotions. Together they ran through a series of breathing and relaxation techniques.
“It’s been a long few days,” Leah said as she escorted Risa from the CIC back into the main ER where Jack was waiting. “First, Trudy, then learning about Dom—are you sure there’s nothing else I can do for you?”
“Help the cops find the bastard and we’ll be happy,” Jack answered, taking Risa’s arm in his.
“Thanks, Leah. This has been a real help,” Risa said, giving Jack a “behave yourself” look as they left.
Leah returned to her office to finish her charting and saw that the preliminary results of Risa’s tox screen were back. Because of Risa’s amnesia and lost time, Leah had ordered a complete tox panel on Risa’s blood, urine, and hair.
This initial rapid assay focused mainly on drugs of abuse. Leah was surprised to see that there was a positive finding: gamma hydroxybutyrate or GHB. Known for its use as a club drug, in addition to its other effects, it caused sedation and short-term amnesia.
Given GHB’s short half-life, the fact that it was still in Risa’s system meant she’d been dosed within the last twenty-four hours. Dom had supposedly left Risa’s after dinner—unless he hadn’t? Maybe Jack’s confusion about when Risa’s symptoms from the nicotine ingestion began was because he’d also been sedated? Maybe Dom had returned—or had never left—and then to cover his tracks gave Risa the nicotine this morning before he made his escape?
Then she thought of something else. GHB was known as a date rape drug. Could Dom have sexually assaulted Risa last night and no one, not even Risa, knew? Dom was obsessed with Risa, that much was clear by simple observation.
She called Risa. No answer. Right, the police had taken Risa’s phone. Next, she tried Jack. “What do you need, Leah?”
“Are you guys still in the hospital?”
“We just finished all the paperwork and are halfway to our car.”
“Which floor of the garage are you parked at?”
“The roof. Why?”
“Wait for me. I’m on my way.” Leah grabbed her bag and coat and headed out to the parking garage.
Jack was waiting for her at the elevator bank on the roof. The sun had been obscured by thick clouds and it looked like the rain would soon be returning. Risa was nowhere in sight. There were only a handful of cars up here, including Jack’s paneled van with the Keystone logo.
“Look, Risa’s exhausted,” Jack started before Leah could say anything. “I know she puts on a brave face for you and the cops, but as soon as we left the ER, she pretty much collapsed.” His tone turned pleading. “Please, I beg you. You can’t keep asking her to go through this.”
“I have her preliminary results,” Leah told him.
“Give them to me, then.”
“You know I can’t do that—confidentiality.”
“Then it will have to wait until tomorrow. I’ll have her call you.” He turned to leave, when Leah stopped him.
“Jack, I can’t tell you what Risa’s results are, but it would be a huge help if I could test you as well.”
He spun back, surprised. “Me? What for? What kind of test? I’m fine, there’s nothing wrong with me.”
“It’s a simple tox screen.”
“Tox screen. You mean a drug screen.” His gaze narrowed and he positioned himself with his back to the van, also blocking anyone in the van from seeing Leah. “If you want to test me, there must be a specific drug you’re looking for. What is it, Leah? What do you want to test me for? I have a right to know.”
“Gamma hydroxybutyrate.” He might draw his own conclusions about Risa, but he was right, he needed to know what she was testing him for.
“Gamma—that’s GHB, a date rape drug.” He glanced over his shoulder toward the van. “Risa—” He shook his head vigorously, then his shoulders slumped as the full implications hit him. “That bastard—” He seemed close to tears, a low moaning coming from deep in his throat. He turned away, his arms wrapped around his chest beneath his jacket. “It’s all my fault. I couldn’t protect her.”
Leah placed a hand on his shoulder from behind. He turned and leaned into her as if unable to support his own weight. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I hope I’m wrong.”
“So do I.” He straightened, sniffed. “Guess we’d better go talk to Risa, decide what to do next.”
Together they walked around the other cars, heading toward the van. Suddenly Jack stopped, twisting as if he’d heard or seen something. “Leah, look out!”
Before she could turn to face the threat, pain exploded throughout her body.
