Rescuing Ryder (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk #1)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Claire ran to her office for her clipboard. Tonight she planned the family dinner, an exhausting but worthwhile event. As she approached her desk, searching for her list of graduates this month, she noticed a box sitting on the edge of her desk.

Sitting at her desk, she removed her scissors from the drawer and cut through the tape, wondering who sent her something. A note fell to the floor and a horrible smell came from the box. Setting it farther from her, she bent to pick up the paper. Her name scrawled across the folded sheet, and she opened it. Claire swallowed as she read the words on the paper and clutched her stomach in fear. Shakily setting the letter on the desk, she used the end of the scissors and peered inside. A dead animal lay zipped in baggies. The poor thing’s eyes stared at Claire, accusing her as if it was her fault for its demise. She closed her eyes and took a few calming breaths. If the person she thought was responsible for the package gained release, she’d receive a notification.

David Kilner murdered his wife and her mother. He stored them in his refrigerator. They only found half their bodies and he admitted to eating the evidence.

An involuntary shiver went through her as she recalled sitting in court and testifying about David Kilner’s mental state. When she gave her expert opinion, his eyes promised retribution. His attorneys pushed for a temporary insanity plea. Dr. Klein, Claire’s mentor, pointed out that the man’s insanity remained far longer than a heated argument. David Kilner knew what he did and planned it to the last detail. In the end, he got away with murder. Sentenced to twenty years in the Seattle Mental Health Institute, he served five years when his attorney requested parole.

Mr. Kilner claimed himself a reformed man who religiously took his meds to help with a brain chemical imbalance and never caused the staff any issues. He appeared devastated by his actions to his beautiful wife and mother-in-law. He didn’t count on Claire or Dr. Klein appearing before the parole board. Now, he remained institutionalized for at least another five years. It wasn’t much, but she and Dr. Klein agreed to continue showing up to keep him from entering society. The man wasn’t mad. He represented pure evil.

She washed her hands and gripped the sides of the sink, dreading the call to confirm he stayed locked in his room.

Sitting at her desk, she pulled up the number on her phone. Her hands shook as she waited for someone to answer.

“Seattle Mental Health Institute, how may I direct your call?”

“May I speak with Dr. Drew Garrisson, please? This is Dr. Claire Meyers.”

“Please hold while I transfer you,” the friendly receptionist responded before the line played music.

“Dr. Garrison speaking.”

“Hello, Dr. Garrison. It’s Claire Meyers. I’m calling to confirm that David Kilner still resides there. I received a package today, and it contained a severed head of an animal.”

“I’m sorry, Dr. Meyers. Due to HIPPA, I can’t confirm or deny anything. I’m sure you understand. If you recall, he’s not up for parole for another five years.”

“I do. I hoped, as a professional courtesy, you might confirm his whereabouts for me,” she pleaded.

“As I mentioned, I can’t but I will tell you to rest easy, Dr. Meyers. You have no reason to fear,” he soothed. “If anything changes, the state will notify you immediately.”

“Yes. Thank you, I appreciate the reminder.” She hung up the phone and sat at her desk. Recalling the evil expression on the man’s face when he realized they ruined his plan to get out, she bit her lip and let out her breath.

Claire grabbed a bag and scooped the box and contents into the garbage. She hoped the incident remained a one-time prank. Tying it securely, she held it out, her clipboard and list forgotten, as she walked to the dumpster outside and threw it away. She smiled pleasantly to the patients who greeted her in the hall as she returned to her office. Grabbing the items she originally entered her office for, she tried to assure herself of her safety. But the hair on her neck stood up, warning her to take caution.

Dr. Garrison dialed the number to the unit.

“Unit Seven, Helen speaking.”

“Helen, it’s Dr. Garrison. Can you take your phone down the hall and tell me where patient Kilner is right now.”

“Of course,” she stated as she walked down the hall. “He’s asleep on the bed in his room. He started taking the new medication you ordered yesterday and seemed tired after lunch.”

“Thank you, Helen. I appreciate you checking right away.”

Dr. Garrison started to hang up the phone when a gurgling sound came over the line. “Helen? Helen?” He dropped the phone, hit the lockdown button, and ran toward the unit.