She frowned at his unspoken words. Even the insane.
Chad released her hand, then reached inside his jacket and removed a piece of paper. “I have a court order from Judge Horner to move Amelia Nettleton to a psychiatric facility for evaluation and treatment until trial.” He gave her a conspiratorial look. “That is, if there is a trial. I think we can cut a deal and keep this out of court.”
Meaning a deal to lock her sister away in the mental asylum for the rest of her life.
Sadie shrugged. Maybe that was best. If Amelia was dangerous to herself or other people—and she obviously was—she shouldn’t be on the streets. But she’d worked so hard in therapy to earn her freedom and live at home that Sadie wanted to know what had made her snap.
Jake accepted the papers, gave them a perfunctory once-over, then nodded. “Doc Tynsdale going to escort her?”
Chad nodded. “He should be here any minute. Of course, Sheriff, we realize you’ll have to accompany Amelia until she’s secured.”
As if on cue, the front door opened, and Dr. Tynsdale appeared. He looked weathered and frazzled, and his hair had turned white. It was thinning now, and his glasses were thicker, wire rims that sat slightly crooked on his face. He’d also lost weight.
The stark scent of cigarettes still clung to him, indicating that he hadn’t given up his habit of chain-smoking Marlboros, something Sadie had always thought was odd for a doctor who knew the risks. Judging from his yellow pallor, he must be paying for it.
“Sadie,” he said, then reached to hug her. She stiffened, uncomfortable with his show of affection. That moat she’d built around her heart was built of steel.
“Thanks for coming,” she said and eased away.
He gave a conciliatory nod. “You know I’m always here for you and your sister.” He angled his head toward Chad. “You have the paperwork in order?”
Chad gestured toward Jake. “It’s in the sheriff’s hands.”
“Good.” Dr. Tynsdale adjusted his glasses. “Then let’s transfer Amelia to the hospital so she can begin to recover from this ordeal.”
Sadie forced herself not to react. She’d been down this road before. Her sister would never completely recover.
Only the broken pieces of her mind remained.
Jake pressed a hand to the doctor’s chest before he could escape through the door. “I understand about patient-doctor privilege, but, Doc, this is a homicide investigation. I’d appreciate any information you glean from Amelia so we can tie up this mess.”
Tynsdale’s eyes flattened, the friendly smile he’d given Sadie dissipating. Jake’s hackles rose. Good fucking grief. He wasn’t the enemy here.
For all they knew, Amelia could have turned that shotgun on herself and committed suicide after she’d killed her grandfather, and he’d saved her damn life.
Besides, how could he put the case to bed if the doctor refused to share what he learned? Amelia certainly wouldn’t open up to him.
“Amelia is mentally ill, Sheriff,” Dr. Tynsdale said. “Don’t expect too much.”
Jake gave him a deadpan look. Then the psychiatrist and Chad pushed through the doors to the back. Sadie followed, obviously hoping she could help with Amelia.
The keys jangled in Jake’s hands as he brought up the rear, and he remained alert in case one of Amelia’s alters suddenly confessed.
Sadie’s sister was huddled on the cot, clutching the blanket to her. Was the childlike Bessie occupying her body, or had Amelia returned?
“Amelia, my name is Chad Marshall,” Chad said. “I’m a friend of Sadie’s and an attorney. I’m going to be representing you. Can we talk?”
Amelia looked up at Chad as if she had no idea who he was. Of course Bessie wouldn’t.
Dr. Tynsdale elbowed Chad aside and gripped the bars of the cell. “Open the door, Sheriff.”
Jake jammed the key in the lock, twisted it, then pushed the cell door open.
Dr. Tynsdale moved inside. “Amelia, you’ve been through a terrible ordeal,” he said in a soothing tone. “I’m going to carry you back to the hospital so you can rest.”
Amelia scooted all the way to the back of the cot. “I heard the chimes...they’re singing...no, crying...” She pressed her hands over her ears. “Make them stop.”
Dr. Tynsdale placed a hand at the base of her neck and gently squeezed, then lifted her left hand and whispered something low in her ear. The fight drained from Amelia, and she accepted his outstretched hand and stood. Then she shuffled out behind him like a docile child.
Jake followed close behind as the doctor escorted her to the front of the jail, then outside. Chad climbed into his expensive silver Lexus, but the doc and Amelia slid into the back of the squad car.