Chapter Twenty-Nine
Echo
I was halfway through eating an apple in the car when someone tapped on my window. My stomach had started growling on my way to the hospital, so I stopped at the store to grab some snacks in case today wound up being a long one.
It was Dr. Nathan Bellmont tapping on the glass.
I took one more bite and then opened the door.
“Ms. Cross. I thought that was you. Are you heading into the hospital?” He looked happy to see me, and I mentally cringed, hoping he didn’t think I was here for him in the way he hoped.
“Still investigating Amanda’s murder.” I put my cuffs in my back pocket and my gun in my holster on my belt, going for a little intimidation factor. My jacket covered up both, but I saw Dr. Bellmont’s eyes had seen where I’d stashed them.
“Do you think the killer is at the hospital?” His eyebrows scrunched together, like the thought of working with a killer was not possible.
“Well, normally in cases like this, the victim knew the killer personally. Dr. Bellmont, was there any misconduct between Amanda and another coworker that you were aware of?” We walked into the hospital together, and he shook his head.
“I’m the lead doctor in this ward. If the employees are doing something they know they aren’t supposed to, it’s usually hidden so I don’t find out. Personal relationships between staff members are not prohibited but are discouraged, for obvious reasons.” He chuckled and veered off to his office. I followed him in.
“So, you have no clue if she had been seeing someone in the hospital?”
He set his satchel down and looked at me with a kind smile, but with a narrowing stare. It was sort of chastising, as if he was saying that I am a silly girl for looking into such things.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Cross. I am sadly out of the loop when it comes to the staff here and their adventures.”
I watched him for a moment longer and tried to decide if he was telling the truth or not. He was their boss and was in their lives every day. He had to have known at least something, even if it was gossip.
I needed another way to listen to what was going on in the ward but without being here as a cop.
“Thank you for speaking to me again, Dr. Bellmont. I won’t take up anymore of your time.” I started to back away as he said his goodbyes and if I needed anything else to please give him a call.
He rushed over to me and pushed his card into my hand.
When his fingers touched mine, a creepy chill moved down my spine.
Dr. Bellmont wasn’t exactly screaming killer at me, but whenever people find out someone they know is a serial killer, they all say he was a good person, would have never hurt a fly.
I was going to find out if that particular statement was true or not.
I thanked him and walked down the hall, and out of his sight.
Without anyone noticing me, I snuck into the janitor’s closet and took off my clothes.
Once naked, I changed into a fly.
I’d been a fly before. The eyesight was strange, but I could move around and listen to people’s conversations. A fly on the wall.
First, I flew into the doctor’s office again, hoping to get more on him than what his creepy smile let on.
He was looking at his computer and talking on the phone.
“Yes. Echo Cross.”
My name on his lips made me curious. Why was he saying my name?
“And make sure it’s the white ones with one red one in the middle. And yes, the dozen.”
I flew around to see what he was looking at on his computer and saw flowers. He was sending me a bouquet of roses. Gross.
Someone came barging in through his door, and he looked unhappy at the intrusion. He thanked the person on the phone and then ended the call.
I didn’t want to make any noise flying around, so I landed on the bookshelf behind the doctor and watched as the nurse Rose and I had talked to stepped toward the desk.
“Rosalie, I’ve told you to knock first.” Dr. Bellmont chastised her with a voice like a father figure.
“I saw you walk in with that cop.” Her statement wasn’t in an accusation, but more a statement of curiosity.
“She is still investigating Amanda’s death. We are cooperating with her in any way we can.” He walked around his desk and came closer to her, his hand reaching out to push back the strands of hair that had fallen out of her bun.
“Did you tell her about your fling with Amanda?” She puffed out her lips in disappointment.
“I didn’t see the need to make myself a suspect in the detective’s eyes over a few fucks with the girl.”
Rosalie lifted her head up to look at him in the eyes and leaned in to kiss him gently.
If I could shake my head I would. That nasty, lying asshole.
“Are we meeting at your place tonight?” Rosalie pulled back and looked at him with desperate eyes.
“I have church tonight, love. Maybe tomorrow.”
What was going on in church lately? These men were complete tools.
They talked briefly about some patients, and when Dr. Bellmont moved to the door to lock it, I knew I would not want to be a fly on the wall for what came next.
I was crawling under the door when I heard the distinct sound of a zipper going down.