Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [17]
Neither did Melis. She had been frightened when she received it and her fear had been steadily growing. “It's none of your business. I'm none of your business.”
“But Marinth is my business because I've chosen it to be. And you're part of the big picture.” He stared her in the eye. “And so is Carolyn Mulan. Wilson has been trying to contact her for the last two days. Someone might have become aware that we were trying to reach her and gone after her themselves. Or maybe they got to her first and that's why we couldn't make contact.”
“And who is this ‘someone'?”
“I don't know. If I did, I'd tell you. There was a cruiser roaming the area when we were searching for Lontana. It could have been perfectly innocent, but I'm trying to trace it. Or I may be completely off base. Maybe Carolyn Mulan's disappearance has nothing to do with Lontana's death.” He added grimly, “But I don't like the fact that she was obviously being forced to lure you to Nassau. It doesn't look good.”
“Good? It's damn well terrible. You don't know what it would take to make Carolyn—”
“But you're going to Nassau, and that's what she told you not to do.”
“I can't do anything else. I called the Nassau police before I left the island and they're searching for her now.”
He nodded. “I called them too. I thought it might help. Anyway, I'll be on my way to Nassau to find her tonight whether or not you're coming. I'm just offering you a lift.”
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Carolyn caught in the middle. Carolyn clawing at a cage, helpless. Nightmare. Nightmare. Damn him. Damn them all. “Is your plane ready to go?”
“Yes.”
She turned away jerkily. “Then let's get out of here.”
She didn't speak again until they were almost to Nassau. “Why? Why were you trying to reach Carolyn?”
“You wouldn't talk to me. I was hoping she would.”
“About Marinth? She doesn't know anything. I never told her anything about Marinth.”
“I didn't know that.”
“And she wouldn't have told you anyway. She'd never reveal anything I told her in our sessions. She believes in doctor-patient confidentiality. Besides, she's my friend.”
“I was working in the dark. I thought a bribe might tip the scales.”
“Never,” she said fiercely. “She's one of the most honorable people I've ever met. She's smart and kind and never gives up. God knows she never gave up on me. If I had a sister, I'd want her to be like Carolyn.”
“That's saying a lot. Did Lontana like her?”
“He didn't know her very well. He found her for me, but he didn't have much to do with her. He was always a little embarrassed around Carolyn. Psychiatrists were out of his realm. But he'd promised, so he made sure I kept going.”
“Promised you?”
“No, Kem—” She was talking too much. None of this was his business. It was evidence of her panicky desperation that she was babbling like this to him. “The police were very concerned. She's a very respected citizen. Maybe they'll have found her by the time we arrive.”
“Possibly.”
“She sounded— She wasn't herself.” Her voice was shaking and she stopped to steady it. “I can't tell you how strong she is. When I first came to her, it was like being— I'd never permitted myself to lean on anyone before. She could have let me become dependent, but she didn't. She wouldn't let me lean. She just gave me her hand and told me she'd always be my friend. She never broke her word.”
“I understand the psychiatrist-patient relation can become very close.”
“It wasn't like that. After those first years, she was my best friend.” She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. “When she called . . . her voice . . . I think she was hurting.”
“We don't know. We'll find out.” His hand closed on hers on the arm of the seat. “Don't borrow trouble.”
He wasn't denying or confirming any possibility. She wouldn't have believed him if he had. But his touch was warm and comforting and she didn't try to withdraw her hand from his grasp. She needed comfort right now, and she'd take it where