Dark Legacy Jen Talty (all ebook reader txt) 📖

to do what’s right for the patient.” That wasn’t a lie. Dr. Franklin might have had an issue with the fact that she was a PhD and not an MD, but he wasn’t reckless with patients.

“You had an altercation with him earlier. What was it about?”

“I wouldn’t call it that. I generally prefer a non-medication regimen. He’s more likely to prescribe, which is always a discussion when it comes to my patients. In this case, the meds were necessary due to Miss Carson’s mental illness and narcotic withdrawal, so I didn’t disgaree with him at all. My only issue was in future treatment, which would have been left up to the patient,” she said, hoping that would end the questions.

“Let me make sure I have this right. Dr. Franklin wanted to recommend a different strategy regarding therapy? Did he tell you what his plan was? Did he tell the patient?” Rizzoli licked the tip of his pen before pressing it against the notepad.

“He wanted to, but nothing was discussed with me. I don’t know about the patient.” Shannon blinked. It could be possible that Dr. Franklin had said something to Gretchen that triggered rage, but she’d always been the type to lash out verbally, not physically.

“What about Miss Carson’s visitors?”

“I don’t know of any visitors other than me,” Shannon said.

“The nurse mentioned that a gentleman showed up earlier. Said he didn’t stay very long, just dropped something off for you.”

“That’s impossible,” she said, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I didn’t send anyone over. Did the nurse get a name?”

“She wasn’t given one. Because of the nature of the crime, and the condition of your patient, we’ll be requesting an autopsy.”

“I think that’s a good idea. Do you think something else happened other than her stabbing the doctor and herself?”

“I honestly don’t know what to think. I’ll be by your office a little later today with all the proper documentation for Miss Carson’s medical records.” Rizzoli stuffed his notepad into his coat pocket.

“I’ll have them ready.” She waited until the detective met up with his partner and sauntered out of the hospital before making a beeline to Kent.

“Hey, doc. Did you forget something?” Kent asked.

“What do you know about a man coming to see my patient?”

Kent rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know. At least six people came through tonight. I don’t know who was here to see whom. They were all to check in at the nurses’ station.”

“Did anyone stand out as being out of place? Or someone you were concerned about?”

He shook his head. “I tried to give the cops decent descriptions, but we do have people in and out of here all the time. This isn’t a locked-down area.”

She squeezed his arm. “Not to worry. Call me if you hear anything about Dr. Franklin.”

Shannon brushed her bangs out of her face and headed toward the exit. She needed a shower before Jackson came with breakfast.

She also needed a few moments to check the news to see what was being reported about Belinda.

It was going to be a long day, to say the least.

Chapter Seven

“This has nothing to do with an adoption case.”

Jackson punched the gas, pulling out onto the highway, heading south toward Saratoga. It wasn’t the worst commute, but he did wonder why the sexy doctor hadn’t moved her practice to Lake George since she had decided to live in the village.

Especially when she didn’t seem too interested in boating or even being on the water. She’d moved in next door at the beginning of October, so it wasn’t like they’d had much time to enjoy water activities, but something told him that her father had ruined sailing for her, and that got under his skin.

Worse, he wanted to know why, and it wasn’t because of his profession.

He just wanted to know.

“Her uncle has been sitting at the top of our shared driveway for days. He’s tried reaching out to her, and she’s blown him off. She doesn’t want me to mention her when contacting him, so I figured it’s best if you do it.”

“What aren’t you telling me?” Katie voice screeched through his Bluetooth.

“Everything I don’t know.”

“Since when don’t you speak your suspicions to me?” Katie asked.

“Just call him and follow my script, then tell me what happens. We’ll touch base later, and I’ll fill you in.”

“You’re getting personal with this chick, aren’t you?”

Jackson had a hard time lying to Katie about anything. Besides having trust issues and hating liars in general, he always told Katie that their partnership had to be based on honesty, even when it was uncomfortable.

“I might be, but I need to respect her privacy on this. She’s holding back, and while I suspect the reasons why, I made a promise to her, and I intend to keep it.”

“I can live with that.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“Hey. I trust you, and if I need to know, you’ll tell me,” Katie said. “Gotta run. Talk to you later.” The phone clicked dead just as he pulled into Shannon’s place of work.

It was a renovated house a few blocks from the hospital. A sign in the front yard had her name on it, as well as the name for a dentist.

That was interesting for a shared business, but whatever worked.

He pulled into a spot next to her vehicle, snagged the bag of bagels and coffee, and made his way to the entrance. He didn’t know if he should knock or just walk in. He stood and stared at the door for a long moment before twisting the knob and letting himself into a nice but scantly decorated waiting area.

She had a couch on the north wall and two chairs on the south side with a table between them. But the door to what he believed was her office held a stand with a coffee pot.

He knocked three times, noting the impressive paintings. The woman had good taste—or her decorator did.

“Door’s open,” Shannon called.

“I brought food.” He stepped into her office,