Chapter 14
Josh returned to the Police station to update the chief on their findings, and Madison wanted to check on Aspen. The phone rang several times until Aspen’s voice mail answered. It wasn’t like her not to be up early or answer her phone so Madison decided to go by and make sure Aspen was okay.
She pulled up in front of the little bungalow. It didn’t look like anyone was home. Aspen had no plans for the day, so she had to be there. Madison knocked several times on the door, but no answer so she walked around to the back door. The door was slightly ajar. She used her elbow to push the door gently open. “Aspen.” There was no answer so Madison slowly walked back toward Aspen’s room and then checked every room, before heading toward the kitchen. Aspen’s purse from the night before was still sitting on the counter.
A chill ran through Madison. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Aspen’s number. A phone rang in the other room and she followed the sound to the living room. Aspen’s cell phone was just under the corner of the couch. “She would never go anywhere with her phone.” She pulled out her latex gloves, took a photo of where the phone was found, and then bagged it.
Madison immediately called Josh.
“Logan.”
“Josh, Aspen is gone.”
“What do you mean, she’s gone?”
“Her purse and cell phone are here, and the back door was open. I think you’d better get a team over here as soon as possible. I’ll wait for you.”
“I’m on my way,”
Josh turned to the chief, “Madison’s friend Aspen is missing. I have a bad feeling about this, Chief.”
“Keep me posted.”
Madison cautiously walked through the house but left everything where she found it. She didn’t want to compromise any evidence that might help them locate Aspen. From the moment Kincaid announced that he would be working closely with Aspen, Madison had a bad feeling. It was hard for her to distance her emotions with this one because she was growing close to Aspen. “Sometimes I hate this job. Now is one of those times.” There were no signs of a struggle other than the phone under the couch. “Aspen must have felt comfortable with whoever was in the house.”
Suddenly, Aspen’s phone rang. She lifted the bag up and saw the caller ID. It was Tyler. She wanted to answer it but didn’t want to let anyone know Aspen was missing; at least not yet. Then Tyler left a message.
Josh arrived and entered through the back door and met Madison in the living room. “She just got a call from Tyler Kincaid.”
“Certainly is a coincidence, don’t you think?”
“Yes, it is.”
Josh looked around the rooms searching for anything that might tell them if she left willingly or not, but there were no signs of a struggle. Josh didn’t want to say it, but he didn’t want to hold anything back from Madison either. “This is eerily similar to the way our missing women disappeared. No struggle, just gone. I hate to say it, but…”
Madison interrupted.“I know, but I need to put my feelings aside and look at the evidence. With Aspen missing, it’s just one more piece that ties the art center to our case. I just hope we won’t have another homicide to solve here.”
Josh tried to ease Madison’s worry. “She hasn’t been gone long; that’s in our favor.”
Most likely the other women were killed soon after they disappeared, so the chances of finding Aspen alive grew thin. “I need to see what’s on her phone as soon as possible. When the forensic team gets here, I’m going back to the lab immediately and see what I can find on her phone.”
“I’ll stay here and help, but if you find something, call me right away. Okay?”
“I will. I just don’t want to waste any time. I’ll see you later.”
Madison raced to the lab to see if there was something on that phone that would help her find Aspen, and to know who was the last person was she talked to. Was she meeting someone like the others in secret? If so, maybe this time Madison will find out who it is.
She handed the phone to the lab technician, and he hooked it up to his equipment. It wasn’t hard to detect Aspen’s password. Though she had apparently changed it often, she had the new one for several months. Madison was not surprised to see what it was. The forensic tech opened up the last voicemails and texts.
The last call Aspen had answered was from Madison the night before, but she had received a couple of texts since then. One was from her mother reminding her of a family dinner the following week, another she sent to Alice, but the other one was from Tyler Kincaid. He wanted to get together with her as soon as possible to go over the details of her exhibit. He didn’t want to waste any time and said they had much to do, and it was important that they got started as soon as possible. That was the last message on her phone.
Madison needed to talk to Tyler Kincaid so she called him from the lab and arranged to meet him at the studio in the back of the Art Center in an hour, but did not mention anything about Aspen.
She drove over to the center and arrived just as the doors opened. Kim was sitting at the reception desk. “Good morning, Ms. Hart. Have you changed your mind about modeling for Mr. Kincaid?”
“Not sure,” Madison replied smiling. “Would you tell Mr. Kincaid I’m here? He’s expecting me.”
“I’m not sure he’s here yet. Can I help you with something?”
“No. I just talked with him, and he wanted to meet me in the studio. Would you mind giving him a call?”
“Sure. Mr. Kincaid, Ms. Hart said you were expecting her. She’s here in the front hall.” There was a hesitation, and then Kim hung up the phone. “Apparently, he is waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” Madison started down the hallway. She felt Kim’s eyes following her and knew she was upset with Madison for bothering Mr. Kincaid. Madison walked across the back courtyard toward Studio One. Just as she was about to knock on the door, it opened. “Good morning, Agent Hart. I hope you’ve changed your mind about being the subject of my new collection?” he asked self-assuredly.
“I’m not sure about that, but thought I owed you an opportunity to tell me more about what your plans are. I talked to Aspen last night and mentioned to her what you wanted, and she thought I should. Have you talked with her today?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Madison was trying to read him, but it was difficult. He didn’t seem shaken by her questions at all. “Well, tell me more about what you expect from your models. I’m not sure what I would be getting into, so I thought I’d see what the other did for you.”
“Well, the only thing I can say is that I work very closely with my them until my painting is completed, and up until now I’ve only used a model once. I prefer to have a fresh look with each painting.”
“How close do you get, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Each one of them was very special to me. I wanted to capture their soul when I painted them. I have to be personally involved and feel what they feel so I can portray them in my art to fit the mood. But with you, I need to see what you see. I want to capture what you’re seeing and feeling,” he said passionately.
“I’m not sure I’m the woman for this,” she said, baiting him.
“You are exactly the woman for my collection.”
“Maybe if I talked to the other models, I could get a better understanding of what your needs are.”
“Fine, but I don’t know where they are now. When I finished my paintings, they just quit coming around. Sad isn’t it?” He lowered his head. “Just when you think you’ve created a special bond, they up and leave you. I guess that’s why I only use a model once.”
“Well, let me think about it for a bit, and I’ll get back to you.”
“I’d like to start soon, so don’t keep me waiting too long.”
“I won’t,” she replied, as she started out the door.
“Ms. Hart. You are the only one for my new collection.” He watched as she left and then closed the do
or.
Madison strolled across the courtyard but felt his eyes on her. The closer she got to the main building, the more she had that uneasy feeling in her gut. She walked back into the exhibit hall to look at the paintings again. Kim was standing there looking at them when she walked in.
“Well, are you going to be his next?”
“Next?” Madison asked, rather startled.
“Next special model.”
“I haven’t ruled it out.”
Kim turned to Madison, “How’s Aspen this morning? She sure was putting down the Champaign last night. I imagine she’s going to have a whopper of a headache today.”
“I haven’t talked to her today. I suppose you’re right, though. She’s probably sleeping it off. I’ll see her tomorrow. Kim, I was wondering if you had ever met any of Mr. Kincaid’s models. I’d love to talk to them about their experience before I make a commitment to his project.”
“I saw them a couple of times, but, for the most part, they worked with Mr. Kincaid alone in his studio. It was usually in the evenings after they got off from their jobs and I had already gone home.”
“What can you tell me about them? Do you have their names or phone numbers?” Madison asked trying not to sound too inquisitive.
“I’m sure I put them somewhere. I’ll look around, and if I find that information, I’ll give you a call.”
“Thank you.”
Madison change the subject so Kim wouldn’t get too curious as to why she was asking about Kincaid’s affairs. “Kim, I heard all of Mr. Kincaid’s paintings sold last night. That’s wonderful. He sure has his fans, and they all seem to be women,” she snickered.
“They are not only his fans. You should hear how they argue about who is the closest to him. They act like Mr. Kincaid is their personal artist. I know that a few of them have an entire wing of their home dedicated to his art. I heard that every time they buy another piece from him, they invite all their friends for a luncheon just to show off their personal collection. Mr. Kincaid only plays up to them because they are such loyal patrons of his art. I doubt he attends any of their functions. I’ve heard him make excuses every time they invite him to one of their affairs. If you ask me, I think they’d kill to own his works.”
Kim words used to describe these women caught Madison off guard. They would kill to own his works. Did she mean that literally?.
“I would be curious about seeing their collections for myself. Do you think you could get me a list of who bought his paintings last night?”
“Sure. I think I have that at my desk,” Kim replied eagerly.
They walked back out to the reception area. Kim rummaged through her desk as if she were looking for something. “I guess I already filed it, but I’ll check out back later.”
Madison left the center, returned to her office, and called Josh and asked him to come by when he got a chance. “Anything new?” She hoped he had information that would tell them what happened to Aspen. But he had nothing.
She updated Josh on what just transpired with Tyler Kincaid. “Well, did you tell him you would model for him?”
“I told him I would think about it, but that I needed to find out more about what he would require of me. I suggested talking to the other models, but that didn’t seem to rattle him at all. Either he doesn’t have a clue what happened to them or he’s a cold-blooded sociopath. I’m going to keep digging. Someone knows something, and I feel like I’m getting closer. I hope the same hasn’t happened to Aspen. I can’t figure out why she’s missing. She doesn’t fit the profile and was never one of Kincaid’s models. When I was leaving the center Kim said something interesting to me. She said the women who buy Mr. Kincaid’s art loved him so much that they would kill to own his work. I find her choice of words intriguing. Have you contacted Aspen’s parents?”
“Yes, I called them while you were at the center. They have not heard from her either, but her mother said she left a message about the family dinner this coming weekend. Then she asked me why I was inquiring about her daugher, so I told her we wanted to ask her some questions about her relationship with Mr. Kincaid. Her mother seemed to think there was no relationship, other than teacher and student. I didn’t want to worry her any more than necessary. For all we know, she took a long walk and got side-tracked, or ran into a friend and decided to go for coffee, but I don’t suspect that was the case.”
“I don’t think either of us believes that story, and I doubt her mother would have either, especially knowing she left without her cell phone. What woman goes anywhere, these days without her lifeline to the world?”
Josh looked up at the board. “Personally, I’d like to know where Mr. Kincaid was last night. He fits into this somehow; I know it.”
“Why don’t you ask him to come down to the station and see if he could help you out with a few things?”
“I think I will. I’ll call him later. I’ve got to get back to the station and finish with the chief. I’ll catch up with you later. I think it's best you stay away from this interview with Kincaid for now.”
“Good idea. I want to lie down for awhile. I didn’t get much sleep last night. How about coming back later so we can recap the investigation?”
“I’ll pick up some Chinese on the way. Have a good rest. I’ll see you later.”
When Josh left, Madison collapsed across her bed. She was exhausted from all the events of the day and was worried about Aspen. However, felt things were coming to a head with the case. Her gut was telling her the answers were right in front of them, but within moments she had fallen asleep.
Madison dreamed that she saw Aspen lying in a wooded area, and she was alive, but critically injured. Suddenly there was a knock at the office door. She pulled back the curtain, and there standing with his hands full of food was Josh. She rushed to the door and flung it open. “I’m starving, how about you?” Then he saw that look again; that look when Madison has had a revelation. “Okay, out with it. I know that look.”
“I’m not sure you’re going to believe me.”
“Well, I won’t know unless you tell me.” He placed the boxes of food in the center of the table, turned, stopped and looked up at her, “You’ve had another one of those profound dreams, haven’t you?”
“I saw Aspen in my dreams, and she’s still alive, but she’s in bad shape.”
“All right. Take it slowly, and give me every detail you can remember. Close your eyes if you have to. Now tell me what you’re seeing.”
She was surprised that he took her seriously. She closed her eyes and tried to remember everything as Josh coached her with questions. “What are you feeling? What do you smell?” One by one, the pieces of her dream progressed into more clarity. Madison’s dream showed that Aspen was injured but was still alive. In the dream, she could see a large stone wall behind Aspen and a pile of debris next to her. She heard cars going by slowly in the distance, and there was a large, old scrub oak that towered over the site. People were laughing on the other side of the wall. That was all she could remember of the dream. “Josh, I believe she’s still alive.”
“We won’t give up trying to find her, Maddy.” Josh put his arm around her shoulder. “You need to eat something, and then I think you ought to go to bed. You’re no good to this investigation if you’re not at the top of your game.” He opened the boxes of food and a pair of chopsticks. Madison only dabbed at the food some but didn’t eat much.
“I’ve got to get back to the station and go over some things with the rest of the team. Remember, you’re not alone in this. Let us do some of the legwork.” Josh dug into the sweet and sour chicken.
“I know you’re right. If you hear anything, and I mean anything, please call me immediately.” Madison took a few more bites.
“You know I will.”
Josh looked at the circles under her eyes and her pale complexion; she looked run-down. The case was taking a toll on her. He hoped they could get to the bottom of this soon. They f
inished all they were going to eat, and Josh sealed up the boxes and put them in the fridge, hoping she would eat later and then he left.
Madison was so tired she could barely make it back to her room. She sat down on the edge of the bed and her head fell into her hands. She was not only worried about Aspen but also frustrated about not solving this case. “I know the answers are right in front of me, but I’m too tired to see them.” She leaned back onto the pillow staring up at the cold ceiling with its plaster peeling off. The more she stared at it, the more images started to take shape. She was just about to nod off when her cell phone rang.
“Madison, is that you?”
“Oh, hi, Winter. I’m so sorry. I know I promised I would come up and see you this weekend, but there is a new development in the case. My friend, Aspen, has disappeared. Tears welled up she was about to break down.
“Maddy, I’m so sorry, but that’s why I’m calling. Do you remember my friend Anne Gunter? She is one of the mediums here in Cassadaga.”
“Oh, of course, I do.”
“Well, she just called me and gave me some interesting bits of information, and she asked if I would call you. She wanted me to tell you that she had a vision of someone telling her to give you a message.” Winter told her every detail of what Anne said. “Does that mean anything to you, Maddy?”
Madison was not one to believe in that sort of thing but respected Anne and her beliefs. “Not really, but I’ll make a note of it. What am I looking for?”
“All she said was that the message was specifically for you. She also said for you to be careful. Maddy, when Anne tells me something, I listen. I hope you will too. I know this case is wearing on you and now I wish I hadn’t asked you to take it. I’m worried about you.”
Madison wanted to change the subject. “How are the renovations coming along? Are you and Cole getting any closer to having that grand party?
“We’re almost done. I don’t know what I would have done without Cole. I’m nearly back to my old self and he’s finally letting me tackle more projects. He’s worse than a mother hen, but I wouldn’t have him any other way. You won’t miss that party, will you?”
“Hell no! I wouldn’t miss it for the world. After all that you’ve been through to bring that home to its former glory, I know it will be one spectacular bash.”
“Are you still working close with Detective Logan? I hear he’s a bulldog on investigations. Jim speaks highly of him.”
“Yes, I am. Detective Logan knows the ropes. Win, I miss you. I do hope this case ends soon. I need some sister time but bear with me. I know you understand. I saw how you dove into that story about the Dupree’s. I know you’ll do this story justice as well. Love you, Sis. We’ll talk again soon.”
“Love you too, Maddy.”
Madison laid her head back down on the pillow and closed her eyes and then finally dozed off. It seemed like it had only been minutes before she was awake again. Something Anne said struck a cord. She closed her eyes again and tried to picture the dream again. “Oh my God! That’s it.”
She looked over at her clock, and couldn’t believe it was 1:00 a.m. She clicked on Josh’s number.
“Logan,” he answered, half asleep.
“Josh, I know where Aspen is!”
He jumped out of bed. “Did you just say you knew where Aspen is?”
“Yes! Meet me at the Art Center in five minutes.”
Josh tossed on the clothes that were hanging on the chair and darted out the door.
Madison jumped into a pair of jeans, grabbed her keys and flew out the door. She spun her car around and sped out of the parking lot racing down Maitland Avenue and turned sharply onto Packwood. She slammed on her brakes in front of the Center. No one was there, and it was closed. Within moments, Josh was speeding up behind her with the lights of the squad car flashing. He jumped out and ran up beside her. “Where is she?”
Madison stood there for a moment looking around at the wall, and then suddenly had the urge to run to the back of the center. Josh could barely keep up with her. She turned the corner of the back wall, and there stood an old scrub oak, just like in her dream. The wall extended the length of the back of the center. There were several piles of debris. Madison dashed toward the base of the tree near the first pile, scraping her legs on some the bushes that flanked the wall. She scanned the ground with her flashlight. Then, she noticed some broken branches and beaten down grass. She pulled back the brush and there she was. Aspen was lying in the tall grass. Madison raced to her and checked for a pulse. “Josh, call for an ambulance. She’s still alive, but her pulse is very weak.”
Madison knelt down next to Aspen and could see a wound near the base of her neck. She knew right away that it was from a gun and most likely the same one used on the murdered victims. “Aspen?” There was no reply. She had lost a lot of blood and was unconscious.
Josh raced back to the front of the building to wait for the ambulance. Madison could hear the sirens getting closer, but wouldn’t leave Aspen alone. “Hold on Aspen,” she whispered. “Hold on.”
The EMTs lifted her onto the stretcher and rushed her to the hospital. Madison and Josh followed right behind them with sirens blaring.
The hospital was waiting and immediately upon their arrival, and wheeled Aspen into the ER. Madison paced the waiting room while Josh got them some coffee. It was going to be awhile, but Madison wasn’t going to leave.
So many things raced through Madison’s mind; the message from Anne Gunter about the wall, and the fact that Aspen had been shot like the others. Maybe she would be able to tell her who the killer was. “But why Aspen? And why now. Did Aspen know something, or did the killer think she did?”
Josh finally came into the waiting room and handed her some coffee. She pulled him over to the side and whispered. “Aspen may know who the murderer is, and if she does, she may be in more danger now. Can you make sure someone is watching over her 24/7?”
He glanced around the room. “I will. But right now, I think we’d better keep this under wraps. The fewer people know she’s found, the better.”
“I’ll call Jim and let him know, but ask him to hold the story for awhile.”
They waited for more than three hours before the doctor emerged in the lobby. He slowly walked up to Madison. “She’s alive, but we had to put her into a medically-induced coma. She has lost a lot of blood and not out of woods, yet. You can see her, but she won’t know you’re there.”
“That’s okay; I still want to tell her I’m here.”
Josh waited as the doctor escorted Madison to the ICU. Aspen had tubes and wires attached to her, monitoring her every move and Madison barely recognized her. They had to shave a section of her hair off, where the bullet hit. If it had hit just a fraction closer, she would have been dead already. She reached down and squeezed Aspen’s hand. “Aspen, it’s Madison. You’re going to be okay. Hang in there, girl. You’ve got to finish your painting. I think I’m going to be your biggest fan. Hell, I might just buy one before your show just to tell everyone that I have your first one.” She knew Aspen couldn’t hear her but hoped she could feel her.
The nurse came in to check Aspen’s vitals and to give her more fluids, so Madison left. “I’ll be back real soon, girl.”
It was all she could do to hold back her tears, but it was time to find the bastard who did this to her friend, and Madison felt they were getting real close. She approached Josh in the lobby with a tear still on her cheek. “I think it’s time to give Mr. Kincaid another visit.” They headed back to her office. Josh turned to her, “What made you look there for Aspen?”
She turned toward him and casually said, “A psychic told me.”
“Oh, a psychic.”
She chuckled at his remark, and he left it at that. She smiled at him. “I sure am hungry, are you?”
“We could go to your place and finish off that Chinese, or we could have someone wait on us over a fresh cup of coffee?”
“I’m not into Chinese at this hour. Let’s get some real food.” Madison rested her head against the window and before Josh pulled into the parking lot, she was asleep. He hated to wake her but nudged her shoulder. “Maddy, we’re here.”
“I guess I nodded off.”
“It was probably my stimulating company.”
The café had just turned the open sign over as they walked up. Lisa opened the door. “Hi, you two. You’re our first customers of the day. Coffee?”
“Oh yeah,” Madison said heading for the booth in the back corner of the room. It was only 6:30 a.m. and already they had put in a full day, and there was still more to do. Josh tried to talk her into going back to her place to rest after breakfast for awhile, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She was on a mission, and nothing was going to stop her now. Her mind was spinning with speculations and formulating a new twist on the profile of their killer, but she needed to talk to Kincaid first. This time she wasn’t going to beat around the bush and wanted to know some specific details that only Kincaid could answer.
She and Josh discussed what happened to Aspen and how it was related to the case. They were in sync that Aspen might have been a loose end that the killer needed to eliminate. She didn’t fit the profile of the other women at all. But the question remained, why Aspen? Due to her injuries, it might be some time before they could question her.
Josh dropped Madison off at the center to get her car and talk to Kincaid, and he headed back to the station to fill out the report on Aspen. Madison sat in her car going over some things in her files, waiting for the Center to open. She saw Alice walk up to unlock the door. Normally, Kim would be there on Sundays. Madison was hoping Kim had found the information she had asked for the other day.
She put her papers back into her case and headed for the door. Alice was shuffling through the pamphlets and books getting things ready for the day. “Good morning, Alice.”
“Oh, hi. Good morning, Madison. I hear you’re becoming quite a regular around here. Is it true you might be the subject for Tyler’s new collection?”
“I haven’t decided. I thought you only worked on Wednesdays? Where is Kim this morning?”
“Oh, she’ll be in later. She called me and asked if I could open. I guess she had some family things to attend to.” Alice continued straightening the reception desk. “Now, what can I help you with?”
“Is Mr. Kincaid here today?”
“He might be. He has a little apartment off of his studio. When he works late, he sometimes stays there. Let me call the studio and see.” She dialed the number, but there was no answer. “I guess he’s not here yet, but I know he’ll be here soon. Do you want to just wander around the complex until he arrives? I’ll text him and let him know you’re here.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Madison casually walked back to the gallery to study the paintings again. She stood at a distance from the paintings to get a different perspective and get a more in-depth look. Each painting depicted the woman looking at something out of reach; a feeling of longing. One woman was positioned staring at a structure or landscape in the distance, and there appeared to be an obstacle separating two points of view. The model that looked like Margaret Hill was sitting on a dead log protruding from the water’s edge looking across a body of water toward a city in the distance.
Another painting was a profile of the woman wearing one earring sitting on a pile of broken concrete, gazing across the swamplands that were untouched by the sprawling concrete jungles of towns.
Madison stepped up to the next painting. This one was the back of a woman with an eagle sitting on her arm. It appeared both were watching a flight of birds, overhead, and the eagle longing to take flight. However, the eagle was wounded and could no longer fly. This painting evoked sadness and the disparity that their ambitions were out of reach.
As she moved around the room, Alice entered. “Mr. Kincaid just texted back. He wanted me to tell you he would be here soon. Isn’t his work amazing?”
“It certainly is intriguing. Alice, what can you tell me about the models he used for these paintings?”
“I don’t know much about them. Tyler sort of kept them a secret because he didn’t want people asking them about his paintings before he had his exhibit. I did see a few of them on occasion. Kim dealt more closely with them. She’d arrange for them to pose. I do know they often went on location with him. Tyler said that way he could get a better feel for the landscape. Other than that, I am in the dark. He’s such a secretive artist, and I don’t like to pry. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to the front. Sundays are usually busy.”
“Thank you.”
It wasn’t long until Tyler showed up. He escorted Madison to his studio. “I’m glad you came by today. I hope I’ve convinced you to pose for me.”
“That’s not why I’m here today. I still haven’t decided whether I will or not. Mr. Kincaid, as you know, I’m working on a case of missing persons and murder with the Maitland Police Department. There have been some leads that seem to lead back to the center.” Madison motioned for him to take a seat.
He placed his arms across his chest. “Good grief, I hope you don’t think I have anything to do with it.”
“No, but I do need to ask you about your models. I know you told me Kim could give me that information, but surely you can remember their names?”
“Of course I do. They are very special to me and my artwork.”
“I’d like to go into the gallery with you right now if you don’t mind.”
“Certainly.” Tyler followed her down the hall.
As they entered the gallery, Madison approached the first painting and pointed to the woman in the painting. “Who is this woman?” Then she proceeded to the next and so on until she had the names of each of the women. She did not tell him they were the women who were missing. She wanted to gather as much information as she could before she proceeded. “I might need to talk to you again about your models.”
“Of course. Anything I can do to help in your investigation.”
“I appreciate your help.”
Now that her suspicions were confirmed, Madison wanted to run her theory by Josh and update the board. If what she was thinking was right, then the next step was obvious to her.
She called Josh and told him what she found out. Josh was startled at how quickly she obtained the information but wasn’t surprised. “I’ll meet you in about an hour. I have some questions too.”
Madison returned to the board with the names of each woman and placed the photos of the painting above their photos and all the information they had gathered during the investigation. Details were coming into focus that she had totally missed before.
Madison was sitting at the table staring up at the board when Josh arrived. He knew that look. “Okay, what’s up? I know that look, that shit-eatin’ grin. You’ve made a break-through, haven’t you?”
“You tell me?” She pointed to the board.
Josh sat down next to her and studied each photo and the information beneath them. Then suddenly he turned to her. “Holy cow.”
“How did we miss that?”
“We didn’t have all the pieces; that’s how.”
Josh reached over and grabbed her in his excitement. “It’s so clear to me now.”
“Not so fast. We still don’t know who or why, and until we do, we’re not finished. We still have some questions for Mr. Kincaid. We need to know where he was on certain dates, but I don’t want to scare him off. We have to handle this delicately for now. I’m hoping to talk with his assistant, Kim, soon. She’s going to be reluctant giving us information on him; she’s very protective of Mr. Kincaid.”
“Maybe, I can help there. Would you like me to visit with her and see what I can learn, without sounding like I’m investigating the artist? I can be charming when I need to be.”
“Sure, have at it. While you’re doing that, I’d lik
e to go to the hospital and check on Aspen. The doctor called and said she’s out of her coma. Maybe she can tell me what happened. Her parents have hired a full-time nurse to be with her 24/7 at the hospital. I’d like to talk to them as well.”
Josh headed back to the art center to talk to Kim. Madison had a few things to finish before she left for the hospital. She took her files out to the trunk of her car, and as she was arranging them, she felt like someone was watching her, but when she looked around no one was there. It was one of those feelings you get that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. She completed what she needed to do and then drove off to see Aspen.
Aspen would most likely still be groggy, but Madison hoped she would be able to describe what happened to her and how she ended up behind the center. It was obvious that someone had taken her there, but was it the same person that tried to kill her? That’s what Madison was hoping to learn.
She walked down the hall of the hospital and saw Aspen’s mother coming out of the room, and she looked haggard from lack of sleep. “Hello, Mrs. Chambers? I’m Madison Hart, a friend of Aspen’s. I was wondering if I might talk to you for a moment.”
“Aspen told me about you. You’re an agent with the FBI, aren’t you?”
“Yes ma’am, I am. How is Aspen?”
“The doctor said she lost a lot of blood and being in the coma has affected her. I asked her who did this to her, and she just looked at me. I’m not sure she understood the question.” Mrs. Chambers struggled to hold back her tears. “Thank God you found her, or she wouldn’t be here at all.”
“Would you mind if I talk to her?”
“No, not at all, but try not to upset her. She seems to have difficulty remembering things, and it’s frustrating her. I just want her to get better so we can take her home with us. The doctor said she is going to need a lot of rest for now.”
“I promise I won’t push, but anything she can tell me will help us find out who did this.” Madison patted Mrs. Chambers on the shoulder. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“Thank you, but we’re fine. Just knowing Aspen’s going to be okay is enough for now. Her father and I have hired someone to be with her around the clock.”
“Well, if there is anything, please don’t hesitate to call me.” Madison handed her a card and then slowly walked into the ICU room. Aspen was still hooked up to tubes and monitors. Madison reached up and gently squeezed Aspen’s hand, and she opened her eyes and smiled. “Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi, yourself. How are you feeling?”
“Not too good right now. My head is throbbing, and I ache all over.” She struggled for air as she spoke. Just that little amount of talking wore her out and set off an alarm. Her O2 stats dropped immediately. The nurse came in to make sure she had her nasal cannula in her nose. “She gets winded quickly, so try not ask her too many questions right now.”
Madison didn’t want to upset or excite Aspen and knew there wouldn’t be much to find out that day. She sat with her for awhile, until Aspen nodded off, and then left her a note letting Aspen know that she would return in the morning.