Read Online Predator by Terri Blackstock - Free Book Online

Quinn. The press hasn’t gotten wind of it yet.”
    Krista felt sick again and headed for the bathroom. “Where did they find her body?”
    “No, she’s not dead. She escaped. She’s here at the hospital.”
    Krista stopped in the bathroom, leaned against the cold tile. “Can she identify the person who attacked her?”
    “I don’t know. She’s been beaten half to death. She is conscious, though. The police have been questioning her since she came in. I’d get fired if they knew I told you, but I thought you should know. It’s really sad, because she’s here all alone.”
    “Laura, I need to talk to her. I’m coming to the hospital.”
    “Krista, please don’t. I’m telling you, I’ll get fired.”
    “I won’t tell them how I found out. But it could be the same person who killed Ella. She could help us find him.”
    There was a long pause. “All right, but the staff knows I know you. I had them all praying for you. If they see you, they’ll know.”
    “I’ll try to slip in without being noticed. What room is it?”
    “Room 323. Krista, don’t make me regret this. Wait an hour or so. I’m getting off soon, so I’ll be gone.”
    Anger flared. “If we find Ella’s killer, will you regret it?”
    Another pause. “No, of course not.”
    She tried to breathe, telling herself to go easier on Laura. She was doing her a favor. “Thank you for telling me, Laura. I owe you one.”
    “You’re welcome, girl. Call me when you feel like it.”
    Krista clicked off the phone and went to take a shower. She had promised to speak to the kids at Ella’s high school this afternoon, so she needed to look decent. That would kill an hour and give her stomach time to calm. Then she would head to the hospital.
    …
    The hospital corridor was long and barren. The floor shone with an over-abundance of wax and smelled of antiseptic. It was too cold, and Krista shivered as she followed the maze to the elevators, then rode up to the third floor. She got off and looked for the numbers on the doors. Room 323 was on the opposite side, at the other end of the hall.
    She’d worn her sunglasses and pulled her hair up into a ponytail, hoping she wouldn’t catch anyone’s eye. Her face had been on the local news quite a bit since Ella’s disappearance. As she followed the numbers on the doors, she spotted Laura coming toward her. Her friend saw her, turned, and went the other way.
    Krista pretended she hadn’t seen her.
    Another nurse was coming out of 323, so Krista paused at 321 and acted like she was going in. When the nurse passed, Krista went to 323. The door was slightly ajar. She knocked lightly, then pushed it open. A girl lay on the bed, her face scraped and swollen, her lip split, and her leg in a Velcro cast.
    Krista brought her hand to her mouth. This could have been Ella, if only she’d been found in time.
    The girl’s swollen eyes were closed, as if she slept. A tray of untouched food sat beside her bed.
    Krista stepped quietly into the room. There were no possessions out. The closet was open, and nothing hung there. She’d probably been brought here in an ambulance. How had she gotten away?
    She went to the head of the bed, and the girl’s eyes fluttered open. The white part of her right eye was bloody. “Could you get me some water, please?” She spoke as if it hurt, hardly moving her mouth.
    “Of course.” Krista put her purse down and found thepitcher of water, poured her a cup. She brought it to Megan and helped her drink.
    “Have my parents gotten here yet?”
    Clearly, Megan assumed she was on the hospital staff. “I don’t think so. Megan, I’m Krista Carmichael. I don’t know if you’ve heard about my sister, Ella Carmichael…”
    Megan stared up at her. “The girl who was killed.”
    “Yes.”
    Megan’s eyes filled with tears. “How did you know about me?”
    Krista drew in a long breath. “A friend who works here told me. I hope you don’t mind my coming. I just wanted to talk to