Chapter 28

St.Elizabeth's federal psychiatric facility wasn't known for its inviting atmosphere, but these days, Dana felt more at home there than anywhere else in D.C. The pale ivory walls and spotless white linoleum tile floor welcomed her like a familiar friend. Even the sterile scent of lemony-fresh cleaner put Dana at ease.

Here everything was as it should be. Neat, orderly, safe. The clang of the magnetic locks closing behind her drove home the security measures of the psychiatric facility. No one was getting out without notice, or more importantly … no one was getting in.

Ever since seeing Meredith's face in the photograph with Claire and Congressman Hayes, Dana hadn't been able to shake the feeling that her friend was in danger. She knew it was irrational. Dana had to hand over her credentials and two forms of identification just to get buzzed past the front desk. But her time with Jake and the FBI had taught her to trust her gut.

It"s why she was here.

That and Dana couldn't ignore the guilt nagging her for letting the time between her visits with Meredith stretch longer than it should.

After quickly signing in with the nurse on Meredith's floor and surrendering her handbag and cell phone, Dana walked through her second metal detector of the day and submitted to a pat down before being escorted to room 241.

Relief whooshed through Dana's lungs when she glimpsed Meredith sitting in her bed, a book propped open on her knees. The nurse punched in a code on the keypad and the door buzzed open. Meredith looked up, grinning the moment she saw Dana. "I didn't know you were coming today. It's been a while."

"I know. I'm sorry about that."

Meredith dogeared a page and shut her book. "You don't need to apologize. I've been keeping busy."

"So, I've heard."

Meredith's grin faltered. "What's wrong?"

"How do you know something's wrong?"

"Because I know you, Dana. It's been weeks since you've visited and now you show up unannounced looking like you've seen a ghost."

"When I saw this, I thought I had." Dana fished a photograph out of her pocket and handed it to Meredith. "When were you going to tell me about your outings?"

"Whenever you deemed me important enough to visit again," Meredith shot back.

"Please tell me this wasn't to get my attention."

Meredith's gaze lit with amusement. "You know, I almost forgot how narcissistic you are. But in a way, I guess you're right. This was about you."

"How do you mean?"

"I agreed to meet with Claire because I know she means something to you, and Dr. Dvita thought I might be able to get through to her but ..."

"But what?"

Meredith sighed. "Listen, I know you live your life serving the dark, but only in the light can healing begin. And that girl—well I don't think there's an ounce of light left inside her."

Dana jabbed at the book on Meredith's bed. Its self-help title befitting the rest of the collection stacked neatly on the simple desk in the corner. "Oh, and I supposed you're an expert in psychology now?"

"What's wrong with trying to understand where I went wrong?"

Dana fought the urge to pace, rubbing her temples instead. "I'm sorry. There's nothing wrong with it. I just don't appreciate you passing judgment on Claire."

"Why not? It takes crazy to know crazy."

"Mere …" Dana warned.

"No. I told Dr. Dvita and now I'm telling you. Something is deeply wrong with that girl, and she's spreading it to everyone around her at that rehab center. I told him I wasn't going back there. The best thing they can do is get her out of there before she and her little friends get carried away."

"What do you mean?"

"I sat it on one of their group sessions the last time I was at Passages. Claire was going on about how scared she is, feeling surrounded by death. I went to go talk to her after the session, but she and her friends were laughing, carrying on about visions of black robes and scythes, like it was all some big joke to them."

Dana's scalp prickled with fear. "What did you say?"

"Black robes and scythes. I heard them talking about it plain as day."

"Who?"

"I don't know, there were four of them. They all go by these ridiculous code names. The only ones I know for sure are Claire and Congressman Hayes. He goes by Taft, but I recognized him from my time on the Hill. He's a total prick, by the way. Definitely not a good crowd she's running with. The orderly seemed nice enough, but the red-haired little thing is a sociopath."

"Did you tell Dr. Dvita all of this?"

Meredith shrugged. "Mostly. I wanted to make it clear I was done helping."

"But did you tell him what you heard Claire say? Specifically, about the scythe?"

"No, I don't think so."

Dana scratched her head, unable to stop herself from pacing the length of the tiny room. "That doesn't make sense," she muttered to herself, but Meredith interrupted her thoughts.

"It doesn't have to make sense to be true."

Dana stopped in her tracks, whirling on her friend. "Mere, try to remember! What exactly did you tell Dr. Dvita you heard?"

"I don't know. What's the big deal?"

"Congressman Hayes is dead. Someone slit his throat with a scythe."

Meredith blinked in disbelief. "What? When?"

Dana held up the photo again. "Shortly after this photo of you and Claire was taken with him."

The color drained from Meredith's face. "What are you saying? You think I'm in danger?"

"I don't know. I was brought in to help identify the murder weapon, but I'm not officially working this case."

"What about Jake?"

"He doesn't have any more information than I do at the moment. The whole thing is being kept tight-lipped due to political ramifications."

"Dana, if I'm in trouble, I need to know I'm being protected."

Seeing her visible distress, Dana sat down on Meredith's bed, taking her friend's hands. "I didn't come here to frighten you. There's no reason to believe you're in danger."

"Dana, I know what I heard. Claire said the word scythe and then a Congressman was murdered with one. That's not a coincidence. If she thinks I can implicate her and her friends they're going to try to tie up loose ends."

"You're sure you heard her say that?"

Meredith's eyes were pleading. "I know I'm in a psych ward, but I know what I heard, Dana. I wouldn't make something like this up. Especially not when things are starting to look up for me."

"What do you mean?"

"My sister's been by to visit. Abby even said she's willing to bring my niece by soon. And she's going to live stream her wedding so I can be a part of it. Plus, she's helped me get a new lawyer, who says if I keep cooperating, I can possibly get my sentence reduced and get out of here before the end of time. I'm not going to do anything to screw that up."

Warmth filled Dana's chest, momentarily driving away the chill Meredith's revelation filled her with. "I'm so happy to hear Abby's back in your life."

"Me too," Meredith whispered through a teary smile. "Dana, I know Claire is your friend. But I was your friend once, too."

"You still are, Mere. That's why I'm here. I told you I'm not giving up on you and I meant it."

"Then promise me you'll be careful around Claire. If there's one thing I know, it's when someone isn't in control of themselves. She reminds me of myself, or at least how I was before I got help."

"Claire's getting help, too. I'm taking her to see Dr. Dvita tomorrow."

Meredith's eyes lit up. "He records all his sessions. Ask him to see his footage of Claire. Then you can see for yourself. There's a darkness inside her, and we should all be afraid of what happens if it's found a way out."