18. Nikoli

It"searly morning when we arrive in Baton Rouge. Rosie tells us that the last place they have for Dodge is a private hospital halfway between Louisville and Baton Rouge. I"m no longer angry at Willow for coming here with Dodge or for leaving without a word. I admit I was jealous at first. Now I"m afraid of what"s happened to her. Those bastards are in for a shock if they"ve hurt her.

Rhodes slows the vehicle as he leads us off-road behind an abandoned gas station in the middle of nowhere. The only other vehicle is a black SUV. Two men climb out. Rhodes grins and quickly climbs out to meet them. Rosie yawns loudly from the back seat before climbing out. I follow.

The two men hug Rhodes before one lifts Rosie off her feet in a bear hug. She laughs.

They are Rhodes brothers, Carlisle and Jessop Hallen. They live in Sugar Briar, a town in Tennessee. Their hometown. They have a few business interests, Rhodes tells me, some of which could get them in trouble with the law. I don"t really care about that.

Introductions are made.

"Nikoli and Rosie, you two go in through the front doors and enquire about Willow and Dodge. Watch their reactions closely," says Carlisle.

"How the hell are they going to get away with this?" I grumble. "What about the cops? I've got a card from Detective Cross in Boston. He knew about Willow"s father being killed. Maybe he has a contact down here." I shrug. "Better than nothing."

"I say we scout the place first." Jessop looks at each of us. "If we can do it without the cops, it"s better for us. Just sayin"."

"Look, I don"t give a shit who the fuck helps us. I want my girl back. Preferably unharmed. Her brother too." I run a hand over my hair and sigh. "Rosie and I will distract them while you guys go around the building."

Carlisle snorts. "Go." He waves us off. "We"ll enter the building from the rear."

I climb behind the wheel of the rental and wait for Rosie to exchange quiet words with Rhodes. She climbs in and slams the door. I start the engine and drive off with the other vehicle, heading down a side road that should take them closer to the back of the facility. Rosie and I drive up the gravel driveway of Magnolia Psychiatric Hospital. Magnolia is the state flower of Louisiana.

The place is well lit when we arrive at the circular turnaround outside the building. "I"m not sure how much sneaking will be possible with the way this place is lit up."

"We should have expected that. It"s a private hospital, which means expensive, which means security." Rosie winces.

"I think Carlisle and Jessop have thought about this. They came prepared." Pause. "I"m not sure I want to know how prepared they are."

"Yeah, best not to ask." She grins. "They"re nice guys, Nikoli. Regardless of what they may or may not be into."

"I really don"t care, Rosie. I just want Willow back." I run my hand over my tired face. "I promised my grandma I would bring her home... The thing is, when this mess is cleaned up, Willow and her brother have a home here. They"ll be safe. What if she doesn"t think of Boston as home anymore?"

"I don"t know, Nikoli." She sighs. "Willow loves you. I think her home will be wherever you are. My home is wherever Rhodes is. He"s my home." Rosie pats my arm. "Let"s go inside."

I climb out and join Rosie, who suddenly grabs my arm. "That"s their car."

"How?"

"Dodge uploaded a copy of the rental agreement to the server at work before they drove it off the lot. All the investigators do that with rental or hotel reservations."

"At least we have confirmation they"re here." I walk to the front of the building and knock on the door. Rosie rings the loud bell. She doesn"t get an answer. I bang on the door again.

A tall man in what looks like a white uniform appears. He stands inside with his arms crossed over a rather large chest. "Open this door!"

"You need to calm down," the man yells, "or I will call the cops and have them deal with you."

"Call the cops!" I demand. "Then you can explain to them where my girlfriend is?"

The man"s eyes flicker. "What are you talking about?"

"Her car is parked outside. She is nowhere to be seen. In fact, she hasn"t been seen since she went to visit her cousin this afternoon." I had to stop myself before I gave too much away. We don"t know where Dodge is either. I bang on the door again. "Either you let us in to find my girl or I"m going to keep banging on this door. Maybe I"ll start breaking the glass. Get the cops out here."

Rosie joins me and starts banging on the door. The man behind it gets angry. His face is bright red, and he breathes like a bull ready to charge. "You"re a fucking idiot," the man yells before jumping forward and opening the door.