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circumstances and waited for her reply.
Sharon Agnew s place you say? When was this?
Olivia knew the sheriff was interested and there was a note in her voice that
indicated she knew something else relevant as well. This morning, I was supposed to
be on surveillance.
The sheriff s head cocked slightly as she heard the word supposed. Sorry to
be intrusive, but supposed to be? Did you have to leave?
Not exactly. I think I was drugged. Either something I ate or drank& drank
now that s interesting. Olivia had been so preoccupied with her own failings it had
taken her away from the issue at hand. When was she drugged and who had access to
her food or drink?
Are you sure it was a drug? It might be poison. Have you been checked out
by a doctor?
Olivia had been too upset at her own weakness of being in the situation of not
doing her job efficiently that she hadn t it was anything more than some type of
sleeping drug.. No time for that right now. I can do it later if necessary.
Mason nodded. Do you recall something that might identify who drugged
you?
Yesterday, when we talked, you didn t appear to be too worried about the
situation my client was experiencing. Care to share your views& it might prove
pivotal for us both. Olivia wanted to drag the woman out and force her to tell her
everything if she didn t agree, because right now, she felt that through her own
disregard for anything other than her own needs, put the doc in danger.
Susan Mason considered the request refusing to let the flashing cold dark eyes
to intimidate her. She had to admit, the detective did have a style all her own, which
set off warning bells in her head.
Sharon Agnew has a record of delusion paranoia. Doctor Smith, her
physician, could relate more of her case if it wasn t confidential. All I can say is,
when she was growing up she s was in and out of various mental institutions. Folks
around here thought she d grown out of it since she hasn t had an episode for years.
She is after all a teacher at the high school, an upstanding member of the community,
and even a member of the church board. When she began her stories about a year ago,
I did my duty and looked into the situation. However it appeared unfounded for there
wasn t any hard evidence that anyone was leaving her messages or threatening her in
any way. Then of course, I was told in confidence she had a history back when she
was younger of having a very active& imagination& shall we say. I decided as the
woman was under a certain amount of emotional stress after learning that our school
was closing and that she was losing her job at the end of the year. I figured she had
lapsed and it would go away when she sorted herself out.
Closing her eyes briefly, Olivia was angry angry as hell with herself. If she
had done her homework on this woman then perhaps she wouldn t be here now
putting Amelia in potential danger.
I think you were wrong, Sheriff Mason. Agnew hasn t allowed it to go away.
I believe she s gotten worse. The victim Randall, lived next door to her right?
Yes. Are you thinking she s responsible for his death? Although she had
fired the question as an impossible situation, she knew the possibility existed. It was
becoming more and more plausible as her conversation with the private detective
continued.
Olivia nodded. Worse thing is, Sheriff, my partner is alone with her at this
moment. How do you want to deal with this? She knew how she wanted to deal with
it. Drag Amelia kicking and screaming if necessary out of the Agnew house and let
the sheriff deal with the woman. Although, she knew that was impossible, now that
Amelia was involved. Even though Amelia hadn t decided which life she wanted to
lead, there was one thing that would never change; Amelia s need to help people and
that was anyone regardless of how bad a person was. Agnew fit the bill perfectly.
Blue eyes flashed at Olivia. Can she handle herself as well as I imagine you
can? Right now, we are looking at a potential serious suspect for our murderer.
Fortunately, she isn t a psychiatrist because she hates doctors in general. According to
Doctor Smith, she and can be pretty violent toward that sector.
Let s go, Olivia ground out through clenched teeth, as she was half way out
of the building.
. .
*
Have you lived here for a long time, Sharon? Amelia asked interested in her
companion. The drive to the Agnew home had been relatively quiet, except for
Sharon s rather active interest in the detective and particularly about her health. Olivia
wouldn t have told the woman much about herself. Even after six months, Amelia had
barely scratched the surface of who Olivia Santos really was.
Sharon Agnew gave the friendly stranger a noncommittal shrug as she walked
agitatedly toward the kitchen. The woman hadn t asked about a drink so she merely
touched a few items and then stepped back into the study. She saw the woman was
looking at some photographs. I don t like strangers prying.
Amelia calmly replaced the photo where she had taken it for a better look.
Sorry about that. You look like you re having a great time. Is this your family?
No! Sharon once more left the room and walked toward the kitchen.
This time, Amelia moved so she could see what the woman was doing. Her
initial thought in the car was that the woman was beside herself with worry, talking
about anything but what was happening to her. Who wouldn t be under the
circumstances? However, as soon as they had entered the house, Sharon had gone
from reasonably affable to downright negative. Sharon was now rearranging her
kitchen utensils, particularly the chopping knives. Maybe she was one of those house
proud people and it kept idle hands happy. The next words shredded that thought
completely and put Amelia on cautious watch. Why are you spying on me? Is it you
that s been sending those awful letters and objects? Why can t you leave me alone?
Sharon pulled several faces that would have made a contortionist proud, as she paced
the kitchen area with a small paring knife in her hand.
I ll just sit in the living room and wait for Detective Santos. Would that be
okay, Sharon? Amelia had one thought as she tentatively returned to the safe harbor
of the living room classic paraphrenic tendencies. The woman was about the right
age, mid-forties, appearing to have ideas people were persecuting her and or doing her
harm. Considering the possibility that the woman was mentally unstable, Amelia
knew there was every possibility that she could in fact, manufactured the letters and
objects she had supposedly been receiving. As she pondered the classic symptoms, a
thought struck her and it wasn t a very pleasant. The mutilated ear.
If Sharon had done this to a person, which one had to assume had been alive
fairly recently, then she could be progressing into violent dementia. And right now
being in the same room with her could be dangerous. She hadn t experienced being
alone with a mentally deranged person before so she considered the possibility that
she could be jumping the gun and assuming things. If Olivia had allowed a discussion
about whom she thought might have drugged her perhaps she wouldn t be in this
situation. If the woman gave Olivia any kind of food or drink during the previous day,
that could be the answer. If so, that meant Sharon Agnew had no scruples about who
she hurt or used during her paranoia episodes. It was clear that outside her domain,
she could function normally or at least appear that way. Once she stepped inside her
house, a different situation occurred. That begged the question, had Olivia noticed
something wasn t quite right when she had met the woman who requested her
professional assistance. It was an interesting gambit and the safest course of action
would be to leave and take refuge in her car until Olivia arrived. The only problem,
she would be abandoning someone who needed her help? Amazingly, Amelia was the
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