Irrefutable Read Free Page A

the last time you did something together, just the two of you?”
    “It’s been a while,” he admitted.
    “You sure seemed to have time for that other woman.”
    Alex let out a long sigh. “That was a mistake. I broke it off. You know that.”
    “That woman is psychotic.” Allyson folded her arms and stared out the window. “It may be over for you, but I don’t think it is for her.”
    “She’s fine.”
    “Mark my words,” Allyson said, “your little affair will come back to haunt you.”
    “It wasn’t an affair. You had been gone for a year and a half before I started seeing her.”
    Alex had never told Carmen or Rachel of the relationship. It only lasted a couple of months. He didn’t see the need. He made the rest of the ten minute drive in silence.
    _________
     
    Cypress Village Community Hospital opened its doors four years ago. It is situated on twenty eight acres on the southern edge of town, land that was donated by a group of wealthy alumni from Florida State University, with the agreement that it was to be used as the site for a state-of-the-art medical facility. As it turned out, several of those alumni were physicians who wanted a world class hospital that could cater to the needs and demands of the affluent people who called Cypress Village home. This shining diamond was now a statement in opulence. With three hundred all private rooms it looked and felt more like a five star hotel than a hospital. It offered hotel style concierge and room services. It was the kind of place the well insured flocked to for their healthcare needs or when paying out of pocket for their elective procedures.
    Its glass and steel structure reached seven stories into the Florida sky, sparkling as its windows reflected the last light of the setting sun.
    Alex parked in the physician’s lot, adjacent to the ambulance entrance. He entered 9-1-1, into the keypad beside the sliding glass doors and chuckled at the high level of security as they slid open.
    The ER was busy, but this was not unusual for a Friday evening. Even though Cypress village was a desirable, upscale area, the town still had its share of drunks that somehow always seemed to end up in the ER on Friday or Saturday nights.
    “Hey detective. Long time, no see.” Janet Freeman, the sexual assault nurse examiner, greeted Alex as he made his way to the far end of the nurse’s station.
    Alex had known Janet for a little over four years. He always thought she was an odd sort, but she was good at her job. She was a very outspoken thirty something with a dark past that she felt no need to keep secret. Janet had made a sport of flirting with him, even when his wife was alive. Alex always took it in stride.
    “I got called just as I stepped into the shower. Didn’t even have time to wash my hair.” Janet said. “I feel so dirty.”
    Alex didn’t acknowledge the last remark. He opened his briefcase to retrieve the sexual assault evidence kit and his folding clipboard. “I’m missing my daughter’s prom. She has to wait alone for her date and I feel guilty as hell.” he said without looking at her.
    “You should,” Janet smiled, “but, what can you do?”
    “What indeed?” He handed Janet the evidence kit.
    A uniformed officer approached Alex, a small spiral notepad in hand. “Good evening detective.”
    Alex acknowledged the man with a nod.
    “Victim’s name is Amanda Dixon. She was found by a passer-by, out by the old marina. Says she was attacked while she was jogging and figures she was taken out there and dumped after the attack.”
    Alex looked at Janet and saw the color drain from her face. “Are you okay?”
    “Sorry, I’m fine.”
    “What is it?” Alex asked.
    “Janet leaned close to Alex so only he could hear. “My father used to take me to an old marina in Ohio. It just brought back some bad memories, that’s all.”
    Alex nodded, “You’re sure you’re okay?”
    “Fine.” Janet forced a smile
    Alex returned his attention to