Free Hollywood Notorious: A Hollywood Alphabet Thriller Series (A Hollywood Alphabet Series Thriller Book 14) by M.Z. Kelly Page B

cooperation.”
    I realized that Peters probably didn’t have her boss’s approval for the interview. She was going rogue, agreeing to an interview for whatever political points it might score her, and wanted my tacit approval.
    “Sorry,” I said, tugging on Bernie’s leash. “I’ve already had my fifteen minutes of fame.”

THIRTEEN
     
    Dr. Ellen Moore took a final glance through her new patient’s file before closing it. She sighed and tossed it aside. She remembered when she was a small child and had gone to a make-believe haunted house in her neighborhood with her older brother for Halloween. She’d been so traumatized by the events in that house that she remembered screaming and trying to run outside, only to make a wrong turn and end up in a darkened bedroom.
    Those same feelings returned when she thought about the nightmare Quinton Macy had visited upon this world, but there was nothing make-believe about the horrors the real-life monster had created. She’d dealt with a lot of deranged subjects over the years, but her patient’s crimes raised, no, make that lowered, the bar to a new level. While reading his file, she’d learned that he was a suspect in several unsolved cases: men and women, raped, mutilated, or murdered. She knew there were probably other victims, as well. Monsters like Macy were masters at hiding in plain sight while they victimized their prey.
    “He’s all set for transport, Ellen.”
    She glanced up, seeing Joshua Brown, the Berkshire Prison guard. She’d had several casual conversations with the guard in the few short weeks she’d worked at the hospital and they were now on a first name basis. “Okay. Let me get a few things together and I’ll be there in a minute.”
    After retrieving her suitcase and then placing Macy’s file in her briefcase, along with information about the drug protocols for Neustasis, she stopped by Dr. Marlow’s office. She found the senior psychiatrist standing and looking through his window at the rolling grounds of Berkshire State Hospital. The Spanish style psychiatric facility, built in the 1930s, was in the foothills west of Pasadena. It was a beautiful area of rolling hills, yet it was close to the city.
    Ellen cleared her throat. “We’re about ready to leave.”
    Dr. Marlow came over and sat on the corner of his mahogany desk. “I’m assuming you’re taking two guards?”
    She shook her head. “Just one. The other assigned guard didn’t report to work this morning. Jason…” She cleared her throat. “They called him at home, but he didn’t pick up. Maybe he’s sick.”
    The lines on Marlow’s weathered face deepened, and he released a breath. “Just be sure your patient is restrained at all times, even while the drug is administered and afterward.”
    Ellen remembered the drug protocols required that subjects be monitored for forty-eight hours after being given Neustasis due to possible adverse side-effects. “I’ll make sure the guard understands.” She studied her superior for a moment. “You’re genuinely concerned about him, aren’t you?”
    Marlow rubbed a hand over his fleshy face. “I’ll say it again. Macy doesn’t fit any of the diagnostic criteria. He’s brilliant, manipulative, and deranged. My advice is to minimize any contact and not engage with him.”
    “Maybe I have something to learn from him.”
    “Dr. Javier thought the same thing, and…”
    When he didn’t go on, Ellen said, “You don’t think Macy had something to do with what happened to him?”
    Marlow shrugged. “We’ll never know. All we do know is that your patient can’t be trusted. Keep that in mind at all times.”
    Twenty minutes later, Joshua Brown helped Ellen place her belongings into the rear of the transport van. After closing the doors, he said, “The trip should only take a couple of hours. The hotel we’re staying at is adjacent to Halgen Medical Center. Maybe we can get a bite to eat together tonight.”
    Ellen smiled.