Free Madeleine & the Mind by Felicia Mires Page A

that someone in a managerial role would be checking on me?"
    He scratched his chin. "This is all very strange. Would it be possible for me to meet your Dr. Faraday?"
    If they walked through like they owned the place, she didn't think anyone would stop them.
    "Probably. But I've got another problem. Dr. Giliteau has offered to take me shopping for some personal items. I don't really trust him. If he was the one who tried to kill me in broad daylight at the pool…"
    "It would be most unwise to accompany him on an outing…unless you were followed. I could have someone tail you."
    "That's what I hoped. Do you think I should draw attention to being followed so he won't try anything, or should I let nature take its course? Leave myself out there as a target."
    The Inspector's mouth twitched then he smiled. "Let me think about it. I'll let you know after I find the answer to some of these questions." He stood. "And now…Dr. Faraday."
    Madeleine took the Inspector through the side door. She didn't recognize any of the people in the pool. Presumably, she had conducted her meeting without the surveillance of those plotting against her.
    She unlocked her room and went to the dividing door. It was shut. She knocked, waited a few seconds then called out. "Dr. Hanover…Dr. Faraday?"
    There was no answer, so she opened the door. Steven was parked at the window. He didn't look up when they entered.
    "Steven. I've brought someone to meet you."
    She walked across the room.
    When he didn't respond, she took his chin and turned his head around. He looked worse than usual. Glazed eyes, and he was completely unresponsive to her questions.
    "I'm sorry, Inspector. He has his moments, but sometimes he just completely fades out."
    "And you think you can help this man, Senorita Price? He looks beyond human assistance."
    "I have to try. If he can remember…Dr. Hanover said it's a surety the plans are hidden somewhere. Before the fire, Dr. Faraday told them he'd found a solution to some problem. They have to be hidden at the Institute because Dr. Faraday never left here."
    "Have you searched this room?"
    "No. I assumed Dr. Hanover would have done that. He said they listened to all of Dr. Faraday's dictation tapes. I'll search it tonight. I can't imagine where Dr. Hanover is. I asked him to keep an eye on Steven. He wanders off sometimes."
    "I think you have your work cut out for you. And I would do my best to search every room that Dr. Faraday was known to frequent. However…be careful."
    He had his hand on the door. "If you get a firm date on your outing, call me. Otherwise, I'll be in touch."
    "Thank you, Inspector. Thank you for believing me. I know it all sounds crazy."
    He shook his head and looked at Steven. "That man has gone through something. We will find the answer."
    "Let me walk you out."
    "No, I think we should not be seen together again. Stay with your ward. It might be better if you kept him with you when you search. You are probably safer together."
    "Yes, sir."

 

    Chapter 4
     
    With the Inspector's departure, Madeleine wandered through Steven's rooms. His bedroom was closest to hers. There was a bathroom off to the side. In the next room, his desk, a small couch, and a chair. There was a refrigerator and a microwave in the corner behind a bar.
    "You've got a microwave, and I've eaten cold dinner twice."
    Steven sat, staring out the window again, completely oblivious to her presence.
    "If you don't mind, I'm going to search your room. I know it's probably already been done, but it won't hurt. Unless, you don't want me to?"
    Madeleine looked at his back. When he didn't move, she opened every drawer and cabinet in each room. She went through all the paperwork, piece by piece. "All of this might as well be Greek to me. Why don't you help me? If you see what we're looking for, you can tell me."
    To her surprise, Steven stepped to the table and sat beside her. She handed him one document at a time, but she feared it was a waste of