“We got a tip from some PIs.”
“Mills and Johnson?”
“Those are the ones. They’re legendary all throughout Colorado. They charge a pretty penny.”
I nodded. How well I knew.
“You sure you’re okay? Should we call an ambulance for you?”
“Whatever she gave me seems to have worn off. My mind came back before my body. My vision was blurry and my legs and knees didn’t work for a while, but I’m fine now, as you can see.”
“Let’s get you an ambulance. That way they can do a blood test on you and see what you’ve got in your system.”
What the hell? I wasn’t going to get any further hanging around here. Besides, I needed a ride.
* * *
“Chloral hydrate,” the doctor said to me. “It’s an older drug. When used with alcohol, it’s called a Mickey Finn. You’ve heard the phrase ‘slipped him a mickey,’ haven’t you?” He pointed to a tender spot on my neck. “Looks like you were injected here.”
“My vision was blurry when I woke, even though my mind was okay. I had trouble standing.”
“Dizziness is a common side effect. You’ll be okay. It’ll be out of your system soon.”
“Damn.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe somebody got into my house and did all this.”
“Do you have a security system?”
“Yes. But I was up. I had turned it off. Why can’t I remember any of this happening?”
“Retrograde amnesia. It’s pretty common. People sometimes lose the few minutes before an attack.”
I shook my head again.
“The good news is there’s no evidence of any other bodily injury.”
So I hadn’t been beaten or raped. I supposed that was good news, given what our family had already been through.
“How long do I need to stay here?”
“I don’t see any reason to keep you. You’re obviously fine. The drug will leave your system on its own.”
“Good. Is there a phone around here? I have some calls I need to make.”
Chapter Thirty–Seven
Melanie
Ruby knocked on the door of the townhome. “Rodney Cates? Open up. Police.”
No response. Not that I expected one.
She banged on the door again. “Open up, or we’ll force our way in.”
A few seconds later, the doorknob turned.
Rodney Cates stood there. “You don’t look like a police officer to me. Where’s your uniform?”
“I guess you don’t recognize me”—Ruby pulled out her badge—“Uncle Rodney.”