Chapter Twenty-Four: The Carrot and The Stick

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Edgar returned to Ridgeville Memorial Hospital two days later and he was not in the best of moods. The toxicology results came back the day before and it was just as he feared. He flashed his credentials to the security guard, gave him a courteous nod and proceeded to the reception. A tall, slender eastern European woman wearing a maroon pencil skirt with a matching blazer and a sky blue blouse pointed him in the direction he needed to go. While trudging along the corridors of the massive hospital Edgar noted the increased security presence. To the untrained eye nothing was out of the ordinary but to people who knew where to look, like Edgar, it was like staring at a brightly lit Christmas tree. Perhaps that was intentional, a warning sign to back the hell off.

Whoever they are guarding must be really important.

Three minutes later, he was standing in front of Lindsey Goodwin's room: 113. He took a deep breath, knocked twice and entered when he got an affirmative answer. Lindsey was seated up in bed and staring out the window when Edgar entered the room. He sat in the chair across from her bed, folded his arms and fixed his gaze squarely on her.

"The weather outside is lovely and this morning, I'm pretty sure I was woken up by the singing of birds. It felt like I was in a Disney movie," said Lindsey, finally turning to look at him. "I hear you saved my life two days ago. Words can express how grateful I am to you."

Well... We'll see if you still feel the same way in a few minutes.

"I just did what anybody in my situation would do," replied Edgar coolly. "What happened to you two nights ago?"

"I... I don't remember much about that night."

"Your blood and urine toxicology results came back," said Edgar stonily. "There were significant amounts of morphine detected in your blood. Now I'd ask if you have a prescription but we both know the answer to that question. So... why don't we help each other?"

Lindsey sat with her arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her face. If there was any hint of fear or remorse in her, she did not show it. "What have I done wrong, officer?"

"For starters we have you on illegal possession of a controlled substance and obstruction of justice. I wonder what else we'll find with a little digging but if you cooperate, I'm sure we can cut a deal."

"Okay, I'll cooperate. I'll tell you whatever you want to know. Just don't send me to jail or worse, prison," she said in a shaky voice.

"You haven't been charged with anything Lindsey. It's not you or your dealer we're after but the bigger fish behind him. So what's his name, how'd you get in contact and where'd you meet?"

Lindsey told him everything she could remember including a detailed description of the dealer, the locations of their meetings and how the exchange took place. Edgar scribbled away on his notepad as furiously as he could, nodding his head encouragingly as she spoke. When she's was done, he thanked her and headed towards the door.

"Your sister really cares about you. So much so that she was willing to send you to rehab to avoid any jail time, provided you cooperated with me today. You should use this time to re-evaluate your life and turn things around. It's not too late," said Edgar before closing the door.

He quickly called the station to put out an APB on the dealer. While he was walking to his police cruiser, his thoughts started to wonder.

Things are going to be interesting from now on. I threatened Lindsey with jail time and now I'll have to live next to her sister knowing that. I know I did the right thing but why do I feel like a monster.

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