Page 53 of Pretty Broken Dolls

“Yes. She was like a nurse’s aide and was responsible for many things. She would jump in if someone was late or didn’t show up. Unfortunately, we have a high turnover of staff here.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, the pay is low and it’s not very glamorous. Since we are a community health facility that means many times we don’t get paid for services, and that means we are understaffed and without everything we need. But we manage to get by every month.” She patted the pile of files on her desk.

“Did Ms. Trenton ever confide in you about something or someone that she was having difficulty with?”

Director Norton’s face tightened and she hesitated.

“Please keep in mind I’ve read all the interviews and police reports, so there’s nothing that I haven’t been made aware of,” Katie gently reminded her. “I just want to hear from you—from your personal experience.”

“Well…there was a group of nurses that were abusive to Jeanine. They constantly belittled and undermined her, even though she was an amazing worker.”

“Did she ever discuss it with you?”

“No, she was quiet and took it. It was obvious, but she loved it here. She wanted to help. You know she could have worked anywhere, but she wanted to help the needy.”

Katie made a couple of notes. Her impression of Jeanine Trenton changed a bit as she listened to the director describe her.

“But most of the girls are gone now. I think she was waiting them out.”

“Did she ever talk about her time in the army?”

“Not much. I knew about it, of course, through her application, but she didn’t say much. Although thinking about it, I do remember she mentioned it once and her eyes would light up when she spoke about the dogs.”

“Did anyone ever talk to her about it?”

“Not that I know of.”

Katie was hoping for more information, but she had a clearer picture of who Jeanine was and knew that she would have probably really liked her.

“What’s the matter, Detective?” asked Director Norton as if she sensed Katie’s slight frown.

“Jeanine sounded like a very nice person, a hard worker, well liked—with the exception of a few women here at the time…”

“That’s a fair assessment.”

“I know there’s something I’m missing.”

“Such as?”

Katie shifted in her seat, not sure if she should say anything to the director. “There wasn’t any talk, or gossip, about someone harassing her at home, maybe?”

“No, nothing that I can think of—”

There was the unmistakable sound of a gunshot from the first floor.

Katie jumped up from her chair and quickly went out to the staircase and listened. She heard voices yelling and then McGaven instructing someone to drop a weapon. She raced back into the director’s office where she was standing with a shocked look upon her face.

“Call 911. And tell them shots have been fired. Let them know two police detectives are already here and in need of assistance. Got it?”

Director Norton nodded and quickly picked up her phone.

Katie raced down the stairs, almost stumbling before she reached the bottom. Pulling her weapon, she stepped into the hallway, looking both ways. The shot had come from below, in the vicinity of the entrance and waiting area.

Two nurses came out of a room to see what was going on. The worried expressions on their faces clearly evident as they looked up and down the hallway.

“Stay inside, lock the door,” she told them. They obliged without any questions.