Secret Delivery. Delores Fossen

around town this morning, the new waitress that Bella hired over at the diner said she saw that man, Ted, late last night.”

      “Where?” Jack asked, though he already suspected the answer.

      “In front of your office. She said the guy came running out of the alley, jumped in his car and drove away. She said he looked like he was up to no good.”

      “He was,” Alana assured them. She turned to him. “I told you.”

      So she had. Jack would have liked to explain the man’s behavior. But he couldn’t. Unless Ted was trying to cover up the fact that a patient had escaped and he didn’t want to get in trouble for a security infraction. But that didn’t make sense. Once the man realized he hadn’t contained Alana, then why hadn’t he stayed? Why get in his car and leave without alerting someone in the sheriff’s office?

      Jack heard the footsteps, looked up and realized he might not have to wait long for those answers. Sean and his guests hadn’t stayed put in the lobby despite the deputy’s order. They were coming up the hall, and

      judging from their expressions, they were there to take Alana back to the institution.

      Of course, that led Jack to another question.

      Was he going to let them?