Simon Says Die

down, then shut his folder. “I’ll drum up a toxicology expert, and subpoena the hospital records. In the meantime, I called in a favor and arranged bail. Settle your bill with the cashier, and you’re free to go—with the stipulation that you remain with Pierce. The judge is counting on him, as a federal agent, to keep an eye on you.

 
    Chapter Twenty-Three
    R ATHER THAN TAKE Madison back to the bed-and-breakfast, Pierce decided to take her to his house. She was far too shaky and pale for him to want to answer any concerned questions from the innkeeper owner when he saw her.
    He opened the front door of his house for Madison and stood back for her to go inside. She stood frozen, as if in a trance, and he had to gently push her to get her to move. His heart ached for the desolation on her face. She looked lost.
    â€œHave a seat.” He nodded toward the couch, and carried the Chinese take-out food he’d grabbed back in town to the kitchen countertop. He set out two plates and some silverware, and put some ice in some glasses. He turned to ask her what she wanted to drink, and frowned when he saw she was still standing where he’d left her.
    He stepped over to her and tugged her hand to get her to sit on the couch. She sat, staring out the front picture window. He was pretty sure she wasn’t looking at the acres of trees that lined his property. She was looking somewhere he couldn’t see right now.
    â€œIt’s way past lunchtime. You haven’t eaten since this morning. Are you hungry?”
    She shrugged, continuing to look out the window.
    He tapped his fist against his thigh and stood in indecision. He knew Madison’s forceful personality tended to rub people the wrong way, and in the middle of an investigation her temper and lack of tact was frustrating, to say the least. But seeing her like this, so quiet, so meek, had him worried. She was so strong. He never would have thought anything could affect her this way.
    â€œI’ll get you some lo mein and fried rice. How about an egg roll? You like those, right?”
    She didn’t respond. She just stared out the window.
    He looked around in desperation. He knew Madison wasn’t much for watching TV, but she needed something to help pull her out of the funk she was in. He crossed to the bookshelf on the far wall and turned on the satellite radio sitting there. Madison was a free spirit who loved anything artistic, including music of all kinds. Pierce scanned until he found an upbeat popular tune and turned it up.
    He glanced back at her, but she hadn’t even reacted.
    Shoulders slumping, he headed into the kitchen to make her a plate. When he came back out, one of her favorite songs was playing, but she wasn’t even moving to the music.
    After setting the bottles of water and plates down on an end table, he plopped down on the couch beside her. He reached over, lifted her up, and placed her on his lap.
    She blinked as if only now noticing him. “What are you doing?”
    â€œFeeding you. You need to eat.”
    â€œNot hungry.”
    He grabbed one of the plates and held a forkful of noodles beneath her nose. “It’s your favorite, pork lo mein, extra soy sauce. Come on, try it.”
    She sniffed and looked down at the fork.
    â€œTake a bite,” he said. “Do it for me.”
    He lightly held the fork of lo-mein against her lips.
    Letting out a small sigh, she opened her mouth.
    A few hard-won bites later, he said, “Come on, I went to a lot of trouble putting all that soy sauce on there. The least you can do is tell me how fantastic it is.”
    The halfhearted smile on her face was far from convincing. “It’s great.”
    After he hand-fed her several more bites, she turned her head, refusing to eat anymore.
    She took a drink of water when he offered it, then pushed the bottle away. Pierce set the bottle down on the table and sat holding her, wondering what else he could do to get the old Madison back. He needed to tease her. Or make her mad, anything to bring back that spark that was Madison.
    An idea shot through him, an idea that would either work, or get him slapped. He was willing to risk it. He sank his fingers in her hair and pressed his mouth against hers. He’d only meant to shock her into awareness, but the moment his lips touched hers he couldn’t pull back. Not yet. He deepened the kiss, tasting the rich soy sauce, tasting her ,