“When are you going to get air conditioning in this thing?” gasped Seth, still trying to lean back without actually making contact with the seemingly molten vinyl seat.
“Air conditioning? We’re gonna have to start calling you Bob,” jabbed Leo.
“Four-sixty air conditioning it is, then.” Pulling his shirt sleeve over his hand to keep from burning himself on the metal cranking lever, Seth rolled the window down.
“Well, I can get all four windows down, but I can’t promise how long it will take to get her up to sixty,” laughed Leo, rolling down his own window without giving any sign of discomfort from grabbing the hot metal lever. Placing both hands on the steering wheel and looking expectantly at Seth, he waited happily for his partner’s direction. “Ok, where we heading first?”
Reading from the file Robert had given him, Seth pointed them in the right direction. “Due west into Madison and straight to the University Hospital. We’re supposed to find an administrator named Virginia Kemp in obstetrics.”
“Aye yai yai I hate hospitals. Too many sick people,” griped Leo as he pulled down hard on the gearshift lever to get the stubborn vehicle out of park. Looking both ways despite being on a one-way street, Leo carefully guided Gertrude out into late-morning traffic.
“We could have all the patients wait in here while we go inside. There’s plenty of room in the back seat,” suggested Seth. He often wondered how anything ever escaped from its depths.
Without missing a beat, Leo always seemed to have a reply in the chamber. “Nah, there’s enough sick white people in here already,”
Still not acclimated to the point where he could completely lay his back against the seat, Seth turned and looked behind him. The array of items strewn about was simply staggering. This went well beyond burger wrappers and soda cans the average person might occasionally toss behind them while driving. At first glance, he saw a depleted fire extinguisher, a circular life preserver, a mounted largemouth bass, a broken lamp, and countless unpaid parking tickets strewn about. Something new seemed to appear every time Leo hit the brakes or made a sharp turn, like fossils showing up after an earthquake. “I take it back about the back seat,” Seth said frankly. “There wouldn’t be room.”
Clearly not offended, Leo laughed as he hoped to get at least one laugh out of his partner during the trip. “Hey, if you like that, there’s more in the trunk.” Failing to elicit even a slight smirk, his lightheartedness turned to concern. “Are you ok? I know this wasn’t what you wanted to be doing with your day, but you’re in a mood, bro.”
Finally acclimated enough to settle into his seat, Seth tried to appreciate the breeze coming in as he watched the endless procession of lethargic-looking pedestrians pass by. “Ok, I’ll stop about the car. I’m just not happy about heading out of town right now,” he admitted. “I just don’t want to chance needing to push my date back tonight.”
Punching Seth playfully in the upper arm like a big brother poking fun as his little brother’s newfound interest in girls, Leo suggestively raised his eyebrows up-and-down a few times. “That’s the third dinner this week. Sounds serious.”
Becoming an expert at ignoring his partner’s tendency to regress into a hyperactive twelve-year-old, Seth pointed toward the onramp to Madison. “We’ve been dating for almost a year now, and I enjoy her more every time I see her.”
“I bet it doesn’t hurt that she’s a looker, huh bro?” said Leo with a wink and a sly nod. Scooting as far left in his seat as he could, he knew what might be coming after a comment like that.
Clenching his left hand into a fist, Seth considered leaning over to return a friendly punch in the shoulder but decided it wasn’t worth expending the energy to reach over the expanse Leo had created between them. Instead, he simply agreed with the observation. “She’s beautiful for sure. Not to mention smart, kind, and wickedly funny.” A crooked smile crossed his lips. “She also happens to be the only woman I’ve dated who can stand my partner.” He scooted to his right to avoid any possible physical reaction Leo may have attempted. There was now a solid four-foot gap between the two men as they watched each other for any sudden moves.
Handling like a battleship on maneuvers, Leo steered the heavy vehicle toward the onramp. “It’s about time you dated a girl with taste,” he said as Gertrude hurtled onto the interstate.
“In all seriousness, I think it may be time to start looking for an engagement r—” Seth was cut off as he suddenly felt the car lurch to one side and then come back to center. He gave an annoyed, but unsurprised look at Leo. Noticing that the jolt had brought them both closer to the center of the seat, he took the opportunity to punch his wise-cracking partner in the shoulder, hard.
“Mierda dude! I was only joking,” said Leo as he rubbed his upper arm. “Just because you’ve gone loco doesn’t mean you get to hit the Mexican!” He settled into his seat, laughing loudly. Pressing the accelerator, he anxiously watched the speedometer needle move slowly past fifty-five and creep toward sixty. The old car rattled slightly, backfired, and then characteristically pulled through as she came up to speed with the rest of traffic.
Looking down at his hands, Seth was surprised to detect a slight trembling in his fingers. “I’ve never felt like this before about anyone, and can’t imagine ever feeling this way about anyone else.”
Genuinely curious, Leo dropped the sophomoric hijinks, at least for the moment. “I’ve never been there man, what’s it like?” asked Leo with genuine curiosity.
Losing himself in the question, Seth looked out the window at the green fields and farmhouses passing peacefully by. “It’s like being out of control all of the time, but being ok with it,” he said as he contemplated the confusing mix of emotions associated with the thought of Sarah. “I’ve reached a point where I know all I need to know to move forward.” His hands stopped shaking with the revelation.
“You have a plan then?” pried Leo.
“Nothing yet, but soon, I think,” said Seth. He quickly checked to make sure his seatbelt was fully fastened, just in case his confirmed-bachelor of a partner instinctively swerved for the shoulder again. “I’ll be sure to let you know so I don’t have to send out fliers to the department.”
Taken aback, Leo swiveled his head at the accusation. “Hey, I can keep a secret!” he insisted emphatically. His exaggerated movements caused Gertrude to sway from side to side, just barely staying in the correct driving lane and eliciting a high-pitched horn blast from the nearly defenseless compact car behind them. “Hey, I never told you that Agent Phillips had a third nipple removed last winter…”
Mouth agape, Seth just shook his head and looked back out the window.
Chapter 6
Shadow of Turning
Madison, Wisconsin
University Hospital
A LOW RUMBLE, followed by a single dulcet tone heralded the arrival of the elevator in the darkened lobby of the Administrative Offices dedicated to the hospital’s Obstetrics Department. Yellow light quickly flooded the room as a uniformed police officer stepped out, holding his hat under one arm. For Police Captain John Fillion, entering this particular area was becoming a habit. One he’d prefer to have broken by now. The only difference on this day was that the department was virtually empty. It seemed that most of the staff had disappeared over the last few weeks, including the receptionist who tended to remind him of which turns he needed to take. Thankfully, he had long since learned which turns he needed to make in the seemingly endless maze of identical corridors, and dead ends. However, knowing where he was going didn’t mean he relished the idea of getting there. The harsh glow of artificial light, and a common sinking feeling, told him that he has reached his destination.
Not willing to wait for an invitation, John stepped through the open doorway and made sure that the first words spoken were his own. “Good evening Administrator. Bright enough in here for you?” Resisting the urge to rub his eyes as they adjusted to the severe change in illumination, he was car
eful not to show any signs of weakness. To say that his relationship with Administrator Virginia Kemp had become adversarial would be like saying King Kong and Godzilla were slightly annoyed with one another.
Asserting dominance in her own way, Virginia didn’t even bother to look up from her computer. “The maintenance staff seems to enjoy ignoring my request for softer lighting.” Finally acknowledging her guest, she looked up at him from behind thin wire-framed glasses resting as far down the bridge of her thin nose as she could get them. “Would you care for something? Coffee, a soda perhaps?” Her voice was clearly more saccharine than usual.
Squaring his broad shoulders as he stared down at her, John found himself scrutinizing the woman sitting behind the large desk in front of him. In his mind, her narrow nose, dark eyes, high cheekbones, and pursed lips all appeared to be coming to a point at the center of her face, conjuring images of a small rodent. A veteran detective of more than twenty years, he prided himself upon being open-minded and objective when it came to each investigation. However, with each encounter, things became distorted. Where an outside observer may have seen a dainty, charming, and highly professional woman, he saw only a calculating, bureaucratic shrew who wouldn’t give a straight answer if her life depended upon it. To him, there was nothing genuine about her except a cold interior that clawed glacially from every pore of her impossibly pale skin. That, and the piercing blackness of her soulless eyes.
Reaching behind him, John closed the office door without taking his eyes off the woman sitting coiled in her chair. “Let’s say we skip the small talk, Doc. The last time I was here you went ballistic and swore you’d have my badge,” he reminded her crossly. “Now you invite me over for refreshments? You’ll forgive me if I don’t drink the coffee.” Tilting his balding head to one side, he crossed his arms over his chest to convey his doubts about her motives.
Only a shade over five feet tall, Virginia took deliberate steps to make herself appear more intimidating. She had grown tired of people assuming that she was an intern or some male doctor’s kid who got separated on bring-your-daughter-to-work-day. Twisted into a bun so tight that the skin around her eyes gave her a perpetual look of intensity, nary a strand of her platinum blond hair fell out-of-place. Wearing only black or shades of gray clothing served to amplify the white, flawless appearance of her alabaster skin. Tucking her legs underneath her was the only way to keep from looking like a child disappearing into her large leather office chair. Forcing a thin smile, she continued on with out-of-practice politeness. “I apologize for the urgency of the request, but I was informed that you were considering looking for outside assistance in your investigation?”
Grinning as the sudden invitation began to make sense, John applied a heavy dose of sarcasm to his response. “Oh, you mean the rash of abuse cases that keep happening under your watch? Might that be the investigation you’re referring to?” Shrugging innocently, he leveled a thinly veiled accusation. “I’m surprised your friends at the department haven’t informed you that I’m no longer on the case.”
However true it may have been, Virginia bristled at the insinuation that she was unduly manipulating the investigation behind the scenes. “I don’t have time to play games with you, Mr. Fillion!” Grinding was audible as he clenched her teeth emphatically. “I told you last time that there’s nothing unusual about the events of the last few months. This investigation has become little more than harassment and you simply don’t have the right to keep—”
Cut short as John slammed a hand the size of a baseball-mitt down on the desk, Virginia jolted in astonishment, her stony demeanor shattered.
“First of all, it’s Captain Fillion,” he growled, leaning forward imposingly. “Secondly, I have every right to investigate suspicious activity, even in this hospital, Doctor Kemp.” Lifting his leathery hand from her desk, he took a step back to watch her reaction. He didn’t enjoy intimidating people, but something told him that this doctor knew more than she was letting on, and people were getting hurt over it.
Willing her shocked expression away with a few hard blinks, Virginia regained her composure quickly. With all the compassion of a great white shark, she dismissed the idea that anything was out of the ordinary. “There are going be cases of domestic violence from time to time, especially in a hospital of this size. You’re looking for things that simply aren’t there.”
Marveling at her lack of concern, John clasped his hands in front of him. “Thirteen cases in four months doesn’t fall into the ‘now and then’ category no matter how much you wish it did.”
“Its simple statistics, Captain.” Pointing to her computer screen, she read from a spreadsheet. “The incidences have seen a statistical rise as of late, but when you look at the overall numbers for the year there’s no reason to be alarmed.” The rising volume of her voice began to undermine her appearance of control.
Sensing a rise in her anxiety, John wondered if even she began to doubt her own propaganda. The time to put cards on the table had arrived. “I’ve been at this job a long time, administrator, and I will stake my career that you’re hiding something.”
White skin flushed noticeably whiter as Virginia clenched her right hand into a tense fist. “For the last time,” her voice cracking slightly with exasperation, “I assure you there is nothing here to merit your attention.” Pointing a thin, bony finger at Captain Fillion, she leveled an accusation of her own. “You’re looking for something that just isn’t there because you’ve lost perspective.”
Hearing his cue, John took a short step backward and brought his left hand to his chin. He rubbed his face as if seriously contemplating what Doctor Kemp had said. “I think you may be right, Doc,” he conceded willingly. “I agree that I’m too close to the situation and could use a fresh perspective.” Watching Virginia closely, he knew how her mind worked as she sat up straight and smiled with self-satisfaction. Already she had bought into the idea that she’d won. Satisfied that he had sufficiently lulled the overly confident administrator into his trap, John casually revealed his entire handful of cards. “That’s why I’ve asked the FBI to take over.”
Contorting her face as if something incredibly sour had just materialized in her mouth, Virginia’s eyes opened so wide that even her tightly pulled-back hair could not stop them from betraying her dismay.
Reveling in her reaction, John threw up his arms in feigned surrender as a smile curled at the edges of his lips. “Why should I waste my time on something that isn’t there, right?”
Forcing her hands down flatly on her desk, Virginia lifted from her chair like a vampire bursting from its lair. “You what!?” Instantly irate, her voice trembled with rage. “Why the hell would you do that?” Picking up her phone, she held the receiver out toward John. “You’ve gone too far this time! I demand that you call them off.”
After a reaction like that, John knew all he needed to. This was more than just a statistical anomaly, she was hiding something. Still, he wasn’t lying when he said that he needed fresh eyes on the case. Experience told him that personal distaste for the arrogant administrator would make it difficult for him to stay objective. Content that he had done his part in keeping the young doctor off balance, he decided it was time to excuse himself. “I expect they’re already here. It’s out of my hands.” Turning to leave, he nodded slightly. “Thanks for the invitation to talk. It was a pleasure, as always.”
Dark eyes flashed wildly as Virginia searched for venom harsh enough to unleash on the insufferable man standing haughtily in front of her. Despite her desire, her mind was blanked by rage.
Looking into the dark void framed by the open doorway, John realized that he probably wouldn’t need to make further visits to this particular doctor. “I won’t be bothering you again unless you decide to give our agency friends a difficult time of it,” he promised, not bothering to turn to look at her as he spoke. “I’ll assume that suits us both just fine.” He smiled at the thought. “Have a nice day, Doctor.”
&
nbsp; John took one long stride forward, catching a brief glimpse of Virginia’s face reflected in the office window as he disappeared into the enveloping blackness of the hallway. A wall of harsh light framed her body, forcing features into deep shadows, removing all human expression from her face. For the first time in his dealings with Doctor Kemp, he flinched, as the dark image burned indelibly into his mind.
Chapter 7
Make It So
“ARE WE THERE YET?” asked Seth, looking through the spotted windshield impatiently. Tepid air flowing from Big Gertrude’s dashboard vents did nothing to improve his increasingly sour mood. A full hour of being forced to listen to Leo’s music selections didn’t help either. A distinctive, sadly familiar, headache was creeping toward his temples. “Don’t you have any classical or contemporary music?”
Feigning momentary contemplation of the question, Leo acted as if he might have something better suited to his passenger’s liking, but quickly let go of the rouse. “Let me check…hmmm….Nope, I seem to have forgotten my sissy music at Grandma’s house.”
Anticipating the response, Seth wasn’t ready to let it go without a struggle. “Are you sure? I’m pretty sure you’re driving her car.”
Sequence 77 Page 6