Eye of the Nightingale

by R. D. Hunter

  “More than a little, I hope.” There he was in the doorway, looking as cool and confidant as always. The humming started as soon as he walked in, but now it was muted and less intense than before. I even felt the beginnings of a smile tugging on the corner of his mouth. “How are you feeling, Miss Foster?”

  I thought about it. My head hurt, but not nearly as bad as before. I had thick bandages over my wrists and ankles and numerous others all over my body from the crash. My ribs were bound so tight it made breathing difficult, but that was par for the course. I tested my limbs and was relieved to see they all worked.

  “Nothing a few potent pain meds can’t take care of,” I said at last. “What’ve I missed?”

  King paused. “Perhaps it would be better to wait until you’re feeling better to discuss such things.”

  I started to protest, but Jenny beat me to the punch. “Spill the beans, Monopoly Guy, or you’ll be in a room across the hall.” If he’d known Jenny Powell better, King might have felt more threatened. As it was, I picked up only a slight sense of amusement, but he shrugged and started talking.

  “Thanks to your sleuthing and your email, Director Lowry has been arrested on numerous counts of insurance fraud and tax evasion. Other charges are pending and he is

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  no longer affiliated with King Healthcare.”

  “Thank God for that,” I said.

  King nodded. “With him gone, I’m confident we’ll be able to get Sunny Pines back on the right track.”

  Lawson was dead, of course. According to Jenny, he’d died on impact. She was kind of sorry about it too. It’d been too easy for him.

  “What about the other one?” I asked. “Randy? He was part of it too.”

  “He survived the crash,” King said. “Minimal injuries, aside from some sleight head trauma. He’s in custody now and your friend, Officer Parker, is interviewing him as we speak.”

  “Done now,” Michael said from the doorway. He came inside and I sensed worry mixed with relief when he saw I was awake.

  “Hey you,” I said, trying to break some of the tension. “You look like crap.”

  A thin smile crossed his lips. “Says the one in a hospital gown.”

  “How’s my good friend Randy doing?”

  “Singing like a pigeon. When he found out he was looking at life in prison, he couldn’t cooperate with us enough.”

  “Well don’t leave us hanging,” Jenny said. “What’d he say?”

  “Everything comes back to Lowry. Said it was his idea to keep the residents at Sunny Pines quaking in their boots. Made it easier for him to scam their insurance while making sure they wouldn’t get too curious and start poking their noses where they didn’t belong.”

  “And Mr. Randy got a cut off the top, I suppose,” King said.

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  Michael nodded. “Got it in one. There were a couple other ‘enforcers’ but after a while Lowry just got the brilliant idea to hire the absolute bottom of the barrel when it came to medical care. Made it easier for him to control them if they didn’t have anywhere else to go and were afraid of losing their jobs.”

  “Like Nancy,” I said icily. I hated that such a good person had been used for so long by such a rat bastard.

  “Yeah, except most of them earned their spot at the bottom of the totem pole.”

  “So he sets a precedent for subpar care, then hires the people most likely to deliver,” King said. I was surprised to feel the humming in the air take on a distinct angry quality.

  “What about Lawson?” I asked. “How did he figure into all of this?”

  Now it was Michael who radiated with anger. “When you started asking questions and generally going against the status quo, Lowry decided he needed to give you something else to worry about. It wasn’t hard to find out what happened between you two, so he’s the one who anonymously posted Lawson’s bail and gave him free range of Sunny Pines to distract you….or kill you, depending on how things went. Either way, he’d be rid of you.”

  I felt slightly sick. The whole time I’d been there, I’d been in Lawson’s playpen.

  He could have had me any time. Which raised another question.

  “So, the two of them just happened to be waiting on me in the parking lot?” I asked. “Hours after I should have been safe at home?”

  Michael shook his head. “When you entered Lowry’s office, it tripped a silent alarm that sent a signal directly to his cell phone. He knew it had to be you. Everyone

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  else was under his thumb. So he put in a good call to his favorite bouncer, Randy, who in turn got touch with Lawson, and they set up an ambush.”

  “And I was so excited to have finally nailed the bastard that I stumbled right in,” I said miserably. Michael placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. He handled me like a Chyna doll, afraid he’d make my injuries worse by the slightest pressure.

  “Hey, we got him…thanks to you. You should be proud of yourself.”

  “But it’s too late, isn’t it? Ruby’s still dead. She’s dead because she stuck her neck out and came to see me. Tell me you nailed the sonofabitch for her too.”

  Michael looked away, uncomfortable now. “Sorry, Ava. Randy denied any and all knowledge of Ruby Tipton’s fate. So did Lowry.”

  “There has to be other evidence,” I said, aware that I was begging. “DNA, polygraph…something.”

  King spoke up. “Miss Foster, whatever justice could be obtained for Ruby Tipton, you’ve done so by removing a monster from around the people she called her friends. No one else will come to harm at Sunny Pines thanks to your efforts. I’m sure she would be thanking you, were she here in person.”

  I turned my head, feeling the tears starting to form. I didn’t want them to see me crying, not now. In fact, I didn’t want them here period.

  It was Jenny who came to my rescue. “All right the two of you. Out. That’s enough for right now. Visiting hours are over. Shoo.”

  They both said their goodbye’s and were hustled out the door by my best friend.

  She then excused herself, saying something about getting a cup of coffee. I knew she was lying, and she knew I knew, but it was a nice gesture. I wanted to be alone for a while.

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  After a bit, when the tears had dried and the nurse had come in and given me some more feel good juice, I lay there waiting patiently for sleep to take hold. Part of me knew King was right. I’d done everything I could and gone through hell and back to avenge Ruby Tipton. Things would change at Sunny Pines, of that I had no doubt. I’d met new people, including one like myself, gained better control over my empathic powers and most importantly, I was alive. It wasn’t a perfect ending, but it would have to be enough.

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  Chapter Twenty Four

  They kept me in the hospital for four days. I used the time to rest, eat more than my fair share of junk food, and study for my final exams which were approaching far sooner than I’d have liked. Jenny never left my side, sneaking in a steady supply of sweets and magazines that kept me properly distracted.

  Michael showed up plenty and often too. He still had to take my statement, which I did verbally as my wrists and hands were still too beat up to hold a pen for any length of time. He kept me up to date on the case too. He’d had a private powwow with the district attorney and, thanks to the smorgasbord of evidence available, he felt certain that both Randy and Lowry would see old age before they saw freedom.

  Once the official stuff was out of the way, things started getting more personal.

  Jenny would leave for long stretches at a time when he was around and we spent the time talking, rehashing old times and thinking about the future. One night, he brought dinner; lasagna with salad and chocolate cake, along with candles which he lit when the nurse wasn’t looking and a bottle of sparkling apple cider that he served in wine glasses. It was<
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  the sweetest thing I’d ever seen and we stayed up and ate and laughed till the early morning hours. I sensed a change coming in our relationship. A good change. I welcomed it.

  On the second day, Sebastian King showed up. And since he never showed up without delivering at least one bombshell, he got right to it.

  “As you know, Miss Foster, Sunny Pines is in need of a new director. I’d like for that to be you, at least in the interim.”

  I sat there in stunned silence for a few seconds. “You’re kidding. Why me?”

  “I would have thought that was obvious,” he said. “It was by your heroic actions that we were able to remove the tyrant from power. The residents there have flooded my office with calls asking about your condition and demanding that you come see them as soon as you are able. I can think of no better ‘homecoming’ for you, than as their new director of operations.”

  “But…but I’m still in school.”

  Now King’s voice softened and he smiled ever so slightly at my shock. “You know of the stigma surrounding Sunny Pines. You’ve seen what the residents have had to deal with and you know what needs to be done to correct it. Think of it as the final step in assuring that the people at that facility have a bright and healthy future ahead of them.

  Will you do it? The position is paid, of course.”

  How could I say no?

  After being discharged, I was confined to home for another week before being medically cleared to return to work. I spent the time going over the books and setting up a game plan for my tenure as director. I knew my position wasn’t permanent, so I had only

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  a limited amount of time to accomplish what needed to be done to get Sunny Pines back on the up and up and give the residents there the lives they deserved.

  Upon my return, I was surprised and touched to see a WELCOME BACK

  DIRECTOR FOSTER banner hanging over the main entrance. The residents that could walk met me outside and applauded as I slowly climbed out of the car. Those that couldn’t cheered me from the upstairs windows. It brought tears to my eyes.

  Nancy was the first to formally greet me. She rushed forward and threw her arms around me, which made me stiffen with pain as my sore ribs ground against one another.

  “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry,” she said after realizing what she’d done.

  I smiled weakly. “It’s okay. Good to see you, Nancy. This was your idea, I take it?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “Nope. This was all the doing of one crotchety old man in a wheel chair that never talks to anyone.”

  Jonah. I spied him in one of the upstairs window. I sent a rush of gratitude in his direction which he returned, then he was gone.

  It took me almost an hour to make it to the elevators. Not only was my going slow due to my injuries, but every resident on the first floor stopped and chatted me up. They were throwing together a little celebration later on this afternoon and wanted to make sure I would attend. I told them I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

  Jenny never left my side. At my insistence, she’d been promoted from food worker to my personal assistant and was now in formal business attire. It suited her. I managed to keep my game face on until we were alone in the elevators, then I sagged against her.

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  “Well that was exhausting,” I said. “Is it time to go home yet.”

  “It can be if you want it to be. You’re the boss, remember?”

  I shook my head. “Things to do. Facility to run. People to fire.”

  It was true. As bad as it sounded, you couldn’t plant a garden until you pulled some weeds. And Sunny Pines was badly overgrown. I spied my first weed as soon as I approached my new office. King had already had my name tag fixed to the door, and the young bimbo secretary sitting out front didn’t look happy about it.

  “Ava, let me handle this one,” Jenny said. “Please.” I felt a cold sort of vengeance coming off her and couldn’t help but smile and gesture for her to go ahead. She forsook any sort of tact, simply walked up to the little hooker and said, “You, you’re out. Get your stuff and hit the bricks.”

  The secretary (what was her name? Leslie? Lyla?) simply popped her gum and shot my friend a withering look of contempt. “And you would be?” she asked.

  “I’m the chick who’s about to dump your ass out of that seat in about five seconds if you don’t vacate it.” She meant it too. Jenny was gearing up for a full-on mortal combat and I settled back to watch. It should be fun.

  Even the secretary, (Lillith. I think her name was Lillith) seemed a little worried now. “I’m calling the police.”

  That was my cue. “Don’t bother. I’ve got my boyfriend on speed dial and he’s a cop.” Boyfriend? Was Michael my boyfriend? Sure. Why the hell not. It felt right enough.

  The secretary turned pale and I felt a flash of distress roll off her. I tried to be sympathetic, but remembering how she’d acted when Ruby was missing made it hard.

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  “Director Foster, I didn’t see you there. How nice to see you again.” She was syrupy sweet, all business and about as sincere as a rattlesnake promising not to bite.

  “What can I do for you?”

  “You can do as my friend says before you end up needing a bed here. We have a lot to do and you’re in the way…Sweetheart.” Okay, that last crack was a little low. But it felt sooooo good and I felt Jenny’s thrum with pleasure.

  It took about half a second for the blonde bimbo to realize I was serious. I went on in my new office while she packed, with Jenny staying outside to make sure she didn’t steal the company stapler. It’s the little victories that mean the most. After that, I had a full day.

  Jenny and I worked like pack mules until noon, when we broke for a quick lunch of sandwiches and chips. Most of it was just putting things in order and figuring out where stuff went. Finally, around two in the afternoon, there was a sharp knock on my door.

  It was Thornbirch. “You wanted to see me, Miss Foster?” I sensed it would be a cold day in hell before she ever called me Director. So be it.

  I nodded. “Come in. Have a seat.” She did so, being careful to reposition the chair directly in front of me, then leaning forward until I was forced to make eye contact. It was a classic aggressive technique and it might have served a purpose when I first walked through the doors of Sunny Pines.

  But so much had happened since then. I was a different person now. More in control of myself and my abilities. For the first time in my life, I was viewing my empathic senses as a possible benefit to myself and others, not as a curse. Gone were the

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  days when I could be intimidated by a snotty nurse with a bad attitude and a messiah complex.

  “Nurse Thornbirch, I’ll get right to the point,” I said. “I’ve been reviewing personnel files. All your past evaluations by the former director have been glowing. They testify as to your expertise, consideration and the high level of care you provide.”

  She nodded, as if this was exactly what they should say. If anything, they understated her expertise. “Of course. I pride myself on my professional performance.”

  Jenny coughed loudly in the corner and I felt a cold smiling forming. I closed her file and slid it to the side. This time it was I who leaned forward, hands clasped in front of me and forced the eye contact. Thornbirch leaned back in her chair, all the smugness gone out of her just that quick.

  “Of course,” I said, “then I conducted my own evaluation. I talked to several residents here, reviewed any and all past complaints and found that your performance here has not only been subpar, but close to criminal negligence. In short, Miss Thornbirch, you’re fired, effective immediately. Get out of my facility.”

  Sweet, sweet justice. I felt shock, then dismay and finally anger coming from the woman in front of me. Give her two or three more minutes and
she’d probably run through the whole gamut of emotions and into acceptance. I didn’t plan on giving her those minutes. She’d taken enough of my time.

  “You’ll regret this,” she said through gritted teeth. She stood up so forcefully her chair tipped over. Jenny stepped forward behind me. I heard a slight ripping sound and glanced back to see her opening a piece of mail, with a very wicked looking letter opener.

  Seriously, it was like a small dagger. Where the hell had she gotten that?

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  She wasn’t looking at the letter though. She had all eyes on Thornbirch. The message was clear. Even the Thorny Bitch got it.

  After a few seconds of heavy breathing which reminded me of a bull facing down the matador, she turned around and stomped towards the door.

  “One more thing,” I called after her. She whirled around and glared at me. “That’s not your ring on your left hand, is it?”

  Shock replaced her outrage for a moment. “What are you talking about?”

  “That ring, it belongs to one of the residents here. Sam Burleson, unless I miss my guest. You’ll leave it on the desk before you go.”

  She put her hands on her hips and raised her chin. “And if I don’t?”

  “Then I’ll put this facility on lockdown and call the police and you can explain to them why you’re in possession of stolen property.” I smiled. “I’m very cozy with the police, you know. Not as cozy as you were with ex-directory Lowry. But then, who was?”

  That got her. After a second’s hesitation that was filled with pure, unmasked hatred in my direction, she jerked the ring off her hand and dropped it on the floor. Then she strode out the door without looking back.

  Jenny went over and picked it up. She gave a low whistle as she examined it under the light. “Probably two carats in this baby,” she said. “How’d you know?”

  I slumped back in my chair. The tension of the moment was gone, and with it most of my strength. “I felt him on it,” I said. “His presence is imbued in that thing like he swallowed it. Wasn’t hard to figure out.”