by Lyssa Layne
Somewhere along the line, she had managed to come to terms with her mom and dad keeping their secret. They did what they had to do to keep her safe from Lawrence. The only contempt she felt was toward Lawrence. What she felt for him was the closest she’d ever come to hating anyone.
What about her grandmother? There was nothing but love and admiration for Olivia, and maybe even a bit of pity, though she’d never admit it.
As far as she was concerned, Desiree was her biological mother, end of story. She’d keep her options open and try to remain positive, but she willing admitted she’d do anything to help her.
Her one secret wish was her father. If only he could have lived and returned home to Destiny. No matter how much she wished, nothing was going to bring him back from the dead.
Cherie had no idea how long she remained in the chapel with her hands clasped in prayer, with her crystal between her palms. But, when she rejoined Olivia, she felt better though she couldn’t say why.
Olivia stayed in Destiny's room all night while Cherie and Jason stayed out in the hall, arguing then making up.
Cherie tried looking at it from Jason’s point of view and realized she did understand his fears.
Mark called Jason saying he had no luck so far as to who could have poisoned Destiny.
Cherie and Jason woke from a dead sleep out on the chairs in the hall to the sound of an alarm. Cherie looked at the clock in the waiting room, which said four a.m.
Over the loudspeaker, there was an announcement. “Dr. Red in ICU. Dr. Red in ICU.”
Jason jumped up. “Stay here. Don’t let anyone in your mother’s room. No one!” He raced off without further explanation.
When he returned an hour later, Cherie jumped up and ran to him as he stepped off the elevator. “What happened?”
“Mrs. Benson is missing.”
“What? How?” Cherie shrieked. “Where was the guard?”
“They found him out cold, under her bed. My guess is Dr. Benson snuck in, knocked him out, and managed to get his wife out. I’m sure he’d know all the entrances and exits and managed to slip away. The police are scanning the camera feeds now, but they’re both gone.”
Cherie dropped into her seat shaking her head and fighting back the tears. She was tired of crying, tired of fighting the wrongs in her life. There had to be something positive she could do.
There had to be.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Later that afternoon, Destiny had been moved to a private room when the toxicology results came back, the dose of Levofloxacin was too high and was sent her into convulsions.
Jason and Cherie sat in stunned silence, Olivia opening crying as the ER doctor filled them in. He felt so helpless. There wasn’t a damn thing he could do for anyone.
Cherie wrapped her arms around her grandmother.
Jason held them both. The sound of a squawk over a microphone caught his attention. He turned toward the sound to find Mark and a Highway Patrol officer walking toward them. Jason’s heart was in his throat. “What now?”
“The CHP found Benson’s car with Mrs. Benson in it. The car smashed into a tree. Unfortunately, Dr. Benson escaped, but June Benson is being brought into ER in a coma. Looks like a Traumatic Brain Injury. She wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and hit the windshield. The police have put an All-Points Bulletin out for Benson, but I’ll bet he’s gone for good.
“No!” Cherie screamed. “He can’t get away, that’s impossible.”
Cherie completely lost it, pummeling his chest then collapsed into it.
The officer stayed long enough to answer their questions then went to the ER where he was to remain with Mrs. Benson until he was relieved.
Mark stayed behind. “I never made it to the home. I came upon the accident scene, recognized the car and stayed to make sure the contents of the car were properly booked into evidence. At least, if he had to escape, it was empty-handed. Once the police are done with the evidence, I’ll ask to go through it. I’m sure I can get the judge to sign off on that.”
Cherie sniffed and hugged him.
“I’m heading over to the home and will report back as soon as I’ve talked to everyone.”
No sooner did Mark leave then a nurse approached. She took one look at Cherie and stepped back, gasped, and began to tremble and took a step back. “Oh my…if I didn’t know better I’d swear you’re Desiree Alexander. You must be her daughter. Olivia said the resemblance was remarkable, but I didn’t believe her. I’m Grace Hudson. I was on duty the night you were born.”
The woman looked to be close to Olivia’s age with silver hair making him believe she must have had very blonde hair in her youth. Her crystal blue eyes blinked rapidly, still adjusting to the shock. Jason empathized with Grace because he too was just as shocked by the close resemblance when he saw her for the first time in his office.
Grace continued to blink then shook her head. “Sorry, I don’t mean to appear so scattered, but I remembered something and wanted to make sure I reached you before I left for the day.”
Cherie perked up.
Jason handed her his handkerchief.
Cherie wiped her eyes then reached for Grace’s arm. “Please tell me you remembered something important. I couldn’t take more disappointment today.”
Grace sat down pulling her sweater closed, then shivered.
Still clutching Grace’s arm, Cherie sat beside her.
It broke Jason’s heart to see how desperate Cherie had become. The positive dynamo he was first introduced to was gone, and in her place was a copy of how he now viewed his own behavior. No wonder he and Cherie butted heads. He had to do something to shake her out of it.
Grace took her time as if weighing each word. “That’s just it…I called the doctor as soon as I discovered Desiree bleeding and in the early stages of labor. The doctor and his wife rushed to the home. The doctor was frantic, but his wife was happy, smiling, and I have to say, giddy, which I thought was rather odd.” She took a deep breath and continued. “Next thing I know he called the nurse’s station and asking for Pitocin and said to leave it outside the door. That’s another thing I thought was odd. Why the secrecy? Why was it necessary to lock the door, keeping anyone out?” She cocked her head to the side as if trying to remember the proper sequence of events. “And finally he asked for additional bombs because there was heavy bleeding, and yet he didn’t ask for suppositories, which is the typical quick fix.”
“What’s a bomb?” Cherie said.
Grace explained, “A bomb pretty much catches it all and it makes for an easy cleanup.”
“What’s so odd about that?” Jason asked.
“That’s just it, I delivered three bombs, and when I went in to clean up afterward, they were all gone. All traces of what I delivered had vanished.”
Jason didn’t understand. “What’s so odd about that?”
Grace smirked. “Well, let’s put it this way, I don’t know of a single doctor who cleans up after himself. That’s always left for the nurses to handle. And in the instance of surgery, or as it was with Desiree, C-section, and remember this was done at the home, without the typical operating room equipment specifically used in a birth, the nurse would count to make sure everything was there.”
Jason got the nurse’s drift. “So you’re saying the room was clean.”
“Cleaner than clean, every surface had been sterilized as if it had never been used. But what struck me as odd was that Olivia specifically asked to see the baby before it was given to the adoptive parents, but Dr. Benson and his wife spirited it off and delivered it themselves to the new parents.”
Jason went to grab Cherie’s hand, but she pulled away and covered her mouth. “Poor Desiree, in labor and severe pain and couldn’t understand what was happening.” She grabbed the Grace by the arms. “How did she act after the birth, was she still in an altered mental state?”
“She was very weak, spent most of the next week sleeping and when she woke if she didn’t have her doll in
her arms, would cry out for her baby.” Grace’s lip quivered. “Olivia requested I be assigned as Desiree’s personal nurse, so I could help and comfort her. Olivia trusted me with the care of her daughter.”
“And—”
Grace closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she stared off into space. It was several minutes before she spoke again. “I was with her night and day for three weeks. They put a cot in her room so I could be near her at all times. The incision healed well, and I explained the pain was due to surgery. We said it was her appendix. Olivia didn’t want to confuse her.”
“What happened after three weeks?” Cherie said.
“That’s the other odd thing. Dr. Benson disappeared after that night. It was three weeks later when he returned. By that time, I thought she was getting better. She seemed more lucid, more aware of her surroundings. Instead of staring into space, she was looking around, she still didn’t talk, but I thought she was more cognizant. I pointed it out to Dr. Andrews who noted it in her chart. I was quite specific in the details I noticed. And yet, when Dr. Benson returned he fired me, said it was unprofessional for me to stay with the patient and accused me of trying to exploit Miss Alexander for financial gain.”
Cheri jumped up and stormed off shouting, “That’s it, Jason, I don’t care what it takes I want my mother's entire medical history and I want it today.”
Grace patted Jason on the arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset her. I’m going to have a word with Olivia. I hope I didn’t make things worse.”
Jason pulled his phone from his pocket and called Mark. He didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Cherie wants a full print copy of her mother’s health records. See if you can get someone at the home to get it, today if possible.”
“What up? Is she onto something?” Mark said.
“I have no idea, but I trust her instincts, so if you can get it for me while you’re there, I’d appreciate it. And if you need your friendly neighborhood attorney, let me know, I’ll be glad to help.”
“Will do.”
Jason hung up.
Cherie continued to pace up and down the hallway.
It was time for them to talk. Jason approached her cautiously. “Cherie, you have to calm down. It won’t do you or Olivia any good to see how irate you are. Talk to me…I can see the wheels spinning in that brain of yours. Let me in. What are you thinking? What do you expect to find in those files after talking to Grace?”
“I don’t know. But it’s been over twenty years and too many weird things have happened. I want to get the bottom of it.”
“Then do what you do best. Go into investigative reporter mode and stop looking at this as your mother’s case, but rather a story that has to break.”
Cherie’s whipped around. “You’re right. I’m going to go tell Olivia I’m going to the home. Will you drive me?”
How could he refuse her? Plus he’d be there to help in case anything came up. “Sure. Let’s go.”
Cherie threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
The satisfaction that filled him was more than he could put into words. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I love you.” Pressing a palm to her cheek, he leaned in and kissed her.
“This means the world to me. I love you too.” She kissed him again, and they strolled off to speak to Olivia.
##
At the hospital, Cherie and Jason found Mark consulting with the doctors. They could be heard all the way down the hall with Mark threatening lawsuit if they didn't agree to work with him.
Cherie recognized one of the nurses. “Would you please tell these doctors we are here trying to find who is trying to harm my mother? Mark is the private investigator working on our behalf.” She didn’t care how superior she sounded; no one was going to stop her from seeing those records.
Before she could say more, one the nurse stepped forward, Jason cleared his throat.
“If the presence of Miss Michaels and my private investigator aren’t enough, I’m Jason Stafford, attorney for the Alexander’s. I’ll be glad to start legal actions against the home if you fail to honor our request. We have Dr. Andrews' full cooperation, and I’ll have a subpoena and Judge Atkins here before the day’s end.”
Nurse DeWitt stifled a laugh. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell the doctors. I’m aware we’re under tight security strictures, but I couldn’t get a word in edgewise.”
Dr. Alvarez scowled at Nurse DeWitt. “I want the details. Where is Dr. Andrews now?”
“He’s at the hospital with his patient, Miss Desiree Alexander. Feel free to call his cell phone if my word isn’t enough.” The nurse gave both doctors a smarmy grin.
Dr. Alvarez pulled his cell phone out, stepped away, and placed a call.
In the meantime, Dr. Jacoby blinked then took a step back as four pairs of eyes drilled into him.
Cherie would have felt sorry for the man, but she was too angry to care. “I’ve been in this facility several times recently, perhaps if you’d simply check my mother’s file, you’ll see the notes, and it’s as Nurse DeWitt has said. Right now you’re wasting my valuable time, preventing me from seeing her file and possible find out who’s trying to kill her.”
Dr. Jacoby’s eyes widened at Cherie’s accusation. Dr. Alvarez joined him, whispering something. They both turned. “Dr. Andrews confirmed you are to have full access to your mother’s records. Nurse DeWitt, please escort the family to the records room. Give them your utmost attention.”
Cherie glared at both men, then turned and followed the nurse.
Once in the records room, Nurse DeWitt let out a cackle of laughter. “Never thought I’d see the day those two were speechless. Now tell me what we’re looking for?”
The dark, curly-haired nurse was still amused, her eyes glittered with mirth, and her smile was charming. Cherie appreciated her candor.
“I’m fairly well acquainted with your mother’s case. How can I help?”
“I want to see the original chart that was created when she was moved here. If you have the document from the previous place even better. I’m looking for the initial report on her mental status and her health in general and any tests that were done and then any notes that might state any improvements, no matter how little.”
“I see.” Nurse DeWitt put on her glasses and moved to the file cabinet. She searched and found the file. “Because of the length of time she’s been here, the newest reports are in front.” She pulled the drawer out all the way, reaching into the back of the drawer the woman removed a four-inch-thick file. “Here’s the file for the first year she was here.”
Cherie took it and sat at the nearest desk.
“What can we do to help?” Jason asked.
Cherie looked up, “Sorry, I’m not sure you’ll recognize specific things. Nurse DeWitt, since you’re familiar with mother’s case, I’m looking for tests done on her when she was first brought in, and all through the pregnancy, and then anything afterward, anything that seems odd.”
The nurse grabbed the file from the following year and set it on top of the file cabinet. It was significantly smaller.
Cherie chalked it up to the fact that there was less to deal with after the birth of the baby. She started at the beginning reading the intake report. After only a handful of pages into her reading, she noticed a list of test results. “Nurse DeWitt, can you tell me what this is? They ran blood tests the day she was admitted and then again a week later. I’m not up on medical lingo.”
The nurse left her reading and joined Cherie, Jason and Mark hovered nearby.
Cherie pointed at the two sets of tests.
“She had a UTI upon admission, and a week later they did other tests showing it was worse. It was treated with antibiotics.
Cherie had a thought. “At what point were there paper files added to the computer system?”
“Our computer files only go back five years, everything else is in these files for current patients still registered.”
<
br /> Cherie had an occasional bout of UTI’s. “Can you please check the computer database and see if she was treated for UTI’s on a regular basis?”
“What is it, honey?” Jason said, stepping closer.
“The first time I had a UTI I thought I was coming down with the flu. I had a high fever, was thirsty as can be, felt miserable and according to my mother, ah Mrs. Michaels she said I was totally out of it and made no sense. Nurse DeWitt, if I’m reading this correctly, it appears that Desiree had a UTI at the time she was admitting, but they didn’t give her the antibiotics until the following week. If she had the infection when she learned of Jeff’s death, in her weakened state, couldn’t that have been part of the reason she lost it so bad. I have blank spots where I have no memory of about three days when my fever was so high.”
“I couldn’t say for sure, but that’s definitely something to ask Dr. Andrews.”
Cheri pulled a notepad from her purse and started writing. Her hand flew across the page, making notes on what to ask the Doctor when she saw him.
By the time they left that night, Cherie and Nurse DeWitt covered all the paper files in the file cabinet. Cherie was beginning to see a pattern. She’d come back in the morning and ask the Doctor go over the database files with her. If she was right, there might soon be a reason to celebrate.
All the way home, Jason kept trying to get her to talk, but her brain was too busy compiling the data, compartmentalizing bits and pieces, putting the details into chronological order.
Jason took them back to the hospital, where they collected Olivia, and then he dropped them off and left.
Cherie and her grandmother sat in Olivia’s sitting room talking about Desiree’s medical history.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Over the course of the next three days, Cherie was yanked into a roller coaster of chaos and drama so disturbing she couldn’t thing straight. She developed a headache that wouldn’t go away, couldn’t eat or sleep, and was ready to request a bed right next to her mother.