“Then he’d accuse her of Dr. Preswick’s murder.”
“Yes. He was the weak link. She had to get to him quickly, to silence him, permanently.”
“She could later claim he was despondent over the downturn of his career and his life in general, so he killed himself in his cell by overdosing on opiates,” Laura said. “She could say he added the fatal dose to his own coffee.”
“It was a bold move by a desperate woman.”
They sipped on cold, bubbly champagne.
Alec raised his glass toward Laura. “You’re smiling a lot, like you’ve just discovered a treasure chest. At least, there’s no more masked attacker to worry about, right?”
“Right, and more than that. I’ve exorcised another demon today.”
“Something else has been bothering you?”
“Yes. For years, I couldn’t keep my composure around victims of child abuse. I’d go temporarily insane and try to strangle the abusing parent. But today, I slew the dragon. I took care of a child abuse patient, and I remained the calm professional. Afterwards, I felt different, like I wasn’t dragging a weight around anymore. And maybe those nightmares won’t come back.”
Alec was quiet for several seconds, and then he nodded. “I feel the same way.”
“I’ve noticed. You’ve looked chipper lately. Has it anything to do with me?”
“You and working this case with you. I’m glad you called me in on it.”
“I can’t believe how you figured out the trap for Tina. Sheer genius.”
Alec’s chin scar lit up like a bright red bulb on a Christmas tree.
“Are you ever going to tell me where you were during those lost months?” Laura said.
“Getting my head straight.” He sighed. “I held it together for a while after my wife and son were killed. Then I went a little crazy. I felt guilty, like I was responsible, like I hadn’t protected them. I lost faith in the whole system of justice that I’d believed in for so many years. The system of justice that released a madman from prison, so he could murder my family.”
Alec leaned toward Laura. “But I’m okay now. I had counseling and did a lot of soul-searching. At the end of those three months, I felt better about myself. At least, I was in control again.” He touched her hand. “I think I slew a dragon, too, especially now that my family’s killer is gone—for good.”
Laura squeezed his hand.
“But I made one big slip,” Alec said.
“Monica?”
“Yeah, Monica.”
“Well, she’s out of your life, too, right?”
“Definitely. And I hope Dr. Stiles moves her way, way out of the picture.”
“He will. I heard at the hospital that he’s found a job in Florida.”
“Florida is good. Anyway, maybe the head injury will straighten her out. You might’ve knocked some sense into her—and me.” He took a swig of champagne.
“She still might try to find you.”
Alec choked on his champagne and coughed.
Laura turned as the phone jingled. “Hello? Clarissa?”
“Hi, how are you feeling? You were really stressed the last time I saw you.”
“I’m much better now, thank you.”
“Is the murder case over? The one you were telling me about?”
“Yes. Everything’s wrapped up. We’ll talk about the case sometime.”
“Good. Let’s get together.”
“You’re not going to tell me about another perfect guy, are you?” Laura said.
Clarissa laughed. “No.”
“Because I’m not in the market anymore.”
“You found someone? Congratulations. Can I meet him?”
“Sure. We’ll plan a dinner date, and you can join us.”
“Right, and you and I need new shoes, remember? So, let’s plan a girls’ shopping trip, too.”
Once, when trying to find a restroom, Laura had glanced in Clarissa’s home closet and wondered how anyone could maneuver around in there with all the shoes strewn about. “Remind me to never shop for shoes without you. You have a lot of experience.” Laura hung up the phone and turned to Alec. “A good friend. She’s always trying to set me up with a date.”
Alec sipped his champagne.
“I told her I was involved with someone, so she’ll quit playing the matchmaker.” Laura stood and faced Alec. “But I have to go easy with this. I’ve got to be 100-percent sure.”
“I know.”
Laura drained her champagne glass. “Why don’t we take a vacation? What do you think? We both need one.”
Alec clapped his hands. “Great idea. Where do you want to go?”
“How about Florida?”
“Now, I wonder what put that into your head?”
Laura laughed. “Yeah, I wonder.”
“Vacation or not, I can’t wait until your next adventure.”
“What do you mean? I’m not looking for adventure.”
“I meant your next mystery. I want to be involved.”
Laura cocked her head. “I’m a doctor. I think about diagnoses and treatment plans. I don’t go searching around for murder mysteries.”
Alec shook his finger at her. “I know you. You’re always studying details. Your mind can’t stop. You’ll find something that doesn’t add up and latch on to it, like a pit bull.”
“Well, maybe you’re right. Anyway, it’s time for both of us to relax, and music helps my mind slow down. What kind of music do you like?”
Earlier, when Laura was in the kitchen, Alec had studied her computer app playlists, which were usually open on her laptop when she was home in the evening. “I like all kinds, but especially from the 60s and 70s. Like Simon and Garfunkel, and—”
Laura’s bright green eyes widened. “So do I. What a coincidence. Let me show you my music collection.”
Later, serenaded by Simon and Garfunkel singing ‘A Hazy Shade of Winter,’ Alec and Laura embraced and kissed, there on the living room couch.
Stretched out in bed, Laura stared at the ceiling, smiling, her hands behind her head. She replayed scenes from the last few weeks—scenes of danger and mystery and people who were not what they seemed. Laura had starred in her own real-life movie “Murder in the ER.” She decided she liked playing the lead role.
It would happen again—she was sure of that. A suspicious detail, a tiny or unusual physical sign of trouble that everyone overlooked—except Laura.
She’d be ready . . .
About the Author
Steven Gossington is an emergency room physician (medical school - Baylor College of Medicine; residency - Georgetown University Hospital) with over 30 years of patient care experience. For 11 years, he was an academic professor in emergency medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, and he published 20 book chapters and medical articles of original research. His enjoyment of mystery and suspense fiction and his love of writing led to his first novel Fractured Eden, a psychological suspense story in which he draws upon his extensive experience with mentally ill emergency room patients. The Diagnosis is Murder is his second novel. He can be contacted at http://www.StevenGossington.com.
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