Off the Record

by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

  “I’ll get it,” he said.

  He answered the phone as Kate stacked their dishes.

  “Oh, hi, Skip,” she heard him say and halted in the act of adding the silverware to the pile. “Kate’s right here,” he said. She stepped forward, but her husband motioned for her to stop. “You want to talk to me?”

  Kate put her hands on her hips. What could that be about?

  “Uh-huh,” Paul said. “Yes, I did read that part....I agree. It’s worrisome. I mentioned it to her at the time....I have a lot of faith in Kate’s judgment, but we’ll surely talk about it again. Thanks for your concern, Skip. Have a good evening.”

  Paul hung up the phone and turned toward Kate, wearing a bemused smile. “The poor deluded man seems to think I have some sort of special influence with my wife.”

  She laughed. “Hey, now. That’s one of the brightest things Skip has ever deduced.”

  “Oh, really.” Paul wrapped his arms around her, and she smiled up at him.

  “So what did he really want?”

  “He’s been doing his homework about medical-record identity theft. He learned that sometimes organized crime is involved and wanted me to make sure you stop any efforts to find out who’s behind these incidents.”

  Kate met her husband’s somber gaze. “That was really sweet of him. He’s a nice kid, you know. Are you worried about me?”

  “You heard what I told him.”

  “You trust me?”

  “Yes, but I don’t trust any crooks to play nice, so whatever you do, err on the side of caution.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  On Thursday morning, Kate rose at five thirty, as usual, and spent quality time with her Bible open and her heart turned toward God. That precious hour refreshed and focused her. How did people get through this harrowing business called life without staying connected to the Lord?

  A little later, Paul joined her. He didn’t usually join her quiet time, but Kate welcomed him. They prayed for their family, their church members, the citizens of Copper Mill, and their country. Then they talked to God about the medical-record situation and the upcoming blood drive.

  “My letter to the editor is coming out in the newspaper today.” Paul scrubbed his palms down his pants legs. “I hope it reaches open minds and receptive hearts.”

  Kate leaned across the space between them and kissed her husband on the jaw. “Whatever happens, you did what was in your heart, and that’s what counts.” She rose to fix breakfast. “Are you as curious as I am to know what Renee and Joe are springing on the public?”

  Paul chuckled as he followed her to the kitchen. “Equal parts curious and nervous.”

  Right after breakfast, Paul hurried off to the church. He had an early appointment with someone who wanted to stop by and see him before heading off to work. Kate took her time clearing the dishes, still basking in that peaceful place she’d rediscovered during her quiet time. Why did she ever let her calm trust in the Lord fade under the pressure of life’s trials?

  As she reached high to put away a plate, the doorbell rang loud and long. Goodness! Who would be leaning on the bell like that at barely seven in the morning? She shoved the dish into its place in the cupboard and went to answer the door. Halfway there, the bell rang again, and then twice more in quick succession.

  Kate put her eye to the peephole, and her heart jumped. Lucy Mae! And did she ever look as if someone had stewed her lobster. Kate opened the door, and the woman stalked into the foyer clutching a thick file to her chest. Lucy Mae squared off in front of Kate. A sumo wrestler would have seemed less intimidating.

  “I take it there was something to find in your mother’s chart,” Kate said.

  “Gall-bladder surgery,” the woman spat.

  Kate blinked at the mayor’s wife. “Another complication? Your mother needs to have her gall bladder removed?”

  “Mother’s gall bladder may be the healthiest thing about her. But this”—Lucy Mae waved the folder at Kate—“says she had it removed the day before she had her hip-replacement surgery. How did that hogwash get into the chart? Don’t answer.” The woman whirled and stormed into the living room. “You already told me, but I didn’t want to believe such a wild story.” She plunked onto an overstuffed chair, then popped up like a spring that didn’t know how to lose its wind. “I’m a believer in medical-record theft now.”

  Hope sprang up inside Kate. This was the break they needed.

  “Have you checked over the bills you received for your mom’s hip replacement? Maybe some charges for the gall-bladder surgery got mixed in there.”

  Lucy Mae shook her head. “Not that I’ve noticed. You know how long insurance turnaround can take. We’ve just barely begun to see any billing.”

  Kate blew out a breath. That was one strike. Maybe something else would pan out. “Well, did you find any reference to the hospital or the doctor who did the surgery? That would be a great lead.”

  Lucy Mae frowned. “Not that I recall. Does that mean we’re out of options?”

  Strike two. Kate’s heart clenched, but she put on a smile. “Oh no, we’re just getting started. This is gold.” I hope. Kate indicated the file the other woman held. “We need to take this evidence of tampering to the local authorities.”

  “This might be a bit over Deputy Spencer’s head.” Lucy Mae sniffed. “How about we go straight to the sheriff in Pine Ridge instead?”

  “Let’s do it.” Kate headed for the bedroom.

  “Where are you going?”

  She turned. “I’ve got to call someone else and see if she’d like to go with us.”

  TWO HOURS LATER, Kate, Lucy Mae, and Loretta left the sheriff’s office in the historic antebellum courthouse in Pine Ridge.

  Loretta was scowling as they climbed into Lucy Mae’s car. “I can’t believe Sheriff Roberts is still unconvinced about medical-record identity theft after we showed him my bills and Mrs. Kraemer’s medical record.” The diner owner took shotgun, while Lucy Mae climbed into the driver’s seat and Kate into the backseat.

  “He did promise to look into it,” Kate offered.

  Lucy Mae snorted. “Sounded like our case will rate right up there with smashing pumpkins on Halloween.”

  “It was the suggestion that organized crime might have moved into his jurisdiction that got his back up.” Loretta glanced over her shoulder at Kate. “Maybe you shouldn’t have mentioned that part. I think that’s when he decided we were a bunch of hysterical females.”

  Kate shrugged. Sheriff Roberts could be stubborn sometimes. “Hopefully, those news articles will change his mind.”

  “If he reads them.” Lucy Mae’s tone dripped gloom.

  “How would you ladies feel about expanding our road trip to include Chattanooga?” Kate asked.

  “What did you have in mind?” Lucy Mae looked back at Kate.

  “Besides visiting your mother at the hospital, I was hoping we could stop by the office of that legal-aid society.” She looked toward Loretta. “Unless you need to get back to the restaurant.”

  “Not if we can see some folks I can trust to help me.”

  Loretta turned hopeful eyes on Lucy Mae.

  Lucy Mae smiled and jingled her keys. “Let’s ride, girls!”

  Almost to the city, Kate realized the three of them were laughing and talking about anything and everything but medical records. Refreshing. She almost hated to bring up the other reason she wanted to go to Chattanooga. Would Lucy Mae be open to one more crucial stop?

  Kate leaned forward and touched the woman on the shoulder. “Could we drop by Carla Trexler’s place? She deserves to know about medical-record theft. Besides, I’d like to check on her. You don’t need to come inside. It won’t take long.”

  Silence blanketed the car. Frowning, Loretta sent a sidelong look toward Lucy Mae.

  The mayor’s wife huffed. “Fine. But I am coming in. I have something to say to that young lady.”

  A short time later, they stood outside Carla’s
apartment. Kate knocked, while Lucy Mae stood beside her, clasping and unclasping her hands, and Loretta backed them up, looking uncertain.

  No response came from inside. Disappointed, they went downstairs. As they neared a door marked Superintendent, a plump middle-aged woman was going inside. Kate called to her, and with brows lifted, the super halted.

  “How can I help you ladies?”

  “We’re looking for Carla Trexler.”

  The woman rolled her shoulders. “Haven’t seen her in a while, come to think of it. Usually her and those little kids go in and out several times a day.” She frowned. “Hope they haven’t skipped,” she muttered with a glance toward the elevator.

  “Is that a concern? Maybe they’re visiting someone.”

  “Maybe. But it would be the first time.” Her expression turned stiff. “I’ll check the apartment later.”

  Kate’s heart sank. Oh, Carla, I hope you haven’t run away just when the whole picture is changing for you. “When you do,” she told the super, “would you leave her a note from me?” She dug pen and paper out of her handbag and scribbled a request for Carla to contact her as soon as possible for important news.

  “Put something on there for me,” Lucy Mae spoke up. “Tell her Mrs. Kraemer’s daughter would like to say she’s sorry.”

  Kate looked at the mayor’s wife and smiled.

  Lucy Mae reddened and shrugged. “Carla is obviously as much a victim of medical-record identity theft as my mother.”

  “What kind of theft?” The super stared from one woman to the other. “Should I be worried?”

  “Unlikely.” Kate assured her. “It’s complicated, but Carla’s going to want to hear what we have to say.” She handed the woman the note.

  “Okay. I’ll leave this on her table.” The super waved the slip.

  “Thank you. May I call you later and see what you found out?” Kate added with a smile.

  “Sure.” The woman pointed to a sign in the foyer. “That’s the office number.”

  “I appreciate your time,” Kate said but the door had already shut. She quickly made a note of the super’s office number, then turned to Lucy Mae and Loretta. “I guess it’s off to see someone at the Tennessee Citizens Privacy Association.”

  TWO HOURS LATER, Kate and her friends left the TCPA office with fists full of literature on patients’ rights and procedures to follow when medical-record identity theft was suspected. Bill Shakey, the representative, had been very accommodating and helpful. Ahead of Kate on the sidewalk, Loretta stumbled, and Kate reached out to steady her.

  “Sorry about that,” the diner owner sent her a big-eyed look. “I was starin’ at this list of lawyers who know how to handle identity-theft cases.” She flapped a sheet of paper the representative had given her and gave Kate a tentative smile. “I see there’s one in Pine Ridge. Guess I’ll be payin’ her a visit.”

  “We all will.” Kate linked arms with her friend.

  Giggling, Lucy Mae threaded arms with Kate on her other side. The woman looked as lighthearted as she’d seen her since this business started with her mother. “Finally we’re getting help and answers.”

  “Now we just need somebody to catch up with the people who are doing this,” Kate said.

  Loretta’s elbow nudged Kate. “That was a good idea, invitin’ Mr. Shakey to bring material on the electronic medical record and identity theft to the blood drive.”

  “Yes,” Lucy Mae inserted. “People need to be informed about these things. That ought to make it harder for crooks.”

  “I suppose that’s the key,” Kate said. “I mean, people aren’t going to stop doing electronic-banking transactions or using credit cards just because some crook might steal their identities. It’s a matter of handling these transactions wisely to give thieves the least opportunity to steal information. The same principle would apply to medical records.”

  The women chorused agreement.

  “I’ll be excited if he calls tomorrow with the news that he’s coming.” Kate smiled. “Then I’ll just need to talk to Renee and Joe about providing a table for him.”

  Her cell phone began to sound a tune, and she pulled it from her handbag as Lucy Mae and Loretta opened their car doors. It was the main number for Orchard Hill. Who would be calling her from there?

  “Hello?”

  “Is this Kate Hanlon?” She recognized Nurse Pritchard’s clipped tones.

  “Speaking.”

  A pregnant pause followed. “You’re on Nehemiah Jacobs’ emergency call list. I need to inform you that there’s been an incident, and they’re taking him to the hospital emergency room.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Lucy Mae pulled into a parking space about half a block from the emergency-room entrance, and Kate burst out of the car. She sprinted across the asphalt and charged through the automatic doors. Dodging a tense-faced group of strangers, she speedwalked toward the admitting desk.

  From what little Nurse Pritchard had told her, she gathered that Nehemiah had taken a fall. Hadn’t he recently said those were the bane of the elderly? Please, God, let Nehemiah not have a broken hip.

  At the desk, she asked for Nehemiah Jacobs and was told he was in a treatment room, and no, she couldn’t go in. Deflated, Kate eyed the uninviting waiting area.

  “Wow, Kate, you sure know how to hustle.” Lucy Mae chugged up to her, Loretta puffing in her wake.

  “And now it’s hurry up and wait.” Kate sighed. “They’re treating Nehemiah.”

  They found chairs in the waiting area. Kate pulled out her cell phone and attempted to reach Paul, but the call went to voice mail. She summarized what little she knew about the situation and closed the phone with a sigh. He’d return the call as soon as he got the message, but sometimes he was meeting with people about sensitive situations and couldn’t check his voice mail for a while.

  Half an hour later, she still hadn’t heard back from Paul, but Nehemiah wandered into the waiting area under his own steam. With a cry, Kate leaped up and hugged him tenderly, mindful of the sling on his left arm.

  “Where are you hurt?” she asked.

  “Sprained wrist.” He flexed his fingers and winced. “They thought it might be broken, so they sent me here for X-rays. But my bones are hale and hardy, I’m happy to report.”

  “I’m glad.” Kate beamed. “What happened?”

  Nehemiah’s face darkened. “Tell you what. Come back with me to Orchard Hill, and I’ll fill you in at my apartment.”

  “Uh-oh!” Kate’s heart fluttered. She didn’t like the look in her old friend’s eyes.

  A short while later, Kate, Lucy Mae, and Loretta stood in Nehemiah’s compact living room. Photographs of events and gatherings from pastoral days adorned the standard off-white walls.

  “Let’s have a cup of something cheerful,” their host said.

  “Uh-uh-uh!” Lucy Mae’s voice stopped him. “You are not going to wait on us.”

  “Absolutely not,” Kate affirmed. “Unless I miss my guess, the doctor would have instructed you to take it easy for a while. You need to have a seat and tell us what happened before we all pop.”

  The older man chuckled. “Sounds messy, but I’d just as soon wet my whistle while I talk.”

  “I’ll make tea.” Loretta raised a hand as if she was volunteering in school. “Just point me in the right direction for the ingredients.”

  “Everything should be in one corner of the counter in the kitchenette. I generally fix myself a cup a day, so I keep it handy.”

  Loretta went into the little kitchenette, and Nehemiah settled into an armchair. “Have a seat,” he invited his guests.

  Lucy Mae took one end of the sofa and crossed her ankles.

  “I’m too wound up to relax,” Kate said, perching on the edge of a sofa cushion. “How did you fall?”

  Nehemiah grimaced. “I didn’t fall, actually. I was pushed.”

  “Pushed!” Lucy Mae gasped.

  Nehemiah shook his head ruefully
. “It was Stephen Hancock, believe it or not.”

  “He shoved you down?” Kate’s every nerve ending stood to attention, and she rose reflexively to her feet.

  “Let’s just say we had a scuffle, and I wound up on the floor. And from what I hear, he’s out the door.”

  “They fired him? Well, I would think so!” She planted her hands on her hips.

  “No, I understand he quit because he wouldn’t submit to a drug test.”

  “What? Now I’m confused.” Kate dropped onto the sofa.

  “That makes two of us,” Lucy Mae agreed.

  Kate wound her fingers together on her lap. “Did it happen because I asked you to keep an eye on staff around here for me? I should never have involved you.”

  “No, no.” Nehemiah shook his head. “You mustn’t blame yourself one bit, Kate. I would have called the guy on his actions regardless of PI duty. It’s a pretty simple explanation, really.” He rubbed the side of his neck. “I was headed outside for my daily walk when I passed the mobile med cart sitting near an apartment door. I peeked in and saw Rita working. Then I noticed Mr. Hancock trying to pick the lock on the compartment that holds the pills. I hollered, ‘What are you doing there?’ and the guy didn’t have the sense to skedaddle. Instead, he said, ‘Walk on, old man.’”

  An audible growl left Kate’s throat. “I can’t believe he would dare talk to you like that.”

  Lucy Mae was swinging her head back and forth like a dazed metronome. “Why would this place employ such a fellow?”

  Nehemiah shrugged. “I’m sure his credentials were good, but paper doesn’t always reflect the real person. Besides, health-care facilities are begging for aides and nurses.”

  Loretta entered the room carrying a tray with teacups on it. Kate accepted hers and noted a slight tremor in her hand. When had she last been this upset? Steam rose from the teacup, and the soothing scent of chamomile entered her nostrils. She inhaled a deep breath, then took a sip.

  “Please, finish your story,” she said to Nehemiah as Loretta settled into the last unoccupied seat.