Now Say You're Sorry

by Barbara Fournier

  When she came into the room, she had the look of a pissed off wife.

  “Here’s your coffee,” she snarled slamming the mugs down on the table in front of them.

  “Thank you, ma’am,” said Cole.

  “At least someone has manners in here. And it isn’t you, jerk!”

  Both men were laughing as she closed the door behind her.

  Tim took a gulp from the mug. “At least she knows how to make a good cup of java.”

  Reese was in the room on the other side of the mirror listening to every word.

  “Can we get started now?”

  “Sure. What’s this about anyway?”

  “Your name is Timothy Cole. Is that right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you understand that you do not have to tell us anything you don’t want to and that you are entitled to have an attorney present while being questioned? Do you understand you are not under arrest?” Lake proceeded to recite the rest of the Miranda rights. “Mr. Cole, do you understand everything I just said?”

  “If I’m not under arrest then why did you have to read me my rights?”

  “So that you would understand your rights while we are questioning you. Now let’s get Reese to get these cups out of our way. Are you finished with your coffee, Tim?”

  “Yeah, you do know she is going to throw that cup at your head, if you keep pushing her buttons.”

  “Nah! She’ll get over it. She likes me.”

  Reese came in and took the mugs. Tim’s, of course, went straight to the lab for fingerprints.

  “Mr. Cole, is it true you come from a family of seven counting yourself?”

  “Yes,” he replied. “Two brothers. Two sisters. Dad and Mom. I love my mom.” He hung his head and stared at the table.

  “Do you know where they are at this time?” He was trying not to frighten his suspect.

  Tim Cole was getting a glazed look in his eyes. Almost like a trance. He was going to a place deep inside his mind. Much like a man with personality disorder.

  “Mr. Cole, do you understand the question? Mr. Cole?”

  Tim Cole stood up from the table, glared at the detective and then looked straight into the mirror. “I need a lawyer. Now!” he shouted. He was smarter than Lake or Clayton thought.

  “I also need my phone,” he demanded.

  “Where is your phone? I didn’t see you with one.”

  “I need to go back to the cemetery. You said you would take me anywhere I wanted to go after our talk.”

  “Okay. One of us will drive you back there.”

  Reese immediately sent one of the officers to the cemetery to look for the phone. She instructed them to look on top of the hill. Emerson, in order to buy some time, told Tim that he had to fill out some papers to get him a court-appointed attorney.

  “We really can’t arrest him on what we think he did. And those prints on the coffee mug are going to take time to see if they are a match with those on the taxi.”

  Reese agreed with her partner. “Emerson, let me go in and chat with him while you stay out of sight behind the mirror. Maybe he’ll say something to me.”

  He agreed, but told her to stay alert. “This guy can turn on a dime. I think he has multiple personalities along with definite mommy issues.”

  “I know. I heard that little scenario on mom when I was behind the mirror.”

  Reese proceeded into the interrogation room. “Mr. Cole, do you mind if I sit with you while the detective gets your paperwork ready?”

  Tim wasn’t sure what was happening. This was new for him and he did not like being in this small, closed-off room. His heart was beating faster. He was sweating and a little lightheaded too. His breathing was short and labored.

  “Mr. Cole, are you all right?”

  Emerson was in the room in seconds, afraid this was a ploy on Cole’s part. A ruse to get out of there any way he could. Cole sat in the chair staring off into space. His complexion was turning from red to blue.

  “Get an ambulance!” yelled Reese from the doorway of the room.

  “Mr. Cole. It’s Detective Lake. Can you take a few deep breaths for me?”

  Cole looked directly at him, terrified. His eyes widened. His pupils looked like sunken pools of death. He slumped over the corner of the desk and then slipped to the floor. He stopped breathing. Lake immediately started compressions on him and yelled to an officer to get the mask. Emerson was grateful they had these kits for emergency situations. He cringed at the thought of placing his bare lips on this crusty mouth that had not seen a dentist or toothbrush in years. EMT’s arrived and took over the CPR. He was alive, but they were instructed to take him to the hospital in Jade. Reese rode with him in the ambulance, Lake soon followed after he brushed and gargled. Mask or no mask, that mouth was polluted.

  Chapter 61

  “Mr. Nyung, I have acquired the necessary paperwork needed for the guardianship.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Hollingsworth. What exactly did the judge have to say?”

  “The Department of Mental Health determined that Kei Lien is not capable of making decisions regarding her health. Her medical records will be accessible to her guardian when needed. The judge agreed to allow you to become her guardian instead of a ward of the state, on the basis that this young woman needs special care that you can afford to provide. He said after investigating your personal life, you are an upstanding citizen, no issues with background checks and as your attorney, I made the point that this woman had been through unbelievable torture in her life and needed more medical, psychological and personal care than the state could provide.”

  Minh, now becoming emotional, something he rarely allowed himself to do. “I am very grateful for your help in this matter.”

  “The judge agreed to the terms until such time when Kei Lien could be re-evaluated. Do you understand the meaning of all of this, Mr. Nyung?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Daniel was happy with the decision. He no longer had to worry about what would happen to her. It was out of his hands, but in the hands of his dad, which Daniel felt was the right choice.

  Minh Nyung arrived at the hospital with his paperwork in hand, ready to speak to the doctors and other staff on duty. He approached the nurse at the desk. “I would like to see Miss Chandler’s medical records,” he insisted pointing to the papers.

  The nursed grasped the papers and shuffled through them. “Okay. We need to make a copy. I will let her doctors know you are here.”

  “Thank you, that will be fine.” Minh recognized the nurse immediately. “Oh, Mary Elizabeth, it is so nice to see you again. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I ever got your last name.”

  “It’s Hollingsworth, Mr. Nyung. And yes, your attorney is my son.”

  “Well now I know how the paperwork was acquired so quickly. Thank you for your help, Mrs. Hollingsworth. May I still call you Mary Elizabeth?”

  “Yes, you may. My husband passed many years ago so it’s rare that anyone calls me Mrs. Anymore. But thank you for asking.”

  Minh recognized the attending physician approaching the desk. He expected this was going to be another round of I’m better than you, but Minh stayed cool-headed. “Doctor Hart, may I see Kei Lien’s medical records now?”

  “Of course. Let’s go into my office so I can go over everything with you.”

  Minh couldn’t believe how polite he was. Was this the same doctor who was so rude earlier this week? A bit of legal paperwork seemed to change his attitude drastically, but of course, he didn’t have an audience this time either. Minh followed him to an office down the hall and took a seat in front of the large oak desk.

  “Mr. Nyung, Miss Chandler is suffering from many physical injuries as you can probably imagine. She has been sexually abused, I assume for many years, and this torture has affected her mentally as
well. She is on heavy doses of I.V. antibiotics to combat the infections she contracted via the unprotected sexual encounters. The lining of her uterus has also been severely damaged. I assume it was someone’s attempt at an illegal abortion. She will never be able to conceive. She also has sustained a tremendous amount of damage to her rectum plus her bowel has been torn. Her own feces are quite literally poisoning her. She needs surgery to repair that damage as soon as possible. If it’s not done in the next couple of days, she will die. As with any surgery there is always a risk. Even if she makes it through surgery, the recovery will be very difficult. She would need to stay hospitalized for at least a week. I am concerned how the anesthesia will affect her. This is a long surgery and she’ll be under for quite a long time. She is already quite fragile.”

  Minh chimed in, “Doctor, her mental state, will her mind ever be free if she happens to make it through this ordeal?”

  “Unfortunately, I can’t give you that answer, Mr. Nyung. Please know we are trying to help her. Even though your son made it quite clear the other day that he doesn’t see it that way.”

  “With all due respect, doctor, it was pretty clear to me that you were making an example of my son in front of your residents. For your information, he does know about HIPAA. You unnecessarily embarrassed my son during your teaching moment. For that, I could easily file charges on you for your unprofessional conduct. You don’t even know my son. He is a very caring, smart young man. He too wanted to be a doctor. He even went to med school before his mother took ill with breast cancer. He dropped out to help care for her and never went back. I tried to convince him to return to school. I do still think it’s his path, but that is up to him. I just want what’s best for him. We both loved his mother very much.”

  “I’m very sorry for your loss. I apologize. To you and your son. You’re right. I was out of line to treat your son in that manner.”

  Minh nodded with acceptance. “Thank you for all of the information about Kei Lien. It seems I have some decisions to make. May I see Kei Lien?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Minh walked into the room where his son’s new friend lay quiet. She was heavily sedated. Minh now knew the reason why. She looked peaceful. No longer scared and ready to run. What anguish this young woman must have felt all these years. The fear. The pain. The loneliness. She was robbed of her childhood. He leaned in close to her. “Kei Lien,” he whispered. “I am so sorry you had to endure this life. I’m sorry your neighbors, your educators did nothing to spare you from this life of torture. Your community has let you down. Please forgive us.”

  Daniel was standing in the doorway listening to his father’s plea. “Dad, what did you find out from the doctors?”

  Minh sat Daniel down in the chair and explained everything to him knowing he likely understood it all much more than he did. “What is your opinion? I want what’s best for her and for you. Do you believe she has a chance with the surgery?”

  “Dad, it’s not the surgery I am worried about. Despite everything she’s gone through, I think she is a strong woman physically. How else could she endure this nightmare? My concern is after surgery. Do you think with the right help she will be able to find peace? Happiness? Will she live a full life? What if she was involved in her father’s murder? Will she end up in a mental institution for the rest of her life? Is that what’s best for her? What kind of life is that? A life locked away being drugged and God knows what else for the rest of her life. Is that fair?”

  “Daniel, like I said, I don’t think she was strong enough to kill her father and wrap the son-of-a-bitch up in Christmas paper.”

  “You’re right. I know. Let’s get her into surgery. It’s the right thing to do. And then we’ll make sure she gets the right help. This is going to be a long road. Do you think we can handle it?”

  Minh placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I’m not at all sure, but somebody has to try to right the wrongs done to her. We need to find the peace in our own hearts as well. I’ll tell the doctor to go ahead and schedule the surgery.”

  Chapter 62

  A team of doctors and nurses met the ambulance at the Jade Hospital ER entrance. Lights still flashing, everyone went into full life saving mode. Two attendants slid the gurney out of the ambulance onto the pavement and through the sliding doorway. The wheels of the gurney clicking on the tile floors as it sped to the first open bay. A sound that meant another patient was being brought in. Someone checked vitals again, even though they were done in the ambulance. Doctors shouted orders on what tests needed to be done. Someone on the ER team ushered Reese past the curtain. “We got it from here, detective. You can wait outside in the hall.”

  Reese was hesitant about leaving him behind curtains in a room she did not have full view of. “You don’t understand. This guy is a loose cannon. You could be in danger. I can’t leave.”

  Suddenly, Tim Cole bolted upright. The staff stepped back, one of the nurses shrieked. For a man that had been unconscious a minute ago, he looked as if nothing happened.

  “What are you doing to me? Who are all of you?”

  “Mr. Cole,” a nurse approached his side, “you were brought in because you passed out in the police station. Detective Clayton thought you were having a stroke or heart attack.”

  “Yes,” Reese chimed in, “while my partner Detective Lake and I were questioning you. Don’t you remember Mr. Cole?”

  “No, I don’t.” He laid back down on the gurney knowing full well he needed to be admitted to this hospital. Not for medical reasons, but he knew it was the only way he could make a plan to escape. I can’t escape from jail, but I know what to do in here.

  The doctors told Reese she needed to wait outside while they did their job. She assured them that she would be right outside the door. Tim allowed the hospital to hook him to a heart monitor. They ordered lab work and x-rays. Tim liked the idea of all these special tests. It was his chance to disappear without being caught. He had done this before at the Saturn Psych Center. These people have no idea who they’re dealing with. No idea at all.

  Emerson met Reese at the hospital. She gave him the update on what the doctors needed to do. “Where is he now?”

  “Right this way.”

  They approached the curtained room, but it was empty.

  Reese was furious. She stormed up to nurse’s station slamming her fist on the desk. “Where did they take Mr. Cole and why was I not told where they were going? Where is the security guard I told to stand by the door? I specifically told you I needed to be notified of everything going on and that he was not to be left unattended.”

  “Detective, there is no need to shout at me. I think your guard went to the men’s room. Mr. Cole was taken to X-ray while you were talking to the other officer. He’ll be back shortly.”

  “Call security and lock this hospital down now! Damn it, now! Hopefully he hasn’t gone too far. Where’s the X-ray department?”

  “Bottom floor. Take a left at the elevator midway down that hallway on your left.”

  Transport wheeled Tim Cole’s bed down to X-ray where he was met by a technician. The tech asked if he was able to get himself onto the table, but Tim said he needed help. The tech walked closer to the gurney. In an instant, Tim’s hands were wrapped around the technician’s neck raising him up off the ground. His eyes bulged with fear and his legs kicked wildly. Tim cocked his head slightly and stared curiously into the tech’s eyes. He wondered what he might be thinking as Tim’s thick fingers squeezed tighter like a boa constrictor. The thought was fleeting though. With a flick of his wrists, he cracked his neck. The technician went limp. He dragged his body up onto the table, covered him with a sheet, and slipped silently out the door through the basement back exit.

  When the elevator doors opened, Reese raced up to the desk. “Tim Cole,” she stuttered through shallow breaths, “which room is he in? He was just brought down for X-r
ays.”

  “He’s either in room #3 or #8 depending on what test is being done.” The girl was just a transport. She had no idea why Reese was yelling at her. She escorted them both to room #8. Nothing. She opened the door to room #3. “Now why would a corpse have been left in this room?”

  Lake and Clayton glanced at one another, hands hovering over their holsters. Lake cautiously moved toward the body and carefully lifted the sheet.

  The young girl let out a blood-curdling scream.

  “Son-of-a-bitch,” Reese muttered.

  “He got away! Put out a BOLO on this guy! I want him arrested for the murder of a hospital employee. And tell them, try not to kill him when they find him. I want that pleasure myself. At least I want to be there to watch him fry.”

  While Emerson was on the phone Reese was barking orders at hospital security. “You need to lock this place down and check every nook and cranny in case he’s still hiding in here.”

  “They found the security guard, knocked out in a linen closet. At least he didn’t kill him.” said Lake.

  She turned to her partner, “The cemetery, Lake. He might go back to look for his phone.”

  “I’ll call it in.”

  The officer at the desk told Detective Lake the phone had already been recovered at the cemetery and was on its way back to the station. “I could have my men turn back to see if this guy shows up.”

  “My partner and I will go. This guy can’t be that far ahead of us so maybe we can find him there.”

  “Got it.”

  When they got close to the cemetery, he told Reese to circle around to the back entrance while he came in the front. “Maybe we can see him near the top of the hill. But Reese, watch your back. This guy is quick. We don’t need any more surprises.”

  Near the top of the ridge, where you could see the entire south side of the cemetery, Tim Cole was on his hands and knees searching the grass. Reese spotted him first. “Lake,” she whispered into her radio. “I see him. Head straight up the hill. I’m right in front of him about 20 feet away.”