by Diana Orgain
What was taking Bruce so long?
Maybe he was checking on Celia.
Bored, I decided to dial Mom.
She picked up on the third ring. Kate? Is everything all right?
I smiled to myself. Now that Mom had a cell phone, she seemed proud to be on call 24/7. Everythings fine, except your boyfriend called me looking for you.
My who?
Hank called me, Mom.
Oh dear! Well, yes, yes, thank you for the message, Kate.
I imagined her trying to act coy with Galigani at her side. A wicked impulse struck me. You owe me, Mom. I lied for you! Kept your fish on the line, so to speak.
Yes, dear. Well, thank you very much for that. I appreciate it. Oh! Look at thiswere at Cakebread Cellars!
Its okay, you can try and act busy, but I need you to work on Galigani for me. If hes well enough to gallivant through Napa with you, then hes well enough to supervise me or whatever. Besides, I really dont need any supervision.
I have to go, honey. Kiss little Laurie for me. Thanks for calling.
Will you do it?
Mmm-hmm, Mom answered in a singsong fashion and disconnected.
I pulled out my notebook and rummaged deeper into my backpack. I had to have something to write with. Id never make it as a PI without a pen!
I finally found a pencil with a very dull tip in one of the packs side pockets. Still enough to jot some ideas down:
1. Why would Helene lie to Margaret about Bruce not wanting kids?
2. What did Helenes death mean to Bruce? Another chance at marriage and having kids? What about the impending adoption?
Finally, I heard Bruces footsteps on the staircase. He was carrying a mixed drink in one hand and a beer in the other. He resumed his seat across from me and set both drinks in front of himself.
Bruce, are you planning any construction projects?
He sighed. Yeah. Helene and I wanted to put an extension on the condo. Because of the baby.
Did you decide to cancel the project?
He shook his head. Well, Im not sure yet what Im going to do.
Do you know if Helene canceled the project?
No. She wouldnt have canceled the project. Why would she cancel? No.
So maybe Sara was right and Helene hadnt canceled the construction, but why would Evelyn lie?
Bruce took a sip of the mixed drink. Id love to have children. But hell, Im not around much. How am I going to raise a kid all by myself?
I watched as his face contorted. Anger flashed across his eyes and was replaced by a distant look. He gripped the mixed drink, then made a satisfied sound as he drained the glass. I work all the time. I have very demanding clients. Even this. He waved his hand around. My being out this week. Sure the firm will send out a letter to my clients, but its very hard to be away.
He pushed the empty glass away from himself and grabbed the beer.
I know you spoke with the ME. Can you share anything with me that might help me figure out what happened that night?
He fingered the beer and sat in silence. He didnt tell me much. Just asked if Helene used drugs. I told him she didnt. He kind of kept questioning me along those lines. Asked about drinking and smoking and stuff. Helene drank that night, sure. He took a swig of beer. We all did. But I dont think she drank enough to have alcohol poisoning or anything. And she was using these nicotine patches to try and get off the cancer sticks. We both wanted the house to be smoke free for when the baby came. But thats it. Thats pretty much all I could tell him.
Bruce, early in the evening, do you remember being at the bar with Helene, Margaret, and her husband? Margaret told me you all were at the bar and then Sara and her husband came over. Apparently you men were discussing investments
Oh! Yeah, sure. Howard was grilling me on the market. Its not a surprise were all very concerned about it tanking.
Do you think maybe Helene and Margaret got their drinks mixed up? I asked.
Bruce looked curiously blank. I dont know. Where are you going with this?
It didnt feel right to share Margarets fears with him. How could I tell him his wife may have accidentally been murdered?
No. I didnt know that for sure anyway. I shouldnt get him upset about something I couldnt yet prove.
Instead I said, Can you think of anyone that would want to hurt Helene?
I really dont know, Kate. As far as I know, she was pretty well liked. I mean in the mommy group and everything . . . even though, you know, she wasnt one of them yet.
What about her relationship with Evelyn?
Bruce looked blank.
Evelyn was in the mommy group. There was an incident with her kid biting Saras baby . . .
Bruce finished the beer. I didnt keep track of the ins and outs of the group. You should ask Margaret.
I nodded.
He hung his head. You know, Kate, my grandma died a few weeks ago. She had terminal cancer. And she was old and all, and we expected it . . . but Helene . . .
He covered his face with his hands.
I sat in silence while he collected himself. Im going to do all I can to try and figure out what happened to Helene.
He stood. Thank you, Kate. Margaret said youre great. Im sure SFs finest can use all the help they can get, and if Margaret says thats you, then thats enough for me.
Margaret had said I was great?
Nothing like a little peer pressure.
I packed my notebook into my backpack. Bruce wrapped his hands around Lauries bucket handle. Do you want me to carry her down?
Please.
We walked down the staircase. Bruce settled Laurie at my feet and headed straight to the bar. He poured himself another whiskey.
Were you going to drive Celia home? I asked.
Bruce glanced at his watch. Oh, geez. I forgot about Celia. Shes been out a long time. I hope shes okay.
I can probably take her home. Do you want me to check on her?
Thanks, Kate. Thatd be great. He drained his glass and refilled it. First door on the right.
I watched him settle himself into the couch and study his drink.
Poor guy.
I knocked on the guest bedroom door.
No answer.
I cracked the door and peeked in. Celia was lying on top of the covers, her shoes still on. Her hands folded across her stomach.
Celia, I whispered from the doorway.
She lay perfectly still. I cleared my throat and whispered a little louder. Celia!
When she didnt move, I entered the room and laid my hand gently on hers. She was cold. I shook her. Celia!
She was pale and deathly still.
Uh-oh!
I grabbed her wrist and shook her furiously. Wake up!
When she didnt move, I raced toward the door. I rammed my shoulder into the doorway and winced. Pain shot down my arm. I grabbed my shoulder.
Bruce! Bruce, call 9-1-1!
Bruce jumped to his feet. Whats the matter? Did you hurt yourself?
Im okay. I rubbed my shoulder. Its Celia.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Sucker
Bruce and I sat on the couch, each holding a tumbler of whiskey. We heard sirens making their way down the street. I was shaking uncontrollably and Bruce kept telling me to drink the whiskey. I couldnt make myself do it.
As the sirens screamed closer, Laurie stirred in her bucket. She opened one eye and peered up at me.
Go back to sleep, I prayed.
The second eye opened and both stared at me.
I froze, hoping my statue stance might bore her back to sleep.
Now her mouth opened to match both eyes.
I cringed.
Laurie screamed fiendishly loud
as though she were being poked with hot needles.
Bruce looked at her curiously. I picked her up and nestled her into my neck as the sirens came to a halt under Bruces window. He stood and crossed the room, ready to buzz the EMTs up.
Lauries cries replaced the noise of the sirens. It felt as if there were an ambulance in the room with us. I cooed, rocked, bounced, and did everything I could think of. Her screaming wouldnt stop. I knew what she wanted.
How could I nurse her here and right now?
The EMTs, two guys in black uniforms, entered the condo and went down the hall with Bruce. Momentarily alone, I dug out a blanket from my backpack and searched for a private space to nurse Laurie.
The condo was all open space and windows.
Laurie continued to howl. I selected a chair and strategically placed it with its back to the hallway and facing a corner of the living room instead of a window. I wrapped the blanket around myself and snuggled Laurie under it, trying my best to nurse her with a modicum of modesty. She was immediately silenced.
I could hear voices down the hall. Every inch of me, except the part physically attached to the baby, wanted to be a fly on the wall of the guest bedroom. From the commotion, it sounded like they were giving CPR.
She couldnt be dead.
That was impossible. No one her age just lies down feeling sick to her stomach and dies. Do they?
God. Please let Celia be all right.
Helene had probably been poisoned. Could Celia have been poisoned? By whom?
Uh-oh!
Anxiety crept through my chest.
Bruce and I were the only ones here. Could he have given her something?
Maybe while I was on the phone? He was downstairs all that time.
No! She was sick before that.
What about the salmon? I was the only one that ate it, though.
Unless Celia had tasted some before I came.
If I was poisoned, toocould I poison little Laurie through my breast milk?
Suddenly it was hard to breathe. Did my stomach hurt?
It did!
Was it just me? Was it hypochondria?
Focus on your stomach, Kate! Does it really hurt?
I felt nauseous.
Jesus, Bruce wouldnt poison Celia and me in his own home, would he? Why hadnt he eaten any salmon, for crying out loud! Why had I eaten it?
I pulled my breast from Laurie. She attempted to latch on again. I pulled the nursing bra into place. Laurie whimpered, then cried out.
Well, she wouldnt die from crying, but I couldnt risk poisoning her.
I jumped up and hurried down the hallway. Thankfully the motion soothed Laurie and she quieted down.
Bruce greeted me with dark eyes. It doesnt look good.
Is she . . . ?
One EMT was crouched over Celia, while the other rose and barked something into a walkie-talkie secured on his suspender.
Bile was building in my throat. I felt my blood rush to my toes.
The EMT watched me. Maam?
I handed Laurie to him and rushed to the bathroom. I got sick in the toilet.
The EMT stood in the doorway of the bathroom. Can I get you anything?
From my position on the floor, I watched as another pair of boots sped into the bedroom.
She said she was feeling sick. She just went to lie down, I said, holding my head in my hands.
The EMT nestled Laurie in one arm and ran a wash-cloth under the faucet. He handed me the cold cloth. We have to get her to emergency, shes in critical condition.
The owner, the guy, Bruce . . . his wife was poisoned last week. Could Celia have been poisoned?
Its difficult to say at this point, maam.
Laurie looked amazingly content in his arms.
I ate some salmon here. I was the only one who ate it. I didnt see Celia eat anything and Bruce didnt either. Could I have been poisoned?
I was half expecting him to laugh. I wanted him to tell me I was being irrational. Instead a grave look crossed his face and he pulled a flashlight from his breast pocket. He shone the light into my eyes.
My throat was dry and breathing was suddenly difficult.
The EMT wrapped his fingers around my wrist and remained silent as he took my pulse.
Voices drifted in from the hallway. I heard sharp commands being tossed back and forth, but was unable to make anything out. A stretcher carrying Celia floated past the open bathroom door.
My tongue felt like it was thickening and stuck to the roof of my mouth.
Oh, God, if Ive been poisoned, what about my daughter? I just nursed her.
The EMT nodded calmly and looked at Laurie snuggled into his arm. I think we need to take you both into emergency. Well get your stomach pumped and put the baby in observation. Is there anyone I can call for you?
The room seemed to do a 360 around me. I pressed my hands against the floor for stability as I spurted out Jims cell phone number.
The medic told me to remain seated, then took Laurie out to the hallway. I heard frantic whispers and then the other EMT poked his head in. Dont worry, maam, were going back down to get the stretcher and take care of you in a jiffy. He disappeared.
His hurried speech was followed by an eerie silence. I waited for what seemed like a long time, even though I knew it could be only a few minutes at the most.
My little Laurie, my love! Please, God, dont let her be poisoned.
Panic rose in my chest and my body was wracked with sobs.
Bruce poked his head into the bathroom. Kate, are you all right?
I couldnt make eye contact with him. It took all my effort to shake my head.
Were you close to Celia? Bruces confusion showed through his tone.
I shook my head again and sobbed.
Bruce tapped nervously at the doorway frame. Right. Right. It still is very upsetting.
I met his gaze. The salmon, Bruce.
Bruce took a step back as though Id punched him. What? You cant think . . . you think the salmon was . . . bad? It was as fresh as
Not bad! Poison! Helene was poisoned. Celias in critical condition. I ate the salmon and now Im sick.
You cant think . . . Kate! I prepared the salmon myself.
Im sure you did! I spat.
Kate, I swear there was nothing wrong with the salmon. I didnt kill Helene or Celia. You cant seriously think that.
Just then one of the EMTs pressed his way past Bruce. Excuse us, sir.
The other EMT laid the stretcher across the floor straddling the bathroom and the hallway. Okay, maam, easy does it. Just lie down here.
Wheres my baby? I sobbed.
Dont worry, maam, weve secured her in the ambulance. Your husband is on his way to the hospital.
I crawled onto the stretcher and felt myself being suspended in midair. I glanced at Bruce. He looked as pale as Celia had. Only he was standing on his own and alive.
The EMTs paused at the front door, adjusting their grips on the stretcher. Bruce looked down at me. Kate, I swear it. I swear the food was fine.
I simply moaned.
One of the EMTs answered for me. Sir, we have to get her to the hospital.
The urgency in his voice caused Bruce to step back and succeeded in sending me into another panic. Tears welled in my throat and my mind was on Laurie.
Please, God, no matter what happens to me, please let Laurie be okay.
A vision of Jim raising Laurie alone sent another shock wave through me. My stomach clenched violently.
Although the EMTs descended the three flights of steps smoothly, I still managed to feel guilty about my weight. My fat butt was causing them to move cautiously down the steps, probably delaying emergency treatment that could save Lauries and my life.
When they pushed the stretcher into the ambulance, I saw Laurie. She was n
estled in a see-through plastic crib, much like the one shed been in at the hospital only a few short weeks ago when she was born. The EMTs had wrapped her in the blanket I had used to shield myself when I nursed her and she seemed content.