Ten or fifteen minutes later, Lance washed his hands and arms. He made a towel damp, came back to me, and cleaned the blood off my face.
“Why aren’t you covered with blood?” I asked.
“I’ve learned to eat slowly and carefully. We do need to be able to walk through the hospital without being noticed.”
Lindsey and Brett stood up and went over to the sink. I saw them wiping their faces and washing their hands. They also looked clean as they walked away from the sink. Brett searched through some cabinets, pulled out a body bag, and put the remains of Cameron in it.
“What are you going to do with him?” I asked.
“There’s a small abandoned warehouse outside of town that will burn along with some refuse sometime this evening,” Brett replied.
“Did you rent a warehouse?” I asked.
“No,” Lance replied. “Since we can only take two or three bodies back to Bismarck with us, we’ve been checking out the warehouse district. We don’t want anyone to know how Cameron and his men actually died. Burning them is the best solution. Conner will believe that Cameron was involved in a drug deal that went bad.” He helped Lindsey lift the wrapped bodies onto gurneys.
“I doubt Conner will believe that,” I said, thinking Cameron would be prepared for that type of contingency. He met with shady people all the time.
“Regardless, he’ll have no way of finding out what really happened.”
Brett got a bucket, filled it, and mopped the floor where Cameron had lain.
“Lindsey,” Lance said, “try to find a couple of hospital gowns and a roll of white gauze.”
“Okay,” she replied, leaving.
Lance put Gerard’s medical supplies back in the metal box along with the folded table. “Brett, can you take this outside and spray it inside and out? Then throw it in the dumpster.”
Brett nodded as he picked up the metal box and left.
“What happened with Saul?” I asked.
“He didn’t regain consciousness. I had already told his family that he no longer had any brain activity. They wanted a second opinion. When they got it, they had him unhooked from the life support systems. They wanted to donate his body to my clinic for scientific research. I thanked them and said I wouldn’t be able to preserve the body to get it back to North Dakota. One of Saul’s relatives is a mortician. They called him to pick up the body. I completed the paperwork.”
Lindsey entered, carrying the gowns and gauze.
“Let’s get everything off Sara,” Lance said to Lindsey.
“No. I can do that,” I said, pulling off my socks. I rose to my feet, removed the bloody gown. Feeling a little embarrassed, I stood naked, wiping myself off with wet towels. Lindsey handed me a dry one. I quickly rubbed it over my skin and draped it around my body.
“What about your hair?” Lindsey asked.
“Get me another towel.”
Lance gave me another one. I bent down and put it around my hair like I just got out of the shower. Lindsey tucked in all the straggling ends. She cleaned the wheelchair while I slipped on a hospital gown. After I sat down, Lance wrapped my hands and feet with the gauze.
“The medical supplies are gone,” Brett said, walking into the morgue. “I’ve moved an ambulance to the back of the hospital. I’m sure it won’t be missed for a few hours since there are half a dozen available.”
“You’re right,” Lance agreed. “They don’t have very many people working on Sunday evening. No one will check on it. How many cars did Cameron and his people drive to the hospital?”
“Two,” Lindsey said, holding up a handful of key rings. “The keys have got to be among these.”
“Is Janice close by?” Lance asked, putting on his white lab coat.
“Yes. She’s still in the parking lot,” Lindsey said.
“I had her stay there just in case Conner showed up while we were dealing with Cameron,” Brett said.
“Have Janice drive one of the cars,” Lance said. “Lindsey, you take the other one. Leave them in a conspicuous place by the warehouse—fingerprint free.”
Lindsey nodded, “Okay.”
“Brett and Lindsey, put on the gray shirts and pants hanging on the rod next to the door,” Lance instructed. “Then get the bodies out of here. You shouldn’t be stopped. In case you are, tell them you’re taking the bodies to Fazio’s mortuary. If you have any problems after that, call me in Sara’s room.”
“We’re on it,” Brett said, slipping on a gray outfit.
“How long do you think it’ll take them to identify Cameron’s body?” I asked.
“With the cars there, the police might suspect. Since he’ll be badly burned along with his employees and the warehouse, they won’t have a positive identification until we’re on our way to Bismarck,” Lance said.
I felt relieved. I didn’t want Conner coming to the hospital to tell me about Cameron. I wouldn’t know how to comfort him.
Lance pushed the wheelchair out of the morgue. Brett and Lindsey followed, pulling gurneys. We went toward the central elevators. They went the opposite direction.
As soon as we reached my room, Mabel came in. “What happened to your hair?” she asked.
“Some gel from the ultrasound accidentally got in Miss Jones’ hair,” Lance replied.
“Do you want me to help you get that washed out?” Mabel asked.
“I thought I’d take a shower,” I said.
Mabel looked at Lance. “You said she should stay off her feet. Is it okay if she takes a shower?”
“As long as it’s a quick one,” he said, removing the gauze from my hands.
“I’ll order your dinner,” Mabel said. “It should be up here when you get out of the shower.”
“I don’t feel hungry,” I said.
“Is it okay if she doesn’t eat any dinner?” Mabel asked Lance.
“Why don’t you just get her some dessert?” Lance said. “I want her to have a large breakfast tomorrow. I’ll be taking her to my clinic in Bismarck for the treatment she needs. I’d like to have her ready to leave here at nine.”
“She’ll be ready,” Mabel said, leaving the room.
Lance scanned my face. “Are you still upset about Cameron?”
“Not about Cameron, just about Conner.”
When the gauze had been removed from my hands and feet, I stood up and went into the bathroom. The warm water running over me felt so good. Scrubbing my body and hair, I saw a stream of red suds going down the drain. I stepped out of the shower stall, dried myself off, and put on a fresh hospital gown. I wrapped a clean towel around my head and looked in the mirror. Staring back at me was the reflection of a killer. Yet I no longer felt any remorse. How was that possible? With downcast eyes, I inhaled deeply as I worried about my apathy toward the crime I had just committed.
As I walked toward the bed, I sensed Lance studying me.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied, easing down on the side of the bed. My feet dangled over the edge.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, going into the bathroom. He came out, carrying a bundle of rolled up towels with a small piece of a hospital gown sticking out one side. “I don’t want anyone running into a towel with blood all over it. I’m going to get you another pair of gloves and socks. Make sure no one touches your hands or feet.”
“I will,” I said as he left.
A moment later, my body trembled as I thought about Cameron again and mourned for his family. I was responsible for the loss of a husband and father. What’s wrong with me? One minute I didn’t feel any grief at all for my actions and the next I felt sad. I had probably saved a lot of lives by getting rid of Cameron. I should be proud of what I had done. At the same time, I was having a hard time coming to the realization that I was now capable of killing a person. Maybe if I decided to become a Tegen, I could find a way to put my new ability to good use. Help people.
Mabel sat a food tray down on the table. “You look
like you’re freezing. Let me get you under the covers.”
“No,” I said, emphatically. “Not until Dr. Alston brings back some more gloves and socks.”
“I’ll get you a warm blanket,” she said, going into the hall. Within a minute, she was back carrying two. She put one on my lap and bent down to tuck in my feet.
“I can do that,” I said, slipping my hands under hers to block her from touching the needles.
Lance walked in. “Is everything okay?” he asked.
“I just wanted to wrap up Miss Jones’ feet. She’s shaking.”
“These socks will keep her feet warm,” he said, approaching me.
“Let me help,” Mabel said, reaching for a sock.
“I’ll take care of it,” I said, grabbing a sock. I tucked my foot into it.
“Is there anything you would like me to do?” Mabel asked Lance.
“No,” he said.
As Mabel left, I thought both Lance and I had been too curt with her. On the other hand, I didn’t want her accidently getting hurt.
“How does that feel?” he asked when he slipped on the last glove.
“Good. Now I just need to dry my hair.”
“I’ll get your nurse to bring in a hairdryer.” He stepped out of the room.
Mabel came in. She insisted that it would be easier if she blow dried my hair. I allowed her to do it without putting up a fuss. “Are you feeling warmer now?” she asked.
“Yes. Thank you.”
She pushed the table with the food tray on it in front of me. “I’m afraid the ice cream has melted.”
“It still looks good,” I said, eyeing the chocolate cake.
“Just buzz when you’re finished,” she said, leaving.
I had just dug into the cake when the phone rang. I picked up the receiver. “Hello?”
“How are you doing?” Conner asked.
“Good,” I said, feeling grateful that Conner didn’t know about his brother yet.
“Did you get the message I left this morning?”
“Yes.”
“I had hoped I’d be back in time to see you today. It didn’t work out.”
“No problem,” I said as I thought Cameron had probably sent him on an errand to make sure he wouldn’t show up here at the wrong time.
“What did Dr. Alston say about going to his clinic?”
“He’s made plans for me to leave tomorrow morning on a medical plane. The treatment will start on Tuesday.”
“On your birthday?” Conner asked in a bewildered tone.
“Yes. He thought it would only take a few days for my hands and feet to heal.”
“That sounds great. So can I pick you up next weekend?”
“Providing everything goes as planned,” I said, wondering if I’d still be alive then.
“Do you have the phone number to his clinic?”
“I’ll call you tomorrow night and give you the number.”
“Should I pack another suitcase for you?”
“No. I won’t need any more clothes as I’ll be wearing hospital gowns and sleeping most of the time during the treatment. I don’t know if they’ll let calls through.”
“Just as long as you’re getting well, that’s all that counts. Then you can show me how much you missed me when we’re flying to San Diego,” he teased.
“I’ll plan on it,” I said, wondering how I could use the knowledge I had acquired regarding the Crussett family business.
“I want you to get some sleep so you’re rested for tomorrow. Remember I love you,” he said, his voice filled with warmth.
“I love you, too. Talk to you tomorrow night.”
“Goodnight, Sara.” He clicked off.
23
Bismarck
At quarter to nine the next morning, I was dressed in a pair of dark grey slacks and a white silk blouse. After enduring scratchy hospital gowns for four days, the soft fabric felt so good against my skin. While I straightened the collar, Brett walked through the doorway.
“Did everything go okay last night?” I asked.
“Just as planned.”
A nurse, not Mabel, came in pushing a wheelchair. “I guess you’re going to be leaving us today,” she said, sounding cheerful. She held onto my arm as I sat down in the wheelchair. “Dr. Alston will meet us at the entrance. You’ll be going to the airport in an ambulance.” The nurse pushed the wheelchair out of the room. Brett followed with my suitcase.
When we reached the entrance, Lance and Lindsey were there waiting. “I’ll take her from here,” Lance said, as he moved behind the wheelchair.
The nurse touched my shoulder. “Have a good trip to North Dakota.”
“Thank you. Could you say bye to Nurse Mabel for me?”
“I will,” the nurse said, and then headed toward the elevator.
Lance wheeled me through the sliding entry doors to the ambulance. Brett put my suitcase in the trunk of a car that was parked behind it. Then he climbed into the front passenger seat of the ambulance. It drove away.
“I thought I was going in the ambulance,” I said to Lindsey.
“No. We needed an ambulance to transport some bodies—the three guys who tried to kidnap you.”
I scooted into the back seat of the car. Lindsey slid in on the other side. Lance and a man, whom I had never seen before, got into the front seat. The stranger sat behind the steering wheel.
“Sara Jones, this is Jacob Tillman,” Lance said, referring to the driver. “He’s a medical student. He’ll be driving us to the airport and then returning the car.”
Lance finished the introductions as the car pulled out of the parking lot. Then he chatted with Jacob about his clinic and the research they were working on.
“I’m looking forward to my internship there,” Jacob said. “When would you like me to start?”
“Sometime in the middle of June,” Lance said. “I have another intern starting on June 16th. Millie, my receptionist, will make arrangements for your housing. She’ll be contacting you.”
“Great. Will I have an opportunity to meet your father when I’m there or will he still be in Africa?”
Lindsey looked at me and smiled.
“I’m not sure what his schedule is. Last year he dropped in to see how the research was going.”
Lindsey coughed to disguise a laugh and held her hand over her mouth. I raised an eyebrow.
Lance turned around. “Are you okay?” he asked, with a stern expression on his face.
She nodded.
“Dr. Alston, during your lecture you mentioned the vaccine your research team was working on for bee allergies; the one that only had to be administered once every five years. Can you fill me in on the status?”
“Of course,” Lance said. He briefed Jacob about the vaccine while Lindsey and I sat quietly in the back seat. It was so technical that I couldn’t understand what he was saying, so my mind began to wander to the looming decision that I had to make soon.
We drove into a small, private airport. Jacob stopped the car next to an airplane. Brett and the ambulance driver were carrying a filled body bag toward the plane’s storage compartment.
“What are those?” Jacob asked, casting a suspicious sideways glance.
“Fortunately, while I was here I received three donated bodies for my research,” Lance said to Jacob, opening the door.
Jacob’s expression relaxed. “Can I help you load them?”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Lindsey stepped out of the car and opened the trunk. I watched the bodies being moved from the ambulance to the plane and Lindsey dealing with the luggage.
When they were through, Lance opened my car door. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.” I swung my legs to the outside of the car and stood up.
“Thank you, Jacob,” Lance said. “I’m looking forward to having you on my research team this summer.”
“So am I,” Jacob said. “Do you need any help getting anything else on the p
lane?”
“No, thanks. I can manage things from here. See you next month.”
“Have a good flight.” Jacob waved as he got back into the car.
After Jacob drove away, Lance led me up the stairs to the plane’s entrance.
My eyes scanned the interior. Behind the cockpit was a galley. Next to it were seats against both sides of the plane. At the rear stood a bed secured to the floor and surrounded by medical equipment attached to the walls. It certainly didn’t look anything like the inside of Conner’s plane. There was nothing luxurious about it. Also, it hadn’t been purchased with dirty money.
I lowered myself into a chair and buckled up. Lance took the next seat. Brett and Lindsey sat across from us.
When we reached cruising altitude, Lance said, “I want you to lie down and sleep.”
“I’m not tired.”
“It’ll be good for your hands and feet.”
I unhooked my seatbelt. He followed me to the bed. After I was under the covers, I started strapping myself in. I couldn’t get one to snap shut. Lance helped.
“You don’t need to wear the gloves until we reach Bismarck,” he said.
I took them off and freely wiggled my fingers. “This feels so good not having my hands inhibited.” I looked at my palms. The small bumps had spread, covering every inch. I rubbed my hands together.
“Do your hands hurt?”
“No. They feel strange, but not painful.”
“Take these,” he said, handing me two pills along with a bottle of water.
“Why?”
“They’ll help you relax.”
I plopped the pills in my mouth and drank a large gulp of water.
“Try to get some sleep,” he said.
I smiled, closing my eyes.
I stirred when I heard the sound of loud banging and heavy footsteps. The airplane door stood wide open. I leaned over, looked out a window, and saw people unloading the storage compartment. I didn’t recognize two of them.
“You’re awake,” Lindsey said, peeking around the door.
“Can you help me with these straps?” I asked her, as I snapped one off.
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