HEART AND SOUL by JUDY COLELLA (e novels to read .txt) 📕

“Feel better?”

“No. But thanks.” Xavion smiled and resettled himself in the bed.

“You’ll be fine, Mr. G. I don’t doubt that one bit.”

Grateful for the orderly’s positive attitude and encouragement, Xavion hoped the man would suffer no repercussions for his help. “You’re a good friend.”

“Well, you’re one of the nice ones. Can’t tell you how many ungrateful grouches I have to deal with every day.” He laughed, no bitterness in the sound, and they headed back toward their scheduled destination.

As they reached the Radiology Department, Xavion realized he hadn’t seen the only thing that would have made entry to the room with the laser much easier for the killer – another door. Which told him the doctor had to get past the hall cameras as well as room security with an unconscious body.

Now here was a puzzle he was going to enjoy unraveling.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“I think this is the first time I’ve been disturbed by a good report.”

Xavion regarded Dr. Coel with feigned puzzlement. “I don’t get you. My results from the scan were good, and you’re disturbed by them? Why?”

Tapping the clipboard computer with one finger, the cardiologist shook his head. “No, Mr. G’Argyle. Not good. Perfect. You have one of the strongest hearts and best circulatory systems I’ve ever seen. That isn’t possible, considering the condition you were in when you were admitted last night. There are also some other things I noticed when checking through the battery of tests we gave you over the past few hours, things I also doubt I can explain.” He raised his brows, pursuing his lips.

“Ah.” The man’s body language was speaking volumes, the clarity of his behavior something that didn’t track with a person trying to cover a hidden – and deadly – agenda. Xavion frowned, realizing he might very well have the wrong person in his sights as murderer. As for the other – time to test that one out. “Well, I might be able to explain some of that.”

“So you know what I’m talking about, then?”

“I have weird genetics.” He gave the man a twisted smile. “I’m surprised no one noticed it during one of my many visits here in the past.”

The doctor appeared to relax, and pulled over the rolling stool by the wall. “First, why the ‘many’ visits’?” He sat, tapping the screen on the clipboard, making it go dark.

“I ride a Harley. And…sometimes I go too fast. So far, I’ve been lucky – my accidents haven’t been all that bad, but I have needed to be stitched up from time to time.” Or have bullet holes mended, even though I explained them as kickstand punctures.

“Do you use a helmet?”

“Of course.”

“Good. I’ll never understand bikers who don’t. I mean, how can whatever thrill it gives them compare with the possibility of a horrible death? Anyway, tell me about your genetics.” He crossed his legs, the curiosity in his voice in no way sinister.

Relieved at this absence of anything suggestive of menace, and hoping he had his answer to the problem that had prompted him to listen for it, Xavion sat straighter. “One of my ancestors was the victim of a kind of…accident having to do with some obscure chemical thing. Whatever it was, it screwed with his genes, and went deep enough into his cell structure to affect his offspring. Those carrying the mutation passed it down to their own progeny. Seems I’m one of the recipients of this recessive gene, and certain blood tests will show the anomaly, but not what it does.” Nothing in his eyes or expression indicated how closely he was watching the other man’s reaction.

“Sounds like science-fiction.” Despite the skeptical words, the doctor seemed fascinated. “So what does it do? How is it manifested?”

“Turn off the lights and close the door, please. And no, I’m not going to do anything violent or stupid.”

Dr. Coel gave him a crazy look, but said nothing, getting up and going to the door. “Okay. Here you go.” He switched off the light and closed the door, shrouding the room in near-darkness. Only the tiny lights on the heart monitor gave any illumination, and that was minimal; the room’s window was already darkened by thick blinds. “Now what?”

“Do something with your hand, either one, but only one.”

“Okay.”

“You raised your left hand, scratched your nose, and are waving at me, but now your hand is in front of your chest.”

The light went back on. “How the hell did you do that?”

“I can see almost perfectly in the dark.”

The doctor gaped. “Holy…what else can you do?” He gave a short laugh. “As if that isn’t enough!”

“Nothing I can demonstrate here. But I can tell you about it, if you like.”

“Sure.”

“I have perfect balance, dead aim, and can jump from the top of a two-story building, land on my feet, and not be hurt.” Did you already know that, Dr. Coel?

Inhaling, then releasing the air through his nose, the doctor shook his head. “If I hadn’t seen you do that seeing-in-the-dark thing, I’d be furious right now, believing you were purposely telling me crap to waste my time. On the other hand,” he continued, moving away from the door to sit next to the bed again, “the results I saw from the test actually fit with what you’re telling me. Not that there’s anything I can do with this information.” He uttered a low chuckle and turned the clipboard back on. “I’m surprised no one followed up on it when you’ve had blood tests before.”

“I think it freaked people out. That, and the fact that anyone with ideas about turning me into a science experiment might hesitate based on my size and strength.”

“Meaning you wouldn’t go quietly, I take it.” His grin was open now.

“Pretty much. So maybe all of that explains the result of the cardiac scan?”

Nodding, the doctor got up. “Maybe. The density of your muscles must be off the charts if you can jump safely from a height like that. I imagine that would make you very strong.”

For all the good that quality did my family over the years. “It does.”

“Well. I think that after another physical, you should be eligible for release, Mr. G’Argyle.” He put the clipboard into a holder at the foot of the bed. “By the way, don’t let Jake play with this – it’s some very expensive technology.” He pointed to the device.

“What do you mean?” That sounded odd.

“He’s only an orderly, as you know, but I think he has dreams of being an actual doctor. I’ve caught him looking at patients’ charts from time to time, but always when there’s a female nurse somewhere nearby.”

“Sounds more like he’s trying to impress someone.” Okay, not so odd.

“I do believe you’re right. Although he did seem most interested in yours. Stared at it for a long time. Of course, the desk nurses were watching the whole time through the open door.” He laughed. “Guess it was harmless.”

Good one, Jake… “I’m sure it was. Anyway, thanks. Oh, and I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t share what I told you – with anyone.”

Coel gave him a serious look for several seconds before answering. “Hm. I suppose I can understand that. Sure. Not a soul, Mr. G’Argyle. But please – next time you feel chest pain, ask for me first. I’ll know what to look for, maybe.”

Nodding, Xavion thanked him, slid down a bit, and closed his eyes. With any luck, he’d be out and back home before nightfall. His roof was calling to him, and once there, he’d be able to think much, much better.

Text: Judy Colella
Publication Date: 01-20-2014

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