Final Act by Dianne Yetman (best free ebook reader .TXT) 📕

“If the threat’s real, it’s police business.  I’m hoping to speak to Kate later on.  I can pass it on but no doubt she’ll want to talk to you in person.”

The two women nodded, thanked Hanya for letting them know about the veiled threats made against them, shook hands, said their good bye’s.  When the door closed behind Hanya, Susan turned to Alexis.

“So that’s that.  We’ll leave method acting to the experts.  I’ll tell you one thing, though, I won’t miss those damn stilettos, my calves still ache.”

Hanya hurried to the car, called Kate but no answer.  She left a message but never received a return call.

Chapter 9

Gordon and Kate had sat side by side in the waiting room outside of Intensive Care for hours.  She had stared at the watercolours hanging on the wall until the pictures began to blur.  Gordon and Withers sat on either side of her wearing the faces of the sleep deprived.  They had taken turns doing a coffee run, started conversations that petered out, and sunk back into their own private prayers or reveries.  Roger’s mother and his aunts emerged from the ICU during the long vigil to give them an update.  It was always the same.  He still hadn’t regained consciousness after the surgery; the doctors weren’t optimistic about his recovery.  The surgeon tried to convince them to go home. They stayed until Roger’s mother insisted they leave, promising to call if there was any change.

Kate grabbed three hours of dream filled sleep then left for the hospital where she caught up Gordon and Withers at the entrance.  The stressed looking trio made their way back to the waiting room.  Gordon briefed them on the way.  A team had been assembled to investigate the attempted murder, cops who were off roster gathered at the precinct.  Everything that could be done was being done.

Sitting in silence, side-by-side, they waited.   A nurse came out to tell them that Dr. Sara Trembler would be with them shortly.  Withers’ face paled, Kate sat ramrod straight and Gordon’s right foot began to tap.  Sara came out of the door of the unit; a blank look on her face, her hands wrapped around her stethoscope, eyes bloodshot.

Kate’s heart went out to Sara as she watched her approach.  How painful it must be to see the man you love at death’s door.  There was a tremor in the woman’s voice when she spoke.

“Roger’s come out of the coma, tried to talk, but is too weak.”

Three smiling, hopeful faces looked up at her.

“According to his surgeon, Roger’s not out of the woods yet.  He took a serious beating, there’s head trauma, concussion.  A blood clot behind his left eye may require further surgery if the blood thinners don’t do the trick.  He has multiple bruises, contusions, two broken ribs but major organs are fine.”

“How soon do you think we could speak to him, Sara”, Kate asked.

“It’s hard to say; he’s heavily sedated.  Why don’t you grab something to eat, come back in an hour or so, then... her voice cracked and she struggled for control.  “I’m sorry; I have to go, I’m on early morning rounds.”

They thanked Sara and watched as she rushed towards the stairwell. Withers stood, told them he was going back to the precinct and work on the roster.  He asked them to call if they heard anything.

“We’ll be joining you shortly, Withers”, Gordon said.  He turned to Kate. “We need to talk.  Let’s hit the cafeteria.”

Ten minute later, Gordon was munching on a jelly doughnut.  “I will never understand Kate, why hospitals, cop shops, and cafeterias can’t make a decent cup of coffee.   It’s tar for God’s sake, black tar.  Do you see how much sugar I had to put in just to get it down?”

Kate ignored his remark, sipped her orange juice and scanned the cafeteria waiting for Gordon to begin his talk.  He was taking his time and she was getting antsy.  Leaning across the table she said his name with such intensity he stopped chewing mid-stream.

“I want to be part of the investigation team into Roger’s beating.  I have to be.  Understood?”

“Oh, I understand alright but it’s not happening. You’re in the middle of a murder investigation, two dead bodies and no arrests.  I can’t spare you.  Besides, you’re too emotionally involved.”

“Don’t give me this shit, Gordon”

“I’m telling you like it is, Kate, there’s no way you’re going to be released from the investigation.  That’s it. ” He raised his hand before she could answer.  “Think it through; you’ll see I’m right. I’m putting Shirley on the team under your supervision.  She’s good, got the right stuff.  The investigation into the assault on Roger, I promise, I will keep you informed; don’t worry; we’ll get those punks.”

“Are you kidding me?  This wasn’t a swarming by hopped up juveniles looking for cash for their next fix.  It was planned. Roger was a marked man. According to his former boss in the drug squad, someone was out to get him.  He thought it could be a drug dealer with a grudge.”

“I don’t buy the revenge theory. Roger’s stint as an undercover cop ended long ago.  Drug dealers don’t wait five years for revenge”, Gordon said.

“I agree.  I’ve got a hunch it’s connected to the murders we’re investigating.  The killer wanted Roger dead.”

“Jesus, Kate.  Now I know you’re too close to this, you’re not making the least bit of sense.  It’s too wide a leap.”

“You’ve trusted my instincts before this, Gordon?”

“Maybe so, but not this time.  You focus on the murder investigation.  Am I making myself clear?”

“But...”

“That’s it, end of discussion.  The report’s in on Camira’s death.  It was no accident; she had been drugged with sleeping pills.  They turned up in the bottom of her tea and in her system.  Powerful enough that the killer probably had to carry her to the bed.  There’s no way she would have been able to give herself the lethal dose of morphine.  Withers