There was a lump in Zachary’s throat. “I’m so sorry.”
“What am I going to do when I can’t even tell them to stop anymore? What am I going to do when I can see and feel what is going, and I can’t even say a word?”
“I don’t know.” He didn’t suggest assisted suicide. He was sure that she knew all of the options and had already looked into that. But if she had religious or other ethical objections, or if she was looking at being completely disabled but not considered to be terminal within six months, it wasn’t an option.
Ruth took a long, shuddering breath. She swallowed and lifted her chin. “Okay. I’m done feeling sorry for myself now. Enough self-pity. Where were you headed? Were you on your way in or out?”
Zachary shrugged. “Both, actually. I was talking to one of the nurses in Robin’s unit, and I thought I would get her something from the cafeteria before doing anything else.”
“Ah. Okay.”
“Did you want to come with me?” Zachary offered. “Or if you wanted, I could take you back to your unit or wherever it was you wanted to go next. If you don’t want to stay here.” He was worried about offending her with his offer. She had just been complaining about people moving her around, and he was offering to do just that. He had no idea whether she was capable of getting around on her own. Her hands didn’t appear to be dexterous or strong enough to control the wheelchair, which was not one of the electric ones with a joystick. But he could be completely wrong. He didn’t know anything about her condition.
“I’d love to go to the cafeteria,” Ruth said, brightening.
“Great!” Zachary didn’t get up from his seat right away. “Do you want me to push you, or…?”
“Yes, please.”
Zachary got up. He positioned himself behind her and checked the brakes on the wheelchair. They had already been released, so he gave a little push and got Ruth on her way. She was very light and pushing the chair was effortless.
Once in the cafeteria, they discussed what the best treat to get for Nurse Betty would be, neither of them knowing any of her preferences. After settling on a chocolate puffed wheat square and hoping Betty wasn’t gluten intolerant, Zachary took a look around at the other offerings.
“Can I get you something?” he suggested. “Would you like coffee or a piece of pie?”
“Oh, you don’t have to… are you having anything?”
Zachary could see that he wasn’t going to be able to get her anything without buying something for himself. Otherwise it would be seen as a pity offering. The last thing that Ruth needed was for him to show her pity. She was trying to be strong and independent, and he needed to support that.
“Hm. I’m thinking maybe… apple pie. You’re not going to make me eat alone, are you? Just me, and my pie, and Nurse Betty’s chocolate square?”
Ruth giggled. “I don’t know. It could be difficult. I’m really not up to eating by myself.”
“I could manage it, if all you need is a steady hand. If you need a tube, we’re going to need some help…”
“I’m not quite to tube feeding yet,” Ruth said, with an appreciative smile. “But I am on a liquid diet, so…”
Zachary considered the options. “Maybe yogurt or pudding? Would that work?”
Ruth shifted back and forth in her seat, trying to see what was on the higher glass shelves. “Are there Jell-O parfaits?”
“Red or green?”
“Red!”
Zachary added a piece of pie and a red Jell-O cup to a tray and slid it along beside him as he pushed Ruth forward. “Do you mind if I pick up the tab?”
“I seem to have left my purse at home.”
“Good.” Zachary checked them through and picked up a plastic spoon and fork at the cash register, then found a place for them to sit and eat.
Chapter Thirteen
A
fter a leisurely snack, Zachary pushed Ruth’s chair back to her unit, following her directions. They arrived to find the unit in an uproar, with nurses squawking loudly and police officers questioning the man who had been harassing Ruth.
“Ruth! Oh, thank goodness you’re okay!” exclaimed one nurse, hurrying over to them. “What happened?” Without waiting for an answer from Ruth, she looked at Zachary. “Where did you find her?”
Zachary waited for Ruth to answer, but before she could, the hospital worker interrupted.
“That’s him! That’s the man who threatened me!”
“Threatened you?” Zachary echoed, raising his eyebrows.
“Sir, I need you to step back from the wheelchair,” one of the cops said, straightening to his full height and moving toward Zachary, hand on his holster.
Zachary wasn’t sure whether he was going for a taser, a gun, pepper spray, or something else, but he wasn’t going to wait to find out. He released the wheelchair, putting his hands up.
“There’s been a misunderstanding,” he said, looking at the hospital worker. “I don’t know what this guy has been telling you, but I never threatened anyone.”
“Step back please. When you are clear of the wheelchair, I want you to lie face-down.”
“Seriously?” Zachary took a step backward, and then another. Walking backward was not something he had practiced very much and he teetered, worried for a moment that he was going to topple over before he regained his balance. He put his hands on his head to get down to his knees, and then to lie down. “You’re making a mistake listening to this guy.”
But the police had to do what they had to do. The cop patted him down and removed the contents of his pockets. There was nothing of particular interest for them to find.
“Zachary didn’t do anything!” Ruth protested, her voice high and reedy. “He just went with me down to the cafeteria and we had something to eat. He didn’t do anything wrong. Lucas,” it was the first time she had put a name to the hospital worker, “he’s the one you ought to be arresting.”
“Nobody is being arrested at this point,” one of the other officers said smoothly. “Just tell us what happened and we’ll take it from there. No need to get upset.”
“I am upset! Zachary was a good Samaritan who came and helped me out, and you’re treating him like a criminal. Let him get up and stop being ignorant!”
The police officers exchanged looks with each other. No one looked directly at Ruth. Finally, a heavyset officer nodded, and the one who had frisked Zachary helped him politely to his feet. He looked at Zachary’s pocket contents, unsure whether he should be giving them back. The one in charge picked up Zachary’s wallet and opened it up to have a look.
“Zachary Goldman,” he read. “What is your relationship with Miss Wick?”
“I had dessert with her in the cafeteria. We don’t have a previous relationship.”
“Zachary Goldman,” someone repeated behind Zachary. “Private eye?”
Zachary turned his head and saw Joshua Campbell. Zachary didn’t turn all the way around or make any attempt to greet him, not wanting to alarm the officers who were contemplating him.
“Well, I’ll be,” Campbell said, grinning. “What’s up, Zach?”
“Uh…” Zachary wasn’t sure what to tell him.
“You here on an investigation?”
“Mind if I get my stuff back, now?”
Campbell motioned for him to help himself, and Zachary picked up his possessions and put them back in his pockets. Everyone seemed to be waiting for him to say something. Zachary realized he hadn’t answered Campbell’s question. “I’m investigating the death of Robin Salter.”
“The way I understand it, we’re investigating the death of Robin Salter,” Campbell countered.
“The police didn’t get involved until after I reported to the coroner. I don’t give up a case just because the police decide to investigate as well.”
“No. Stubborn that way,” Campbell agreed. He sighed and looked around at the other police officers. “Nothing left to see. I take it this is the young lady who disappeared?�
�
Everyone nodded.
“You weren’t kidnapped?” Campbell asked Ruth. He was the first of the officers who had deigned to talk to her directly. “You were not held or taken anywhere against your will?”
“No,” Ruth said tartly. “I was not.”
“Then I’m guessing that all of this alarm was a simple overreaction.”
There was a lot of grumbling from the other officers, and Lucas did his best to avoid answering any questions directly and to brush the whole thing off as a misunderstanding. Campbell remained nearby as everyone dispersed. He cocked his head at Zachary.
“No trouble, Zach?”
Zachary looked at Ruth, wondering how she wanted it handled. Ruth sighed and shook her head. Zachary guessed that she didn’t want any additional harassment that might come from accusing one of the hospital staff of acting improperly. Especially when all she had to complain about was that Lucas was trying to mop up her spittle before returning her to her unit. Just doing his job.
Zachary pressed his lips together, considering whether there was anything he could say that would give Campbell a heads-up, but not go against Ruth’s wishes.
“Did you run him to see if he had a record?” Zachary questioned, tilting his head in the direction Lucas had been standing up until a couple of minutes before.
“He wouldn’t be able to work here if he had a record.”
“Nothing?” Zachary persisted.
“I’d have to check to see if there was anything else… dropped charges, a sealed juvenile record. But there’s no warrants outstanding and no convictions.”
“Might be a good idea,” Zachary said.
Campbell looked toward Ruth, wanting more details.
“Just a feeling,” Zachary said, not giving him anything else. “Something setting off my alarms.”
Campbell nodded. He was a cop. He understood all about trusting those niggling little feelings.
“I’ll take a closer look. You’re okay now, ma’am?”
“I’m tired.”
“Of course. I don’t need anything else from you.”
Ruth looked at Zachary, then looked around at the medical staff. She indicated one of the nurses with her eyes. Zachary got the woman’s attention.
“Ruth would like to go back to her room,” he explained. “She’s worn out from visiting.”
“Well, we’ll take care of that, dearie,” the nurse said, taking hold of the handles of Ruth’s wheelchair. “Time for a nap, Ruth.”
Ruth’s head wobbled in what wasn’t quite a nod. The nurse wheeled her away.
Campbell and Zachary watched them go.
“Another case?” Campbell asked.
“No. Just met her today. I just want to make sure… she’s taken good care of.”
“They have a very good reputation here,” Campbell assured him. “Try not to let your view be colored by what happened to Robin Salter.”
“I’m not. She’s just… very vulnerable.”
Campbell nodded his agreement. “Well, I suppose if I’m not going to arrest you for kidnapping, we may as well get on our way. You’re here on the Salter case?”
“Yes. I wanted to talk to a few more of the people who knew her. Maybe some of the other patients might have some insight.”
Campbell let out his breath and made a face. “Look, Zach, we know each other. You know I’ve got no problem as long as you’re operating within the law. But remember we’re just starting on this case, and you investigating it simultaneously… I just don’t want anyone’s toes being stepped on.”
“You can’t stop me from asking people questions.”
“Well, I could strongly discourage you. But that’s what I’m talking about… we’re both professionals. We can work this out so that no one is getting in anyone else’s way.”
Zachary walked along beside Campbell. It was true; Campbell was one of the cops Zachary had never had to worry too much about. He didn’t automatically get his back up whenever he saw Zachary or heard he was involved in one of their cases. There were certainly enough cops around who did, doggedly territorial of their own investigations.
“I’ve already talked to the main doctor and nursing staff. That’s probably who you’re focused on, isn’t it?”
Campbell nodded. “They have not been happy with all of the questions and extra work we’ve been making for them, believe me!”
“I know,” Zachary agreed, and held up the puffed wheat square. “Peace offering for Nurse Betty.”
Campbell chuckled. “Keeping the wheels greased with sugar and chocolate. Yeah, she’s a bit of an old battle-ax, that one. Wouldn’t want to be a patient stuck in her care.”
“I don’t think she’s a bad nurse. She’s just trying to keep things running smoothly. Hospitals don’t run well with cops and private investigators shaking everything up.”
They got to the unit. “Bridget was here?” Campbell questioned, looking around. “That’s how you got involved in this case?”
Zachary nodded. “Yes. This is where she was, where she got her treatments. Not a place you want to be… but the best place, if you’re trying to fight that fight.”
“Well, just glad she’s in remission, Zach. That’s good news.”
“You bet.”
They stood there for a minute longer, then went their separate directions without further comment. Zachary tracked Nurse Betty down and offered his bribe, and she told him which patients would be able to tell him the most about Robin.
Zachary’s first interview was with Chenka Redneslav, Robin’s roommate at the time she died. She had been moved to another room so the crime guys could properly process Robin’s room and see if there was any evidence to be turned up a full week after Robin’s death. Chenka was grumpy about having been moved and let Zachary know she didn’t appreciate it.
Chenka was a blonde with classic Russian features and an accent just heavy enough to be romantic. She was slim, but not emaciated like some of the women in the unit. Like Robin, she had retained her good looks. Even in a hospital bed with no makeup on, she was stunning.
“I don’t know why you have to come in here and start stirring things up. You’re making everybody miserable with all of your questions and bringing the police into this. Everything was fine, I don’t understand why you had to stick your nose in and interfere.”
“I’m sorry it’s been such a problem,” Zachary apologized. “But I’m sure that if it was you, you would want people to know the truth. You wouldn’t want everyone thinking it was just a natural death when it was not.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No, but it needs to be investigated.”
“It’s ridiculous.” She folded her arms across her chest and looked out the window. She hadn’t had a window in the room she had shared with Robin.
“I know. And again, I apologize. I’m just trying to find out the truth. You believe it was Robin’s time, I gather? You didn’t think she was going to last much longer?”
Chenka pursed her lips. “I didn’t think she was going to die then,” she admitted. “But she had cancer. We all have cancer. Any of us could go at any time.”
“Sure. Any time. You could go tomorrow,” Zachary agreed.
She frowned fiercely at this. “Why do you say that? I am not… I am not going to die tomorrow. They’re going to keep giving me medicine, and they will kill all of the cancer. Then I will be well again.”
“You could go at any time,” Zachary echoed what she had said.
“No, not any time. Those who are ready. Those whose time it is.”
“Like Robin.”
Chenka looked uneasily over at the call button for the nurse. She wanted to get Zachary out of there, but what would happen if she succeeded? Would it be over, or would he tell people that Chenka had lied to him? Would she be taken to the police station to be questioned, instead of being questioned in the comfort of her room?
“I did not know it was Robin’s time. I know it is no
t my time. But I did not know it was Robin’s time.”
“Robin didn’t know it was her time either. My wife was visiting with her just before she died, and she didn’t know. She didn’t have any idea she was going to die soon. She thought she still had months left.”
“Your wife?”
“Bridget Downy. She was a friend of Robin’s. They were both in treatment together. You probably know her too?”
“Bridget Downy isn’t your wife.”
She was the first one to challenge Zachary on the fact.
“Bridget is my ex-wife,” he agreed. “But we are still very close. She asked me to look into Robin’s death. She doesn’t believe it was Robin’s time. She thinks something happened.”
Chenka chewed on her lip, her eyes fastened on Zachary’s. “What happened?”
“You were there. Maybe you need to tell me.”
“I did not do anything. I did not see anything. I have nothing to tell you.”
“Nothing unusual happened Thursday evening or Friday morning?”
“Nothing. No.”
“Robin seemed just like her usual self. No change in her condition.”
“Obviously, there was a change in her condition on Friday morning.”
“Yes. You weren’t aware she had passed?”
“No. She died sometime in the night. I don’t know when.”
“And the nurses didn’t discuss it on their night rounds?”
“They don’t go around waking everybody up if they are sleeping. They only give prescribed medications or help if patients are having trouble.”
“Did Robin have any trouble?”
“She was restless. But she slept.”
“She didn’t call the nurse for anything that night?”
“Pain meds. She said she was in a lot of pain.”
She was Dying Anyway Page 12
