Angel City

by Jon Steele

  Max waved his hammer excitedly.

  “Boo!”

  Katherine looked out the window, saw the bas-relief lion’s head above the arched entrance.

  “That’s right, there’s Monsieur Booty. Isn’t he a very funny cat? He’s always here before we get here. And then he always gets home before we do. Isn’t that funny?”

  She threw her tote bag over her shoulder, unhooked Max from his car seat.

  “Okay, buster, let’s go see Dr. Supin. And if you’re very lucky, Bonnie the Nurse will give you a lollipop. And if I’m lucky, I’ll get one, too.”

  Officer Jannsen got out her side and rounded the Explorer. She quickly scanned the street before opening the left passenger door. Katherine stepped out, reached back inside the truck, and lifted out Max. And as they went into the building, Max watched the lion above the door.

  “Boo,” he whispered through his pacifier.

  An hour later, Katherine was watching Max through the open doorway to the reception area. He was sitting on the sofa with Bonnie the Nurse, and she was reading Max a story about blue bunny rabbits who liked to eat purple carrots. Max sat attentively, chewing on his hammer, his eyelids growing heavy. He was happy as could be. Katherine turned her eyes back to Dr. Supin. A genuine Marcus Welby, M.D., sort of guy, always gentle with Max, Katherine thought. And Max was always happy to see him, even managing to almost get his name right. Soupy, Max called him. But just now, good old Dr. Supin, sitting behind his desk, was the most terrifying man Katherine had ever met.

  “What the hell do you mean, Max needs an MRI?”

  Officer Jannsen was in the room, leaning against the wall behind Katherine.

  “Kat, let the doctor finish.”

  Katherine spun around to face her.

  “Did you know about this?”

  “Kat—”

  “Answer me.”

  Officer Jannsen nodded. “Yes, Kat, I knew there would be a test.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Officer Jannsen tipped her head toward Max.

  “Because of him, and because I know you. You would have displayed the same fear you’re displaying now. Max would’ve picked it up. By the time he got here, he would have been in a state of severe stress.”

  Katherine stared at her a long moment.

  “Hey, Anne, remember when I said you freaking me out was a compliment? Fuck you. I’m Max’s mother, not you.”

  Officer Jannsen stepped across the room and sat in the empty chair next to Katherine.

  “I understand that’s how you feel right now. But do you think I’d allow anyone to do anything to hurt Max?”

  Katherine combed her hand through her hair, remembering.

  “I took my mother to have an MRI. It scared her to death, and I don’t blame her. It’s like a tomb, and the noise was deafening . . .”

  She closed her eyes a second, let her memory fade. She gave a hard stare to both Officer Jannsen and the doctor.

  “And you two want me to put Max into one of those fucking things?”

  Officer Jannsen looked at Dr. Supin, biting her lip, trying to remind herself she was following orders. She threw the doctor an unmistakable look: Help me make this right, or I’ll beat the crap out of you.

  The doctor picked up the hint.

  “Ms. Taylor, I felt a small growth in Max’s abdomen on his last visit. It’s still there. Now, I’m not that concerned, really I’m not. It hasn’t grown, and as you report, Max isn’t having problems with constipation or abdominal pain. I suspect it’s no more than a benign cyst. But I’d like to have a better look to be sure.”

  “So take a fucking X-ray.”

  “That would require restraining Max or giving him a powerful sedative. Both those options would still subject Max to invasive radiation.”

  “What? You telling me an MRI isn’t any of the above?”

  “The MRI unit we’ll be using is not the same as the one you’re familiar with. It isn’t as claustral, there are no vibrations or loud noises. Most importantly, there is no invasive radiation. I assure you, it is a harmless procedure.”

  “How harmless?”

  “Well, it is difficult to explain in laymen’s terms.”

  “Try me,” Katherine said.

  Dr. Supin cleared his throat. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to appear condescending. In fact, this particular MRI scanner is an entirely new technology.”

  “Hold it right there. I’m not letting you use Max as a lab rat for some new friggin’ technology.”

  “I mean to say it’s new to the States, Ms. Taylor. The fact is, it’s an incredibly expensive technology developed in Europe.”

  “And you think I can afford it? I don’t even have health insurance, do I?” she said, looking at Officer Jannsen.

  “Kat, you don’t have to worry about it.”

  “What do you mean, I don’t have to worry about it? You heard him, it’s incredibly expensive.”

  “Kat, all your bills are covered.”

  “How?”

  Officer Jannsen held up her left hand, wiggled her ring finger. Katherine saw the gold band.

  “You and Max are on my Swiss health insurance. No limit, no exclusions for preexisting conditions, worldwide cover.”

  “Really?”

  “Of course. We’re married, aren’t we?”

  Katherine looked at her own hand, saw her own ring.

  “Okay. So what happens? How’s it work?”

  “The scanner passes various spectrums of light over the subject, and extremely sensitive optical sensors measure reflected luminance levels. Those measurements will yield the most accurate picture possible of Max’s condition.”

  “What condition?”

  “The state of his being.”

  “His what?”

  “His health, I mean to say. Which, in all honesty, I have no reason to suspect is anything but perfect. And, if I might add, Ms. Taylor, I’ve come to know your son through his visits to Portland. I’ve tended hundreds of children in my career, but never a child like Max. He’s just the most remarkable little fellow I’ve ever met.”

  Katherine felt a lump in her throat.

  “Yeah, he is, isn’t he?”

  “That’s why I want you to trust me on this, Ms. Taylor. I’m the same as Officer Jannsen, I wouldn’t do a thing to hurt Max. But I recommend we go ahead with the test. Knowing everything we can about Max means we’re doing everything we can to take care of him.”

  “And this machine won’t hurt him, scare him?”

  “Not at all. Max sits in a room and plays with a few toys—”

  “Can I be with him?”

  “I was about to ask if you would like to be with him.”

  “Yeah, I would.”

  “Well, then. Why don’t we get started?”

  “Now, like, now now? Where do we go?”

  “One floor down. Forty-five minutes and we’re done.”

  “That’s it?” Katherine said.

  The doctor smiled, nodded to the open door.

  “Well, look at him, Ms. Taylor. I mean, he’s just not that big.”

  Katherine looked out into the reception area. Max was leaning against Bonnie the Nurse, sound asleep, little hammer on his lap. She laughed to herself.

  “No, I guess he isn’t.”

  ELEVEN

  OFFICER JANNSEN PUSHED OPEN THE DOOR, AND KATHERINE stepped through and onto the street. Max was in her arms, and he immediately tipped back his head to see the stone lion’s head above the entrance. He waved his hammer.

  “Boo!”

  “Yup, Boo’s still up there.”

  Officer Jannsen crossed the sidewalk and opened the passenger door to the Explorer. Katherine took three steps toward it, then stopped. She looked up and down the street.


  “What is it, Kat?”

  “The sun.”

  “Yes?”

  “It’s everywhere. It’s nice. How often does that happen?”

  “Every day?”

  “Ha, ha. You’re so funny.”

  Katherine turned to the open square across Yamhill Street.

  “You know what, I’m going to take Max over to that park, and we’re going to sit in the sun and suck on our lollipops.”

  “Kat—”

  “Don’t Kat me. You didn’t tell me what was happening today, so you’re on our poo list.”

  “Your what?”

  Katherine looked at Max.

  “Tell her, buster. She’s on our poo list.”

  Max giggled. “Poo!”

  “That’s right, a big stinky poo list.”

  “Poo!”

  Officer Jannsen stared at the both of them staring at her.

  “Come on, Kat. Max is fine. He played through the entire test.”

  “Doesn’t matter. The only thing that’s going to get you off our poo list is if we get to sit in the sun and have our lollipops. Right, Max?”

  “Toot, toot!” Max cried as a trolley car banged its way across the intersection of Yamhill and Broadway. Katherine shrugged.

  “Well, he would’ve voted for poo if he hadn’t been distracted by the trolley. But no matter, we’re heading for the park. You coming or not?”

  “Why do you have this sudden urge to sit in the park?”

  “Because the sun is shining and it’s warm, and I’ve just had the crap scared out of me by Marcus Welby, MD.”

  “Who?”

  “Doesn’t matter. Point is, I’ll give you a choice. You can go back into the lobby of the Jackson Tower and make a quick left into Margulis Jewelers and buy me something outrageously expensive to kiss and make up, or you can watch me and Max suck our lollipops in the park. Take your pick.”

  Officer Jannsen smiled.

  “All right, stand by.”

  “For what?”

  “So I can look at a map and reset the protection detail.”

  Officer Jannsen took her mobile from her coat, tapped the screen, studied it. She tapped the driver’s window, and it lowered a crack. She told the driver the change in plans. She dropped the phone in her pocket, stepped to Katherine.

  “Allez, Kat, let’s go to the park and sit in the sun.”

  Katherine furrowed her brow.

  “Merde, now what?” Officer Jannsen said.

  “I was hoping for jewelry.”

  “Next time.”

  They waited for another trolley car to roll by. Max stared at it like it was magic. When it passed, they crossed the redbrick street to the redbrick park. The center of the square stepped down into an amphitheater. A few people were scattered about, sitting on the steps to take in the sun or read a book. Others had taken off their shoes and socks to set their feet in the pool of water at the bottom of a terraced fountain, and a long line of people were gathered at the Starbucks kiosk offering coffee and snacks. There were tables under the trees where people played chess, and from somewhere, a lone saxophone crooned.

  “Would you reach in my bag and get Max’s hat for me? Don’t want him to get sunburned.”

  Officer Jannsen moved close behind Katherine, unzipped the tote bag, and dug through it. She pulled out a pint-size safari hat, reached her arms around Katherine, and set the hat on Max’s head, pulling the chin strap snug. Katherine took that moment to ease back into Officer Jannsen’s arms. For long seconds, Katherine noticed Officer Jannsen didn’t push her away. Katherine turned around, looked Officer Jannsen in the eyes.

  “Thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “For being with me and Max. For everything.”

  “Kat, you have to understand that, sometimes, the things I have to do are tough.”

  “I do understand. That’s why I’m thanking you.”

  “Does that mean I’m off the poo list?”

  “What do you think, Max? Do we be nice to Anne now?”

  Max reached up and tapped Officer Jannsen on the head with his hammer.

  “Nnnn.”

  Officer Jannsen poked Max’s tummy with her finger.

  “Careful with that hammer, young man. Don’t you realize I carry a gun?”

  “Yeah,” Katherine said, poking Max, too, “don’t you know she can fill you full of lead?”

  Max giggled, thoroughly enjoying the poke-me-in-the-tummy game, till a flock of sparrows flew low overhead and settled in the trees above the chess tables and the full force of Max’s attention chased after them. He pointed his hammer in the general direction of the trees and hopped up and down in Katherine’s arms.

  “Birzies!”

  “You want to see the birds, Max?”

  “Birzies.”

  Katherine looked over Officer Jannsen’s shoulder.

  “I got an idea. Why don’t you go over to Starbucks and get us a couple of lattes while I grab a table under the trees.”

  Officer Jannsen sighed, dug out her mobile, hit speed dial, connected to the Explorer.

  “Circle the block and drive onto Morrison, Corporal. Wait on the north side of the park. You stay with the truck, have Luc get out and tag Swan Lake and Blue Marble.”

  She hung up.

  “Can I ask you something?” Katherine said.

  “What?”

  “I know you guys talk in code. But who on Earth came up with calling Max ‘Blue Marble’ and me ‘Swan Lake’?”

  “Inspector Gobet.”

  “No way.”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering. Never knew he had a sense of humor.”

  “Humor?”

  “Sure. Swan Lake’s a ballet about a beautiful young virgin who gets it in the end, and not in a fun way.”

  “You like ballet, Kat?”

  “I saw Swan Lake in Los Angeles once, with a girlfriend. I cried like a baby. And I’ll have a double shot in my latte, by the way.”

  Officer Jannsen held up a sachet of Midday Buzz tea.

  “I’ll have coffee, and you’ll have this.”

  “Where did that come from?”

  “I took it out of your tote bag when I got Max’s hat. I’d already decided you were right about bringing Max to the park. We should hang out for a while.”

  “Hang out?”

  “You don’t want to hang out with me?”

  “Yeah. It’s just I never heard you say ‘hang out’ before.”

  Officer Jannsen looked past Katherine, saw the Explorer on Morrison Street, saw one of the Swiss Guards taking a position under the trees near the chess tables.

  “The boys are here. I’ll meet you by the chess tables. And stay in their sight.”

  Katherine watched Officer Jannsen walk away.

  “Max, I think your mommy just got asked out on a date. What do you think?”

  Max drooled.

  “Yeah, me too. C’mon, let’s go see the birds.”

  “See birzies!”

  She walked toward the trees with the warm sun on her back. Max leaned from her arms.

  “You want to walk awhile? Good, because you’re as heavy as a bag of bowling balls.”

  She took the hammer from Max’s hands and lowered him to the ground. When his feet settled on the red bricks, he bounced on his legs and tested the earth for support.

  “You doing okay down there?”

  Max looked up at his mother and smiled. She held out her hands, and he held on to her fingers and looked ahead, not sure which way to advance. A few more bounces and he kicked forward with his left foot, then his right, then he marched ahead. The Swiss Guard tailing her kept a distance of three meters; far enough to let Katherine and Max enjoy
a moment of normalcy, close enough to throw them to the ground and cover them if need be. Max turned around and saw the guard, recognized him as the one he called Woof. He bounced on his little legs, forgetting for a moment what it was he was walking toward. He looked around the square, trying to remember, then marched ahead again. But as he walked, Katherine noticed Max was leaning to the right, away from the birds and toward the man playing the saxophone in the shadows of the trees. He was black and wore a long overcoat, and his foot was slowly tapping the bricks next to a small cardboard box bearing the sign Support your local artists.

  “You want to go see the man with the saxophone, Max?”

  “Zug!”

  “No, it’s not a toy, it’s a saxophone.”

  “Ssfnnmnn birzies.”

  “Close enough. Let’s go.”

  As Max pulled his mother closer to the music, Katherine noticed how the sounds circled around the amphitheater and floated in the air. Then she noticed the song the man was playing: “South City Midnight Lady,” slowed way down, like blues. Max stopped at the cardboard box near the saxophoneman’s tapping foot and he stood very still, watching the man’s bristled cheeks swell and deflate with air and his long fingers press and release the keys. And when the man finished the tune, there was applause from the people sitting on the steps of the amphitheater. The tall black man bowed his head to the crowd, and he looked down at the little boy at his feet.

  “Hello, little dude. You like the music?”

  Max bounced up and down. “Ssfnnmnnzug.”

  “That so?” the saxophoneman said. “Well, about as fine a compliment as I ever heard, little dude. What about you, young lady, you like the music?”

  Katherine smiled.

  “Yeah, I did. I didn’t recognize it at first, but it’s one of my favorite songs.”

  He balanced his saxophone on a small metal stand. “Well, I’m glad you liked it. But perhaps you might consider dropping some coins in the box.”

  “Oh, yeah. Hang on.”

  There was a chess table next to her, the pieces and game clock set out for a match. She sat on the wooden bench on one side of the table, balanced Max between her legs, and dug through her tote bag. The saxophoneman sat across from her.