The Spymaster's Daughter

by Allan Cole

  Zach nodded vigorously.

  “Well, I need you here with me, Zach,” Ann said. “You’re my best buddy, now. Did you know that?”

  Zach shrugged, not quite believing. But his eyes said he wanted to.

  Ann said, “Well, you are. So, anyway, I can’t promise that we’ll see your Mom soon, but I can promise that once I think it’s safe, we’ll go find her together, okay?”

  Zach nodded.

  Ann hid her relief - then went for the big brass ring. “But, for now,” she said, “we have to get you talking, because your Mom and our Dad would want you to. Besides, I need my best buddy to tell me what you like to do, or what you like to eat, or toys you like to play with. You know, important stuff like that.”

  Zach wrote: Will it hurt?

  “Excellent question,” Ann said with enthusiasm. “What we’ll do is start out with acupressure, which just means that I’ll touch special points on your body with my fingers. That won’t hurt at all.

  “Then, when you’re ready, I can use acupuncture needles and they might hurt a bit, kind of like a little sting, but then it goes away. But we won’t do that part until you’re ready, okay?”

  Zach nodded – okay.

  Ann asked, “So, should we start with the acupressure? Right now?”

  Zach put his shoulders back and took a deep breath. He nodded.

  “That’s my brave brother,” An said. “Now, I want you to lay flat on your back, And, yes, you can hang onto your Nintendo and play it all you like.”

  Zach eased down and Ann proceeded to hold two points – one on Zach’s foot, between his big and second toe. And the other on his hand, between the thumb and index finger.

  Zach smiled and closed his eyes.

  *****

  Paul Yano had made certain that opening day at the Phoenix House would be a success. He’d lit a big fire under his staff to spam the area with news of the clinic, plus, he’d personally called in a river of favors at local newspapers, radio programs and TV stations.

  And so, when the fateful day dawned, a sizable crowd surrounded the old mansion, which gleamed with new paint, new roof, new windows – new everything – under the bright Hawaiian sun.

  Besides reporters and cameramen, neighborhood people swarmed around the place, oohing and ahhing at the transformation of the old girl, while noshing on the ample goodies laid out on long tables on the front lawn.

  Stacks of colorful flyers that Mark had designed and printed up, announced the opening and described the extensive medical care on offer. They were quickly snapped up by the press and other bystanders.

  A big Grand Opening banner stretched across the front of the clinic and yellow hibiscus – Hawaii’s state flower

  – was spread out in profusion.

  A makeshift podium had been set up front and center, where Paul officiated in all his senatorial splendor. To his right were Ann and Zach, dressed in their best and standing very proud. To his left were Mark and Ruth, wearing pristine hospital whites and standing just as proud.

  Mark and Ruth eyed his handsome figure

  appreciatively, and gave each other meaningful looks.

  An aide gave the senator a signal and with practiced ease he stepped forward to the place of honor behind the microphone and dazzled the audience with his vote-winning smile.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began. “Deserving patients and dedicated practitioners… And all our media friends… Welcome to the Phoenix House.”

  Cellphones and iPads were raised high - competing with professional TV crews - to capture the scene and people cheered like crazy.

  Paul waited for the applause to build, before raising his hands to politely cut it off. Then he said, “Thank you all for helping us mark this moment in history – a moment that might seem small to some, but that is significant to the people who live in the neighborhood.”

  Murmurs of appreciation swept the crowd and more lights flashed. All eyes were on Paul as he made the presentation. But there were more than eyes and camera lenses aimed at his tall figure.

  The crosshairs of a telescopic sight were also fixed on the young senator from Hawaii.

  He went on, ignorant of the danger - “It is my dream that this new medical center will help give America an Aloha wakeup call about the health care crisis in our land.

  "Let them come here to this neighborhood and see how we do it. To study our methods and learn how we care for our own.”

  He made an expansive gesture, declaring, “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you - The Phoenix House. A caring hospice where no one will be denied quality health care for lack of funds…”

  *****

  In a van parked across the street, Capt. Pierce steadied his rifle. “Such an easy thing,” he murmured into a microphone. “Like stealing sweets from the proverbial baby.”

  He mock pulled the trigger, once, twice. “Boom. Boom. And Bob’s your uncle, old boy.”

  The senator’s amplified voice continued: “Now, it is my distinct honor to introduce our fine medical staff…”

  As he spoke, the scope swiveled from the senator to Ann… “First, the director, Dr. Ann Donovan, recently of Doctors Without Borders…”

  “I could end this, now, my dear Ah Beng,” Pierce advised his faraway contact…

  “Beginning with the good Dr. Donovan…”

  The crosshairs swung over to center on Zach… “Then the brat.”

  “And last, but far from least,” Paul said, “Mark Corey, clinic manager, and Ruth Guerra, chief nurse.”

  In the van, Capt. Pierce got his answer. Disgusted, he snorted and lowered the rifle.

  “Well, old boy, if that’s the way you want it, that’s the way it will be,” he said into the microphone.

  “I’ll be back in Singapore in the morning and you can take over the job yourself…

  "I hope you don’t end up regretting your decision.”

  He waited for a reply, but when none came he cut the connection and started the van, pausing to take one more look at the scene.

  The handsome senator snipped a broad ribbon, the crowd applauded, and Capt. Pierce shrugged and drove away.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  News of the Phoenix House spread across the neighborhood like a monsoon rainstorm and on opening day the clinic’s waiting room was overflowing with people of every ethnic variety, suffering from innumerable ailments and complaints.

  The only thing they had in common was poverty. Mark manned the phones, which were ringing with barely a pause. He remained unrattled no matter what the request, or alleged urgency.

  Zach sat in a corner of the reception area, playing with his Nintendo, watching what was going on.

  Mark said, “Yes, yes, we’re open. But there are already quite a few…” Obviously, the person on the other side jumped right in to interrupt.

  Mark persisted. “Look, if it’s not that serious, if I were you I’d just wait until…” Another interruption cut him off. Finally, he sighed, “Right, okay, ma’am. If you insist, come on down. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  He hung up, then glanced over at Zach. The boy smiled at him, pausing in his play to give Mark a thumb’s up.

  “Thanks, buddy, I can use all the encouragement I can get,” Mark said, then the phone rang again and he grabbed for it – “Good morning, Phoenix House…”

  In Examining Room One, Ruth was finishing up taking the vitals of a middle-aged man of Chinese/Filipino descent. The man appeared quite anxious, his movements jittery.

  Ruth reviewed his intake form, then looked up. “So, you’ve been tired quite a bit, lately, yes, Mr. Tan?”

  Mr. Tan nodded nervously, “Yeah, yeah. I work all the time. All the time, day and night. Please, I just want to see the doctor. How long will this take? I have to get back to work… I drive a cab, yes? Can’t make money if I’m not driving.”

  Ruth wrote some notes in his chart, then said, “Dr. Donovan will be in soon, Mr. Tan. It shouldn’t take too long now.”


  Mr. Tan grabbed Ruth by the arm and looked her straight in the eye. Ruth was too startled to react

  immediately. “Look, Miss,” Mr. Tan said in a low, urgent voice. “I need to see the doctor right away. I don’t have much time.”

  Ruther recovered, then firmly removed his hand, glaring at the man and growling, “I said, she’ll be in soon.”

  Out in the waiting room, more people trickled in, including a thuggish looking man bizarrely dressed – for Hawaii – in a black suit. He went up to Mark and shoved a photo at him. At the same time he presented a $50 bill.

  “Fifty bucks if you’ve seen this guy,” he said.

  Mark didn’t bother to look at the picture, pointedly ignoring the proffered money. Instead, he drew himself up to his full height and pointed a large finger at the door. “Out,” he ordered.

  The man smirked. “Actually, I’m not feelin’ that well,” he said. He coughed into his hand. “I think I’m comin’ down with somethin’. I’ll wait to see the doctor.”

  Mark’s response was to vault the counter and grab Mr. Black Suit by the collar.

  The man kicked and squirmed, but Mark easily escorted him to the door, opened it, and tossed him out.

  “And don’t come back,” he said, slamming the door.

  As he headed back to his post he realized everyone in the waiting room was staring at him in awe. Obviously they knew something about Mr. Black Suit that he didn’t. He started to say something, then shrugged, and kept walking.

  Meanwhile, in the hallway, Ann and Ruth conferred. Ann indicated the room she’d just left. “Will you get Mrs. Williams a bottle of my Black Cohosh formula?” she said.

  Ruth grinned. “Ah, yes, Dr. D’s famous formula for hot flashes,” she said. “My mother thinks you are God Herself for getting rid of her symptoms with that stuff.”

  Ann laughed. “All doctors think they’re God, Ruth, you know that,” she said. “Although, I strongly doubt if God thinks that She’s a doctor.”

  She craned her head to peek into the waiting room. “Quite a turnout,” she said. “At this rate we’ll have to clone ourselves.”

  Then Ann was all business again, asking “Okay, what’s on the menu?”

  Ruth said, “Cabbie in Room 1 complaining of fatigue and joint pain. He’s super anxious to see you… He keeps saying he doesn’t have much time.” She shrugged. “But don’t worry. I told him to hold his horses.”

  She glanced at her notes, then said, “We have a teenage mother in Room 3 with a crying baby. You might want to get to her first. The baby has a fever, but not too high.”

  Ann nodded, but the mention of a little one aroused concern for her brother. “How’s Zach doing?” she asked.

  “He’s sitting right behind the reception desk where Mark can keep an eye on him,” she said. Then, exasperated, she added, “Honestly, Dr. D, I know Zach’s been through hell and back, but why doesn’t he do anything besides play with his Nintendo? It’s just not right. He needs to be outside with other kids his age.”

  “I know, I know,” Ann said, clearly troubled. “I tried to get him together with a kid down the street – the boy’s Mom offered to watch Zach today – but he insisted that he wanted to be here. He’s scared to let us out of his sight.”

  She sighed, “Well, maybe when school starts this fall…”

  “Maybe,” Ruth agreed.

  Ann took a deep breath, then went to Room 3. She knocked gently, then entered. Inside, sitting in a chair with a sleeping baby in her arms, was Alana, a lovely Hawaiian girl of about 18.

  “Hi, Alana, I’m Dr. Donovan,” Ann said. “The nurse told me that your baby isn’t feeling well?”

  Alana nodded, her eyes wide and frightened. “I don’t know what’s wrong with my baby,” she said, voice quivering “I’ve tried feeding her, rocking her, singing to her… but she just cries for hours. She finally fell asleep just now… I’m so worried about her.”

  “Let me take a look,” Ann said. “What’s her name?”

  “Leia,” the girl said shyly.

  Ann smiled appreciatively at the name, then carefully drew up the baby’s gown and gently probed her belly. The baby came awake, gurgling.

  Ann tickled her, “Good morning, Leia. Welcome to a brand new day.” She snapped on her light and turned the baby’s head to look into her ears, tickling the child all the while.

  Then she said, “Open wide.” And she chucked the baby’s chin and the little one opened her mouth and Ann took a close look down her throat.

  “That’s all, Leia,” Ann crooned, pulling the gown down. She found a pacifier in her coat pocket, peeled off the sanitary coating and popped it in the baby’s mouth. The little girl commenced sucking, gazing at Ann with adoring eyes.

  “How long has Leia been sick?” Ann asked Alana.

  The young woman was close to tears. “About three days,” she said. “I don’t have any money, so I kept hoping that she would get better on her own.” Desperately, she clasped Ann’s hand. “What’s wrong with her, doctor?”

  Ann patted her. “Well, the inside of her ears look pretty red,” she said. “She has an earache if I ever saw one. No wonder she’s crying.”

  She stroked little Leia’s leg. “Such a brave girl,” she cooed.

  Alana asked, “Are you going to give her antibiotics?”

  “Actually, I’m going to prescribe antibiotics just in case she needs them. But first I’d like you to try something else that I’ve had good success with. I only use antibiotics in severe cases, especially with children. Leia’s borderline right now, but I think this alternative treatment will help.”

  Alana nodded, saying, “I remember in my high school health class they said antibiotics that are given too often can make the germs immune to them.”

  “Exactly so,” Ann said. “Antibiotics can make bugs get bigger and badder, which is why I want to do a type of massage on her that will ease the pain and boost her immune system. And I’m going to give you a liquid herbal preparation that you can give her – just a few drops at a time. I’ll have Ruth do the special massage and we’ll teach you how to do it too.”

  She paused a moment, then added, “And, Alana, don’t hesitate to use the antibiotics if she needs them and please don’t wait so long to bring her in next time. We’re here to help you. Don’t worry about the money. Mark will help you fill out the right paperwork so Leia’s treatments will be taken care of in full by the clinic. Now, I’ll expect you and Leia here tomorrow morning so I can see how you’re both doing, okay?”

  With great relief, Alana said, “Thank you so much, Dr. Donovan.”

  Ann smiled and stroked Leia’s face. “Such a pretty baby,” she said, “with such a pretty name.”

  Just then, she heard a loud crash somewhere in the clinic. She dashed out in time to join Ruth who was hurrying down the hallway.

  “It’s Mr. Tan!” she said. “I only left him alone a minute.”

  *****

  When the two women entered the waiting room they found the cabbie collapsed on the floor. Ann knelt beside him and took his pulse. She shook her head - this didn’t look good.

  Ruth said, “I made him lie down, until you had time to check him out, but he kept wanting to leave. Says he has to get back to his cab and make money. Sounded kind of desperate.”

  Ann nodded, then quickly pressed a knuckle hard at an acupuncture point just below Mr. Tan’s nose. It was an old tried and true revival technique.

  “Mr. Tan?” she called out. “Can you hear me, Mr. Tan?”

  A moment later the man’s eyes fluttered, then opened. He looked at Ann uncomprehendingly, then he suddenly remembered where he was and struggled to get up.

  “Please, he’ll find me,” Mr. Tan said. “You’ve got to hide me before he comes.”

  Ann said firmly, “Hold on, Mr. Tan. No one’s going to get you. Now, what we need to do next is get you off the floor and back onto the treatment table. You’ll be comfortable there."

  As Ruth helped he
r get Mr. Tan back on the table, Ann whispered, “Maybe we better order some more Haldol. This is starting to look like paranoia city.”

  Ruth just shrugged, “Like the song says, ‘There’s A Moon Out Tonight.’ A big, fat, full one.”

  Ann smiled wryly, then looked Mr. Tan over. His face was pale, he was sweating and trembling.

  “We need to run a CBC on him,” she told Ruth. “And an X-Ray and EKG.”

  In a flash, Ruth was out the door to set up the necessary equipment.

  Then she addressed Mr. Tan. “We’re going to do some tests, sir. We just need to keep you here a little longer. Are you experiencing any nausea? Tingling or pain in your right arm?”

  Mr. Tan shook his head, no. He was clearly unhappy. He tried to rise, but was so weak that he gave up rather quickly. He sank back into the pillow, too weary to argue.

  “Okay,” he sighed, “Maybe I’m safe for now.” *****

  Out in the hallway, the truth of the old saying that even paranoid people have enemies was being amply demonstrated.

  In the confusion Mr. Black Suit had wormed his way past Mark. He saw the door to Mr. Tan’s room come open and his initial reaction was to reach for the gun hidden beneath his suit coat.

  But when he saw Ruth and Ann emerging, he ducked into a hall closet.

  He heard Ann say, “Let me know the moment you get the test results for Mr. Tan.”

  The gunman smiled to himself. He’d show Mr. Tan all about testing. The moment Ruth and Ann passed the closet, Mr. Black Suit slipped out. He saw them ankle around the corner.

  Noiselessly, he shut the closet door, then crept toward Mr. Tan’s room.

  *****

  In the waiting room, Mark was helping a patient fill out her intake form, when suddenly the front door crashed open and a Japanese woman burst in, carrying her ten-yearold son. He was in obvious distress, fighting to get his breath.

  The woman shouted, “Someone please help me. My son can’t breathe.”

  Mark gabbed the intercom and paged Ann. Then he ran to the woman, scooped up the boy and headed for a treatment room, the woman scurrying behind him.

  Answering the page, Ann saw them rush into the treatment room and followed them inside.