by Joanne Fluke
“There he is!” Connie pointed as Alan’s name flashed on the screen. It was followed by a series of numbers. The man stopped the scroll to print them out. “Do you know what those numbers mean?”
“Sure. They’re identification codes from the National Organ Bank. Each one represents an organ recipient.”
Connie’s eyes widened. When she’d met the hacker, he hadn’t seemed very bright, but she was rapidly changing her mind. “Numbers won’t do me any good. How do we get their names?”
“I have to tap into the national files. They’re protected so it’s gonna be a little harder.” The screen went blank and he punched in another number. “I’m accessing the eight hundred directory.”
Connie nodded and watched the screen. It was scrolling through a list of eight hundred numbers. The words NATIONAL ORGAN BANK flashed on the screen, and he scribbled the number on a pad.
“Okay. This one’s gonna take a while. If you want to help, get me another beer.”
Connie jumped up from her chair and hurried back into the bar. She was back in less than a minute, setting the beer on the table, where he could reach it. “Any luck?”
“I’m getting it. There’re only a couple of permutations left.”
Connie held her breath as he typed in a code and the words LIMITED ACCESS flashed across the screen. A loud beep sounded, and the line disconnected.
“Shit!” He took a sip of beer. “I really thought I had it that time. Let me try again.”
Connie shut her eyes and prayed that he’d be successful. She just had to have those names!
“All right! We’re in!”
“We are?” Connie opened her eyes. The screen was scrolling again.
“Get me that printout, will you?”
Connie snatched it up and handed it to him. Her hands were trembling so, she almost dropped it. He froze the screen, typed in the first code from the printout, and a name appeared on the screen.
“Here’s the first one. I’ll print it out.”
Connie was smiling as the printer activated and a name appeared on the paper. William Rossini, with an address and a telephone number.
“Here’s the next one.”
A second name came on the screen, a third and a fourth. When he was through, she had seven names, complete with addresses and telephone numbers.
“That’s it.” He shut off the computer and raised his arms to stretch. “You satisfied, lady?”
“I am.” Connie reached in her purse and handed him a roll of bills. “Here’s the five hundred I promised you, and an extra hundred for doing it tonight. Thanks . . . uh . . . I don’t even know your name.”
“That’s okay. I don’t know yours, either. Let’s keep it that way and we’ll both stay out of trouble.”
Connie nodded. It made perfect sense. “Is there a back door?”
“Right through there.” He pointed to a hallway that led to a door. “Go down the alley, turn left, and you can catch a cab at the corner. Unless you want to stick around for a while. You’re a good-looking woman, and I might be up for a party tonight.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” Connie hurried down the hallway and through the door. She ran down the alley and out to the sidewalk, where a group of people were standing at the bus stop. A few seconds later, a taxi cruised by and Connie waved it down. She gave the driver her address, the Lexington Arms, and she didn’t relax until she was back in her room with the door locked securely behind her.
Suddenly ravenous, Connie ordered two sandwiches from room service. When they came, she wolfed them down and then spread out the list on the bed. Seven names. Seven strangers. Seven chances to be close to Alan again. She’d start with the first name and work her way through to the last. It might take a while, but Connie had finally found a way to have a part of Alan with her forever.
CHAPTER 11
Almost three weeks had passed since Neil had been released from the hospital, and Jill was running on empty. She’d hired a companion from the hospital’s list, but the woman had quit after only a week. The second had stuck it out for ten days, but the third had left in tears at the end of her first day. The fourth companion, Mrs. Helen Burns, was due to arrive this morning. Jill hoped she would work out. Dr. Varney had been right when he’d told her she might go through several names on the list. Neil was a difficult patient, and it took a special type of person to cope with him.
A blue Honda drove up and parked in front of the house. A moment later, the driver’s door opened and a heavyset, black woman got out. Jill took heart. Perhaps this woman would be able to hold her own with Neil. He prided himself on being a liberal, and he might not be so quick to insult a member of a minority.
Jill opened the door, a smile on her face. “Mrs. Burns?”
“Just call me Helen.” The woman smiled. “And you must be Mrs. Bradley.”
Jill nodded. “Jill. Come in and I’ll show you around.”
Neil was still sleeping, so after a quick tour of the house, Jill poured cups of coffee. When they were seated at the kitchen table, sipping the brew and eating some of the Danish she’d picked up at the bakery, Jill broached the delicate subject of Neil’s temper.
“I have to be completely honest with you.” Jill frowned slightly. “I’m afraid this job won’t be easy. My husband has a nasty temper, and he’s gone through three other companions in the past month.”
Helen nodded. “I heard. But you don’t have to worry. I’m used to dealing with cantankerous people.”
“That’s good.” Jill smiled in relief. “Just don’t take anything he says personally. He snaps at everybody, including me. He doesn’t really mean it. I think he’s just frustrated because he can’t see.”
Helen nodded and got up to get the coffeepot. She poured second cups and then smiled reassuringly. “It’ll work out. I’ve got a real thick skin. Your husband and I are going to get along just fine.”
“In case you have any problems, my work number’s on speed dial. Just dial eleven and the call will go through automatically.”
Helen shook her head. “We won’t have any problems. Did you leave me a list of instructions?”
“They’re on the bulletin board in the pantry.” Jill opened the door so it was visible. “Neil’s eye patch has to be switched every four hours, and he has a two o’clock appointment for therapy at the hospital.”
“How about food? Does he have any restrictions?”
Jill shook her head. “Not really. But you don’t have to cook, Helen. There’s a little café about a mile from here and I’ve made arrangements with them. Just tell them it’s for us and they’ll deliver.”
“But cooking’s usually part of the job.” Helen started to frown. “Don’t you want me to cook for your husband?”
“Of course I do. But the last three companions tried to cook for him and it didn’t work out. Neil’s very picky.”
“Aren’t they all!” Helen laughed. “Why don’t I try it for a couple of days and see what happens? If he won’t eat what I fix, I’ll call the café and order in.”
“That’s all right with me.” Jill glanced at her watch and stood up. “If you don’t have any other questions, I really should get to work.”
“Go ahead. And don’t worry. Your husband and I’ll get along. I’ve never been fired from a job yet.”
Jill laughed. “I can practically guarantee you won’t be fired from this one. My only worry is that you’ll quit.”
“Not a chance.” Helen shook her head. “This is real convenient for me. I only live ten minutes away, and the hours are perfect. You’re going to be stuck with me until your husband can see again.”
* * *
Connie hung up the phone and sighed. William Rossini was still in the hospital, and his visitor list was restricted to immediate family only. She’d just have to wait until he was released, but there was cause for celebration.
She’d told the man on the switchboard that she was a friend, and he’d put her through to the head nurse.
Connie had learned that William Rossini preferred to be called Willy, he was recovering nicely from his transplant, and he was in stable condition. The nurse hadn’t known exactly how long Willy would be hospitalized, but she’d told Connie that he’d probably be released in time to spend Christmas at home.
Connie glanced out the window at the park below. She was still staying at the Lexington Arms, but she’d found a car. It was a black Nissan Sentra with a small dent on the passenger’s door, five years old and in good running condition. The upholstery was wearing out, but they’d thrown in seat covers and a set of tires, so she’d bought it for three thousand dollars.
She flipped open the ledger she’d purchased and frowned. The money was disappearing so fast it scared her. Six hundred to the hacker who’d gotten the transplant list, a thousand to Mr. Green to pay her court costs, a hundred and forty a week for her hotel room, and all those other things that added up so quickly, like auto insurance and phone bills and food. She’d gone through over six thousand dollars, and there was no money coming in.
Should she get a job? Connie thought about it for a moment, then shook her head. A secretarial position would take up too much of her time. She had to be free to contact the people on her list. She could always work a couple of shifts at the club, but she didn’t want to go back to topless dancing unless she absolutely had to. It was better to live frugally and wait to see what would happen. She’d look for a job when her plan succeeded and she had a connection with Alan again.
* * *
“How’s the companion thing working out?” Doug passed Jill the catsup and mustard. It was one of his infrequent lunches with her and they were sitting in a wooden booth at The Beef Barrel.
“We’re on our fourth. Today’s her first day.” Jill took the precaution of tucking a napkin under her chin. The burgers at The Beef Barrel were messy, and she had to go back to work. “She seems nice, but so did the others. I’m just hoping she lasts.”
“What’s the problem?” Doug dipped a crisp french fry into the pool of mustard on his plate and popped it into his mouth.
“Neil.”
It was the first time Jill had mentioned her husband since he’d come home from the hospital, and Doug smiled to encourage her. “Neil didn’t like the other three?”
“I don’t know if he liked them or not. They quit before I could ask him. Neil’s not the easiest guy to get along with.”
Doug filed that comment away for future reference. It was another piece of the puzzle, but he didn’t dare ask Jill for more information. She always clammed up when he questioned her about Neil. “How about Christmas? Are you all ready?”
“I haven’t even thought about it!” Jill gave a little laugh. “We’re not having any company, and Neil doesn’t want to go out. I guess we’ll just treat it like any other day.”
“No Christmas tree?” Doug started to frown. He loved Christmas trees. He trimmed one every year, even when he planned to spend Christmas alone.
Jill looked thoughtful. “Maybe I’ll get one. It won’t seem like Christmas without a tree. But it seems silly to decorate it just for myself.”
“But it wouldn’t be just for you. Even if Neil can’t see how pretty it is, he can enjoy the smell of fresh pine needles.”
“That’d be true for another person, but you don’t know my husband.” Jill smiled wryly. “He’d probably take one sniff and tell me not to use so much Pine-Sol when I wash the floor!”
Doug cracked up. It was good to see that Jill hadn’t lost her sense of humor. “How about the department party? Are you going?”
“I almost have to.” Jill nodded. “They’ll expect me to put in an appearance, but I think everyone’ll understand if I leave early.”
“Of course they will. Did you draw your name yet?”
Jill nodded. “They passed them around this morning. I got Captain Pierce. You know him pretty well, don’t you?”
“Sure.”
“Tell me what I can buy for him.” Jill started to frown. “The limit’s five dollars, and I don’t have a clue.”
Doug shook his head. “He’s going to be tough. He smokes cigars, but the kind he likes are over the limit. And there’s no way you can get a bottle of good scotch for under five dollars. He’s always reading. How about a book?”
“Okay. What does he like to read?”
Doug laughed. “Detective stories, what else? But you probably won’t be able to find one he hasn’t got.”
“Any other suggestions?”
Doug thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “How about a Harley key chain? He’s always talking about the hog he’s going to buy when he retires.”
“Great idea!” Jill began to smile. “The kiosk in the lobby sells things like that. I’ll pick one up today and have it gift wrapped.”
“Okay. I thought of yours. Now you have to help me with mine.”
“It’s a deal.” Jill grinned. “Who did you get?”
“Maggie Peterson.”
“Oh, murder!” Jill made a face. “Maggie’s impossible. I got her last year and had to settle for a box of scented soaps.”
Doug nodded and hoped he didn’t look guilty. He’d already bought Maggie’s gift, a little dried-flower arrangement for her desk. He really wanted to get something for Jill, and this was a ruse to find out what she wanted.
“Let’s approach this from another angle.” Doug leaned across the table. “You’ve done these Christmas-gift drawings before. What’s the gift you never got but always wanted?”
Jill didn’t even take time to think about it. She just blurted out the words. “Chocolate-covered cherries in a gold box with a red and green plaid bow.”
“Really?”
“Really.” Jill nodded. “When I was in high school, we drew names for Christmas. I got a nice notebook from Ethan Johnson, but my best friend got a box of chocolate-covered cherries from the captain of the football team.”
“In a gold box with a red and green plaid ribbon?”
“That’s right.” Jill grinned. “She let me have one, and it was the best candy I ever tasted!”
Doug started to laugh. “Are you sure that wasn’t just because it was from the captain of the football team?”
“Well . . . you could be right.” Jill started to blush, even though it had happened years ago. “I wanted to date him, so that might have had something to do with it. But don’t get candy for Maggie, Doug. I happen to know she’s on a diet.”
“Okay, I won’t.”
“Turnaround’s fair play.” Jill picked up her hamburger again. “What’s the best gift you never got?”
Doug shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Sure, you do. Think about it.”
They both ate their hamburgers in silence for a minute, then Doug nodded. “A picture. My buddy was on the basketball team, and he was going out with the head cheerleader. She gave him a picture for Christmas.”
“What kind of picture was it?” Jill did her best to sound casual. She wanted to get Doug something, and she needed to know what he liked.
“It was a picture of her in a silver frame. She was wearing her outfit, a short little skirt and a letter sweater, and holding her pom-poms. She even signed it in silver ink and wrote a personal message. ‘You’re a real winner, Caroline.’”
Jill nodded. If she knew who Caroline was, she could call and ask for one of her old cheerleader pictures. That would be a real surprise for Doug. “What happened to Caroline? Did she marry your buddy?”
“No. They broke up right before the senior prom. The last I heard she was somewhere in New York with her fourth husband.”
Jill tried not to look disappointed. She’d gotten nowhere fast. But before she could ask any more questions, a pager beeped.
Doug reached into his pocket and pulled one out. He pressed the button for messages, but there were none. “That’s not for me. Is it yours, Jill?”
“I don’t know.” Jill opened her purse and took out her beeper,
but the screen was blank. “It’s not mine, either.”
The pager was still beeping, and Doug glanced around at the other booths. At least ten other people were scrambling for their pagers, but after they’d checked them, they all wore puzzled expressions.
“It’s okay, folks. It’s mine.” A waitress hurried past the booths, carrying a tray laden with food. “They just put in a new system. The kitchen beeps us when our orders come up.”
Doug and Jill laughed, along with everyone else. But then another beeper sounded, and this time it was Doug’s pager.
“Sorry, Jill. I’ve got to go.” He took a last bite of his hamburger and slid out of the booth. “Take your time. I’ll pay the tab on my way out.”
She shook her head. “That’s okay. I need to get back early, and it’s my turn to pay. Do you want a doggy bag?”
“No time. I’ve got to rush. See you next week, same time, same place?”
Jill nodded and watched him rush out the door. She called for the check and had the waitress pack up Doug’s food in a carton. She’d drop it off on her way to the office. It made her feel good to do something nice for Doug. Perhaps he didn’t know it, but every time she saw him, he lifted her spirits and made her forget her problems. He was funny and kind, and he made her feel attractive. It would be a cold, dreary world, Jill decided, without her friend, Doug Lake.
CHAPTER 12
It was the Friday before Christmas, the day of the department Christmas party. Jill took one last look in the mirror and slipped into her coat, belting it tightly around her waist. Helen was in the kitchen, and she didn’t want to answer any questions. She wasn’t sure how she’d explain the outfit she was wearing.
“Good morning, Jill.” Helen looked up from the stove as Jill entered the room. “I know you’re running late this morning, so I fixed you some breakfast for the road.”
Jill smiled as she saw the biscuits Helen was wrapping in foil. Neil’s newest companion was a gem. She kept the house neat, made sure Neil kept all his appointments, and even started dinner if Jill had to work late. And so far, to Jill’s complete amazement, Neil actually seemed to like her. “Thanks, Helen. Those biscuits smell wonderful!”
