“Don’t worry about it, Alex. It’s all under control. You just concentrate on getting healthy. You need to rest.” Alex barely nodded, her eyes already closing. She was asleep again almost immediately.
OVER THE NEXT two days Alex continued to show improvement. At her insistence the pain medications were reduced and she became more aware of the discomfort to her side and an ongoing headache. When asked about the pain by medical staff she insisted it was bearable, refusing increases in the pain medication, determined to work through the discomfort. She was at the point where, with assistance, she was able to make her way slowly to the attached bathroom to use the facilities, and engage in light activities such as brushing her teeth. She was not yet permitted to shower. Sal and Tiffany found amusement in the fact Sydney had insisted on taking over Alex’s daily sponge baths.
Additional friends and co-workers were gradually permitted to visit, including Alex’s lieutenant and the officers from her unit. Sal and Sydney spent shifts each day at the hospital. Sal would spend most mornings prior to going to work the rest of his shift. Their lieutenant assigned him to the hospital on duty for the first half of his shift each day, knowing he was family for the injured sergeant and following the prevalent mantra that “cops take care of cops”. Sydney would come in late in the morning and stay through the evening.
Like the police department, Sydney’s boss had taken the attitude that the attack was a result of her duties as a D.A. and had administratively assigned her to home pending the apprehension of her attacker. He relieved her temporarily of her caseload. Tiffany, who returned to her regular daytime duties in the E.R., also stopped in as frequently as possible.
It was mid-day of Alex’s third day in the hospital. She was flicking aimlessly through television channels when Lieutenant John Ramos walked into the room. He stood at the foot of the hospital bed as Alex looked him up and down.
“And you would be here why, exactly?” she asked, not even attempting to disguise her disdain.
“I’m here because I’m currently the acting Patrol C.O. and it’s my responsibility to check on the progress of injured officers,” he said.
“Great, you’ve checked on me. Now you can log it and leave.”
Instead, Ramos walked farther into the room, coming to a halt off to the right side of Alex’s bed. “Your lieutenant’s trying to make this an injured-on-duty caper. He submitted the paperwork this morning and it’s come to me for approval. I’m not seeing this as I.O.D.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “Really?” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “No, I guess I can see where you wouldn’t consider being attacked by a serial murderer something that could be construed as in the line of duty.”
“There’s no evidence this is some serial murderer,” he said, then lowered his voice. “And remember, I know what you two are.”
“You two were probably out there flaunting what you are. That kind of deviant behavior instigates violent reactions. You should’ve expected that kind of a response from someone.”
“You son of a...” Before she consciously knew what she was doing Alex started to rise in an effort to physically confront Ramos. She was sitting up and swinging her legs over the side of the bed when a sharp pain in her side stopped her short and she staggered.
“Alex, no!” Tiffany lunged forward, physically pushing Ramos back away from the bed as she stopped Alex, gently pushing her back. Alex gasped in pain as Tiffany helped her lie back down.
“Out!” Tiffany yelled as she turned on Ramos. She had entered the room in time to hear the last of Ramos’s statements. “Out of my hospital, now!” At that moment Detective Chuck Severs appeared at the door, then entered rapidly.
“I think you’d better leave now, sir,” Chuck said harshly. Ramos eyed him, then started to walk away, turning back toward Alex.
“I’m sure we’ll have a chance to discuss this further at a later time, Chambers,” Ramos said as he headed out the door.
Tiffany turned back to Alex, who was sweating and breathing hard from the exertion and discomfort.
“You can’t be moving around, especially not like that.”
“What going on?” Sydney asked as she came through the door and moved to the bed. She took Alex’s hand as she studied her face and noted the sheen of pain-induced perspiration.
“God, he’s a prick,” Alex said as she grimaced.
Tiffany circled to the left side of Alex’s bed and raised the edge of Alex’s shirt to check her bandage. “I’m giving you some extra meds for the pain,” she said.
Alex shook her head. “No, I’ll manage. I don’t want to be nodding off.” Alex indicated to Chuck, who was waiting quietly inside the door.
Sydney looked at Tiffany and raised an eyebrow as they exchanged a glance. Alex seemed to read the look.
“I’m fine, you two,” Alex said, squeezing Sydney’s hand. “Seriously. I need a clear head for this.”
“Fine,” Tiffany said. “But I’m coming back after this interview and we’re getting you doped up. I’m betting that’s going to hurt for a while. You’re lucky you didn’t open it back up. How’s your head?”
“I’m okay,” Alex said, still grimacing. “I’ll manage.” She tried hard to ignore the throbbing of her head causing the slightly nauseous feeling.
“What happened?” Sydney asked again after Tiffany left.
“It was just Ramos, again,” Alex said, squeezing her hand again. “He was here and he... irritated me.”
“I thought that was him I saw leaving when I got off the elevator,” Sydney said. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Sydney reached out and wiped the perspiration from Alex’s forehead, gently brushing aside the few strands of hair.
“I’m fine, really,” Alex said. “But I think since you’re the only other witness, it would be bad form for you to be here right now.” Alex nodded toward Chuck, who had been standing silently off to the side for several minutes, simply watching the interaction.
“I’ll go grab a cup of coffee and wait outside until you two are done.”
After Sydney left Chuck proceeded with the interview to get Alex’s statements and recollections from the attack.
Chuck pulled out the familiar photographic line up folder. “I know you know how this works,” he said. “But be patient and let me go through the formal process just to make it all perfectly legal, okay?” Alex nodded and Chuck’s voice turned formal and professional. “I’m going to show you a series of photographs. Pay no attention to the background or clothing. Hair styles or facial hair may be different. I need you to look at these photographs and tell me if you recognize any of them.” He then turned over the folder, displaying the six photographs. Alex was able to identify the suspect without hesitation from the photo line-up.
“Him. He’s the guy.” She pointed to the mug shot in the fourth position. “He’s the one who attacked us and shot me.” Minutes later she had written and signed a brief statement regarding her photo identification of the suspect. She put the pen down and handed the statement form to Chuck. “Now tell me what you know about him.”
“His name is Raymond Garvis,” Chuck said as he carefully gathered the paperwork. “He’s thirty-seven with a history of theft, drunk driving, violent assault and sexual battery. Sinclair employed him for several years prior to his arrest for the White Rose Murders. According to both neighbors, and Sinclair’s financial managers, Garvis had essentially been Sinclair’s Man Friday. You know, handling odd jobs, running errands or any other task that Sinclair put him to.”
“And?” Alex felt there had to be more. Chuck shrugged.
“We don’t know much else. It looks like Garvis must have been at least partially involved with Sinclair’s murder spree. Maybe helping in some limited fashion. But we never had any forensic evidence to tie him to a scene. We’re working on the premise Sinclair left Garvis with instructions to continue the spree, though it’s possible he acted independently, basing his copycat murders on what he learned from Sinclair
.” Chuck paced as he spoke.
“The only part that’s a little off is everyone claims Garvis isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. According to Sinclair’s neighbors he was too dumb to do much more than odd jobs, mowing the lawn, washing the car, easy errands, that sort of thing. Even Garvis’s sister, his only living family, says he has never been able to maintain a job. He dropped out of high school...” Chuck shook his head as he read the file. “Any way you look at it, he must’ve really paid attention to Sinclair, because every indication is there’s no way he could’ve masterminded this whole thing on his own.
“Anyway,” Chuck finished as he gathered his things to leave. “We’ve got every cop looking for him and bulletins going out to the press. Don’t worry, we’ll pick him up. Probably real soon.”
“ALL DONE?” SYDNEY asked, rising to her feet from the hallway chair as Chuck stepped out of the room. He let the door close behind him as he nodded.
“All done,” he said. “You should get some pain medication in her. Looks like she’s hurting pretty good now.”
“What happened before I came in? With that lieutenant? And what’s his problem with Alex?” Sydney asked.
“From what I know, he’s had an issue with Alex for a lot of years. He’s, well, somewhat intolerant. Some of it’s a religious thing with him. He made some insinuations that she brought the attack on the two of you, because she’s...” Chuck paused and looked away, unsure how to continue.
“Because we’re together?”
“Yeah. So when he said it Alex pretty much tried to climb out of the bed to go after him. But don’t worry,” he continued after a pause. “While his opinion might not be completely isolated it certainly isn’t wide-spread. Alex is extremely well respected. Nobody is going to let him influence the investigation.”
Sydney re-entered Alex’s room as the detective departed, observing Alex lying in bed with her eyes closed, obviously grimacing in pain. Sydney moved closer and took Alex’s hand, watching Alex’s eyes open at the touch.
“Hey, how’re you doing?”
“I’m okay.”
“You’re a liar,” Sydney said gently as she pulled out her cellular phone and typed a quick message on her cell phone. “I’m getting Tiffany in here to make sure you get some pain medication.”
“Oh, my God,” Alex grumbled. “You traitor. You’re not supposed to take her side.”
“You won’t heal if you don’t relax. Your body needs rest. That’s what the doctor keeps telling you.” Moments later Tiffany came through the door.
“I spoke to the doctor and explained you may have overextended yourself a little bit. I figured you might prefer I administer this rather than a duty nurse you may or may not know.”
“Come on, Tiff,” Alex said, trying to plead her case. “This isn’t necessary. You just need to get me released and out of here.”
“Uh-huh.” She uncapped the syringe and turned toward Alex’s I.V. bag. “Keep up that attitude and I’ll make you roll over and give it to you in the butt cheek. I know for a fact you haven’t been sleeping as well as you should be, Alex. You need to accept the pain meds, not just the antibiotics.”
“You’d love to give it to me in the butt cheek. Everyone knows you medical professionals have a thing for seeing people naked and in pain.”
“Yeah, and I’ve got Sal at home to satisfy that tendency in me, so lucky for you I don’t need you to provide that satisfaction,” Tiffany replied. “Speaking of which, I have a date this evening with Mr. Soon to be Naked and In Pain, so you two have a pleasant evening.” She lowered her voice as she moved behind Sydney.
“Give her about ten minutes and she’s gonna be out,” she said quietly.
THE NEXT DAY around lunchtime Alex was sitting propped up with pillows in the bed thinking about her interview and the information Chuck had provided. She was frustrated by the feeling there was something at the edge of her mind she should remember, something important, but she just couldn’t grasp it. The thought process was interrupted as Sal broke through the door, quickly entering then looking up and down the hallway before closing the door behind him. He turned with a large pizza box in his hands and a smile on his face.
“Figured you’ve gotta be tired of hospital food by now,” Sal said. “And Tiff told me about your visitor yesterday.” Sal put the pizza box down on the end of the bed then continued. “I’m assuming it was Ramos, so I figured this might be a welcome addition.” He reached into the backpack he had slung over one shoulder and removed a cold sixpack of Sam Adam’s Light.
A short time later Tiffany and Sydney came through the door. Tiffany came to an abrupt halt just inside as she observed the open box of pizza sitting on the bedside table. Tiffany noted the slice of pizza in Sal’s one hand and his other hand quickly moving out of view behind his body. Alex was similarly holding a piece of pizza and was sliding her other hand beneath the bed sheet, obviously concealing something. Tiffany folded her arms and looked back and forth between them with a stern expression.
Alex looked at Sal. “You’re toast,” she said, trying to hide the smile. Tiffany rolled her eyes as she approached the bed, then she saw the beer carton below Sal’s chair, partially concealed by a jacket.
“Tell me that is not what I think it is.” she said, coming to an abrupt stop.
“Oh yeah, you’re definitely toast,” Alex reiterated, still apparently finding the situation quite amusing.
Tiffany leaned down and picked up the carton, noticing one empty bottle in the carton and another one missing.
Tiffany turned to Alex with a questioning look on her face. “Tell me you’re not drinking alcohol?”
Alex removed the hand concealed beneath the bed sheet, revealing a plastic cup containing about an inch of frothy amber liquid.
“Are you supposed to be drinking that?” Sydney said as she approached the bed.
“Hmm, now who’s toast?” Sal said, smiling as he took another bite of pizza then a sip from the bottle he had hidden behind his back.
“You brought it here and gave it to her!” Tiffany took the beer from Alex’s hand. “She’s on medication!”
“Yeah, I’m on medication,” Alex said, putting on her most innocent look. “I can’t be held responsible for my actions. I don’t quite know what I’m doing most of the time.”
“You’re incorrigible is what you are,” Tiffany said. “And if you don’t know what you’re doing most of the time then clearly you’re not ready to be released.” Tiffany couldn’t help but smile at the look on Alex’s face at that comment. They all knew Alex had been impatiently awaiting word of her release and practically bribing the medical staff to sign off on it. Sydney started giggling quietly as she also noted the desperate look on Alex’s face.
“That’s got nothing to do with it,” Alex said quickly. “I’m fine to leave. Get me the hell outta here.”
“Well,” Tiffany said, as she returned from dumping out the remainder of Alex’s beer in the connected bathroom sink. “The doctor said possibly tomorrow afternoon you can be released if,” she put a finger up to stop Alex’s next comment, “and only if, you have somewhere to go where you’ll have some assistance and can continue with bed rest and very little activity for a while.”
All three had a good idea exactly what Alex’s reaction to that would be. She was not one to ask for assistance or be coddled.
“Please,” Alex said as she let her head fall back in exasperation. “I don’t need a friggin’ babysitter. I can do just fine.”
“You can’t even make it to the bathroom to pee without help, you jackass,” Sal said with a smirk. He brought his beer bottle up to his lips to take a sip only to have it snatched away by Tiffany.
“Hey! I’m not the one on medication.”
“No alcohol in my hospital,” Tiffany said sternly, once again walking to the adjacent bathroom.
“Damn,” Sal said under his breath, then refocused on the issue at hand. “Well, the obvious answer is you can stay with
us in our downstairs guest room. Tiff and I have somewhat varying schedules, so at least one of us will be around most of the time.”
“And I’ll fill in the rest of the time.” This came from Sydney, who was now seated on the edge of the bed and had taken Alex’s hand in hers. “You shouldn’t be alone, Alex. Let us take care of you for a while.”
“I hate to impose on any of you,” Alex said, giving Sydney’s hand a squeeze. “You’re sure this is the only way I can get out of here?” she asked Tiffany as she returned from the bathroom.
“Yep. It’s with us, staying here, or I suppose a decent board and care facility is another possibility.”
Alex rolled her eyes and let her head fall back onto the pillow. “Fine. Please just get me out of here.”
At that moment the door burst open and Chuck Severs came through.
“We got him,” he said. “We just found Garvis’s body. He committed suicide.” Everyone turned toward him.
“How?” Sal asked the question on everyone’s mind.
“Anonymous nine-one-one call came in to Long Beach P.D. It came from a pay phone. The caller said he’d seen someone looking like Garvis going into a dive hotel. You know, the kind that rents by the hour as well as the day or week. When the officers got there they found the door unlocked and Garvis inside. He shot himself in the head.”
Alex squeezed Sydney’s hand and gave her a smile.
“I just came from the scene,” Chuck continued. “Garvis had been renting the place for the past couple of weeks. When we searched it we found a box with newspaper articles about the last four murders and photographs of all four victims. He’d been stalking them just like the prior White Rose Murders.” Chuck reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his cell phone.
“There’s something else you should see before it goes public,” he said with some obvious discomfort. “There were some other photos. They’re being held for prints and everything, but I snapped some quick shots with my phone.” Chuck punched a couple buttons and handed the phone to Sydney first.
White Roses Calling Page 25
