Act Normal, A Stan Turner Mystery Vol 9

by William Manchee

happened but my mind was a blank. The last thing I could recall was marveling at the webs between her toes. What had happened after that? I just couldn't remember. The door opened and Tehra walked in quickly and came over to me.

  "Are you okay, Stan?" she asked. "I've been so worried about you."

  "I think so. What happened to me?"

  She looked at me and asked, "You don't remember?"

  "Not exactly." I told her.

  She sighed. "Well, this was all my fault. I'm sorry. I didn't realize you'd react this way."

  "What way? What are you talking about?"

  She stuck out her tongue. It looked normal and then she extended it farther and a fold of skin shot out like two fangs. I recoiled. She closed her mouth and moaned, "Oh, I know it must seemed hideous to you, but it's really has a very useful purpose.."

  "And what would that be," I asked with shock and amazement.

  "It's called the tortiac and its purpose is to stun fish so they won't thrash around and injure the Seafolken's throat or stomach before they die."

  "You feed on raw fish?" I gasped.

  "No. No. I don't live in the sea and rarely even go swimming. I've never actually used it for its intended purpose. Tarizonian men actually like women with a tortiac. It usually just elicits a pleasant buzz like a few beers or a shot of alcohol. I've never heard of someone reacting the way you did. I'm so sorry."

  I shrugged. "Okay, I forgive you, but now we've got a problem. The nurse said my family is on their way here."

  "Yes, they said you might die, so I felt like I had no choice but to call them."

  I nodded. "Of course, you did the right thing, but what did you tell them?"

  "Only what the doctors said. You were bitten by spider most likely—a brown recluse I think that's what the doctor said. They are common around here apparently."

  "Okay, good," I said. "What about the motel room."

  She gave me a wry smile. "Oh, don't worry. I didn't mention your fascination with my anatomy."

  A chill swept through me as I recalled her naked body. Her exotic feet and small gills below each breast were strange yet wonderful. I could imagine her gliding effortlessly through crystal clear water. She took my hand and I looked up at her.

  "It will be all right. It was just an unlucky night. Your family won't be the least bit suspicious."

  "What about the tracking device? Kulchz will be suspicious now that it has been removed from my shoulder."

  "No he won't. I cut a slit in your belt and lodged it inside. As long as you are wearing it, he'll never know the difference. If you want some privacy take off the belt and put it somewhere noisy like I did in the motel."

  I recalled her laying the chip on the air conditioning unit. That was a clever trick but why would she want to deliberately deceive Kulchz? He would be extremely upset and if he found out and I'm sure she'd be severely punished for her actions. Had she developed some kind of attraction for me and wanted to protect me, or was there some other agenda that was driving her? I wanted to ask her, but this wasn't right time or place.

  Despite Tehra's assurances that all would be well, I was still nervous, so I made her go over everything that had happened one more time to be sure our stories had no inconsistencies. Twenty minutes later Reggie, Mark and Rebekah rushed into my room. Tehra stepped back into the corner while they hovered over me. For the first time in months Rebekah showed some concern for my wellbeing.

  "Stan. Are you all right?" she moaned. “How could a spider survive in a room? Don't they clean them every day? You should sue their ass for this!"

  "I doubt it was their fault. Maybe it crawled in when we opened the door. It could have been fleeing from the storm like we were."

  "I don't care. You should sue them anyway. It's not right!"

  Rebekah shook her head in disgust and then noticed Tehra for the first time. She stared a moment and then asked, "You must be Tehra?"

  Tehra stepped forward and replied, "Yes, I am. It's nice to finally meet you."

  Rebekah nodded but didn't offer her hand. "Yes, I wish it had been under different circumstances, though, . . . but it's a good thing Stan brought you along. If you hadn't have been there, he might have died."

  She shrugged. "Yes, it was fortunate."

  Rebekah measured Tehra for a moment longer and then returned her attention to me. "Marcia was at a music recital with a friend, so that's why she's not here. How long do you think they'll keep you here?"

  "They have to let me out today. I've got to file a chapter 11 tomorrow in Waco. I have no choice."

  "Well, it will have to wait if you're not well."

  "I feel fine, except for the razor in my throat. I'm sure they will let me go home today."

  "Oh. Is it painful?"

  "Just when I swallow."

  "Well, you can't drive. I'll have to drive you home. Tehra can drive your car."

  "No, I can drive. I'll be fine. Besides, Tehra hasn't got her Texas driver's license yet."

  Rebekah frowned and looked at Tehra. "Ah. I accidentally let it expire. I've got to retake the test."

  "Well, Reggie can drive you home in Stan's car and I'll take Stan with me. There's no way I'm letting him drive today. They must have him on medication."

  I nodded to Tehra hoping she'd drop the issue and go with Reggie. I was afraid any further protests might arouse more suspicions. Finally she acquiesced. As we were talking, the doctor came in. He was carrying a clipboard and looked stunned when he saw so many people in the room.

  "Hi. I'm Dr. Thomas," he said. I introduced him to everyone and then waited to hear what he had to say.

  "Well, you seem to be doing fine now. The swelling has gone down significantly, your temperature has dropped to normal levels, your blood pressure has come back, and all the blood work came out negative for toxins this go around."

  "So, you're sure it was a spider bite?" Rebekah asked.

  The doctor shrugged. "Not 100 percent. The symptoms are similar but not exactly what we'd expect. A sheriff's deputy searched the motel room and didn't find any spiders or even empty webs, so we may never know what it was. What we do know is that you are exceedingly allergic to whatever bit you and it's a good thing your friend got you over here quickly after you were bitten.

  I looked over at Tehra. She turned away and hung her head. Rebekah saw my glance and looked at me suspiciously. I needed to change the subject.

  "So, I can leave today?"

  "I'd recommend you stay another day for observation. We don't want to take any changes and that would give us more time to do more tests."

  “No,” I protested. “I've got to be in Waco on Monday and Tuesday. I've got a chapter 11 that must be filed."

  "Well, I can't make you stay," Dr. Thomas replied evenly. "Chances are you'll be okay, but it's always better to be cautious."

  We sparred with the doctor a little longer but finally he accepted the fact that I was leaving. Then Rebekah asked the inevitable question.

  "Is Tehra going with you on Monday?"

  I hesitated a moment. "Well, yes she was. I may need her."

  Rebekah thought a moment. "Why don't I go with you since Tehra can't drive. You shouldn't be driving such a long distance. Besides I haven't seen much of you lately. It will give us time to catch up."

  Actually, I liked Rebekah's suggestion. She seemed to have suddenly snapped out of her melancholy and I wanted so much for things to return to normal. It would be good to spend some time together. The past few months had been as close to hell as I ever wanted to get.

  "Sure. That sounds wonderful," I said smiling broadly.

  Tehra frowned but I ignored her. She'd get over it. After all she was here to help me and she'd unwittingly done that by waking Rebekah from her grief. Whether it was concern for me or jealously over Tehra's sudden appearance in my life, it didn't matter. It had worked and the woman I loved and thought I'd lost was back and that gladdened my heart.

 

  26

  Threa
ts

  Paula Waters

  Bart finally made it home about 7:15 p.m. When I chastised him for being so late he apologized and explained that he was at a bar with Ruth Willis, the woman who allegedly was having an affair with Chester Brown.

  "Well, was she pretty—worth losing a family over?" I said evenly. I felt a little jealous about Bart being at a bar with another woman even if it was business. I didn't say anything but I was sure he could sense the tension in my voice.

  "She was good looking—sexy, but not the type you'd want to have children with."

  "Hmm. Did she admit to the affair?"

  "Yes, she did. She said it lasted about three months, and it wasn't the first time Brown had strayed from the nest. Ruth said he was dating an airline stewardess when she met him. He obviously didn't believe in fidelity and flirted openly with other woman, even when his wife was around."

  "Nice guy," I replied. "Unfortunately, a lot of guys are like that. So what else did you learn?"

  "Brown was frustrated with TI. He complained to Ruth that the people he worked with were stupid and incompetent. He also complained about not having the support and equipment he needed to do his job."

  "Really? So what do you make of that?" I asked.

  "I don't know. I guess Brown was a genius and he had little patience for those who couldn't keep up with him. Apparently the job he was doing was supposed to have been finished six months earlier but kept dragging on."

  "So, what about the affair? His wife knew about it or, at least, suspected it, right?"

  "Yes, she suspected it and made it crystal clear that she wouldn't tolerate it."

  "Did she ever threaten divorce?" I asked.

  "No," Bart replied. "Just the opposite. She