| Subject: WTTS2 - 64 |
Author:
KT
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Date Posted: 21:00:46 01/11/02 Fri
In reply to:
KT
's message, "Window to the Soul 2" on 20:43:26 01/11/02 Fri
Window to the Soul 2 - Part 64
By KT
Copyright June 20, 2000
Karen Kent stared at Marcus O'Brien, a mocking bitter smile upon her face, as he rewound the tape of the interview. She could see shock and repulsion in his eyes, and something else... somewhere inside of her something snapped. He was actually sad for her! How touching! She waited for the angry words, the reprimands, the lecture about how great life was, but he said nothing except "Thank you for your statement." His calm demeanor quashed the flippant rejoinder she was about to let fly.
Marcus was privately elated. He had everything he needed to put Karen away. He searched his heart for some pity for this lost creature, but found nothing but outrage. What a waste!
But now his mind raced as he swiftly cataloged the discrepancies between the statement she'd given Gerald Price and the one he'd just recorded. The loose ends were beginning to fall into place. O'Brien rapped on the door and the guard entered to take Karen back to her cell. She glanced back at him over her shoulder, the lines of her posture at last showing some signs of resignation and fatigue as the door closed slowly behind her. O'Brien flipped open his cell phone.
"Patrick? Yeah, it's me. You've got the go ahead. I need a warrant for the arrest of Egran Petrosian... accomplice to murder. Aiding and abetting. You heard me... Uh huh... anytime. I want him held here at the County Lockup. Thanks."
Marcus rang up the coroner and set out for the Hall.
* * * * * * * *
Michael felt sick as he sat waiting for O'Brien. The death of Zalman weighed heavily on his heart. Two people had come to harm because of Karen Kent. His rejection had pushed her over the edge. And the consequences! He never imagined! Zalman was no close friend, but he would never had wished this on him! And Nikita...
"Oh God Nikita," he whispered aloud, though there was no one to hear. Michael's eyes misted as his heart contracted. He'd almost lost her after having just found her!
A soft rap on his door revealed O'Brien and Durand. They let themselves in and Michael showed them the contents of his package. The hands were still partially frozen. Michael looked up at the two men.
"Can you tell me... what kind of "person" could do this?"
Marcus answered him directly. "A very abused and disturbed one, I'm afraid. I've just taken Karen Kent's statement."
"It's because of me, isn't it? Because of my rejection. It pushed her over the edge." Michael was afraid to hear the answer.
O'Brien looked kindly at Michael. "Actually Michael, she was already over the edge and was just surviving on drugs. She was about to break, and your timing was most unfortunate. I know this sounds patronizing but... you can't blame yourself for what happened."
O'Brien felt that he was not at liberty to say more until the facts of Karen's confession were made public. "There were other factors in play that you couldn't have known about. Mostly having to do with her personal history, long before she ever met you or Zalman."
"I understand." Michael nodded but didn't feel any relief.
Durand had been examining the hands, noting that they had been almost surgically removed.
"Gentlemen, I do believe that the victim was either unconscious or already deceased when this was done. The cuts are too clean and precise to have been made if the victim was alive and struggling." There was cold comfort in this declaration.
O'Brien turned to Michael. "Thank you for calling me and for waiting." He could see that Michael was anxious to go. "There's nothing more we need at the moment. By the way, who found the package?"
The corners of Michael's mouth twitched. "Mick Shtoppel."
O'Brien rolled his eyes. "Oh no! Shtoppel!"
"So you've already met him, I take it?"
"Yes. When he discovered the body. He certainly has... ah, personality." Marcus noted Michael's understated amusement. "Well at least I know who's fingerprints to ignore." He and Durand departed.
Michael grabbed his helmet and jacket. At last! He exited the Hall quickly before anything else could delay him, and headed for the hospital.
* * * * * * * *
At the hospital, plans were changing rapidly. Though Roberta was being well cared for, she was more than ready to get back home. She consulted with Sabine.
"Do you think we could get out of here sooner? Like... now?" Roberta knew that Nikita'd had a particularly bad night, constantly awakened by nightmares of the shooting. She would thrash and shout "NO!" and wake in a sweat. They had finally sedated her and she slept through the night.
Nikita agreed. The hospital wasn't doing her any good either. She was still on a catheter, but Sabine was accustomed to dealing with such things. Her session in physical therapy had produced no negative repercussions other than fatigue. Her vitals were stable, and they had taken her off the IV. The sterile environment and mediocre food were just tolerable. And surely Sabine could administer a sleeping aid if she needed it.
And at home there was music. Food for the soul. She and Roberta could share that.
But most of all, Nikita knew that Roberta wanted to be home. She could see her becoming progressively more uncomfortable with her confinement. Nikita would never forgive herself if her mother's wish to die at home could not be fulfilled. She too pleaded with Sabine.
"Oh, Sabine. Do you think we could?" The hopeful note in Nikita's voice spurred Sabine to seek consultation. She had Dr. Spence paged to Intensive Care and met him in the hallway.
"My ladies want to go home," she told him, "and frankly, I think they need to go home. Mrs. Wirth has already compromised her desires in order to be near her daughter. I know it is pushing a bit to let Nikita go, but there is really nothing more you can do for her here."
Dr. Spence considered. "I think it's too early to let Nikita go home, but I have to agree, she is just under observation now. We've done everything we can do. You have the therapy program. Mostly she needs to rest and eat well. The less stress, the quicker and better the healing, especially in the period immediately following injury and surgery."
Sabine knew he was giving in. Her heart rejoiced as she heard him agree to their release.
"OK. Let's start the paperwork and get these two on their way."
* * * * * * * *
Gwen took Roberta in her car, and Sabine took Nikita. She arranged for another nurse to meet them at the residence to help get the ladies into the house. He was waiting when they arrived.
Sabine smiled when she saw Jamie Alexander. She had worked with him before, and knew him to be a gentle soul, for all his six-foot brawny frame, and wild red hair. One of the best male nurses on the hospice roster. They greeted each other with a familiar hug, and Sabine introduced him to everyone. She was glad to see he had been able to appropriate a wheelchair on short notice.
"Jamie, you're a magician! As usual." The ladies could hear the affection in Sabine's voice.
"Anything for you, Madame." He returned her affection. "So nice to see you again."
Roberta welcomed him. "Well, if Sabine likes you, you can't be all bad!" she said playfully, happy to be home. He had her and her oxygen unit into the house before she knew it.
Gwen reserved judgment, but nodded pleasantly as she entered and went straight to the kitchen.
Nikita eyed Jamie with a bit of wonder. A male nurse! His deep blue eyes seemed to look right through her, and she blushed as he lifted her out of the car and into the wheelchair. He gifted her with a smile, and she couldn't help but note how strong he was. She couldn't guess his age, but he seemed young and old at the same time. His touch was very gentle.
Gwen prepared some hot chocolate as Sabine settled Roberta in her bed. As Sabine turned to leave, she felt Roberta tug at her. She turned to find tears in her eyes.
"Thank you Sabine. Thank you for bringing me home... for bringing us home."
Sabine clasped their hands together. "You're welcome, my dear." Her own tears rose. She release Roberta's hands. "I'll bring you a cup of chocolate directly."
Nikita sat in the chair as Gwen brought the chocolate. She was tired, but so glad to be back in her mother's house. There wasn't much conversation as they sipped the comforting drink. Jamie rambled on about his recent activities as he and Sabine caught up on their news. She was fascinated by his faint Scots accent, and his relaxed manner.
Sabine looked at Nikita. "It's bedtime for you, mon enfant." She rose and gave Nikita a hug.
Jamie wheeled Nikita to her room and lifted her carefully into bed. Nikita was a bit embarrassed by it all, with her catheter, but Jamie seemed not to notice. He arranged everything with easy expertise, and soon she was feeling less awkward. He showed her how to get herself in and out of the chair from the bed.
"Sabine must really like you," he spoke quietly. "She doesn't call just anyone her "child", you know." He paused. "She really misses her own daughter."
Nikita was surprised. "I didn't know she had a daughter." Maybe being together more now would give them the opportunity to learn more about each other. "She certainly has been good to my Mom and me. Just one of the family, you might say."
Jamie nodded. "Sabine is like that. She's just the best there is." He looked around. "So, you're all settled then?"
"Yes. Thank you." Nikita was happy to be in her own bed.
Jamie took his leave, informing Nikita that he would be helping out for just a couple of days until she felt comfortable getting in and out of the bed and the chair on her own. He stopped at the front door to say good night to Sabine. Gwen had already gone home.
"So this is your substitute family," he said softly. "I'm glad they found you."
Sabine smiled. "So am I, Jamie. So am I."
She hugged him once more, and watched his broad back fade into the evening. Sabine looked in on Roberta, who was sleeping peacefully. She peeked in on Nikita and found her reading.
"Do you want something to help you sleep?"
"No, not really. Could we wait and see if I need it?"
"Of course. I'll check on you in a bit."
Nikita smiled her second smile of the day. "Thank you, Sabine. For everything."
Sabine retired to the living room couch to make up her bed. This felt right. A good decision.
* * * * * * * *
Michael arrived at the hospital to find that Nikita and Roberta had been released. He was upset until he realized that this was a good thing! He also realized that his out-of-sorts mood was directly connected to his empty stomach, and popped in the little Russian bistro around the corner from the hospital to grab some dinner. He had skipped lunch in the commotion of the day.
As he sat waiting for his order, Michael overheard conversation at a table behind him. His Russian was rusty, but he caught the gist of the discussion. Two men were talking.
"Egran, you mustn't take a chance. The police are bound to investigate. If I were you, I'd get away while I still could."
A cold laugh followed. "Vlad, do you think I'm going to let that girl's actions dictate my life? Never! She has caused me enough grief already. Let her lie in the bed she has made."
"But she is your only sister's daughter! How can you be so unfeeling?"
Another cold laugh. "Unfeeling? You really have no idea. And I don't think it is any of your business anyway. Let Karen fend for herself. I have let her take advantage of me for far too long."
Karen! It couldn't be just a coincidence.
Egran continued. "In any case, I have warned her against implicating me. She knows the consequences if she should do so."
Vlad seemed to give it up. "I don't think I want to know about that."
"You don't," Egran agreed.
Michael heard them get up and walk away, and he stole a glance at them as they disappeared out the door. The food came, but he wasn't feeling quite as hungry as he had. He ate a bit of salad and bread, and a bowl of a wonderful chicken soup. He had the waitress pack the entrée to go, and tucked the strange conversation into the back of his mind, thinking that he would discuss it with O'Brien in the morning.
Michael climbed on his bike and sped to Roberta's. He knocked softly at the door, and let himself in. Sabine was sitting reading and looked up at the sound of his footfall. A small pang of dread formed in the pit of her stomach. The moment of truth was fast approaching.
"Hi." Michael's voice was suddenly thick.
Sabine rose, extending her hands. "Michael." She was a bit embarrassed. "We forgot to let you know about leaving the hospital. So sorry. There was just too much happening all at once." She read the question in his eyes. "Nikita is in her room. I think she is still up. You know the way?"
He nodded and started down the hallway. Nikita's door was ajar and the light was on. Michael pushed the door open just far enough to look into the room. His heart beat fast as his eyes drank in the sight of her. She was asleep with her book still open, her head slightly angled in repose. Her bandage had been reduced to just a patch, and the tube was gone. Her shorn hair looked a bit wild and unkempt.
She was beautiful.
Michael tiptoed in and sat soundlessly in the chair next to her bed, noting how her features seemed so much more relaxed than when he'd last seen her. Her color had returned, and he studied her hands as they lay resting in her lap. As his eyes dropped, Michael spied a piece of paper next to her book. It was his note. His heart skipped with happiness.
Nikita was sleeping so peacefully that he decided not to wake her. He just sat, listening to her breathe, watching her face, remembering everything they had shared. After a bit, Michael rose and returned to find Sabine asleep as well. He wrote a note and left it on the kitchen table, then quietly let himself out and drove home.
Now he could sleep.
* * * * * * * *
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