Deadline (19 page)
Authors: Fern Michaels
“Well, shame on you. I will remember that the next time I serve breakfast.” Mavis sat down beside Toots. “I'm only having one biscuit. They're bad for you, and the sugar in the jam is, too. Goebel, you know you can't eat this way all the time?” Mavis chastised him. She'd helped him lose almost a hundred pounds and didn't want to see him pile it back on one biscuit at a time.
“I know that, but this is a special day, that's all. It's not every day that a prodigal son, so to speak, returns home.” Goebal placed hot biscuits on a platter. “Losing all that weight was the best thing I've ever done for myself. One biscuit isn't enough to pull me back into that old trap. You have nothing to worry about, Mavis.”
She sighed. “Thank you. I didn't mean to be rude. It's just so hard to lose and even harder to keep off.”
Glad for the change of subject, Toots reached for a biscuit. “We've all come a long way in the past two years. I can't even imagine Mavis being a pound overweight now. She really has helped all of us change our diets.”
“Since when? You still eat Froot Loops when we're out of town. You tell everyone you're a vegan, yet you use cream in your coffee and eat cheese like a mouse. I'm sorry, I don't see a big change, Tootsie,” Sophie said.
Goebel poured the hot strawberry jam into three small bowls. “You won't need butter, so don't ask.”
Abby eyed her mother and godmothers, then spoke. “Why do I feel like I'm back in elementary school? We're all adults. We can eat whatever we want. If it's not healthful, then it's our own asses that are on the line. And Goebel, I would like some butter. The real stuff that Mom keeps hidden in the back of the fridge.”
Sophie took the butter out of the Ritz Cracker box on the bottom shelf. “I want some, too. No healthy crap for me.”
“I just might persuade you to change your mind, Miss Sophie. I know I have much more energy now. Energy for other things.” Goebel wagged his eyebrows up and down. They all laughed.
“Nope, I won't ever change who I am for a man. Never again, noway, nohow. I spent too many years wasting my life doing Walter's bidding. If you don't like what you see, look somewhere else.”
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the kitchen became oppressive, as though an angry spirit had permeated their space, trying to drain the life from its occupants. Sophie jerked up, her attention focused on the door that led to the dining room in which she held séances. “The phone is going to ring,” she said.
Rolling her eyes, Ida commented dryly, “That's certainly a big revelation, Sophia.” She'd refused a biscuit, and was sipping her coffee like it was poison.
Sophie continued to focus on her feelings. This was something new. Not gut instinct, but something else she couldn't put a name to. A sense of dread filled her. It frightened her. More than the images of the snow and the car. This was ... frightening, something she had no control over.
“Are you all right? Sophie?” Abby said her name but got no response. “Mom?”
Toots got up, stood behind Sophie, and placed her hands lightly on her shoulders. She leaned close to her and whispered in her ear, “Are you having a vision?”
Before Sophie could answer, as if on cue, the telephone rang.
Chapter 21
“
L
et me get that,” Toots said, walking away from Sophie, who appeared as though she were in a trance of sorts and wasn't reacting to any stimuli.
L
et me get that,” Toots said, walking away from Sophie, who appeared as though she were in a trance of sorts and wasn't reacting to any stimuli.
“Yes, hello.” Toots's words were rushed. “What? Yes, this is she speaking. Yes, of course I know her. I've known her forever.” Toots paused, listened to the voice on the phone. “Oh my gosh! When? Do whatever you can, is that understood? I will be there as quickly as I can charter a plane. If there is any change, call my cell phone.” She recited the number, then placed the phone back in its stand.
“Mother! What ... Are you okay?”
Toots struggled to keep it together, she had to. “No ... uh, yes, yes. That was Charleston Memorial. Bernice suffered a massive heart attack two hours ago. Jamie found her when she stopped by the house this morning before going to the bakery.”
Everyone in the room was silent, then all eyes went to Sophie.
Toots spoke first. “This is what you were talking about, isn't it? You had a vision, right?”
Sophie came out of her stupor as fast as she'd entered. “No, I just had a very bad feeling wash over me. I didn't see this. Just felt something. And I knew it would be from the telephone ringing.” Sophie shot Ida a
told-you-so
look. “What exactly did the doctor say?”
told-you-so
look. “What exactly did the doctor say?”
“That was the ER nurse. Jamie is at the hospital with Bernice right now. Her condition is not good.” Toots's eyes filled with tears. Damn that Bernice. She'd been hanging around that damned butcher Malcolm Moretti too long. She'd probably gorged on the finest cuts of beef Malcolm offered. Bernice had been a good customer for more years than Toots could remember. And to think ... no, she would not think. She would not even consider life without Bernice. Not yet. She just wasn't ready.
An idea blossomed, and before it had a chance to disappear, she picked up the phone. She dialed 411. “Yes, I need the number for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, the cardiac floor if you will.” She was going to do whatever she could for Bernice. Her icon, Evangelista Thackeray had died last year of congestive heart failure. Supposedly, she'd had one of the best cardiologists in the world. If he was good enough for Evangelista Thackeray, then Toots figured he was good enough for Bernice.
“Thank you,” She hung up and dialed Cedars-Sinai. “I need to speak to Dr. Bruce Lowery. It's an emergency.”
All attention was focused on Toots while she waited for the doctor to take her phone call. She was surprised when the doctor actually took the call. She took it as a good sign, something that was meant to be. She explained who she was and why she was calling. She added that she'd been considering making a large donation to Cedars-Sinai's cardiac wing. To the tune of $5 million. Just as she'd expected, that got the doctor's attention and kept it.
“Can you travel to Charleston, South Carolina, immediately?” Toots asked, once the formalities were over. Time was not on her side.
“Of course, Ms. Loudenberry. I will have to make a few arrangements with my colleagues, then I'm all yours,” Dr. Lowery assured her. “I will call Charleston myself, talk to the head of cardiology, and find out what's going on with your friend.”
“I have a jet that should be at the airport anytime now. I can offer you a ride, if you like,” Toots said.
“That won't be necessary, but thank you. Cedars-Sinai has a jet for just such emergencies. I'll contact the pilot immediately.”
Toots spent the next few minutes giving the doctor Bernice's information. As soon as she finished, she called Dr. Joe Pauley, her longtime physician and a very dear friend. His voice mail picked up. “Joe, this is Toots. Bernice is in the hospital, and I hope like hell that's why you're not answering your phone, but just in case it isn't, can you get to Charleston Memorial ASAP? I'm preparing to leave Los Angeles, but will be available for the next couple hours if you want to call. Otherwise, I will call you the minute our plane touches down.” She ended the phone call. Worry, stark and vivid, glittered in her brown eyes.
Abby came around the table and placed her arms around her mother. “I'm so sorry, Mom. What can I do?”
Toots seemed to be considering her daughter's question. Her thoughts were a jumble, and she couldn't focus on either problem. First Chris, and now Bernice.
“Mom?” Abby repeated.
“Yes, Iâno there isn't anything anyone can do.” To Toots's dismay, her voice broke slightly. “Pray. We can all pray that Bernice survives. Now, I have to call that jet, make sure they can take us back to Charleston.”
Again, Toots made a phone call. The company assured her the jet would remain on the ground as soon as it touched down. While she was beyond being happy that Chris and Laura would soon be safely on the ground, there would be no time to have that celebratory dinner at Moonshadows. Soon, though.
But first things first. Bernice was practically family, like the older sister she'd never had. Toots would do whatever was humanly possible to make what was left of her dear friend's life as close to perfect as she could manage. Knowing there would be time for unhappiness later, Toots shifted her shoulders high, raised her chin just a notch higherâher determined look, as she liked to think of itâthen cleared her throat. “Who wants to go to Charleston with me?”
Abby was the first to speak up. “I don't think I can, but if you need me to go, I will.”
As much as Toots would have liked her daughter's company, there wasn't really anything Abby could do in Charleston. Toots needed her at the helm of
The Informer.
The last thing she wanted was to worry about the management of the paper. Abby was better off staying in Los Angeles.
The Informer.
The last thing she wanted was to worry about the management of the paper. Abby was better off staying in Los Angeles.
“You need to stay here and take care of things at the paperâright, Sophie?” Toots wanted her friend's seal of approval now more than ever.
Sophie caught the hint. “Absolutely. Abby needs to stay here and take care of Chester and Coco, and that rag of a paper. You never know when some movie star might check into rehab. Important stuff, Toots.”
In other circumstances, Toots would have flicked Sophie the bird. However, she knew what her friend was trying to do, and she appreciated it. Crazy-ass Sophie was trying to keep things as normal as possible by acting like a smart-ass.
“Sophie, you should be ashamed of yourself,” Mavis said. “And what about the animals? Does this mean I'll have to leave Coco behind?”
“I'm teasing, Mavis,” Sophie said.
“You know it might be a good idea to leave Coco with Chester. I can stay here at the beach house with the pooches. Take them to work, too,” Abby said.
“I can go, too, if you need me,” Goebel added.
Sophie grinned.
“Yes, I think you should come along, too,” Toots said, then turned to Ida. “What about it? Can you and Mavis get away now?”
Ida and Mavis nodded their heads in agreement. “Mr. Frank was our lastâ”
“
Stiff
?” Sophie threw in.
Stiff
?” Sophie threw in.
Toots smiled. Leave it to Sophie to do whatever she could to lighten up the moment. Friends. How precious they were, though there was no way in hell Toots was going to say that now. Maybe later, she'd tell each one just how special they were to her. Or maybe not. Toots knew they were all quite aware of it.
“You have such a vulgar mind. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, especially at a time like this,” Ida said. “For the record, I will go and do whatever I can to help out. Bernice won't be able to clean, once she's home from the hospital. I am an expert at it, as you all know. Count me in,” she added with a genuine smile.
“And me, too. Someone will need to be there to help Bernice out with her new diet. She'll need lots of tender loving care, and plenty of fruit and fiber. Whole grains are quite good for keeping one's arteries clean. I'll make sure she doesn't clog the new ones,” Mavis said. “But I'm not sure about leaving Coco behind.”
At the mention of her name, the little pooch growled from her position in the corner. Chester was curled up next to her like the true love he was.
“Never mind. I think these two lovebirds could use some time alone.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Every minute counts,” Toots said.
Sophie, Ida, Mavis, Goebel and Toots scrambled away like ants at a picnic. Fifteen minutes later, and after a half dozen hugs to and from Abby, they were on their way to Los Angeles International Airport.
Once again, Toots was needed at home.
Chapter 22
T
oots had shared a few much-needed minutes alone with Chris when they arrived at LAX, enough to learn what had happened between him and Laura. Nothing. She smiled. Abby had nothing to worry about. Chris explained a few other things to her as well. Yes, it was going to turn out much better than she'd dared to hope for.
oots had shared a few much-needed minutes alone with Chris when they arrived at LAX, enough to learn what had happened between him and Laura. Nothing. She smiled. Abby had nothing to worry about. Chris explained a few other things to her as well. Yes, it was going to turn out much better than she'd dared to hope for.
Since Toots and her friends spent most of the night awake, waiting for news of Chris, they all slept for most of the flight to Charleston, waking up only when the copilot announced they were half an hour from landing at Mount Pleasant Regional, a small airport that handled private aircraft in the Charleston area.
Toots looked at her watch. It would be early evening, Eastern Standard Time, when she arrived in Charleston, and even later when getting to the hospital. She had called Pete before they took off from Los Angeles, and he'd offered to pick them up at the airport and drive them directly to the hospital. She accepted his offer.
Jamie had used Toots's Range Rover to drive to the hospital, so that left Pete with her Lincoln. Between the two vehicles, they would manage to get to and from the hospital and wherever else was necessary. Dr. Lowery had assured her he would take care of his own transportation when he arrived in Charleston.
Toots had a few reservations about the doctor's almost instantaneous willingness to take Bernice on as a patient, sight unseen. Of course there was the $5 million she'd promised for the cardiac wing. Money spoke quite loudly sometimes, and she was grateful she had plenty to spread around. She would use it any way she could for her friends and family. It all came down to love.
Their arrival in Mount Pleasant was greeted with none of the pomp and circumstance of their recent trip to Sacramento, when Sophie had met with California's first lady. Toots peered out the cabin window and spied Pete waiting with the Lincoln just outside Atlantic Aviation, a small general aviation facility.
The automatic stairs were barely down before Toots sprang out of the small jet onto the tarmac. With only small carry-on baggage, none of them had to worry about waiting for luggage. All except Goebel had plenty of clothes and necessities at Toots's home in Charleston. He'd packed lightly for his trip from New York to California, so it was simply a matter of taking his small luggage from one place to the next.
Toots gave the pilot and copilot each a thousand dollars in cash. She wanted to make sure, when and if she needed their services again, they would remember her. Thankful that she kept a few thousand in cash stuffed in her pajama drawer at all times, she'd found two bank deposit envelopes in her purse, putting enough cash in for the pilots to at least have a nice weekend getaway in the near future.
“I can't thank you guys enough,” she said as she placed the envelopes in their hands. “I don't think Ida left any claw marks on the armrests. If she did, let me know, and I'll take care of the repairs,” she joked.
“Anytime. You have our card,” the pilot said. “Take care, and I hope your friend does well.”
Toots nodded, then headed to the small airport terminal. Pete was as antsy as ever.
Not bothering with the usual niceties, Toots asked, “Have you heard anything from the hospital?”
“Dr. Pauley is there now. They did a heart catheterization as soon as they got her stabilized. She's in recovery now. I'm not too sure what happens next. I just know she'll be glad you're here.”
“I wouldn't be anywhere else, Pete. Now come on, we're wasting time. Let's get to the hospital. I want to be there when Bernice wakes up.”
Without further ado, Pete helped put their carry-ons in the large trunk, then they crammed themselves into the Lincoln. Toots was glad Mavis and Goebel had downsized weight-wise. If not, they would've needed another vehicle.
Less than an hour later, Toots was racing down the halls of Charleston Memorial, following the directions to the cardiac floor given to her by the clerk at the reception desk.
The odors of rubbing alcohol, burnt coffee, and hopelessness permeated the fifth floor, on which they located a small waiting room with a sagging beige sofa, an older model television set suspended from the ceiling, and a table stacked high with heavily thumbed magazines. The room was empty and silent except for the sound of a soda machine humming in the background.
“Stay here while I see Bernice. As soon as I have any news, I'll be back.” Toots quickly left Sophie, Ida, Mavis, and Goebel in the waiting room reserved for friends and family members only, or so the handwritten note taped to the door read. She hurried back down the long hall, where she followed a large black-and-white sign that read RECOVERY.
Saying a silent prayer that Bernice would make it through this, Toots was practically jogging down the corridor when she spotted Joe Pauley.
Winded, she called out, “Joe.” As soon as he saw her, he said something to a nurse dressed in light green scrubs, then held his arms out to her. Toots went limp in his embrace. She'd been brave for hours and hours, and now it was all she could do to stand up.
“Hey, old girl, this isn't like you.” Joe brushed her auburn hair away from her face when she looked up at him. Tears spilled from her eyes.
“No, it's not.” She sniffed.
Joe pulled a handkerchief from his shirt pocket, something she rarely saw.
Blotting her eyes and blowing her nose, she went through her shoulders-back, chin-up routine before speaking. “Okay, give it to me straight. No sugarcoating. Is she going to live?” She hated being so forward, but time was important. Bernice's life was at stake.
“I just spoke with Dr. Becker, he's the on-staff cardiologist and a damned good one. Bernice has five clogged arteries, and needs bypass surgery as soon as an operating room is available.”
Toots's heart plunged; her stomach felt like a million butterflies were at war with one another. “Oh Joe, this is not good. Bernice isn't going to like this one little bit.” Toots's voice was full of sadness. “She hates going to the doctor. She must be scared out of her mind. Can I see her? I need to reassure her, let her know I'm here and that everything is going to be just fine. Because it will be just fine. I hired Evangelista Thackeray's cardiac surgeon to assist or do whatever needs to be done.” Toots ran a shaky hand through her hair, gluing the red-orange tendrils to her cheeks from her tears.
“I'd heard, though I don't know why. Dr. Becker is top-notch, Harvard Medical, worked with Robert Jarvik back in his early days.”
“And that means?”
“Robert Jarvik, artificial heart.”
“Oh, that's impressive. In case Dr. Lowery doesn't work out,” Toots said, then thought how silly she must've sounded.
A squeaking sound from the opposite end of the hall caused Toots to turn away from Joe. A tall man wearing light blue scrubs with bright red Crocs waved at them.
“That's Phil Becker,” Joe told Toots. “Must have some news.”
He's in his mid- to late sixties
, she thought as she observed him. Tall and lean, with a thick head of curly brown hair, a masculine jaw revealed a five o'clock shadow. Dark circles rimmed his electric blue eyes.
He looks like a doctor,
she thought,
but he doesn't wear glasses.
That bugged her. What kind of doctor, especially a
heart surgeon,
didn't wear glasses? Didn't they do all sorts of intricate stuff with tiny veins and even tinier needles?
, she thought as she observed him. Tall and lean, with a thick head of curly brown hair, a masculine jaw revealed a five o'clock shadow. Dark circles rimmed his electric blue eyes.
He looks like a doctor,
she thought,
but he doesn't wear glasses.
That bugged her. What kind of doctor, especially a
heart surgeon,
didn't wear glasses? Didn't they do all sorts of intricate stuff with tiny veins and even tinier needles?
“Joe,” Dr. Becker said, holding out his hand.
“Phil, this is Theresa Loudenberry. Bernice is her housekeeper,” Joe said by way of introduction.
Toots shook his hand. A shock of electricity shot up her arm. It felt like she'd stuck her fingers in an electrical socket. Quickly pulling her hand away, she watched him. He seemed puzzled. “Ah yes. Joe has been singing your praises for a very long time. It's good to finally meet you.” Dr. Becker smiled.
And when he smiled, Toots's heart lurched.
Shit!
Maybe she had heart trouble now. No, she didn't. She had ...
nothing
. She was there to find out what she and modern medicine could do to extend Bernice's life.
Shit!
Maybe she had heart trouble now. No, she didn't. She had ...
nothing
. She was there to find out what she and modern medicine could do to extend Bernice's life.
“How is Bernice? Can I see her yet?” Toots asked, her words all rushed together like a two-year-old's.
“She's in recovery now. She was pretty much out of it when I checked on her a few minutes ago. She should be waking up soon, and you can see her then. Anesthesia affects everyone differently.”
“Exactly what does that mean?”
“Toots, don't start. I know you like being in control and running the show, but now isn't the time,” Joe said, before turning to Phil. “Is there an operating room available yet?”
“That's one of the reasons I'm still here. They're finishing up a transplant in Operating Room C. As soon as it's ready, I want to get Bernice in there, repair those arteries. Her vitals are all good, and she appears to be in good health otherwise,” Dr. Becker said, then turned to face Toots. “You want to go downstairs and have a cup of coffee with me?”
Toots placed her hand on her chest. “Are you talking to me? You want me to have
coffee?
And you think Bernice is in
good health?
Son of aâ”
coffee?
And you think Bernice is in
good health?
Son of aâ”
“Toots! Enough already! Bernice is in good hands. Calm down. I think we all could use a cup of coffee. It's going to be a long night,” Joe said.
Toots didn't know if she should laugh or cry. She was in the middle of yet another crisis, and this
heart surgeon,
who was about to cut open Bernice's heart, wanted to know if she wanted to have coffee with him! What kind of surgeon had
coffee
before performing open-heart surgery?
heart surgeon,
who was about to cut open Bernice's heart, wanted to know if she wanted to have coffee with him! What kind of surgeon had
coffee
before performing open-heart surgery?
“Where exactly is Dr. Lowery? I am donating a hefty sum of money to his cardiac unit. You would think he would have had enough time to scrub up, or whatever it is he should be doing.” Her hands shook, and she wanted a cigarette so badly she was ready to sneak inside the ladies' room and risk causing the fire alarms to go off. She grabbed her left hand with her right to prevent herself from snatching the Marlboros from her purse.
Joe cupped Toots's elbow and steered her away from the recovery room. “I'll have him paged.” He stopped and spoke to a young woman at the nurses' station. Within seconds, Dr. Lowery's name was called over the hospital's paging system.
“Thanks,” Toots said. “I guess I am a little flustered. I'd kill for a cigarette right now.”
Joe leaned over and whispered into her ear, “Don't let Phil Becker hear you say that. He'll ream you out like a high school kid. He hates smokers.”
She glanced over her shoulder. Dr. Becker was right behind her. He smiled when he saw her. “He's right. I hate smokers.”
“Then you certainly won't like me. I try to smoke at least two packs a day. Three if I'm bored.” A slight smile brightened her face.
“Then I can almost guarantee you'll wind up on my or some other doctor's operating table before too long,” Dr. Becker said pleasantly.
If Toots hadn't heard the humor in his voice, she would have told him to kiss off, but he was teasing her. Part of her appreciated his attempt to humor her, and another part of her, the part that worried about poor Bernice, thought him crass and arrogant for even trying to show he had a sense of humor.
“Don't hold your breath,” Toots said dryly. At the end of the hall was the waiting room. She stopped just outside the door and turned to Joe. “You're not leaving yet, are you?”
“No, I'm here for the long haul. Bernice is my patient, too. I'll be observing the surgery.” He paused as though considering his next words. “I would never try to tell you what to do, but Lowery hasn't answered his page, hasn't made an attempt to let anyone know he is here and ready for surgery. Between you and me, I'd forget about him and let Phil do the surgery.”
Toots listened to his advice, watched Dr. Becker step inside the waiting room and introduce himself to the others. She heard him tell Sophie that Bernice was still in the recovery room.
“I want the best for Bernice. Dr. Lowery is the best.”
“Says who? Evangelista Thackeray? Hardly. She isn't alive, remember? Who else recommended him?”
Toots had to think. She was sure she'd heard his name mentioned before, just couldn't recall where. “I don't know, Joe. I just know he's the head of cardiology at Cedars-Sinai. Doesn't that speak for itself?”
Joe shook his head. “You do like that Hollywood stuff, I'll give you that. But remember, it's really not your decision to make. As soon as Bernice comes out of the anesthesia, she'll make that choice. It'll save face if anything.”
Toots wrinkled her brow in disgust. “I don't care about saving face! You of all people should know that. I just want Bernice to have a chance, that's all.”
“Trust me, Toots. She will get the best care possible. We might not have the reputation that Cedars-Sinai has, but we're good. Phil is good. Why don't you let Bernice make the decision? After all, it is her life,” Joe cajoled.
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