Lifeblood (35 page)

“No one except the person in whose name the trust is held. Sure.”

“Like maybe when that person turned twenty-one?”

999

Marty glanced at the paper Rachel was holding. “What have you been up to? Who is that?”

“Holy shit,” Goldie said softly, looking at the birth certificate. “Now you really got your hands full.”

All three were still staring at the certificate when something began bumping against the door to the room. Goldie pulled the door open. “Jesus, Mary, and Jehosephat!” She stepped aside, held the door open for a wheelchair that was having some difficulty navigating its entry.

Rachel threw a puzzled look toward the door. Her features moved from surprise to disbelief.

Hank was slapping the arm of the wheelchair. “There must be a knack to running this infernal machine.” He flashed a grin at them like someone who had just won the lottery.

Rachel gaped at him. “Why are you in a wheelchair? What are you doing here? Why were you in isolation? How did you leave that hospital in Pasadena without your car?”

Marty went to the door, turned the wheelchair and guided it toward the bed.

“Tell us you drove that wheelchair down the Pasadena Freeway,” Goldie chortled. “I’ll bet that would back up traffic.”

“I was transferred here in an ambulance as soon as they were sure the infection was under control,” Hank said. “I needed more surgery and the doctor they referred me to wanted to do it here. The wheelchair is just so I don’t overdo.”

“How did you know where I was?” Rachel asked, still looking astonished.

“I called the garage this morning. Irene told me. She even gave me the room number. Is that all I get? Questions?”

“You look wonderful.” Rachel almost shouted it. “I was so worried. You have no idea how good it is to see you.” She held out her arms.

He rolled the wheelchair to the bed and she leaned over for an awkward embrace. He planted a kiss on her cheek. “What’s that?” he asked, pointing at the certificate still in her hand.

Rachel dropped her glance to the paper. “I guess it’s something we need to talk about.”

To receive a free catalog of Poisoned Pen Press titles, please contact us in one of the following ways:

Phone: 1-800-421-3976

Facsimile: 1-480-949-1707

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.poisonedpenpress.com

Poisoned Pen Press

6962 E. First Ave. Ste. 103

Scottsdale, AZ 85251