Silent Fear, a Medical Mystery (22 page)

Downstairs, she grabbed a purse and made sure it was stocked with things she needed. She drove the fifteen minutes into the downtown area rethinking her decision to meet Ross there instead of his invitation to pick her up. She didn’t regret it. It would save any awkwardness of him taking her home, even seeing her to the door. She couldn’t think that far out - if she even wanted a man kissing her yet. She wanted to know him better than going on one date. Anything physical between them could wait, especially since they would be working under the same roof.

Seafood & Steaks Galore had customers spilling between the two sets of front doors. She craned her neck looking for Ross, then felt a hand on her arm. She turned and smiled at him as he guided her around the couple between them.

“Not exactly a quiet place is it?” he said, raising his voice. “You sure look nice! I told them to page us at the bar when our table is ready.”

Not only did he wear a warm smile, but his teeth were white as clouds. As they neared the occupied stools at the bar, one person left, so Ross signaled for her to sit. Several people ambled around, but there was still enough room that it didn’t seem overly crowded.

“What can I get you?” he asked. The bartender precisely monitored newcomers and slapped down two napkins.

“A white Chardonnay,” Sara said.

“A Calfkiller beer,” Ross said.

Sara could feel the Saturday night party spirit. The busy surroundings put her at ease. A wide screen TV over the liquor bottles and mirror played local news.

“This is an excellent place in case you haven’t been here before, Sara. The steak or seafood will melt in your mouth. I used to take my wife here at least once a month.”

“I haven’t been. I should get out more than I do, especially since the girls are older now. We pop into less expensive places maybe once a week. Otherwise I’m a pretty good cook.”

“My wife was a good cook.”

Sara thanked the bartender as he placed down a tall wine glass. The evening news shifted to national news as she decided to glance up. Other patrons looked up at the concerned reporter and banner streaming underneath the newsroom which spoke of a national health alert not seen since the pandemic influenza outbreak many years ago. The current PAM made that outbreak seem like a sneeze during the flu.

Smelling the sweet aroma of her Chardonnay she thought of Danny, deeply immersed in the biggest far-reaching local news event stemming out of their own Nashville.

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The house was quiet. Even Annabel and Nancy were sound asleep. They had watched a short rental movie and had gone to bed before eleven. Danny had rolled in an old but comfortable desk chair from the other room and sat next to Julia’s crib. The curtain was parted all the way and he stared out at the black night, the moon, a crescent figure brilliant behind the trees. He had always been fascinated with the night sky, especially when he’d had late nights at the Caney Fork River, and suddenly regretted never having a telescope to scan the stars.

He looked over at Julia, off in some dreamland. That’s what he’d do if he ever got to spend substantial time with her, he’d purchase an optical instrument to enhance their understanding of astronomy.

Danny studied her little face - angelic with snow white, blemish free skin, and a long nose. Her dark blonde hair was fine and already a good inch long. Her wide set eyes were a dead giveaway from her mother. Rachel’s eyes were spectacular and Danny guessed his daughter would follow in her footsteps. Their color bordered on aqua blue.

His dilemma hadn’t changed because Mark still hadn’t called. While pondering what to do the next day, he faintly heard the garage door open and close beneath the bedroom. He hoped Casey would stop in before going to bed.

The lowest setting of the three-way light bulb from the dresser lamp was on, so a faint light spilled under the door. Casey saw it as he made his way down the hall. He tapped on Julia’s door and quietly pushed it open.

Glad to see him, Danny prompted Casey forward with a wave. “Come on in. How was work?”

“Are you making up for lost time with her?” Casey asked back. “It’s pretty late.”

“I believe I am. I feel so guilty about her situation.”

Casey looked clean cut for coming off work. His white shirt looked effortlessly wrinkle free, he wore dark pants and a sharp looking black belt. He nodded with understanding at Danny’s remark and went to the windowsill and sat in the alcove.

“Guess where Mark and I went to pick up a patient today?” Casey asked.

Danny shrugged, “Opryland?”

“No, but you’re on the right track. A movie theatre. In the aisle, in a crowded showing, while the movie still churned along. By the time we left, they had stopped it but I don’t know how they were going to make it up to the customers.”

“What about the patient?”

“He probably had a stroke.”

“What was playing?”

“Don’t know exactly, but I think it was one of those superhero things with far too much action and violence.”

“That’s probably why the patient stroked.”

Julia squirmed with restlessness for a minute while they sat in silence.

“So what’s going on with Julia?” Casey asked.

“I never heard back from Mark. If I don’t hear back from him tomorrow morning, I don’t think I should bring her back to Rachel.”

“You’d be doing the correct and moral thing by not handing her back to an abusive situation, but you could get in a heap of trouble. I have off tomorrow. I’ll come with you for the exchange if you decide to meet Rachel, but I’ll help in any way you need.”

Danny took a deep breath. If he gave her back to Rachel tomorrow, he could be putting her into a perilous situation. He would never forgive himself for that. “What would you do, Casey?”

“I wouldn’t let her set foot out of this house, metaphorically speaking, that is.”

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Sunday morning Danny dangled his arm alongside the bed, feeling for Dakota’s wavy coat. The dog wasn’t to be seen and he wasn’t lying next to the bed. Danny couldn’t remember when that had ever happened before. He swung his legs off the side of the mattress, got up, and walked in his underwear to the bathroom. He slithered toothpaste on his brush and as he swished it around his mouth, he peeked out the back window. As far as he could tell, his furry friend wasn’t out back either.

Danny threw on shorts and deck shoes and pulled a tee-shirt on over his head as he walked quickly to Julia’s room. It was almost nine o’clock so he’d certainly slept in. Julia wasn’t there. He smiled at the dependability of living with a joint family.

“Will you look at that?” Danny said with a big smile when he got downstairs. Julia had an advanced toddler grip in Dakota’s neck hair, sharing the same space next to the coffee table. Dakota didn’t even get up to greet him.

“They are precious together,” Mary said, rinsing dishes at the sink. She still wore pajamas and slippers and looked backwards towards her brother.

“Thanks, Mary. Looks like you took care of Julia this morning. I didn’t mean to sleep in.” Danny came over and planted his arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze.

“You’re welcome,” she said as the garage door opened and Casey came in with Annabel and Nancy, each of them with a grocery bag. As they said good morning to Danny and shoved the things on the counter, Casey went back out and brought in a dog food bag.

Nancy yanked at her hair, pushing one side in front of her ear. She peered into the bags and found what she was looking for. The six-pack of glazed donuts came out while Annabel’s hand was already flipping the box top open. “You pig,” Nancy said as Annabel took her first bite by the time the box made contact with the counter.

Annabel rolled her eyes while turning her back to her sister.

“We need a joint discussion,” Danny said. “As Casey knows, I’m not giving Julia back to Rachel today. I’m calling her to let her know. So, I have a dilemma about taking care of Julia when I go to work tomorrow and don’t know how long I’ll have her or what’s going to happen.”

“Ha, Dad, look at that,” Nancy said after she swallowed. “Dakota can take care of her.”

“You idiot,” Annabel said.

Nancy’s shoulders moved up and down. “Just kidding, you moron.” She put a donut on a paper napkin. “Dad, school starts this week otherwise you could’ve paid me to babysit all summer.”

Danny took the dog food bag, turned around and put it in the bottom of the pantry. “Yeah, bad timing. Thanks for the offer anyway.”

“But we could still do it once in awhile,” Annabel said, “if she stays with you.”

Danny stepped back up to the counter and also took a donut as Mary placed a cup of coffee before him. “Thanks Mary.”

“The lady who cleans here every two weeks,” Mary said, “with your monetary input for expenses, has minded her grandkids part-time all summer. But the kids go back to school. I could ask her if she’d like to come in every day and help out. I could take care of her to around nine a.m. every day and fill in, too.”

“And between the two of us coming and going,” Casey chimed in, “we could look after her. After all, she’s part of the family now.”

“Dakota is even helping out,” Mary said, pointing to the scene on the floor.

Danny watched each of them one by one, without hesitation, offer whatever assistance they could. He didn’t deserve a family or a friend like this after all the trouble he’d bestowed on them. He took a big sigh of relief. “You all are the best,” he said. He couldn’t say more or he’d choke up.

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Danny grabbed the portable phone and stepped out back where it would be quiet. He called Rachel’s cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail. That’s not what he needed. He thought quickly about the message he had to leave. The beep came on and he began his recital.

“Rachel, I don’t know what’s going on with Julia, but it’s obvious she’s been physically abused. We’ll have to clear up this whole issue, but in the meantime, I can’t morally give her back to you. I won’t be coming to the interstate rest area today at 5 o’clock to give her to you. I’ve called my attorney but haven’t heard back from him. Please call me when you get this.”

Danny hung up. He hadn’t minced words and had been straightforward. She had plenty of time to call back.

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Rachel was exhausted. After her crazy Friday of moving and meeting Danny, after working on Saturday, and after unpacking almost everything she owned that morning and afternoon, she was ready to lie on the bed and take a nap. She looked at the night table clock she had just set from her watch and realized she had to hustle to meet Danny at the interstate exit at five.

Luckily her bathroom had been set up with her routine toiletries and makeup. She dabbed some eyeliner on, a hint of lipstick, and slipped ivory earrings into her pierced ears. She decided to keep on her low slung cotton shorts, but changed her top into a wildlife shirt she’d gotten somewhere up north. She threw things into her purse, including a bottle.

Rachel didn’t bother packing her cell phone which was off and sat deep in the corner shelf. It had been turned off on Friday when she left Leo’s. There was no way she was going to answer or listen to any of his incoming calls. She expected he was furious at her and had rung her up several times. The best thing was to let him cool off a few days and allow him to evaluate his situation, get her money, and meet her at Maxine’s on Wednesday. She’d deal with him then and in the safety of a public place.

Heading west out of Knoxville on a late Sunday afternoon proved to be a snap compared to a weekday. The number of lanes dropped off to two by the time she hit twenty miles out. She turned off the light air conditioning, rolled the back windows down to half way, and enjoyed a prerecorded car show, more humorous than serious. An hour and a half later, she exited the interstate to the same rest area as Friday night. Without seeing Danny’s car, she got out of her vehicle and hurried in to use the restroom. When she came out, she waited where she’d sat two nights ago.

After fifteen minutes, she cursed under her breath. She hastily got off the now uncomfortable bench, grabbed her purse, and walked to the glass doors in a huff. Hopefully, he was headed her way and would get a wind of her temper. She pushed the door open but still didn’t see him, or Casey for that matter. More importantly, there was no sign of Julia.

She walked out to the path and headed toward the area where the cars rolled in, even further to the dog walk area. Maybe Danny had brought Dakota and needed to take care of him first. Turning around, she scanned the truck lot, but then went and sat on the nearest picnic bench and watched every car that drove in and parked. She waited another forty-five minutes, to no avail.

The fact that Danny had planned not to bring Julia back to her had never crossed her mind. Maybe he had more balls than she thought, in which case she had truly underestimated him. But if he thought he was going to get away with it, he was dead wrong. Julia meant more to her than any irrelevant man. She’d make sure he’d get a surprise he hadn’t banked on.

Chapter 20

Not far from the rest area, Rachel took an exit littered with fast food signs and ran into the gas station travel center, as busy as a mini mall. She waited in line and asked to borrow a phone book. After looking up the nearest police station to her house, she got back on the road.

After parking her car outside the sheriff’s office, Rachel pulled her visor down and looked in the mirror. She dragged her purse into her lap, rummaged for a lipstick, and carefully applied color. Her brush came out next and she lightly ran it through her hair.

When Rachel got out of her CRV, she took a deep breath and ran up the steps. She yanked the door open and hurried to the policeman at the desk, his head buried in a newspaper. “Who should I talk to, sir? My baby has been unlawfully taken by her father.”

“Sounds like an internal domestic matter,” the elderly policeman said dismissively. He rolled back his chair and scratched his belly with thick, round fingers.

Rachel bit her lip. “I wouldn’t call it that. Please, sir, this needs attention.”