Sacred Trust (21 page)

“Playing a hunch. See this thin, blue-black streak at the gum line? That's the hallmark of lead poisoning. Get lab again. I want a stat lead level. Rita, call an ALS ambulance. Tell them to be here in ten minutes.”

“An ambulance?” Claudia exclaimed. “Don't you want to see what the level is first? We need to call Dr. George back.”

“Her level is obviously high enough to be symptomatic, and I know we don't have any of the antidotes for treatment here. Dr. George didn't want to discuss the possibility of lead poisoning. He hung up on me. I'm not wasting time on this one.”

“Here, Doc,” Buck said from behind him. He held out a chemical ice pack, already cold. “You'll need this on that eye. Want me to check it for you? I know about black eyes.”

“Thanks, Buck.” Lukas took the pack. He almost reached for a cloth to place beneath it, but just then Reese walked in from radiology.

“Hey, what happened to you?” Reese asked.

Lukas placed the ice pack on his eye. The cold stung, but he didn't let on.

“Drunk got him,” Buck said.

Reese shook his head. “Don't you just hate drunks?”

 

Tedi sat in a chair that was too little for her and faced the red-headed, freckle-faced man who was supposed to be helping her. He hadn't helped her yet, and she'd
already been here for twenty minutes according to the big clock on the wall behind him. Her appointment was for eight o'clock Thursday morning, and he'd been ten minutes late, which would make her later for school. She'd already missed too much school. But she was supposed to talk to this man as if he were her best friend or something.

“I had a nightmare one night that a monster was trying to kill me.” Tedi frowned at her interrogator. “You have to keep this confidential, don't you? You can't tell anybody.” She watched him for a moment. “You're a friend of Dad's. How can I trust you?”

“Do you feel you can't trust me because you don't trust your dad?”

“I asked you the question.” She glared at him. “Mom said she wants me to be able to talk about anything to my counselor. Does that mean you can't tell anybody what I say?”

“You're a minor, Tedi. Your legal guardian has a right to know what's going on.”

“Even if he kills me?”

“Why do you think your dad would kill you?”

“He gets drunk and loses his temper, and if you tell him I told you this, he'll remember it next time he drinks.” Tedi stared silently at Dr. Carpenter. The man had pale red hair and light green eyes. He wouldn't hold her gaze. She didn't like him, and she'd already decided she wasn't going to come back. “Mom's paying for this. You can tell her anything I tell you.”

“She's not your legal guardian.”

“You're just talking like that because Dad's a friend of yours, Dr. Carpenter. Are you going to help him gang up on my mom?”

“I told you to call me Nick.” He leaned forward and
formed a little steeple with his hands. He met her gaze then. “Tedi, this is my job. It's what I do for a living, and I love my job. I don't mix business with pleasure, and I don't play favorites with friends. I'll do what I feel is best for you no matter what my friendship is with your father.”

“Good. Will you testify for me in court so I can go live with Mom?”

He raised a nearly invisible eyebrow. “For now the court has decided that it is in your best interests for you to live with your father.”

Tedi gritted her teeth. “My mom was set up. She's not mentally ill. She's a doctor with a bunch of happy patients. Crazy people can't do what she does. Besides, isn't alcoholism an illness?” She stood up, grabbed her book bag. “I've got to get to school.”

“Not yet. Your teacher knows where you are. Have a seat, please.”

Tedi turned to frown at him. Could he get her into worse trouble? Yes, and she was in enough already. Reluctantly, she sat back down.

“Now, Tedi, an occasional drink does not make someone an alcoholic. I have a beer sometimes when I get home at night.”

“Do you hit your kids?”

“Of course not.”

“Do you get drunk and fight with your girlfriend all night?”

“I'm married.”

“Well, your wife, then.”

“No, Tedi.”

“Do you stay out drinking all night and leave your kids home alone?”

He frowned. “Has your father done that to you?”

“Yes, he has. Then he made me go to school the next day, and I fell asleep in class again and got in trouble again, and he chewed out my teacher for bugging him. Everyone makes fun of me at school, and my best friend doesn't even like me anymore.” She sat kicking the leg of her chair with the back of her heel. She glanced at the clock again. “Are you going to tell my father I told you this?”

“No. Tedi, does your dad hit you?”

“Not yet.”

“Do you think he's going to?”

“Yes. He might even kill me someday.”

The counselor frowned. “You really think he will? Or are you telling me this so you can go live with your mother?”

Tedi stood up again. “Why should I tell you? You're not going to believe me anyway. I'm already behind in math, and that's the first class of the day. Can I go now?”

“Your mother wants you to talk to me for an hour.”

“She won't when I tell her you're taking Dad's side. And you don't believe me. Why should I talk to you?” She could tell he was getting mad, because his face was turning red.

“I didn't say I didn't believe you. I asked a simple question. Why are you so defensive if you're telling me the truth?”

Tedi picked up her book bag, slung it over her shoulder and walked out.

M
ercy sat on her secondhand sofa and stared out the large bay window of her living room. That window was the one thing about this rental house that she had always liked. Now if only it were out in the country somewhere, with about twenty acres surrounding it and a duck pond out front with a rowboat that Tedi could paddle around the shoreline while she daydreamed….

Lunchtime traffic returning to work clogged the main thoroughfare two blocks away. Mercy had always hated living in town, even a small town like Knolls where the people were mostly friendly and everyone knew everyone else. So many times it felt confining, as if she were living in a fishbowl, and it had become especially that way when word leaked out about Dad's alcoholism. Then when Dad died and the messy divorce hit, all people could talk about was Mercy's stint in the hospital. She'd had to struggle to rebuild her practice, pay off all the bills Theo had incurred during their marriage and continue payments on the car and house that Theo had retained out on the edge of town in an excellent neigh
borhood. For Tedi's sake, she'd done it. Was she crazy now to consider taking Theo back to court to get custody of Tedi? Would he throw a fit? Of course he would. And how would that affect Tedi? She was five years old during the divorce trial, and it had wounded her deeply. What would happen to her this time?

Mercy glanced at her watch for the third time in ten minutes. A date. Why'd she have to open her big mouth? She and Lukas could have made this house call without sharing a meal together. And to make things worse, he was already fifteen minutes late and her stomach was growling.

Maybe she was getting the tables turned on her. Monday night she'd stood up Robert Simeon, so today was her turn. She didn't think Lukas was the type to stand up a date, especially when a patient was involved, but what did she really know about Lukas Bower? How would she know how he treated women? This wasn't a romantic thing anyway. How could it be? She was nearly forty, and he didn't look old enough to have been out of med school very long. That meant there could be as much as ten years' difference in their ages. So this would be just a friendly get-together between colleagues. Nothing else. She liked the way he handled patients, and she enjoyed talking with him. She definitely was not interested in a relationship with a man.

She frowned. The same blue Mercury Sable had slowly passed in front of her house twice now. Someone was lost, but it couldn't be Lukas. He had an old rattle-trap Jeep. The staff joked about it in the E.R.

She glanced at the clock again. Five minutes later than last time.

Her day off was not turning out to be as relaxed and laid-back as she'd hoped. The talk with Mrs. Watson had gone well this morning, though.

Mercy smiled to herself. Theo had hurt his reputation with the teacher when he'd referred to her “airheaded” ideas about handing children and refused to come and get Tedi the other day when she'd fallen asleep in class again. The lady had been full of information about Tedi's recent difficulties and had blamed Theo. True, she seemed somewhat emotional, but she obviously loved her students and believed Tedi just needed more attention at home. Nice teacher. But would she be willing to testify against Theo in court? Mercy hadn't asked her this morning, but she probably would.

The blue Sable slowed again in front of her drive, then braked and turned in. Oh, no, all she needed was company right now. She didn't have time…

The door opened and out stepped Lukas.

Her dismay turned to a strange combination of anticipation and trepidation. A date. And she'd been the one to suggest it. Was she out of her mind? Josie wouldn't think so. Josie would be hyperventilating right now. Best not to tell her.

Mercy opened the door just when Lukas raised his hand to ring the doorbell. He jumped as if startled.

“You're late,” she said with a smile as she opened the storm door. She caught sight of his face, and her smile died. He looked as though he'd been in a bar fight. Deep purple and black underscored his right eye, which was partially swollen shut. “What happened to you? Did you and Jarvis finally have it out?”

He shrugged sheepishly. “He sent one of his patients to beat me up.”

At Mercy's raised brow, he explained. “A drunk came in who didn't like needles. It was an interesting visit because it turned out to be a case of lead poisoning. When
Dr. George finds out I sent one of his patients to Cox South against his orders, he'll do worse to me than she did. He probably already knows. I've had my phone turned off this morning so I could sleep. I don't know if he's tried calling me at home.”

“Well, let's make sure your last meal is a good one.” She reached down beside the threshold and picked up her medical bag. “Ready?”

“Yes.” He turned and walked with her to the car. “Sorry I'm late. I couldn't remember if I'd closed my garage door, and I'm storing some things there for my oldest brother, so I had to turn around and go back. Then I realized I was nearly out of gasoline.” He looked tired.

“Get any sleep last night?” she asked.

At the last moment he changed directions and stepped over to open the car door for her. “A few hours. I slept from about eight until noon, though.”

Mercy settled herself into the soft, cushioned seat and watched him walk around. He'd obviously just had a shower and shaved, because his hair was still damp, and there was a tiny nick on his chin where he'd cut himself shaving. He wore new blue jeans and a short-sleeved, button-up blue plaid shirt that needed ironing. As he backed out into the street, she automatically glanced down to see if his shoes matched. Yes, they did, but his socks didn't. He probably had a navy and black pair just like them at home.

“Nice car,” she said. “But I thought you drove a Jeep.”

“I do. This is my car. It's been in the repair shop for the past couple of weeks. I had a fender bender in the grocery store parking lot. I thought this would be more comfortable for today. Besides, the Jeep was almost out of gas, too.”

Mercy glanced sideways at him as he turned into the left lane of traffic. “You realize, of course, that this is a business date only. I'm probably ten years older than you.”

His foot eased slightly from the accelerator. “You're forty-five?” he exclaimed, glancing at her. “Wow. You sure don't look it.” He turned his attention back to the road. “Do you like Italian? I've eaten at Angelino's, and the food's good.”

“Italian is perfect.”

“Good. I'm starved.”

“I'm not forty-five,” Mercy said. “I'm thirty-nine.”

“You don't look thirty-nine, either. You thought I was twenty-nine?”

“I suppose I should have known you weren't fresh out of med school. You're too good with patients.” She grinned at him. “I hear you're also good with staff, especially those of the female persuasion.”

Lukas glanced at her with raised eyebrows. “Uh, I don't think so.”

“I hear comments like polite, easygoing, hunky and single.” She enjoyed watching his face turn red. “I heard that single bit a lot. What ever happened between you and Lauren? I heard the two of you really hit it off.”

His eyes widened, and his foot slipped from the accelerator altogether. “There's nothing going on between us, if that's what you mean. Is this where I turn?”

“Not yet.” He was fun to tease. “Lauren's adorable. She's also available, and I don't think she makes any secret about the fact that she likes you.”

“I like her, too. She's a good nurse, and she's easy to work with.”

“And that's it?”

He gave a firm, no-nonsense nod that put Mercy in her
place. She grinned again, but respected his wishes. “How did you convince Clarence to accept our help Tuesday?”

The tension seemed to relax in his hands and shoulders. “About the same way I convinced you to make the house call with me. Manipulation by guilt. It's sneaky and underhanded, but it works.”

“Do all men learn the same tactics in the womb?”

He paused for a moment, as if thinking seriously about her question. “I don't think so. My mom taught me. You know, ‘Lukas, I can't believe your grades this semester. Your father worked long hours to help you go to a good school, and I think he deserves better than this.'” He smiled. “Mothers are the best at it.”

Mercy shook her head. Ex-husbands were the best at it. “Is that the way you're planning to handle Clarence again today? Guilt trip?”

“Why not? He obviously feels very protective of Darlene. We might as well make the most of it.”

“What do you men ‘we'? That man won't listen to me. He doesn't even like me.”

“Don't be too sure about that, but I think it's best if I do the talking today.” Lukas grimaced. “I never liked mean doctors, but I can be pretty convincing when a patient's life depends on it.” He touched the brake and flipped on the signal. “I think this is the turn. I still don't know my way around town very well.”

“Imagine that,” Mercy said drily. “You're always at the hospital. It's almost as if they keep you on an invisible leash.” When they pulled into the restaurant parking lot, she said, “I brought several drug samples to give to Darlene and Clarence today. I'll leave my bag in the car if you'll lock up.”

“Thanks. Give me the bill for the lab tests, and I'll pay
it, then I'll contact the hospital pharmacy and put Clarence's account in my name.” He pulled into a spot and parked. “You won't be able to give samples for everything he needs.”

“Tell you what. I'll pay for this round of lab tests if you'll promise to talk Clarence into checking into the E.R.” Mercy opened her door and got out. “I guess you know we've committed ourselves and this could turn out to be expensive if we keep paying his tab.” And she couldn't afford it. “Maybe we can convince him to accept state aid.”

Lukas hit the locks and shut his door, then walked around to join Mercy. “Don't count on it. He's very independent.”

“What's the difference between accepting our help and accepting the state's?”

“I think I've convinced him we're making up for the treatment he's received from former medical people. It won't last.” He reached out to close her door, and she grabbed his arm.

“Do you have an extra set of keys with you?” she asked, gesturing toward the set still dangling from the ignition.

Lukas groaned and rolled his eyes. He reached in through her open door, removed the keys and put them in his front pocket. “I guess you can tell I don't date much,” he said as he closed the door.

“Neither do I. It's a bad habit to get into.”

Mercy couldn't tell exactly when it took place, but something in Lukas's demeanor changed between the time they ordered and the time their drinks arrived. He suddenly grew tense, then picked up the menu the waiter had left and studied it again.

“Excuse me,” he said, putting down the menu. “I'll be right back.”

She watched him walk toward the kitchen and disappear, then shrugged and took a drink of her pink lemonade.

When he came back, he sat down without saying a word.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“Hmm? Yes, fine. How's your lemonade?”

“Delicious. Not too sweet.”

The bread arrived, for which Angelino's was famous, and with it came Mercy's salad. She glanced at the waiter, then at Lukas.

“Didn't you order a house salad?” she asked.

He took a piece of bread. “Changed my mind.”

Before she could ask more, he bowed his head, just the way Mom did when she was praying.
Oh, great, another Christian.

When he raised his head, she said, “So you don't date much?”

“I don't seem to have much of an aptitude for it. I'm always saying or doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. I've insulted more than one blind date without even realizing it.”

“Blind dates?” she asked. “Who sets you up with blind dates?”

“My family whenever I visit. They've despaired of ever seeing me married. My two older brothers used to really nag me, especially since they both got married in their twenties, and they've always encouraged their wives to introduce me to as many girlfriends as possible.” He grimaced and shook his head. “You'd be surprised at how desperate they've become. My oldest brother's wife once set me up with a widowed lady with four kids, because they felt I'd waited too long to start a family and needed a boost in the right direction.”

Mercy frowned. “You didn't like the kids?”

“Yeah, a lot better than the mother.” He shrugged. “We didn't hit it off. I think she was looking for someone who behaved more like a ‘distinguished doctor,' and less like another kid.”

“What do your brothers do for a living?”

“They're computer programmers for the state, and they work in Jefferson City. It's good for them because they live close to each other and their families are close.”