Chapter 9 by Steve Hufford May I Have a Let, Please?
Kim, having almost been defeated by
the receptionist at her oncologist’s practice who relished her
gatekeeper role, was relieved to have arranged a same-day visit.
At least she would know more soon. And knowing was better than
not knowing, even if the news was bad. It meant you could take
positive steps, add more specialists to your team if needed, compare
treatment regimens, and possibly improve your odds. The cancer
survivor’s club was a crappy one to join, but she wanted to remain a
member.
It was inevitable that Kim’s
anxiety would be substantial. Her year had been awful; the
interleukin left her depleted and despairing. The prospect of a
recurrence, and having to undergo treatment again, had her deeply
scared. She realized she wanted Christian at her side if the news
was bad, so she called him.
“Christian?” “Hi Kim, I’m almost back. Are you still at Shay’s?” “Yes. Can I ask you a favor?” “Anything. The moon? The stars? Or maybe some more groceries?” “You lunk. I’m serious. Can you come with me to my doctor’s? They said they’d fit me in at noon.” “Sure. I’m your man.” “I know. I’m counting on that.”
Christian pulled onto Bay Street
and parked. He puzzled about Kim’s doctor visit. To
Christian, and even to his inner Ben, she was so vibrant and radiant
she couldn’t be ill.
Shay, meanwhile, was at his second
home - his desk at the precinct. And true to her word, Melba
arrived at Shay’s desk with another woman, just fifteen minutes after
they ended their call.
“Detective Samuels, this is Bethany Vega. She’s the one who called to possibly help identify the man’s body.”
Greetings accomplished, the three
headed downstairs to the morgue for a ceremony that was routine for
those in the building, but often life-changing for the visitors.
Bethany was calmer than most when Melba lifted the sheet.
“Melba, I thought you said the wife was in Arizona.”
Bethany saved Melba the explanation. “Well, she may think she’s his wife, but that was bigamy. I’m his real wife … or was.”
Shay escorted her back upstairs to
get some background. He needed to know a lot more about the
man. To build rapport, he tried to comfort her on the loss of her
husband, though she seemed far from upset.
“Do you have somewhere to go? Family nearby? Or some friends who can help you through this time?” “Hah! I can probably get
through it! I haven’t seen Kyle for over a year, and that was a
good thing. I’ll probably just go to the club tonight for some
exercise and distraction. We have a league match.” “Where’s that?” “Squash City. Have you heard of it?” “Yes. I’ve heard squash is a
small world, and this is proof -- my sister works there. Maybe
you know her. Kim?” “Wow. Too funny. Sure, Kim’s great. I took some lessons from her a while back.”
Shay kept the discussion going,
learning more about Bethany, her separation from Kyle, Kyle’s violent
tendencies, and her recent concerns for Jeff’s welfare when Jeff
considered going to Arizona. She definitely seemed relieved
that her boyfriend would never have to face Kyle. When Shay
pressed, Bethany revealed that Kyle had beaten up two of her prior
boyfriends, both so badly that they had become ex-boyfriends.
Seeing the situation was a bit
tangled, Shay resolved to learn more, but in his own way, and outside
the office. He might even start with his sister; she always
wanted him to visit Squash City anyway.
Shay closed the interview conventionally.
“Mrs. Vega, here’s our counselor’s
card. She can help you with some of the details that come next,
and please call me if you think of anything that might help us find out
more about why your husband was in town. Or anyone who might have
wanted him dead. And thanks a lot for coming by. You were a
great help.”
---------- Kim was grateful for Christian’s offer of a ride to the doctor’s in his car. “Thanks so much for doing this.” “You’re very welcome. Any
time in fact. And you don’t even have to put me up at your
brother’s apartment as part of the deal! I’m just glad my car
didn’t get totaled. And I really would give you the moon or stars
if I could.” “Can you get me a reprieve? That’s what I really want.”
Christian was puzzled, but glad to be getting to the bottom of Kim’s worries. “A reprieve from what?” “The big C. I had renal cell
carcinoma a year and a half ago. Stage 3, which is serious.
And I may have a recurrence.”
Christian’s hug was immediate, consoling, and better than words.
“I saw blood in my urine this morning.” “Is that your sole symptom? Aren’t there other reasons that could happen?” “Well, that’s what I’m going to find out. But I’m really scared. I want you with me.”
He saw she could use a break from the pressure. “Let’s do something fun afterwards.” “Thanks. Maybe thirty minutes of hitting and then some lunch? My squash therapy might help.”
She grabbed her rackets and they headed to her appointment.
It was, for better or worse,
inconclusive. A blood sample, which would take time to
analyze. A prescription for a CT scan, which would have to be
quickly arranged with Imaging. Some reassurance that, yes, there
were several things that could cause blood in the urine other than
renal cell cancer. And a little harsh medical humor that one of
them, kidney stones, was so painful it might make you wish you had
cancer instead.
Kim left the appointment still
wondering. She hated not knowing. She had resolved to live
each day as a gift from God, a resolution commingled with her many
prayers raised throughout her chemotherapy regime. Still, this
day seemed hard to celebrate. She looked forward to some exercise
and mastering the ball, if not the uncertainty in her mind.
Shay, meanwhile, had made his way
to Squash City. Showing his badge, he learned about Bethany, how
long she had been a member, her league participation, teammates and
friends, usual court times, and more. Bethany seemed to have
quite a few male friends.
When Kim and Christian arrived at the club, they found Shay near the entrance, talking with the front desk staff.
“Hey, Shay! Finally getting back on court? About time!” “Just wanted to check on my little sister. Actually, I’m working. Murder investigation.” “One of our members?” “No – but a member’s spouse. Bethany’s husband Kyle.” “Oh no. Christian, had she told you?” “Wow, no. That’s news to me.”
Shay stored an awareness of Kim’s
last question, as he joined Kim and Christian going toward the
courts. He would learn more later.
Kim, remembering Christian’s
patience at the doctor’s, and not wanting to make him wait again for
her, had a sudden inspiration.
“Hey, while I get my head glued back on straight, why don’t you boys hit in here for a while? I’ll be right next door.”
