Daddy's Gone a Hunting

44

Kate’s fever was 101.5. Her throat dry with fear, Hannah sat by her bedside. She could only whisper, “Please, dear God, please.” She knew that she should call Doug but she didn’t want to. I don’t want him blubbering in here, she thought. Anyway, Dr. Patel may have phoned him on his own.

At least that can be my excuse why I didn’t call, she thought.

Kate, Katey, please don’t die. Please don’t die.

At 7:30 P.M. Jessie came in with an overnight bag. Hannah met her in the ICU waiting room. “I brought jeans and a sweater and sneakers, besides your toothbrush and toothpaste,” she said. “I figured you’d be a lot more comfortable in these than sitting around dressed up and in heels.”

Hannah whispered, “Thanks.”

“How is she?” Jessie knew she had to ask the question even though she could see the answer in Hannah’s eyes.

“If they can break the fever in the next few hours, it should be okay. If it keeps going up, it will probably mean that there’s a secondary infection starting and…” Hannah did not finish the sentence. But then she bit her lip and said, “Jess, I’ll get changed and go back inside to Kate. I don’t want you sitting here if this turns out to be an all-nighter. I’ll only worry about you and, I promise you, if the fever breaks I’ll go home.” She tried to smile. “If that happens, Dr. Patel will throw me out.”

Jessie realized that Hannah needed her own space. “Just remember, I’m a phone call away.”

“I know.”

“What about Doug? Is he coming over?”

“Dr. Patel told me that he had talked to him. He’s on his way.” Then Hannah burst out, “I just wish that he’d stay away. I swear the only thing that really concerns him is putting the blame for the fire on Gus and making sure that Kate comes up with a story to match that scenario. If there’s one thing that’s foremost on Dad’s mind, it’s getting his hands on that insurance money. If he ever collects it all, forget about leasing a yacht. He’ll buy one!”

The door to the waiting room was opening. It was Dr. Patel. “Kate is beginning to respond to the medication,” he said. “Her fever dropped one full degree. I’m not promising anything but it’s certainly a good sign.” With an encouraging smile, he added, “I’ll be around, Hannah. Get yourself a cup of coffee and something to eat.” With a quick nod of his head, he stepped back into the corridor.

“You have just heard good news and splendid advice,” Jessie said briskly. “Why don’t you go into the ladies’ room and get changed? I’ll get some sandwiches and coffee from the cafeteria and bring them up. We’ll have them here, and then I’ll get out of your way.” Before she could hear a protest from Hannah, she said, “It’s nearly eight o’clock. Dinnertime among the elite.”

“Thanks. That would be great,” Hannah agreed, even while she thought, Kate’s temperature is dropping but I’m grasping at straws if I try to think she’s out of the woods. I know that any fever, even if it has come down, is still dangerous.

Jessie went to the elevator while Hannah went to the ladies’ room, which was in the other direction. Carrying her bag, Hannah went in and saw that no one was there. With a quick motion, she kicked off her heels and peeled off her jacket, blouse, and dress slacks. I’m taking a chance on someone walking in by doing a quick strip here, she thought, but trying to change in one of those narrow stalls would take twice as long.

She was back in the waiting room just in time to see her father disappear into the ICU. I’ll leave him alone with Kate, she thought. Knowing him, fifteen minutes is about as long as he’ll stay. Within five minutes Jessie was back with the coffee and sandwiches. As they unwrapped them, Hannah jerked her head in the direction of the ICU. “Doug is here. He didn’t see me. Let’s see how long he lasts.”

Fifteen minutes later, they were finished eating. They were putting the wrappings and the empty Styrofoam cups in the wastebasket as Doug came into the room.

Jessie’s first thought was one that she often had when she came face-to-face with Douglas Connelly. He was a stunningly handsome man with sculpted features. His charcoal-brown hair was flecked with gray on the sides and at the temples. His midnight-blue eyes were wide apart and framed by long lashes. His smile revealed perfect teeth, and if they were capped, it was not obvious. He was impeccably dressed in a striped shirt, tie, and cardigan. Hannah had told her that she understood that his new designer of choice was Armani.

With all his good looks and impeccable style, Doug still gave the impression of being the kind of man who was also an athlete. Jessie knew that was an accurate take. She had been with him and the girls on a number of occasions when he was accepting a country club championship trophy for golf or tennis. And she knew that when he was younger he had also played polo.

“Hannah, I just spoke to Dr. Patel inside there,” he said. “He’s very encouraged that Kate’s fever is dropping.”

“Yes, I know,” Hannah replied.

“I’d stay longer, but I think those fire marshals want to talk to me tonight. I can’t imagine what the rush is, why it won’t hold till morning. Have you heard from them?”

“No, I haven’t. Not since Thursday night.”

“I imagine they’re with Jack Worth now.”

Doug looks worried, Jessie thought, and I don’t think it’s all about Kate’s condition.

Doug kissed Hannah tentatively on the cheek and said, “I am sure our prayers are being answered. The fever seems to be under control.”

“Yes. And I’ve been away from Kate too long,” Hannah said. “Good-bye, Dad. Jess, a thousand thanks.”

She was gone, on her way back to the ICU. Jessie was glad to have the chance to have a few minutes alone with Doug as they made their way down the elevator and out to the hospital entrance where Doug’s car was waiting. “I’d offer to drive you home,” he said, “but those marshals are coming and the crosstown traffic is always heavy.”

“That’s fine,” Jessie said. “I see a cab coming.” She raised her hand to hail it. “But Doug,” she added quickly, “don’t forget I’m representing Kate. Anything I can find out to help her, if she’s charged with being involved in the explosion, is very important. I’d really like to know what the marshals are up to.”

“I’ll call you in the morning if there’s anything to report,” he promised as he got into the car. The minute he was inside, with the door closed, he pulled out his cell phone and called Jack Worth. “Have you spoken to those guys yet?”

“Yes. You know that wrecked van that was in the back parking lot?”

“What about it?”

“Some vagrant has been making it home-sweet-home for the last couple of years.”

“For the last couple of years?” Doug repeated in a nervous whisper.

“Yes. They’re wondering if he might have started the fire. That’s good. At least it’s one more angle that might take any suspicion off Kate.”

“I can see that and I agree that’s good. How often do they think he’s been there?”

“From the newspapers they found, he was there pretty regularly and almost definitely the night of the explosion.”

“So if he didn’t set it, he could be a witness.”

Douglas Connelly did not want to consider what that could mean. He broke the connection.