Alex Cross 8 - Four Blind Mice

Chapter Eighty-Eight

I did some more background work on the Three Blind Mice the next day, taped notes to my wall in the attic, but I couldn't get into it, couldn't concentrate worth a damn. Nana's lab tests came back in the afternoon, and as Kayla Coles had promised, she did call the house. The two of us had a talk on the phone after she spoke to Nana.

“I just wanted to thank you for your help,” I said as I got on the line. “I'm sorry if I was rude the other night.”

“What makes you think you were rude? You were a little frightened is all. I don't think ”rude“ is part of your makeup. Anyway, let me tell you about your grandmother. She is suffering from atrial fibrillation, but given the options, that's not such bad news.”

Tell me why I should be happy about it," I said.

“Not happy. But the treatment is non-invasive and has a good success rate. I think we can treat her with a catheter ablation. We'll start there. She'll be able to go home the next day, and hopefully be her old self in a week.”

“When should she go in for the procedure?”I asked.

“That's up to her. I wouldn't wait more than a couple of weeks. She sounded a little stubborn when I brought up a hospital stay. Says she's too busy.”

“I'll talk to her. See if it helps. What do we do until then?”

“Just baby aspirin, believe it or not. One eighty-one milligram tablet a day. She also has to limit her caffeine -coffee and tea. And she should avoid stress-related situations. Good luck on that one.”

“That's it?”I asked.

“For now, yes. Please watch the stress on her. I'll stay involved if she wants me to.”

“I know she does.”

Kayla Coles laughed. “Good. She's a smart woman, isn't she? We're going to make sure she sees a hundred.”

I laughed. “I hope I get to see her reach a hundred. So, no special precautions until we go in for the procedure?”

“No, not really. Just try not to bring too much excitement into her life.”

“I'll do my best,” I said.

“You do your best and try not to get shot,” said Kayla Coles before she hung up.