Christina set it aside. Needed to focus on work. At seven evening, they dined at station.
The whole break room with pies Michael’s caring wife brought. Then Christina decided to ask. «Listen, theoretically, if you got a package with old toy from unknown sender, what would you do?» «Throw it out.»
Michael shrugged. «Who knows what it is.» «I’d try to figure it out.»
«Maybe toy part of quest or prank?» «Of course.» «You young folks, all games,» the driver grumbled. «Then unknown diseases appear.»
«So, Christina, you got a toy?» «Maybe husband has mistress? Playing?» «Don’t know.» She shrugged. «Why mistress?» «Declared herself and hid.»
Driver shrugged. «Husband gets hint, others think silly joke or quest.» «So far, only mother-in-law got hint,» Christina sighed.
«Almost died yesterday.» «Then ran away.» «Didn’t want questions.»
«Oh, don’t dramatize.» «Almost died,» Michael smirked. «Maybe aimed at her? Does mother-in-law have someone?» «She’s widow.»
«Many years.» Christina shrugged. «Anyway, I thought it’s a joke.»
Next morning, she ended shift. But dispatcher held her. Asked to stop by hospital next door.
They delivered poisoning patient there yesterday. Christina sighed and went to adjacent building, figuring patient’s wife complained. She entered ICU, greeted familiar doctor.
He even stood from desk, fussed. «Christina, coffee?» «You’re off shift, right?» «Sure, Gene.» «Or I’ll fall asleep walking,» she nodded.
«Why called? Complaint?» «No, opposite,» colleague embarrassed. «We did toxicology fast.» «Turns out chronic poisoning your patient.»
«Not allergy.» «He almost died here.» «Restarted heart twice.»
«But stabilized now.» «What poison?» Christina asked, feeling tremble from nerves and fatigue. «Some modern chemical, slow-acting,» doctor replied.
«Gives allergy symptoms, detected only first day.» «By the way, patient wants to thank you.» «I’ll allow, but no more five minutes.»
«Okay,» Christina nodded, finishing strong coffee. She entered room. Victor Freeman no longer swollen, but still looked bad.
Christina greeted quietly, he opened eyes. His mouth corners lifted. «You saved my life,» businessman rasped.
«Doctors say no chance otherwise.» «Know when discharge?» «Whoa, stay at least week,» Christina advised.
«Need to flush poison from blood.» «Two heart stops, they say.» «Yes, understand, but business, damn it,» Freeman sighed.
«Julia will mess up so much.» «Oh, she’s brainless, like a clam.» «Understand, but you know? Not my business, but go to police.»
Christina looked at Freeman attentively. «Poisoned not once.» «Clearly wanted to kill.»
«Yes, understand,» Freeman waved off. «Think wife?» «We didn’t drink brotherhood,» Christina reminded. «Come on,» Victor waved.
«Why fight over that?» «Listen, wife not involved, sure.» «Unless accomplice.» «Julia returned from vacation yesterday, we’re on divorce edge.»
«She went to think, decide.» «Been bad week, maybe more.» «If divorce, what she gets?» Christina asked.
«Surely money.» «No, not our case,» Victor replied. «Julia’s dad has more money than me.»
«So property hardly concerns her.» «Maybe,» Christina nodded. «But who benefits?» «Don’t know.»
«Business stable.» «Partner best friend,» Victor shrugged. «Maybe mistake, accidental poison?» «Yeah, seven times accidental,» Christina sarcasm.
«All, guys, time up.» Doctor peeked into ICU room. «You’ll come again?» Victor asked suddenly.
«I’d like.» «Okay, drop by before next shift.» Christina promised for some reason.
«Just recover, okay? Don’t fool.» «Got it, got it.» «All, no argue,» he smiled.
Christina left building and realized. Her mood improved somehow. Victor Freeman turned out interesting patient.
He impressed her with persistence. And this man had enough zest for three. She smiled, glad they saved patient.
Then called mother-in-law. She promised pick Max from school and went sleep. While Christina rested, Veronica Davis had her own affairs.
The sent plush bear worried her greatly. She decided seek mystery solution at private detective agency. One was near beauty salon she owned.
So on way from school, Veronica Davis headed there resolutely. «I know you,» man at desk in small office said cheerfully. «Hairdresser, good cuts, salon nearby.»
«Ah, I remember you too.» «Always crew cut and ten dollars tip,» Veronica Davis smiled. «Actually, I’m salon owner.»
«Though overstated, we have just two rooms and manicure.» «Own business always good,» detective declared and introduced. «Nicholas Parker, what brings beauty salon owner to me?» «Don’t know how start,» Veronica Davis embarrassed…
Обсуждение закрыто.