Dark as Daylight Ch. 17

"ME."

"Very good deduction Doctor; because if you're not there when we get there, I can guarantee you that you will be dead within the hour."

She didn't say goodbye, she just hung up on him and started issuing orders.

"Frances, Marjorie, take the girls shopping. They need clothes for their visit to their uncle Patrick, in Houston, for one month. You two are going with them. Put your purchases on the card, with theirs. William and I are going for a ride."

The girls jumped up abruptly, knocking over the two chess boards in the process.

Simultaneously they yelled, "Shopping."

Their father shook his head, because shopping was a genetic disorder, given to them by their mother.

He said to his girls, "Goodbye my love's, spend tons of money, but make sure you like what you buy. If it must go back, because you've changed your mind and you don't like it when you get it home, and it must be returned, you get to spend that much less the next time we go shopping together. Do we understand one another?"

"In other words, daddy, the same rules as always."

"Am I that forgetful?"

"No, it's just positive reinforcement, like uncle William uses on Hannah, Kara and Derek."

"My son is a chip off the old block."

"Uncle William is a tyrant."

"I will tell him you said that just before your birthdays comes around."

Jennifer said, "It's okay, dad. Aunt Gwen takes us shopping for our birthday presents anyhow."

"So, you have all the bases covered, is that what you think?"

"We would never think that, 'Out Loud' at least, dad."

"Very funny, you two. Get moving, before your mother blames me for delaying your departure."

"It would be the truth, daddy."

"You two are about to get grounded, if you don't start moving."

His daughters kissed him on opposing cheeks, and headed for the stairs.

Once everything was clear, he leaned back in his chair, and waited for the next cycle of yelling, orders, or both. His Jemma was predictable that way.

************************

"Are you ready to leave yet William?"

William replied, "You never told me where we are going dear?"

"Do you want me to lie to you now, or should I tell you the truth so you can start fighting with me now?"

"I think you should tell me a lie; that way we won't fight on the way to wherever you're taking me."

"Okay, you're taking me to get 10 gallons of butter pecan ice cream."

"Liar!"

"You told me to lie to you."

"Is my son joining us?"

"Your son can afford his own ice cream. Go get changed we leave in 10 minutes."

"What should I wear?"

"If you keep annoying me with these questions, wear your best bulletproof suit."

"Yes dear."

"You are learning dear. It has taken you only 53 years to get there, but you are learning."

**********************

As soon as he closed the door to their room, Jemma was on the phone again.

"William, I'm taking dad to the hospital. He doesn't look well. His face is gray, he sweating, and he's not been himself. I don't like it William. I'm very frightened."

"I'll be right over."

"Get dressed first."

"Mom, we've had our 3 children. We've stopped making love all the time. We actually talk to each other, now and then, while we are in bed."

"Isn't it about time?"

"The sheets stay clean too."

"I'm waiting for you."

"Gwen is already on her way over. I'll be there in 3 minutes."

A few moments later Gwen ran through the basement level door, and up to the living room. She was wearing a beautiful summer dress, which made Jemma forget what was happening for a moment.

"You look stunning, Gwen. Where are you going?"

"Where are you going mom?"

"I'm going to the hospital with William."

"Guess where I'm going mom?"

"I think I should smack myself in the head to get my brain back in gear. I am worried about him, Gwen, I really am. I have never seen him look like this before."

"Look like what before?"

"Hello dad, don't you look dapper this morning? Where you going?"

"This suit is probably older than you are. I haven't worn it in ages, so I decided to take it out for a walk. My darling wife won't tell me where I'm going, she's only lied to me so far. What are you doing here? You look positively beautiful today?"

"I came over to show mom my dress."

"She heard we were going for ice cream, and decided to come with us to see if the dress is really wash and wear. Your son is coming over also, he is paying for our little outing."

"How generous of him. If he's paying, shouldn't he be here?"

"I am behind you, dad. If you're a good boy you can have a waffle cone, with 2 scoops of any kind of ice cream you desire."

"I want you both to know, I don't believe any of you. Your mother is up to something, and it's probably no good. She lied to me, and then she admitted it. It's always bad when she admits she's lying. Soon, she will tell me the truth, and I won't believe her. It will leave me totally confused."

"I lied to avoid an argument, and the eventual shouting match."

"Charles are the cars ready?"

"Yes Mrs. Zabo. Everything is in readiness."

"You know what to do when we arrive."

"Yes ma'am."

"Let's go William, and stop moving like an old man."

"Just in case you haven't looked at my birth certificate lately, I am an old man."

"If you tell me that one more time, I'm going to start kicking your ass down to the basement. When we get there, I'll start kicking you up all the way up to the roof. When I'm finished, I will start the procedure all over again. Is that understood?"

"Are my insurance policies paid up, son?"

"No dad; all four of our companies canceled them. They kept hearing stories about mom threatening to kill you, and decided it was in their best interest not to renew your policies."

"But we are major stockholders in those companies. Couldn't you do anything about it?"

"It was my vote that decided the policies should be canceled."

"Traitor."

"It was a profit/loss benefit ratio dad. We save money this way."

"Excellent thinking William."

*******************

They limousines turned left on Fifth Avenue, left again on 82nd St., and right on 1st Avenue until they entered the FDR drive, and increased speed exponentially. William was very familiar with this route of travel. He had taken it each time his children were born, each time his grandchildren were born, and each time something was up with Patricia, and Stephano. Why where they on the FDR drive now?

"Why are we on the FDR drive dear?"

"I love the smell of diesel fuel on the incoming tide."

"I told you you could lie to me once. I didn't say you could do it a 2nd time."

"Oh, so you want to start the argument here in the car, is that it?"

"Why are we going to have an argument?"

"Since you are a captive audience, I'll tell you. I am taking you to the hospital. You look like shit. You were perspiring in the confines of an air-conditioned house. You were not happy while you were winning two games of chess at the same time, against our lovely girls, and you're worrying about something that cannot be important. I don't know what it is. I know it's not business, because your sons are doing a magnificent job taking care of them. You no longer have any fiduciary responsibilities towards your businesses. You no longer receive any late-night phone calls, or texts in regards to your businesses. I have taken away your cell phone, and put a code on the fax machine so you can't read it. I keep everything that could be stressful businesswise, away from you. If it requires your attention, it comes directly from William, and he feeds it to you with a baby spoon.

I don't know why I bother keeping you around, because you are such a pain in the ass all the time. I think it's because I still love you, but either way, you are going to the hospital, whether you like it or not."

She finished speaking just as they pulled in to the emergency room entrance parking area of NYU Medical Center. They were accompanied by three New York City police cars, who knew the license plate numbers of the vehicles in the entourage, and didn't bother to do anything except clear the road in front, on the side, and behind them.

Junior said, in mock surprise, "Dad look, we are at the hospital."

"Well son, since I'm already here, I might as well not get into an argument with your mother and not see which one of my doctors is here to greet me. Should I guess dear, or would you like to tell me?"

"I informed Manolo Pelham if he is not on the other side of the emergency room doors when we walk in, his life expectancy is less than thirty minutes."

"Your mother has gotten very mean in her old age, hasn't she son?"

"Dad, I still remember the day she nearly took Patrick apart in the den, for using bad language twice in the same sentence. I hope she hasn't gotten any meaner then that, because if she has, Doctor Pelham's life is not worth a plug nickel."

"Watch out, William."

"It was a good idea to cancel my insurance policies, son. What did you do about yours?"

"Let's go, both of you, stop dawdling. I want to see if Pelham is here, or not. I'll practice killing both of you, before I get to him."

"Mom, what has you so on edge?"

"I told you, I don't like the way your father looks."

"If you kill him, he's going to look very peaceful, until the day you die."

"Gwen, when was the last time you hit your husband?"

'Smack'

"A few seconds ago, mom."

"Thank you dear."

"It was my pleasure."

William leaned over, and whispered, "It will be my pleasure tonight, my dear."

"It will be very rough going."

"I think I can handle it."

"I will be the judge of that."

Doctor Pelham said, "Good morning Mr. Zabo. Your wife informs me that you are not looking well, and that you are perspiring unnecessarily. I have your suite ready, and as soon as you are undressed and in your gown, we will start taking several tests to see what's going on. I have them scheduled one right after the other, and if there is no catastrophe in the city, we should be able to get most of them done within the next four hours."

"Manolo, you make it sound like I'm spending some time here. Why can't I take your tests, go home for the evening, and return in the morning for the remainder of them."

"I am not use to having my life placed in jeopardy for being one minute late for an appointment, Mr. Zabo. Your wife made it abundantly clear if you were here before I was, my life was forfeit. If I were taking tests today, and the results were not in, and something happened to you overnight, I can only imagine what your wife would do to me tomorrow. I would rather keep you here, where all the people and equipment I need are located to keep a watchful eye on you during the next forty-eight hours, as these tests are being compiled, and evaluated, than have you go home, and have something unfortunate happen to you, and then to me."

"I see your point Manolo. I've been married to her for more than half a century. I am used to her acid tongue, and violent temper. There are not many people on the outside of our family that can deal with her on a one to one basis."

"Dad, Duck," Junior yelled.

Instead of ducking, William pulled Jemma tight to his chest. He looked down into the fires glowing in her eyes, and kissed her deeply.

When he was finished with her, she said, "You bastard, I wasn't prepared for that."

"You still love me, as much as I love you. Otherwise, I would still be at home in our love-nest, watching Othello on PBS, while playing chess with my daughters. Let me get these tests over with, and make the love of my life happy. I'm not planning on going anywhere for a very long time."

"You better not old man, or you will never hear the end of it from me."

"One way or the other, my love, I will never hear the end of it from you."

"You can bet your ass on that William."

"I'd rather bet yours, it's still gorgeous."

"Flatterer. It stopped being gorgeous 20 years ago."

"I would bet you any amount of money that half the women in this city would die to have an ass like yours."

Junior said, "I'll double that bet."

Gwen said, "You are betting on your mother's ass?"

"You show me another woman that is approaching..."

Jemma stopped him quickly. "If you say that number you're dead."

"It's only a number mother."

"It will only be a tiny bullet, my son."

"Son, I think I would back off that statement, and find a different way to flatter your mother's derrière and age at her next birthday."

"Okay, let me try to do it this way. Find me another woman who looks as good as my mother, and let them compare their ages, faces, and physiques. If that woman is not at least 30 years younger than my mom, and/or has not had at least 30 hours of plastic surgery to keep her looks at a more youthful age, I will take her out to lunch, because I'm starving."

William let out a loud laugh, as he sat down in the wheelchair a cute candystriper stopped by his side for him to travel to his room. He yelled goodbye to the two women who were still chasing his namesake around the waiting room tirelessly.

His namesake yelled, "Dad, I'm taking these two to lunch. We will see you later this afternoon."

"Be careful of the silverware, son, it could become lethal in your case."

"I'll take care of it. You enjoy your tests."

***************************

Vancouver Island

British Columbia, Canada

"Paul, help!"

"On my way, Colonel."

Thirty seconds later Paul slid to a stop a few feet short of Lucius. The colonel's left leg was obviously broken. It might even be a compound fracture by the shape of it.

"I see you decided to go for trip, sir!"

"Very funny smartass. I slipped on that moss-covered stone, fell awkwardly and broke my tibia. I can feel it moving inside. I may have broken the fibula also. You are going to have to air-evac me to a hospital in Vancouver, to get it set."

"I can set it for you, sir."

"I know you can. You can feel the broken bones. Setting the fibula would be relatively easy. It's the other bone, the tibia that would make setting both at one time interesting. I think you're going to get a few more hours flying time this weekend."

"I agree sir. I can carry you back to the cabin, but I think the Ranger might be a better choice, if you broke both bones? You don't want them floating around in your leg tearing apart the flesh inside."

"As comfortable as your shoulder would be, with all those extra pounds you've put on lately, but I think the Ranger would be preferable."

"We are a little less then 2 miles from the cabin. It will take me eighteen minutes to get there, 4 minutes to make you lunch, and another 4 to pack the Ranger with blankets, ice, and a gallon of liquid refreshments. I will be back here in thirty minutes."

"That long! You are slowing down. I knew I shouldn't have given Tom and Stan the weekend off at the same time. Shit always happens when you are shorthanded."

"If you know it's going to happen when you are shorthanded, why do you always do it?"

"Because it doesn't happen, when I keep people at hand."

"So, what you're saying is it's just bullshit."

"How many push-ups did you want to do today Paul?"

"How long did you want to stay out here, lying on the wet grass, sir?"

"I am excellent at making lean-to's, and pine needle mats, but most of all, I am not in pain."

"You will be after I kick your leg, sir."

"When did you learn to out run a bullet?"

"I was just leaving sir."

"Don't forget to get yourself a drink, when you get back to the cabin. Also, you may need to take a short nap because you may be winded, because you're getting old."

"I will always be younger than you sir, and I will be driving the Ranger back. It does not require any real physical exertion to control, just memory to navigate back to the area I came from."

"You notice I always drive when we are together. It is a commentary on your ability to stay out of deep holes, or drive off ledges with 1000 feet vertical drops."

"When I come back, sir, I will attempt to stop the vehicle, before it runs you over."

"When I see you approaching, I will do something I have been doing to you, since the first day we met."

"Do you think you will ever get tired of giving orders, Colonel?"

"No, Sergeant, I don't."

"I didn't think so."

********************

"It was a good idea you came to the hospital Mr. Canyon. Not only did you break your tibia and fracture your fibula, somehow you managed to crush the Posterior Tibial Artery. If it's not repaired correctly, you could lose your foot, and possibly your leg below the knee. I don't believe that is the outcome you desired. How long ago did you say this accident occurred?"

"It occurred at exactly at 7:52 AM Doctor. I slipped awkwardly on a moss-covered rock. How many more times do you wish me to repeat that?"

"I'm sorry if I'm annoying you, sir."

"You certainly are doctor."

"Paul come here please."

"Yes Colonel?"

Lucius whispered, "Take this asshole outside and explain to him how long he has to live if he doesn't get his ass in gear, and get me a vascular surgeon to fix that artery, and an orthopedic surgeon to fix the two bones in my leg. I want the best they have. If they don't have any qualified doctors here, I want to know where, and who I must see to get it done properly. I don't want to lose my leg, foot, or life. Explain to him what will happen to his life, in the most unpleasant of terms, if anything happens to me. If I have to go to Seattle; I will go to Seattle to do this."

"It will be my pleasure sir. I get to give an order someone will listen to finally."

Paul took out his phone, opened it, and said, "Doctor, you have an important phone call, but the reception in here is extremely poor. Maybe you should take it outside to hear this person more clearly."

Doctor Coppens asked, "Who is it?"

"I think he was joking, when he spoke to me. He said he was either god, or the hospital administrator."

Coppens laughed. "That's the administrator all right. He has a funny sense of humor. I wonder what he's doing in on a Sunday."

*******************************

When Doctor Coppens returned to Colonel Canyon's side, a short time later, he was perspiring profusely. There were large red welts on his neck and throat, and his attitude towards Lucius was much better then before. He deferred to Lucius every request.

"Colonel Canyon, I have called Doctor Allan Llewellyn, our chief vascular surgeon, in to operate on your leg. I informed him that it is an emergency, and that without his skill you stand a good chance to lose your leg. He is off today, but he is on his way to the hospital now and will be here within the hour. You will be in the operating room waiting for him to arrive, rather than the other way around. Prior to his arrival, we will do another scan of your artery for him to see upon his arrival. As soon as your artery is repaired, our chief orthopedic resident, Doctor Ralph Rosenstein, will take care of the bones in your leg. He is better than the doctor that is supervising him.

If Doctor Llewellyn finds it necessary to open your leg to get at the artery, rather than doing it arthroscopically, Doctor Rosenstein will use the same opening to attach the bones, using screws, sleeves or a combination thereof. Either way, I will be assisting both doctors, and attending to you postoperatively. There is always the possibility of postoperative infection in a case like this. I will be monitoring you for at least three days if not more, while you are in the hospital. Do you have anything for me?"

"Many years ago, there was another Doctor we had to take outside and read the riot act the way it was explained to you just now. Why does that have to happen to doctors so often? You have a job to do. Why don't you just do it properly, instead of having someone like me or Paul stick a gun down your throat and explain the facts of life to you? We lost that patient Doctor, but thankfully that Doctor didn't lose his life, because he worked his ass off to save her. Margaret meant everything to me, Dan, and a whole building full of people. This One Doctor took it upon himself to treat her like a piece of shit, when she walked in, because his life wasn't going the way he wanted it to. Sometimes life stinks Doctor. Other times it smells like roses. None of us have a choice. You play the hand you're dealt. If you are a doctor, you go to work every day and work as a doctor. If your mechanic, you go to work and fix every car that comes by you. If you're an accountant, you give the person paying for your services every benefit the tax code offers him or her. You don't cheat them, and you don't cheat the government. You play both fair and equal, but you always go to work and do the best job you can. Don't ever let me come back to this hospital and have me find out that you have screwed another patient, rich or poor, because you will not know from what corner I will come at you. You will only know afterwards that I came after you, and you won't like the results."