|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
............Part
25.......,
"Aren't you going to congratulate me?"
"Of course .I'm sorry," Brackett sputtered. "I'm just...it's a surprise. Pregnant? A baby?"
"That's usually the end result of this condition," Dixie said dryly.
Kel stood up and shook his head to clear it. "I'm sorry, Dix! I was just.Look, I think it's great! Congratulations."
He leaned in to hug the head nurse. She returned the gesture, laughing.
"Oh, Kel. I have to admit. Up until now, I think I was as shocked as you are. But it's finally sinking in." She looked at her friend, her eyes glowing. "I'm going to be someone's mother. This is the best thing that ever happened to me."
"I'm glad for you," he said warmly. "Are you sure you're ok?"
"Yes. Other than a little morning sickness, I've never been better! I better get back to work." Dixie walked to the door. "Oh Kel, can you do me a favor? I'm not ready to tell people yet."
Brackett smiled. "Your secret is safe with me!" He watched the door close as the head nurse left the room. Then, the smile faded from his face.
"Oh God, Dix" he whispered. "I've lost you.. I've lost you...And I didn't even know.that I love you."
Joyce looked at Mike. "Yes, darling. Hank will never let
us be happy together while you are working for him. But, I have some
money that I inherited. I'm not rich, but we can go off together
and travel. We can live quite comfortably on my endowment.
Can't you picture us, sipping pina coladas on the beach? You rubbing
warm suntan lotion all over my back?
Sharing sunsets?
"Give up the engine.." Mike repeated. His entire life, he had dreamed of driving a fire truck. He had never pictured another career and he loved being an engineer. Joyce waited impatiently. He stared at the woman he loved. "Okay! Let's do it! Let's run off!"
Joyce smiled. Hank always said he couldn't run this station without Mike. Well, I guess he'll just have to try. Now, what else can I do to make Hank Stanley a miserable man?
Hank Stanley sat nervously facing his doctor. He had been in for a check-up last week and the doctor had called him back to discuss the results.
"So, what is it Doc? Usually, it's no news is good news, so this must be bad, huh?"
Dr. Donaldson smiled. "Not necessarily, Hank. But something did show up in your blood work and I thought you should be aware of it."
The color drained from Hank Stanley's face. "What is it?" he whispered.
"Calm down, Hank," Dr. Donaldson answered. "We're doing some new screening tests, and we found that you're a carrier of a genetic disorder. While the gene is harmless to you, it could be life-threatening to any children that you sire." The doctor waved his hand. "I know you don't have children so it isn't really an issue, but I thought you should know."
Hank's mouth dropped. Oh no, Dixie! The baby!
Alicia accelerated the van, speeding around the curvy mountain roads. She had a small mountain shack that belonged to her distant cousin. They would never trace her. She and Johnny would be safe there. Together at last. And no one.. NO ONE. would get in her way. She speeded up again, driving the familiar curves like a professional. She heard a faint groan from the back of the van. Alicia glanced back, taking her eyes off the road for a minute. The loud sound of a horn startled her. Quickly she turned her attention back to the road.
Before long, she arrived at her destination. This cabin is perfect.
It was set far back in the woods.an old hunting lodge. No one will find
us
here!
Alicia opened the back of the van. Johnny was groaning. She rushed to his side.
"It's okay, honey. You're safe," she cooed.
"Whe.am I?" asked John groggily.
"In my cabin. I had to get you away from Roy? Remember?"
Johnny furrowed his brow. It was hard to concentrate.. Roy.. Roy. "Roy wants to kill me!"
"That's right!" Alicia was thrilled. "But I'll keep you safe."
"He's back!" yelled Joe Early. He leaned down to take Brice's pulse. "Ow!" Dr. Early felt something sting him on the wrist. He looked down and saw a syringe lying on the bed. "What the hell? Where did this come from? I want this analyzed immediately! And let's get blood samples from Craig." He handed the syringe to a nurse. "Craig can you hear me?"
"...tried to kill me..." Brice whispered. "...with a pillow!"
"Who?" asked Dr. Morton.
"....'licia," Brice gasped.
Roy grabbed his arm. "Doc, Johnny's gone! I've called security. "
Just then all of the men started coughing. "What is that?" asked Morton. It was obvious some type of noxious fume had contaminated the room. Morton held his shirt over his nose. The smell was strongest at the vent. "I think there's some kind of chemical leaking from this vent."
Early coughed. "Great! Just great. We better get Brice out of this room. Then get a team to clean up and track down that chemical."
An hour later, Joe Early opened the lab report and scanned the results. His knees went weak and he had to sit.
"What is it?" asked Mike Morton.
"The syringe.." Early answered. "It was filled with a live virus..I
know this strain.It's highly contagious. And often deadly."
