Read Online A Child Is Missing by David Stout - Free Book Online Page A

was shut out the cold and the ghosts and drink some whiskey. He pointed the light where he wanted to go and slapped his side with his gloved hand, the signal to the dog that he was out of patience.
    Reluctantly, Wolf obeyed.

Ten
    Will had some time before he had to file his story, and the rest of the day lay beyond him like a gray landscape. He was homesick. He was still worried about Fran.
    The hospital was only a block away. Maybe there was some improvement.…
    The hospital had been built during the Great Depression. The cornerstone said 1935, but just as telling was the WPA-style architecture. Not to mention the several decades of grime stuck on the masonry like burned skin, a reminder of the time when the mills and smelters had brought prosperity with their soot.
    Just as Will entered the building, he heard a woman’s voice: “Mr. Shafer?”
    Will turned and saw the nurse he’d met earlier in the intensive-care unit. “It is Mr. Shafer, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes. Hello again.”
    â€œI’m Heather Casey, Mr. Shafer. Your friend is sleeping very soundly. There’s no change.”
    â€œAh. Well, then, I guess there’s no point in my going to see him.”
    â€œNot really.” Nurse Casey frowned, hinted to Will with a shift of her shoulder that he should follow her outside.
    They stood on the front walk. “Have you been friends for a very long time, Mr. Shafer?”
    â€œYou could say that. Yes. Fran has had his ups and downs. Especially downs lately, but he used to be a fine newsman, and he taught me a lot. More years ago than I care to recall all of a sudden.”
    â€œI know what that feels like. About the years racing away, I mean. But I must tell you—I’m not optimistic.”
    â€œBut you said there was no change.”
    â€œNo, as far as his vital signs are concerned. But considering his overall condition, the longer he goes without rallying…”
    â€œI see.”
    Will was startled when the nurse put a hand on his shoulder. Startled because the gesture was a warmer one than he had expected from his first meeting with the nurse. Startled because her hand felt good on his shoulder, and he saw that she was a far younger-looking, more handsome woman than he had perceived at their first meeting.
    â€œThis is tough, I know,” she said.
    â€œWell, it’s no sadder than a lot of the things you see, I guess.”
    â€œI’m sure you see some sad things in your line of work, too, Mr. Shafer.”
    â€œHmmm. And if Fran does make it, he’s going to be charged with drunken driving, isn’t he?”
    â€œOh, he already has been, Mr. Shafer. Nothing will happen, of course, until Mr. Spicer is … able to respond.”
    â€œThere isn’t any doubt, then, I guess? About Fran’s being drunk, I mean?”
    â€œI’m afraid not. I know the police at the scene took pictures of the interior of his car. That’s standard practice in such cases. There were several empty beer cans in the car. And I drew the blood sample myself right here at the hospital. He tested one point five. Well into the drunk-driving area, I’m afraid.”
    â€œAnd a young woman was injured. And she was lucky she wasn’t killed. Lord. Fran was doing so well for a while. He was a recovering alcoholic. I mean, he wasn’t a common drunk. Isn’t a common drunk.”
    â€œI’m sure not.” Heather Casey smiled kindly. “My father was an alcoholic, Mr. Shafer, so I have some personal knowledge in this area. So was my … Well, I guess that’s why I don’t drink. I have to go.”
    â€œThank you. I do appreciate your kindness. Should I stop by later, do you think?”
    â€œIf you wish. If you’re here much later, I may be gone.” Heather Casey turned to leave but paused. “If you see a policeman outside the IU unit, it’s because he’s keeping a watch on Mr. Spicer.