Read Online Lucky Thirteen by Janet Taylor-Perry - Free Book Online Page A

prescription bottles. “I need these. Please, help me.”
    The nurse took the bottles and read the labels . “Haldol and Abilify?” she questioned.
    The man nodded . The caregiver looked concerned. “These are very strong meds. I’m not sure we have samples here. I’ll see if Dr. Lucas will write you a prescription. I’ll do it only because Larkin sent you.”
    The man nodded again and plunged his hands into the pockets of the sweatshirt , his shoulders hunched. The nurse went into the back of the clinic and spoke with Dr. Lucas, a member of Charity Chapel who dedicated one day a week to the free clinic, as did two other doctors and three nurses from the church. The clinic was only open three days a week. Those who could pay a nominal fee did, but medical care was available to all.
    Dr. Lucas wrote down the name, address, and phone number on the bottles . He asked, “Does he appear to need these, Sybil?”
    “Oh, yeah . He was telling voices to shut up, but he seems to be seeking help—And Larkin sent him.”
    “Yeah, but when ?” Dr. Lucas unlocked the pharmaceutical cabinet. He put three of each pill into its bottle and wrote the prescriptions. “Give him these, but ask him to come back on my day next week. Make sure you get his name to see if it’s the same as on the bottles, and I’m calling the police. He might know where Larkin is. Try to keep him talking until the police get here.”
    Sybil came back into the now empty waiting room except for the figure who sat holding his head . She gently touched the man’s shoulder. When he raised deep-set, hollow, bloodshot blue eyes to the nurse, her heart went out to him. The caregiver went to the water cooler and filled a paper cup. Then she handed the man one of each pill and the water. “Take ’em,” the nurse’s gentle voice encouraged.
    He shakily took the two pills and swallowed them . Sybil asked, “How long have you been off?”
    “A few weeks . Thank you.” The patient looked around and scowled at the government-issue green paint and cheap aluminum chairs. “I could make this place look more inviting.”
    She took the cup from his hand. “Is this really your name?”
    He nodded. “Yes. I have to go. I have to take care of her. She’ll be hungry, and she wants a bath.”
    “Who ? Larkin?”
    The man looked around, agitated . “I have to go. She’s going to be so mad if she finds out. Thank you.” The man snatched the bottles and the prescriptions from Sybil’s hand and flew out the door.
     
    ♣♣♣
    Ten minu tes later, Raiford Reynolds and Christine Milovich walked through the door. Dr. Lucas and Sybil met them, and Sybil pointed at Ray. “Good, Lord! You just grabbed prescriptions for Haldol and Abilify from me and ran out the door.”
    “What?” Ray asked in confusion.
    Sybil repeated, “You could be the guy who was just in here except he needs to shave badly.”
    “Tell us everything ,” the police detective demanded.
    A short time later in the car, Ray said to Chris, “Three people would identify me in a line up. This is crazy!” He handed the name and information to Chris. “And that is crazier.”
     
    ♣♣♣
    The hooded vagabond handed the prescriptions to the pharmacist who looked at the customer in disgust . She asked, “These are pretty expensive. Do you have the money for them or insurance, by chance?”
    The man reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a roll of money . “Yeah, I can pay you. Haven’t you ever heard the adage, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’?”
    The woman frowned, but filled the prescriptions and took his money . He walked to the door, followed by the pharmacist. Immediately as he stepped out, the woman locked the door, flipped over the closed sign, and lowered the blinds. The sign on the door read, “Hours: 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., Monday – Saturday. Closed Sunday.”
    The man muttered to himself, “Must be closing time .” It was almost dark as he darted away like a