right there solves the mystery of what happened to this town.”
Chapter Six
Hartworth, Montana
December 16 th
Vivian Morris was done for the day. She thanked Bonnie for the pie she brought with her at her appointment and apologized for the wait. But Bonnie was the last patient of the day. Vivian cleaned up the waiting area, pulled the charts for the next day, and powered down the computer.
As she did a sneeze reverberated through her entire body. “Oh man,” she said out loud. “I hope I didn’t catch what Mr. Stevens had. Jeez.” After rubbing a tissue under her nose, she told herself it was just some dust, and grabbed her coat.
“Dr. Paltrov,” she called out. “Dr. Paltrov.”
“In my office,” he replied.
Vivian stepped to his office door. “I’m leaving. I’ll see you in the morning. Everything is shut down.”
“Thank you.” He nodded as he sat behind his desk. He looked tired and worn; then again, he was pushing seventy and put in long hours. “Vivian, did my son call while I was with patients?”
“No, he didn’t.” she replied. “They probably, got there, checked in, then headed to the concert.”
“More than likely. Thank you.”
“Goodnight.” She started to leave and paused when she felt a draft come from the other hall. She peered down, saw the culprit then popped her head back into the doctor’s office. “The basement door is opened, it’s bringing a draft. Want me to close it?”
“The basement door is … is open?” He questioned.
Vivian nodded.
“No, I will get it. Thank you.”
“No problem, good night,” she said again, pulled the door closed, and walked out.
Val listened to the sounds of her leaving and stood up immediately. He didn’t recall leaving the basement open when he left for his rounds a few hours earlier. He was so busy when he returned he never thought about it, but Val had to check it out.
The light was off, but the door indeed was ajar.
Val began to close it and paused. He decided to go to the basement and check on things. He knew the second he reached the bottom of the staircase that his things had been touched.
The largest of the trunks had been moved and with a groan and a chest full of worry, Val raced to the trunk and opened it. He begged in his mind that everything was fine. But it wasn’t. It was apparent the side compartment, covered by the lining, had been opened.
One by one he took out the silver cases. One by one he opened them, pulled out each tube within and carefully examined each one. On the sixth case, second tube, he knew.
He just knew.
He uncapped it and pulled out the small wire.
The instant he saw it, his stomach dropped and every ounce of his being froze. Val dropped further to the floor and wept out a single heartbreaking sob of defeat as he stared at the broken glass spiral.
There was only one person who could have been down there touching the trunk.
One person with enough curiosity.
That person was his son, Roman. His only child, the only family member he had since his wife died.
God help him, Val thought, if it was Roman.
No. He closed his eyes tighter. God help everyone.
<><><><>
Billings, Montana
Heather wished she could rip her nose from her face and breathe a little easier. She couldn’t believe how fast her nose clogged. It wasn’t running, it was just stuffed.
She started getting a tickle in her throat right after they stopped for fast food, then her stomach knotted.
It was turning into the worst cold she’d ever had.
She felt horrible.
By the time she got to the hotel, she’d caught a chill she couldn’t shake. Roman was already complaining he was getting a cold, too.
“Swell,” she said to him. “Just swell. The first time we get away and we’re both sick.”
“But we aren’t missing the concert,” he told her. “Not this one.”
They both showered. Heather lay on the bed and rested while Roman cleaned up. The shower helped a little, but not as much as the
Chapter Six
Hartworth, Montana
December 16 th
Vivian Morris was done for the day. She thanked Bonnie for the pie she brought with her at her appointment and apologized for the wait. But Bonnie was the last patient of the day. Vivian cleaned up the waiting area, pulled the charts for the next day, and powered down the computer.
As she did a sneeze reverberated through her entire body. “Oh man,” she said out loud. “I hope I didn’t catch what Mr. Stevens had. Jeez.” After rubbing a tissue under her nose, she told herself it was just some dust, and grabbed her coat.
“Dr. Paltrov,” she called out. “Dr. Paltrov.”
“In my office,” he replied.
Vivian stepped to his office door. “I’m leaving. I’ll see you in the morning. Everything is shut down.”
“Thank you.” He nodded as he sat behind his desk. He looked tired and worn; then again, he was pushing seventy and put in long hours. “Vivian, did my son call while I was with patients?”
“No, he didn’t.” she replied. “They probably, got there, checked in, then headed to the concert.”
“More than likely. Thank you.”
“Goodnight.” She started to leave and paused when she felt a draft come from the other hall. She peered down, saw the culprit then popped her head back into the doctor’s office. “The basement door is opened, it’s bringing a draft. Want me to close it?”
“The basement door is … is open?” He questioned.
Vivian nodded.
“No, I will get it. Thank you.”
“No problem, good night,” she said again, pulled the door closed, and walked out.
Val listened to the sounds of her leaving and stood up immediately. He didn’t recall leaving the basement open when he left for his rounds a few hours earlier. He was so busy when he returned he never thought about it, but Val had to check it out.
The light was off, but the door indeed was ajar.
Val began to close it and paused. He decided to go to the basement and check on things. He knew the second he reached the bottom of the staircase that his things had been touched.
The largest of the trunks had been moved and with a groan and a chest full of worry, Val raced to the trunk and opened it. He begged in his mind that everything was fine. But it wasn’t. It was apparent the side compartment, covered by the lining, had been opened.
One by one he took out the silver cases. One by one he opened them, pulled out each tube within and carefully examined each one. On the sixth case, second tube, he knew.
He just knew.
He uncapped it and pulled out the small wire.
The instant he saw it, his stomach dropped and every ounce of his being froze. Val dropped further to the floor and wept out a single heartbreaking sob of defeat as he stared at the broken glass spiral.
There was only one person who could have been down there touching the trunk.
One person with enough curiosity.
That person was his son, Roman. His only child, the only family member he had since his wife died.
God help him, Val thought, if it was Roman.
No. He closed his eyes tighter. God help everyone.
<><><><>
Billings, Montana
Heather wished she could rip her nose from her face and breathe a little easier. She couldn’t believe how fast her nose clogged. It wasn’t running, it was just stuffed.
She started getting a tickle in her throat right after they stopped for fast food, then her stomach knotted.
It was turning into the worst cold she’d ever had.
She felt horrible.
By the time she got to the hotel, she’d caught a chill she couldn’t shake. Roman was already complaining he was getting a cold, too.
“Swell,” she said to him. “Just swell. The first time we get away and we’re both sick.”
“But we aren’t missing the concert,” he told her. “Not this one.”
They both showered. Heather lay on the bed and rested while Roman cleaned up. The shower helped a little, but not as much as the
Similar Books
