Read Online The Vigilante by Ramona Forrest - Free Book Online Page B

Carton could see you the day after tomorrow.”
    “I’ll be there.” Sighing, Martha hung up. She had an appointment in two days, and only because she was in the medical field. “This way if I’m losing my mind, at least I’ll know why.”
    She turned on the tube, looking for news of that latest crime against children. Hearing nothing, she flipped the channel. “Maybe the soaps would be better.”
    The doorbell rang. Martha opened the door and, to her delight, saw Lizzie Marin, her friend of many years. Lizzie, a well-put-together woman with dark, curling hair swept back from her temples and a wide smile, was always a joy. “Oh hi, come in!” She flung the door wide and reached for her.
    “Lady, what’s wrong, you look like hell.”
    Martha laughed. “And good day to you, too. Want some lunch in a while? I just got up, had a bite of breakfast, but I could eat again if you’re hungry.”
    Lizzie grinned. “Sure, anything—hey, I haven’t heard from you for a while. Anything going on?”
    Her quizzical look put Martha on guard. “No, nothing out of the ordinary. Work, of course, and there’s my grandson, Will. I wonder if there’s ever an end to what happened to that poor child. Do they ever recover from a thing like that? Do you know anything about those things? I may be a nurse, but this has me baffled.”
    “I don’t know, but someone sure did a number on the dude that attacked Will. You hear about that?” Lizzie laughed in delight. “He won’t be out molesting kids any time soon, or ever. We need more of that in this country, I say.” She flipped her hair back as she spoke. “They ought to cut the balls off every child predator in the country!” Her bright, hazel eyes sparkled with mischief.
    Martha nodded in agreement, thinking her friend was a nice looking woman for her age. In her forties, Lizzie had married very well, and no doubt had had a bit of enhancement work done. At least Martha thought so, but she had never asked. “I was glad to hear about it,” she said. “He must have more enemies than us. Guys like that never stop, I’m told. Maybe you’re right in your idea of a permanent cure. But that wouldn’t be politically correct, now would it?” Martha uttered a deep, derisive chuckle as she pulled out the coffee pot. “Would you like a cup?”
    “Sure, coffee makes my world go round.” After it brewed, Lizzie took the proffered cup and cradled it in her hands. “How come you look so tired, Martha?” she questioned with narrowed eyes. “Tough night at work?”
    “It’s always busy on the wards these days and charting is out of hand. The government won’t pay Medicare payments unless every procedure is written out in detail. So, instead of actually giving nursing care, you just write all about it in the treatment book or nurse’s notes.” Martha sighed. “It’s a pain in the ass of nursing, I can tell you that much.”
    She hadn’t covered her fading purple spots, and noticed Lizzie eyeing them. The instant unease of it set her heart racing.
    “Martha, I worry about you sometimes. You need to get married again. Don’t you ever meet any great guys on the job, business moguls, millionaires? They get sick, don’t they?”
    Martha laughed. Lizzie always lightened her mood . No need to mention needing a psychiatrist. Who would understand a thing like that? I don’t understand it myself, and I’m scared as hell. I wish I could tell someone, it would be a relief.
    “There’s a great looking guy at work, Bob Chance, she answered. “He’s a quiet one, sees things about me and wants to help. He knows about Will and offers his shoulder, so to speak. He’s nice enough, but I can’t get involved just now. I’m in such a whirl over everything. I couldn’t handle a relationship right now and I don’t know if he has leanings that way. He’s just a nice guy.”
    “Ooh— love his name. You could be Martha Chance if you worked at it. You’re a good lookin’ gal, Martha.