One Argument Too Many-Discovery
Pete Hanson brought his friend Rick Taylor,AKA Richard Holt to the nearby clinic, and they brought him into a room to examine him, and asked the usual questions about his health. He coughed, saying,"I just need antibiotics- nothing else.." The doctor examining him, said,"This is very serious- your lungs are very weak- I'm going to recommend that you go to the hospital, sir-.."
But Rick shook his head."No- can't afford it-just the antibiotics, please.." The doctor looked at Pete, and said,"Does your friend have any family? They should be with him.."
Pete was about to reply when he got a threatening look from Rick, and then shook his head!"No- just me-his best pal-can you help him?" The doctor sighed, and said,"I really shouldn't, but I can't force your friend to go to the hospital, so I will give him enough to get him by, but when he's out, he will have no choice but to see a hospital physician-is that clear?!"
Pete looked at Rick, and said,"C'mon, will you do what he says? We're just thinking of you, pal.."
Rick looked slowly at both men, and then sighed."Yeah, all right! Let's get outta here- wait- how much do I owe ya?" He was pulling out some cash from his back pocket, and the doctor said,"See the receptionist on your way out.. take care, Mr. Taylor.."
As the two men left, the doctor suddenly discovered a battered photo of a young girl. On the back, it said,"Laurie-1971." He noticed she looked a lot like Rick Taylor! He said to the receptionist," Can you do me a favor? Call Tom at the station-.." The girl Sharon, said,"The police? Pete's harmless.."
The doctor said,"No-his friend dropped this picture- I think the girl in the picture is a relative, and I want him to check it out- the man is very sick, and I want his family, if he has any, to know, ok?" Sharon nodded," Sure- you know,Larry, if there were more doctors like you-?.." He smiled,"Yeah, I know, I would be someplace better.."
The next morning,Laura woke to the sound of her room phone ringing. She groaned, eying her watch. 7 AM. She yawned, and groggily answered,"Hello?" It was the front desk calling."Miss Holt? There is an officer of the San Francisco Police down here to see you- should I send him up? He says it's urgent.."
Laura was bewildered. What would he want with her? She said,"No, I'll be down in a little bit- please have him meet me in the dining area-have him order whatever he'd like and put it on my bill, please..thank you.."
Next, she dialled Remington's room. When he answered,she said,"Up and at 'em, Mr. Steele- meet me in the dining area when you are ready.." She hung up and went to shower.
They met the officer in the dining area a short time later, and they all sat, and ordered breakfast, and Laura said,"Tell me, Officer-?.."
The officer said,"Tom Wilkins, ma'am.." Laura nodded, and said,"What seems to be the problem?" He showed her the photo, and said,"Do you recognize this?"
Laura looked at it, and her face drained of color! She stammered,"Wh- where d-did you get this? Wh-who gave it to you?!" Remington patted her arm, saying,"It's all right, Laura- may I?"
Remington looked at a very young Laura, and looked at the back of the photo. It just said,"Laurie-1971" He said to her,"This is you, I take it?" She nodded numbly, and Remington said,"Officer, if you would, please tell us what this is about?"
Tom looked at Laura and said,"Got a call from a clinic near Pier 39- the doctor there treated someone who had this picture-guess he dropped it- anyway, he thought I should check up on it- the man's name is Rick Taylor- do you know him?"
Laura cleared her throat, saying,"Yes.. my father's name is Richard Holt- Richard Taylor Holt- do you know where he went after the clinic?" Tom shook his head. "No, sorry- but we do have people checking the area out.."
Laura stood up! "Let's go to the pier, Mr. Steele- I want some answers, and I want them now!"
Tom and Remington stood up as well, and Tom said,"Now, hold on, Miss Holt-we aren't sure he's even in the area any more- the doctor at the clinic was trying to get him to go to the hospital-but he refused-then the doctor gave him antibiotics, and the man left- I assure you-we are on the lookout-.."
Laura said stonily,"Look, Officer, my father left when I was 16 years old! I recently found out that my mother had an affair before I was born, so I'd like for him to either confirm or deny that he's my father, if he can-more importantly, if he's ill, that makes this all the more urgent- do you understand?!"
Tom nodded, and said,"Yes, I see your point- I'll take you both myself- we only got the call last night,but hopefully, we can find him..let's go.." Remington had the food charged to his room, and they left.
When they got to the pier, they got out of the car, and Laura wanted to check things out immediately, but Remington pulled her aside!" Please be patient! Let the officer talk to his people first, eh?"
Laura wrenched away from his grasp! "I need to know where he's been- why he wouldn't tell us he was sick!" Remington saw the pain in her eyes, and said sadly,"Remember what your mother said? That it wasn't you or your sister's fault?"
Just then. Tom came over to them, with a man who was older, and said,"This is Pete Hanson- a friend of your- of Rick Taylor's- he wanted to speak to you.."
Pete nodded to Laura,"I swore to Rick I wouldn't tell ya, but he was real bad off last night- I left him at the hospital.." Laura said,"What hospital? How bad is it?" Pete said," Oh, he'll kill me that I told ya, but-.."
Laura pleaded with him,"Please, Pete- he may be my last hope-where is he?!" So, Pete got in the car with Tom, Laura, and Remington, and they headed to the nearby hospital, and went in, and Laura asked to see him. The nurse said,"He's in ICU- are you family?" Laura nodded slowly, and the nurse took her back.
Remington said,"Thank you, Pete, and you as well, Officer Tom.. we'll be fine here..I need to make a call.." Going to the pay phone, he dialled Abigail's number, and Frances answered."Hello?" Remington said,"Ah, Frances? Dear, it's Remington- how is everything there? Splendid- give her our best, hmm?"
He continued,"Well, we got a break of sorts-we may have found your father- he's older of course, but the reason I'm calling is to let you know that he's in a hospital here near Fisherman's Wharf- he's in ICU, I'm afraid-doesn't look good for him- Laura's with him now- I don't know what he'll tell her, but hopefully, she'll get the answers she seeks..yes-yes, I will, dear- thank you.. I'll have her call you when she can, all right? Goodbye.."
He hung up, and saw the nurse coming out of the room, and said,"How is ?" The nurse shook her head sadly."I'm afraid he didn't make it- I tried to get the woman to leave, but she won't- was she his daughter?"
Remington sighed,"That's what we were trying to figure out.. thank you.. I'll see to her.." When he went in the room, Laura was sobbing! Remington held her! "I'm so sorry you didn't get your answers, darling- shh- we'll figure this out later, hmm?"
Laura finally calmed down, and said,"I did find out- he is-was- my father- he left not only because he and Mother couldn't make it work after her affair, but because he found out he was sick, and he didn't want to burden us with it- I wanted to donate blood- turns out I have his blood type- but-but it was too late."
Remington said quietly, "What do you want to do now?" Laura said,"I don't know- I suppose I'll call Frances and Mother, and-.." Remington shook his head."I did that already- I mean, this?.." Laura looked at the still man before them, and sighed," I guess plan a funeral- I feel like I should.."
That night, they flew back to Connecticut, and Laura explained what she knew about "Rick" to her mother and sister, and after a lengthy discussion, and a lot of crying, they decided to hold the funeral that weekend. After the funeral, they all went to Abigail's, and Abigail was going thru her mail, and said,"Laura, there's something here for you.."
Laura saw the envelope-it was from Tom Wilkes. She opened it, and the note said,"I think he'd want you to have this.." The photo of her as a young girl was with it! Another note was with it- it was from Pete. It said,"So sorry about your dad- he didn't tell me too much, but when he talked about his girls, his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree- he said you were the best things from being with your mom, and to tell your mom how sorry he was, and that he'd always love her.."
Laura sighed, and showed Abigail and Frances the note from Pete, and it seemed to provide them with closure. After a few more days with her family, Laura was at peace again, and ready to move on.
On the flight home to L.A., Remington said,"Feeling better, Laura? I was worried about you for a long while there.."Laura said,"Yes, and I want to thank you for being at my side throughout this whole crazy mess.." Remington kissed her hand, saying,"There's no place I'd rather be, Miss Holt.."
When they landed, and Remington dropped her off at her place, she called Amanda, and apologized for not calling sooner, but then explained all that went on in San Francisco, and then about the funeral. Amanda said,"Oh, I'm so sorry- do you need anything?"
Laura smiled into the phone, and said,"Yes, would you remain friends with me, even if we're not related? I'll even put up with your partner, if he'll put up with mine!" They had a good laugh, which they both needed desperately, and promised to keep in touch- whether their partners liked it or not!
The End