Chapter Two – Behind Door Number Two

Steve once again found himself in front of an apartment door preparing to ring the doorbell.  The information he had gathered on Gwen Sterling had indicated she had a short fuse.  She had been arrested before for minor assault charges.  From the reports he had read it seemed she had a problem controlling her temper.  He also discovered that Clifford Jewell had gotten a restraining order against her.   He pressed the doorbell and waited.  He didn't have to stand there too long as the door was flung open and he was greeted rudely.  "Who are you, and what the hell do you want?"

Steve flipped his badge open.  "I'm Lieutenant Steve Sloan with the LAPD, are you Gwen Sterling?"

Her eyes flashed and her response was laced with sarcasm.  "Why, yes I am, are you collecting for the policemen's ball?"

Steve had to suppress the response he really wanted to give.  "No, Ma'am, I'd like to ask you a few questions about Clifford Jewell."

She snorted her response.  "I don't care what he says, I haven't been anywhere near him."

"He hasn't said anything Ms Sterling, he's dead," Steve stated bluntly.

Gwen Sterling's, eyes widened in surprise.  "Dead! You've got to be kidding me, what happened?"

"He was murdered."

"Oh what, and you think I did it?" she asked.

"I didn't say that, I said I would like to ask you some questions," Steve responded.

"Spare me the false pretense that this is purely a visit to gather information.  You've read my record, you know he had a restraining against me, and I'm sure his goodie, goodie little sister was just full of helpful information!"

Steve regarded the woman in front of him.  "Ms Sterling, I would prefer to have this conversation somewhere other than the hall.  Now, we can either step into your apartment or I can take you down to the precinct.  You decide."

"Please excuse my lack of manners, come in," she offered sarcastically.

Steve offered her a smile that closely resembled a sneer and made his way into her apartment.  "Thank you," he offered dryly.

………………..

Steve dropped into the chair behind his desk and sighed.  He felt as if he had been in a battle.  His time spent with Gwen Sterling had been completely unproductive and had been punctuated by moments of downright hostility.  He had left her apartment and traveled to the discount store she worked at a few miles from her home to verify that she had indeed been at work all night stocking shelves.  He was exhausted and frustrated.  He had spent the entire day talking with people and had accomplished very little.  As he looked down at his watch he realized he needed to leave to go pick up his father.  Maybe the autopsy would provide some positive results.

………………..

As Steve walked down the hall of Community General towards his father's office he heard a familiar voice coming from one of the patients' rooms.  As he neared the door he stopped just outside the threshold and observed his father working his magic.  The elderly patient in the bed had a delighted smile on her face.  Mark was singing softly and doing a soft shoe routine that Steve recognized.  He felt the tension and the stress of the day melting away and he marveled at his father's ability to know exactly what to do for his patients.  Mark was not only a healer of the body he was also a healer of the mind and soul.  He felt someone at his elbow and found Amanda standing beside him.  He offered her a smile.

"Mrs. Adkins has Alzheimer's," Amanda whispered.  "She has been refusing to eat and today has been combative.  She's not Mark's patient, but Dr. Murphy asked for his help."

Steve took note of the empty dinner tray that sat on the table, and the smile that was still in place on Mrs. Adkins face.  Not for the first time in his life he felt his heart swell with pride.  His father was one of a kind.  As if suddenly sensing he had an audience Mark turned towards the door and made eye contact with Steve. A knowing look of love passed between them and Mark held up his hand indicating that he needed about five more minutes.  Steve nodded his understanding and he and Amanda moved away from the door and continued towards Mark's office.

…………………

Amanda and Steve were quietly talking as they waited for Mark when his office door burst open and the whirling dervish that was Jesse entered.  He stopped abruptly when he realized Mark was not behind his desk.  "Where's Mark?"

"Well, hello to you too, Jesse," Amanda gently reprimanded.

"Oh, hey sorry, Guys, I just needed Mark's advice on a patient.  Where is he?"

Steve never ceased to be amazed at the amount of energy his young friend exuded.  "He's down the hall with a patient he should be here any minute."

"Speak of the devil," responded a voice from the doorway.

"Mark, I need your help," Jesse blurted.

"Jesse!" Amanda chastised.  "At least let him get through the door."

"It's ok, Amanda," Mark responded.  "What do you need, Jesse?"

Jesse threw a smug smile Amanda's way before he continued.  "I have a patient, Mr. Lewis, whose symptoms bounce all over the place.  All of the tests I have ordered have come back negative."

"Steve, why don't you and Amanda start without me, Jesse, let's go take a look at your patient."

………………..

"So, you're saying that his killer was about the same height or taller than him?" Steve asked.

"From the angle of the wound yes, I would say the killer was similar in height," Amanda replied.  The knife entered his body at a downward angle."

"Could they maybe have been standing on something?" Steve asked.

"Sure."

"Ok, what else?" Steve inquired.

"I also found a needle mark on the back of his neck, and a hair in his eyelash that doesn't appear to be his.  I should have all the results on them as well as the blood from the mirror by tomorrow."

Steve smiled.  "Thanks, Amanda, I guess I'll go see if I can round up Dad and hope he is ready to go.  Would tomorrow afternoon be too early to stop by?"

"No, that should be fine.  I'll call you if it looks like things are going to be delayed."

………………..

Steve and Mark had enjoyed a relaxing dinner at Bob's and were now on their way home.  They had discussed the interviews Steve had conducted and the results of Amanda's autopsy.

"So, what do you think, Dad?"

"It was someone he didn't feel threatened by.  Depending on what Amanda finds out about what was injected into his neck it's seems logical to think his killer incapacitated him with a drug before they killed him."

As Steve started to respond his phone rang.  'Sloan.  Where?  Ok, I can be there in about 20 minutes."

He turned to find Mark watching expectantly.  "Another case?"

"Yes, a man stabbed in the chest, sound familiar?"