Chapter 26

Thursday, June 11, 1987 - Afternoon

Located outside Inglewood, California, Metzger Pharmaceuticals was one of a few research facilities not acquisitioned by Nathan Bates. The small company, known for its groundbreaking discoveries in antibody research, devoted its labors developing a vaccine capable of defending Human newborns against Red Dust side effects. In addition to the vaccine, research leaders Julie and Steve also hoped to develop a pill form of the antidote for use in adults. Clinging to the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive tracts of its victims, Red Dust bacteria caused breathing difficulties. It was also notorious for mutating DNA and impairing sperm motility. Due to their work with the toxin, Steve and Julie had made frequent trips to northern cities where the toxin still flourished. Steve considered postponing next week's scheduled trip to Seattle.

What is the point in going up there when Donovan might have the information I need? If he doesn't tell Julie he has the files soon, I will.

Hidden under stacks of folders on Julie's desk, a rotary phone rang. Steve took the call.

"Maitland," he said.

"Come get me." It was Connie. "Julie and I've had a fight."

Feigning surprise, he asked, "She didn't like our gift?"

"It hasn't arrived yet. Please Stevie," she begged. "I can't stay here with her mad at me."

And if I leave the lab early, she'll be more upset with me.

"Do you have money for a cab?" He suggested.

"No. I spent all my money on the flowers."

All her money? Next, she'll be asking me to cover her trip expenses.

"Didn't you have enough? I gave you—"

"-Will you please come get me?"

"Do you realize I'm a half hour away from you?"

"I'll wait out front."

She hung up.

Like mother, like daughter…

#

Trying to stay as close to Pico's story as possible, Donovan called Pierce for an update Thursday morning, and learned Pico's own autopsy results weren't in, while those of his victims were. The coroner claimed they'd died of asphyxiation due to a bronchial infection.

If that's true, why has Julie improved so much? Donovan wondered.

He drove to the hospital at two-thirty that afternoon, the time he normally commuted to work. He had today and tomorrow off. Besides seeing Julie, he planned a trip to the local K-Mart to fulfill O'Brien Center's supply list for Sean; Underwear, socks and a few pair of jeans.

Donovan stepped off the third floor elevator at the Med Center. Passing the waiting room, he noticed neither Connie nor Maitland were there. They're probably in Julie's room. I'll have to pull Maitland aside and have a chat with him.

Although Donovan remained angry about Maitland's betrayal, he hoped by now Julie knew the man responsible for her injury was dead. Donovan gently knocked on the partially open door of room 350.

There was no answer.

He crept in.

Braids draped over her shoulders, Julie slept with her oxygen mask on. Donovan thought Julie's hairstyle coupled with the teddy bear at her side made her look youthful.

CJ's bear, he remembered.

Donovan's eyes moved to the windowsill where a large vase of flowers bulged from behind the curtain. He pulled back the fabric to reveal red roses and baby's breath, and was amused that Julie didn't want to see the flowers. Donovan assumed they were from Maitland.

"Mike…" Julie whispered.

"Hey." He looked at her again. "How are you doing, Sweetheart?"

"Happy to see you. Mm-Maggie said you got the… car." She inched up the mattress then found the button to raise her head.

"It's in my garage. Would you mind if I kept it at my place for a while? Maggie said you don't have a garage."

"I… trust you. I saw your report about… Pico."

"I'm glad you're safe. I see you have a lot of admirers." He nodded at the large collection of flowers.

"Can y… guess what one's… from Steve?"

"The bear?" He pretended not to know.

"No, that's from CJ."

"I'm kidding." He winked.

"You should… read the card." She didn't sound happy.

"That's a bit personal. I don't think he'd want—"

"It's oh…kay."

He walked over to the flowers and tugged the card out from them. "My sweet Juliet," he said in an exaggerated, debonair voice. "The beauty of these roses cannot match the beauty and the depth of the love I feel for you. You are always in my heart. Love forever," he snickered. "Steven."

He tucked the card back in the vase. "That's probably some standard line he had to choose from. I would've written you something original."

"Mr. Donovan, you're a baaad man." Julie's wheezy giggle soon turned into a fit of coughing.

"You know what?" He turned to face her. "I think I will send you something. He won't know what hit him."

"Really?" She grinned.

"With your permission, of course."

"Of, course… Want me to pay…? I have mm." She drew a breath. "Mmm-money."

"No, it's on me."

There's a florist next to K-Mart. I'll stop there.

"You won't let me pay …for my… own flowers?"

"Hmm mmm." He sat in the chair to her left, hoping for a few minutes with her. Unlike the two other times he'd visited, she seemed very alert. "I tried to get away from work to see you last night, but with the story breaking and all—"

"It's okay. I …understand."

"You're better, I see."

She inhaled. "I walked… to…day."

"That's great."

"I need… someth..."

"You need something from home?"

"I go… home… next week."

She's probably confused, he thought, then cautiously added, "The press release said you're condition was fair. I mean you look better, but you're not well enough—"

"There's a prob… lem with my ins...urance comp…"

"What's that?"

"In…adequate coverage." She cleared her throat, reaching for a cup.

"Can they do that?"

"They… already… decid..." She took a sip. "I leave Mon…day… Need you… take me home."

"What about Steve, or Maggie?"

"Not going with… Steve. Mag… works."

"Where's your mother?"

"Had a …fight with her… Don't want… her here… any… more." She gasped. "I don't… just need a ride… home." She paused. "I need… help at home… and get… to appoint… ments."

"You want me to stop by a couple times a week to check on you?"

"More than a couple." She coughed. "I'll reimburse… y…"

He envisioned fifty mile plus round trips between his house and Julie's apartment in heavy I-10 traffic, and road construction along the Santa Monica Freeway.

"What's your… schedule?" Julie continued. "How often …do you see Sean?"

"Once a week. What are we talking here? You want me to come by your place, help you with chores, and take you to appointments?" Make me your personal servant?

She nodded. "Have to go for breath…ing treatments and stuff."

"How often?"

"Few times a… week."

"Where?"

"Here."

Drugs must be affecting your common sense, Sweetheart. Go pick you up, come here, and go God knows where else before I get to take you back home, and try to make it to work on time. Funny, my house is only fifteen minutes from here and yours is… forty?

"I have a better idea," he said.

"You…do?"

"Come stay with me until you're better. I'll put you in Sean's room. He's not coming home for a month anyway."

Her smile faded. "Are you… serious?"

"Yeah. Just think, you won't have any chores to do. I'll wait on you like a princess."

"You… also… work."

"Then I'll have Maitland come and watch you." He winked.

"Not … funny, Mike"

"Okay. Forget about Maitland." He stood. "I'm offering you the opportunity to make things more convenient for me and Maggie. What do you say?"

"Ugh." She paused. "I'll think… it over."