Chapter 28

Friday, June 12, 1987, Mid Day

Holding on tightly to her physical therapist's arm, Julie took one-step at a time in the hall outside her room. For the second time today, Julie was up walking again. Standing erect was painful. Trying to breathe and walk at the same time only added to her misery.

Exhausted, she hesitated. Tears flowed. "I…can't."

The woman caressed Julie's shoulders and helped her into a wheelchair. "It's okay. You did great."

Julie sat, feeling defeated. She disliked having to depend on others, and wanted to do more for herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw two male police officers pass in and out of her room.

A deeply tanned officer turned to her. Expecting an interview, Julie was uncertain if she could go through with it now.

"Dr. Parrish."

He stuck out his hand, but Julie didn't take it.

The man flashed his badge. "I'm Sergeant Romano with the LAPD, Rampart Division." He motioned to his approaching partner. "And this is Officer Santiago."

Santiago nodded at Julie.

"We'd like to ask you a few questions," Romano said.

"…kay. Let me get back… to my… room."

The physical therapist wheeled Julie back to her room and assisted her in getting into bed. Julie's chest hurt with every breath. Her head swam with lightheadedness as the room spun a little.

Once Julie climbed into bed, Romano pulled a small notepad and pen from his shirt pocket.

"When were you employed at Science Frontiers?" he asked.

"St-arted working there," she gasped. "In eighty… four."

"How well did you know Dr. William Pico?"

What does it matter asking all these questions if Pico is dead? There won't be a trial. Julie sucked in air and tried to speak again. No sound came. She winced and cleared her throat.

"H-he was already there…" She drew a breath. God, I'm not going to get through this… "…wh...when I started working th-there."

Don't cry now. Wait for them to leave.

Peering at his notepad instead of Julie, Romano asked, "Did you work on an assignment with Dr. Pico?"

#

Donovan was having a bad day. After driving to Santa Clarita three hours ago, he learned Sean didn't fit into the clothes purchased yesterday. The teen needed the next size up in underwear, jeans two inches longer in length and three inches larger in the waist.

At least the money I pay for his confinement is going to good use, Donovan thought, stepping off the hospital elevator. They're feeding him well.

"Mr. Donovan," a woman called from the nurse's station.

Donovan turned to see the redhead he'd met yesterday and said, "Hi."

"You might not want to go in now," she said. "The police are with Dr. Parrish."

"Did they say how long they'd be?"

She shrugged.

Hope its McIntire and not those other pigs.

Striding toward Julie's room, Donovan noticed Santiago standing in the doorway. He saw the back of Romano's head as the sergeant questioned Julie. Her answers were barely audible.

"You can't go in now," Santiago whispered.

Romano turned the page of his notepad. "Prior to Mike Donovan's interview with Dr. Pico last Friday. Did you have any inclination of Pico's hatred toward you?"

Donovan couldn't hear Julie's answer. That bothered him.

"Julie, has Donovan been here to see you recently?" Romano asked.

"Yes… terday."

She still spoke softly, and Donovan doubted it was deliberate.

Santiago glared at Donovan.

"Do you mind?"

Though it was obvious Santiago expected him to leave, Donovan didn't budge.

Romano glared. "We're a little busy now, Mr. Donovan. You want to give us a half hour?"

Julie shook her head at Donovan, mouthing the word, "Stay."

Donovan migrated farther into the room. "Julie, do you want to continue with this interview now?"

She shook her head again.

"Look's like the party's over, boys," Donovan said.

"Do you know I can issue you a ticket for interference?" Romano threatened.

"I'll give Lieutenant McIntire a call, have him dismiss the charge," Donovan snapped. "And I'll contact you when Julie can address your questions."

Romano swaggered toward the door with Santiago not far behind.

Donovan went to Julie's side. "What's wrong?"

"C-can't… breathe."

Locating the call button, Donovan wanted to ask Julie why she hadn't done the same. The nurse hurried into the room less than a minute later.

"A little too much exercise?" she asked Julie.

"Will she be okay?" Donovan asked.

"Uh huh," the nurse said, pulling the oxygen mask down over Julie's face, then clamped the Pulse Ox Monitor onto her index finger. "Eighty-two."
Donovan saw Julie roll her eyes.

"Can I stay for a while?" He didn't want to drive all the way home without talking to Julie first.

Julie nodded.

He sat down, figuring he would wait a while and let her oxygen levels return to normal.

The nurse used her stethoscope to listen to Julie's lungs. "About the same. Just keep the mask on for a bit. You'll be all right, Hon." She exited the room.

"Are you sleepy?" Donovan asked Julie.

He caught a glimpse of her dimples as her lips curled to a smile beneath the mask.

"I won't stay long," he promised. "I'm working this weekend. I need to know if you thought about my offer. I'll have to get Sean's room ready."

She nodded again.

"Is that a yes, you're coming to stay with me for a while?" He wondered if Maitland saw his present, or bought into the act.

Another nod.

"Did you tell Maitland, or your mother?"

She nodded again.

Wishing she could talk, he smiled at her.

She pulled the mask a couple of inches away from her face.

"No-no-no. You don't have to tell me anything now." He gently placed the mask back on her face. "I want you still breathing when I take you home."

She moved the mask away again.

Still stubborn… he thought.

"Y-you have to take… some flowers… home."

Glancing at the oversized collection, Donovan saw Maitland's roses had disappeared. Did she have them thrown away?

"To-day," she huffed.

"You want me to take your flowers away?" He chuckled.

"Too mm many."

Better clear off Sean's dresser… He glanced at her again. "How did my little present go over?"

"He… s…" She drew a breath.

"Never mind. I guess it's not important. You'd better put the mask back on."

The telephone rang. Donovan grabbed it. "Hello?"

"That was a nice little gesture… Romeo," Steve said.

Donovan grinned. "Well, hi, Maitland. How are you?"

"Put Julie on."

"Mmm. I'm afraid I can't do that right now. She's resting."

"Is she all right?"

"It's okay. I have the situation under control. But I need a favor from you."

"What?"

"Leave her alone until she wants to speak to you. I don't want her getting stressed out."

"Are you serious about taking her in?"

"Damn strait. You can tell her mother I said—"

"Connie's on her way back to New York. That is why I called. You'll give Julie the message?"

Wondering if Julie had another confrontation with Connie, Donovan said, "Yeah, I will."

After hanging up, Donovan looked at Julie.

She pulled the mask away from her face.

"What?" she asked.

"Your mother's on her way home."