Free Web of Deceit by Peggy Slocum Page A

volunteers.”
    Impatient, Beth
asks, “So, I need to write all of the denominations on this two-inch line?”
    “Yes, that would
work too,” Edwin says. He smiles and his eyes sparkle.
     Beth regards
Edwin. Sarah would be proud of her dad.
    “Excuse me,” the
nurse from the desk interrupts. “There is a policeman here that needs to file a
report of the accident.”
    “Why don’t you
hand me the clipboard?” Elizabeth says. “I’ll finish filling this out.”
    “Thanks.  We’ll
come back when we are finished with the paperwork,” Beth says.
    An hour later,
another nurse comes through the double doors. “Mr. and Mrs. Perkins?”
    “Yes,” they reply,
standing up.
    “Your daughter is
in her room now. Follow me, please.”
    At the door to
Sarah’s room, they are greeted by the head nurse. “This room isn’t available to
the public; however, the other rooms aren’t equipped. Can the other nurses
visit your daughter on their breaks?”
    “Yes, of course,”
Elizabeth answers.
    “Apparently, she
has had quite an effect on several of their lives. The nurse on duty will be in
soon.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Yes, we
appreciate everything,” Edwin agrees.
    With a pasted-on
smile, the head nurse finishes by saying, “You are very welcome,” and leaves.
    Inside the room
there is a couch and two reclining chairs. The head of Sarah’s bed is
surrounded by vitals monitors. Two IV bags are hanging from the drip stand. A
whir of a metering pump blends with the beeps and clicks of the monitors. Edwin
and Elizabeth both hold one of their daughter’s hands and begin to pray.
    Ten minutes later
Elliot and Beth come in unnoticed and sit on the couch, giving Sarah’s parents
a moment alone with her.
    As Edwin and
Elizabeth finish praying, Beth draws close to Sarah’s bed. She gazes down at
her friend and pulls her long blond hair away from her face. They did a good
job cleaning her up. Poor Sarah, she’s still pretty bad though. “Please
wake up,” she whispers as she bends down to kiss Sarah on her forehead.
    Elliot is now
standing by Sarah opposite Beth. He gently touches Sarah’s hand. “Take care,
kid.” He looks up at Beth. “You about ready?”
    “Yeah.”
    They hug Sarah’s
parents good-bye, and Beth says, “Let me know if anything changes or you need
something. We’re going to find who did this.”
    “Please be
careful.” Elizabeth cautions them, knowing that Beth is serious.
    “We have one too many
daughters in the hospital as it is,” Edwin says.
    Beth’s eyes water
again as a gentle warmth fills her body. She gives them one last hug and heads
for the door. They have always made her feel like their daughter. But for her
to admit it might somehow betray her parents that she tragically lost so many
years ago.

Chapter
8: Lou’s Garage
     
    Minutes later,
Beth and Elliot walk across the hospital’s windswept parking lot toward the
Jeep.
    “Beth, you gonna
be OK?” Elliot asks.
    Distracted from
her thoughts, Beth answers, “Yeah, of course.” She pulls her knee-length,
black, leather trench coat tight against her torso. This wind just won’t let
up today.
    “You have a far
away look on your face. A lot has been goin’ on. Maybe you should go home and
get some rest.” Elliot opens the Jeep’s passenger door for her. “I’ll call you
when I get some answers.”
    “That is not an
option. I am coming with you. So, where to first?”
    “Howard called
while you were talking to Sarah’s mom.” Elliot buckles in and turns the key.
“He gave me two addresses.” He backs the Jeep up and drives toward the exit.
“One might be the owner of the jack that was left behind.” Elliot makes a right
toward the highway.
    “Excellent. So
what’s your plan of attack?”
    “Howard said to
try the one on Oldfield Street,” Elliot answers. “They’re new; they took over
Sal’s old garage. He doesn’t know anything about ’em. I worked the neighborhood
back in the day on the Force. I know