When he was finished with his rounds, David went down to the first floor to search the lab for Angela. He found her in the chemistry area trying to solve a problem with one of the multi-track analyzers.
“Are you finished already?” Angela asked, catching sight of David.
“For a change,” David said.
“How’s Eakins?” Angela asked.
“I’ll tell you later,” David said.
Angela looked at him closely. “Is everything all right?”
“Hardly,” David said. “But I don’t want to talk about it now.”
Angela excused herself from the laboratory tech with whom she was working and took David aside.
“I had a little surprise when I got in here this morning,” she said. “Wadley hit the ceiling about my doing the autopsy.”
“I’m sorry,” David said.
“It’s not your fault,” Angela said. “Wadley is just being an ass. His ego has been bruised. But the problem is, he’s refused to allow any of the specimens to be processed.”
“Damn,” David said. “I really wanted the toxicology done.”
“No need to worry,” Angela said. “I sent the toxicology and cultures to Boston. I’m going to do the slides. In fact, I’ll stay tonight to do them. Will you make dinner for you and Nikki?”
David told her he’d be happy to.
David was relieved to get out of the hospital. It was exhilarating to ride his bike through the crisp New England air. He felt disappointed the trip was over as he peddled up the driveway.
After sending Alice home, David enjoyed spending time with Nikki. The two of them worked out in the yard until darkness drove them inside. While Nikki did her homework, David made a simple meal of steak and salad.
After dinner David broke the news about Caroline.
“Is she real sick?” Nikki asked.
“She looked very uncomfortable when I saw her,” David said.
“I want to go visit her tomorrow,” Nikki said.
“I’m sure you do,” David said. “But remember, you were a little congested yourself last night. I think we better wait until we know for sure what Caroline has. Okay?”
Nikki nodded, but she wasn’t happy.
To be on the safe side, David insisted Nikki do her postural drainage even though she usually only did it in the morning unless she wasn’t feeling well. Nikki didn’t complain.
After Nikki went to bed, David began to peruse the infectious disease section of one of his medical textbooks. He wasn’t looking for anything in particular. He thought there was a chance he might discover something along the lines of the infection he’d envisioned earlier in the day, but nothing jumped out at him.
Before he knew it, David was waking up with his heavy textbook of medicine open on his lap. Shades of medical school, he thought with a chuckle. It had been a while since he’d fallen asleep over one of his books. Checking the clock over the fireplace he was surprised to see it was after eleven. Angela still wasn’t home.
Feeling mildly anxious, David called the hospital. The operator put him through to the lab.
“What’s going on?” he asked when he heard Angela’s voice.
“It’s just taking me longer than I thought,” Angela said. “The staining takes time. Makes me appreciate the techs who normally do it. I should have called you, but I’m almost finished. I’ll be home within the hour.”
“I’ll be waiting,” David said.
It was more than an hour by the time Angela was completely finished. She took a selection of slides and loaded them in a metal briefcase. She thought David might want to take a peek at them. Angela’s own microscope was at home so he could easily have a look if he were interested.
She said goodnight to the night-shift techs, then headed out to the parking lot.
She didn’t see her old Volvo in the reserved parking area. For a moment, she thought the car had been stolen, then she remembered she’d been forced to park in the far reaches of the upper lot.
Setting off at a brisk pace, Angela quickly slowed. Not only was she carrying a heavy briefcase, but she was exhausted. Halfway across the lot she had to transfer the briefcase to the other hand.