A Nose For Crime by Noel Cash

Author:Noel Cash [Cash, Noel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

I spent the next two days in the hospital with my mother. Because Da was a patient at the time of his stroke, he received immediate treatment to break apart the blood clot. Nevertheless, he lost the use of his left arm and leg, and the left side of his mouth drooped. He slept most of the weekend, though he did recognize my mother when he woke.

I don’t know how she managed it, but she remained upbeat, reminding me of Kix’s attitude after her attack.

“We’ve survived worse. We’ll rise from this stronger than ever.”

I did not voice my doubts about his recovery from a broken hip and stroke, but I had to show a positive attitude.

Monday, the doctors moved him to a rehab center that specialized in stroke victims.

“Ma, stay with me, you’ll be closer to Hill Valley.” The solution killed two birds with one stone. I could keep an eye on her, and she wouldn’t feel so helpless.

She gave me the stink eye. “Your place is one mile closer. I don’t want to put you out. Besides, I want to be in my own house. It comforts me.” She rubbed her arm as if comforting someone else.

I didn’t see how returning to an empty house gave her solace. Looking at a room that we’d made into a bedroom would remind her of the endless days until he could occupy it.

“At least let me drive you to Hill Valley.” What could I do to make her life easier? She had a strict code about what a son should do for his parents.

“No. We’ve kept you from your work long enough. I feel bad that you haven’t had the chance to catch the Becky Killer,” she said, using the nickname the media had bestowed on the murderer. I’m sure it terrorized every Rebecca and Becky in the Midwest.

“Are you sure?” I hated for her to shoulder the burden of Da’s relocation and rehab.

She patted my cheek, as if I hadn’t aged in the past eighty years. “Of course I’m sure. I’ll do what I have to, and you do what you have to.”

I nodded. The list of what I had to do had multiplied since Saturday.

I left her, but didn’t head to the office. I’d checked on Lucille, who told me the chorus of crickets from the lack of any business had deafened her. You have to love troll humor.

After hot takeout, a hotter shower, and clean clothes, I sat on my sofa and read the emails the hospital’s poor wi-fi had denied me.

Kix couldn’t identify any of the tobacco samples M.I.C.U. sent to her.

Hugh advised me that his wife had disappeared Friday night and walked in the next morning with a loaf of French brioche. He didn’t expect me to tail her again until I had time.

So, why the note in the first place, Hugh?

Myth and human databases had not matched the fingerprints on the cigarette butts left at the murder scene of Becky Two. Brady waited for DNA results.

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