Lady Justice and the Organ Traders by Thornhill Robert

Author:Thornhill, Robert [Thornhill, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2014-03-10T04:00:00+00:00

To say that Maggie was less than enthusiastic about my idea would be an understatement.

As I unfolded my plan, I could see her expression change from mild interest to disbelief and finally to outright anger.

“How could you even suggest such a thing? No! Absolutely no! My poor brother is dying of kidney failure and you want to drag him into one of your harebrained schemes? That’s just cruel!”

Once her initial reaction subsided, I got that ‘you’re an ignoramus’ look. That’s usually my cue to begin pleading my defense.

“Actually, what you said is kind of the point. Your brother is going into Stage 4 renal failure. That means he’s going to be undergoing dialysis treatments five hours a day, three or four days a week, waiting for a kidney donor that will probably never come because of his age. It’s not like we’re throwing his fat in the fire. He would know exactly what he’s getting into. After all, he’s been a P.I. for fifty years and probably been involved in stuff you never want to know about. Most important, he said that he always wanted to be a cop but never had the chance. This is his chance. He can spend his last days filled with regret hooked to a machine or go out with a feeling of pride and self-worth knowing he helped bring some bad guys to justice.”

I could see that she was wavering.

“You men are such macho idiots!”

“Look, he might just say ‘no,’ but don’t you think that the decision should be his?”

“I suppose you’re right, but I still don’t like it.”

“How about we have him over for supper tomorrow night?”

“Sure. At least I’ll have one evening to get to know my brother before he goes riding off into the sunset with you.”

I figured it was time to change the subject. “So how was your day at the Genealogy Center?”

That brought a smile to her face.

“There wasn’t much, but at least I know something about my heritage. Angus and Sarah Kilpatrick emigrated from Ireland to the United States just after the turn of the century. They initially settled in New York but later relocated to Kansas City. Angus was a railroad worker. Sean, my father, was born in 1921. He was twenty-three when he enlisted in the army. That was in 1944, the year I was born. He was shot down later that year, most likely never knowing he had a daughter. Angus and Sarah had no other children so I guess I’m the last living member of the Kilpatrick family in the United States.”

She wiped a tear from her eye.

“So how do you feel about things now that everything you ever believed about your family has been turned upside down?”

She thought for a moment. “I’m okay. I knew my mom. She was no bed-hopping floosy. Something happened in her life that brought her and Sean together. His last letter to her is proof to me that I was conceived in love. That’s all that’s important. I am who I am and this doesn’t change a thing.

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