The Ascension: A Novel by Michael & G. Cornelius

Author:Michael & G. Cornelius [Cornelius, Michael G.]
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction / Thrillers, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General, Fiction / Horror, Fiction / Fantasy / General
ISBN: 9780978655150
Publisher: Breakneck Books
Published: 2007-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

HAVING never set foot in one before, Cal found the Country Pastures nursing home much nicer than he had expected. After all the crap he’d heard about old folks’ homes, Cal had half-thought they’d find dozens upon dozens of old bodies piled on top of the other, covered in their own feces and dribbling strained prunes down their faces. Instead, the lobby of the facility resembled that of a hotel—and a damn nicer hotel than Cal could afford on his salary.

Cal and Rabinowitz walked over to a stout but smiling woman sitting at a large front desk. They flashed their badges. A mild look of concern crossed the woman’s face. Her nametag read “Shirley.” “We’d like to see Professor Grund,” Rabinowitz said.

Shirley’s only response was a blank expression. She seemed to be still dazed by the badges. “I’m sorry, who?” she said, shuffling some papers in front of her.

“Professor Grund,” Rabinowitz repeated. Shirley still looked confused. A nearby nurse spoke up. “E.J.,” she said to Shirley. “They want to see E.J.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you say so?” Now that she knew what the two police officers wanted, Shirley’s voice and expression were pure sugar and honey. “Now isn’t that nice? No one ever comes to visit him. Well, not much, anyway. Course that’s true of so many of our residents here.” She clucked sympathetically. Rabinowitz rolled her eyes. She preferred the quiet, dumbstruck Shirley. “Course I’m not sure why the police would want to talk with him; I don’t think he’s robbed any banks lately.” Shirley was the only one laughing at her lame joke. “Now let me see, it’s just after 2:00, so I guess E. J. would have just got back from OT. That’s occupational therapy. Hold on a moment while I check up on him. You can wait for him over there, in the reception room.” And with some considerable effort Shirley got up from her desk and waddled off.

“Why do you call him E.J.?” Rabinowitz asked the nurse.

“Well, we give nicknames to just about everyone who comes in here. It’s a thing we do.” With that she walked off.

Rabinowitz gave the nurse a contemptful stare. “Can you believe this?” she said to Cal as they found seats in the reception room. “How we treat the elderly in this country is so undignified. You know, in most European nations the family takes care of their elderly. And in Japan they revere the elderly. Here, we just lock you up in some home tucked out of sight where people like Shirley go around all day calling you ‘E.J.’, not even knowing your real name. It makes me sick.”

Cal gave Rabinowitz an amused smile. “I’ve never seen this side of you, Velvet,” he said, half-joking. “I kind of like it, but you’re going to make me forget all about the demure ATF agent who first crossed my path.”

Rabinowitz rolled her eyes at Cal. “Are you trying to tell me this place doesn’t turn your stomach?” she said.

“Actually,” Cal replied, “I think it’s pretty great.

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