The Rabbit's Hole_A Nick Lawrence Novel by Brian Christopher Shea

Author:Brian Christopher Shea [Shea, Brian Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“Mr. Lawrence?”

“Yes,” Nick answered into his cell phone.

“It’s Doctor Whitmore over here at Pine Woods. I know that you are out of town on vacation, but I need you to come here right away,” the doctor said.

Nick heard the tension in the physician’s voice and it concerned him greatly. “I’m back. My trip was cut short. What is it, Doc?”

“Your mother passed away,” Whitmore said.

“What?” Nick said, suddenly unsteady.

Nick looked down at his watch. He’d lost all track of time. It was almost 9:15 p.m. He’d left Simmons back at the office a few hours before, after taking a stack of files home with him. He was trying to get up to speed on years of investigative efforts in a matter of hours.

He’d been absorbed in case file after case file, devouring the information like a pig after the pour of a slop bucket. Time slipped away while he sat on the worn leather-backed chair in his quaint study. An office space that would soon most likely be converted into a baby room. His mind was racing, and all of these thoughts came crashing down on him haphazardly, making it impossible to comprehend the doctor’s words.

He heard the sound of the doctor’s voice but understood none of what was being said.

“What? I—don’t—I mean how—when?” Nick babbled.

“I’d rather discuss this with you in person. When can I expect you?” Whitmore asked calmly.

Nick snapped into focus and was already moving through the condo grabbing his jacket and keys.

“I’m on the way and will be there shortly.”

“I’ll be here to greet you when you arrive,” Whitmore said.

Nick ended the call, dropped his phone into his pocket, and dashed madly out the door into the brisk night air. He barely registered the icy wind that pelted against his face. The only thought on his mind was his mother and how he’d failed to be there at the end.

Nick made fast work of the distance between his house and his mother’s assisted living facility, weaving the Jetta in and out of the minimal suburban traffic.

The doctor had delivered the initial blow, but he had a hard time accepting it. Even though he knew deep down that he was already too late, he still felt an undeniable compunction to get there quickly. A self-preserving thought resonated that if he got there fast enough he could reverse things or prove the doctor wrong. It was irrational thinking and even though he was aware of its lunacy, he continued his maniacal trek.

Nick continued his reckless operation of the small German four-door as he accelerated into the parking area of Pine Woods Retirement Center, slamming on the brakes and skidding to a stop in front of the main entrance.

Nick left the car running and ran to the entrance. The automated sliding doors opened too slowly, and Nick pried at them, forcing the mechanics to work at his desperate speed. He rushed into the main lobby and was greeted by the familiar face of Doctor Whitmore.

“Mr. Lawrence, I’m so sorry for your loss.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.