CCC #48

The next day I woke up in the same hospital room but in much less pain. I could think more clearly today but when I looked around, there was no one there. I tried to sit up and was reminded of the handcuffs at my wrists and the restraints at my ankles.
I was still under arrest. So many men were still dead at my hands. Marie still needed to know what happened to Jack. I was so overcome with the enormity of the sins I had committed, I didn’t notice the door opening. It was Chief Whitcomb.
“How are you Steve?” he asked. “Somewhat better.” I replied. “Good” he said, “the docs say you can go. Lets head over to your sisters house and then to the station.” I nodded sullenly. I didn’t want to have to tell my sister about Jack. I also didn’t want to go anywhere with the Chief.
It was hard to remember that we had once been friends. He was my mentor at one time before he became Chief. That title brought him more responsibility and we drifted apart. He must have thought his presence would help to keep me docile.
I had shown how dangerous I could be, I needed to seize whatever straw I could to gain back at least part of the respect I had earned in the past. This man knew who I was, who I had been, what kind of man, what kind of cop.
I had to trust someone and in the absence of Jack Reagan, Mark Whitcomb would have to do. I started to rise from the bed and the handcuffs bit into my wrists. I sank back to the bed. “How about these Mark?” I asked. “I’m not going anywhere. Just let me get dressed.” He nodded and reached into his pocket for his keys.
“No funny stuff right?” he asked. I shook my head. “I am all out of funny stuff Mark.” He unlocked the cuffs and untied my ankles. I rubbed my wrists and he eyed me warily. I got dressed and even though he turned his back, he stood in front of the door. He didn’t trust me. I guess I wouldn’t either after what he had seen in that nursing home.
I finished dressing and for the first time noticed a breakfast tray next to my bed. My stomach growled loudly and Chief Whitcom looked around. We shared a smile. “Go ahead and eat.” He said. “We have a few minutes.” I sat back down and looked at the food under the warming dome.
A somewhat typical meal of popular breakfast foods awaited me. Fake scrambled eggs, bacon, orange juice and a blue Jell-o that looked like Dawn dishwashing detergent. I avoided that.
I ate ravenously, just like a man who has spent 3 days asleep in a hospital bed. I was just finishing off the last swig of the sour orange juice when the nurse came in with the papers I had to sign for discharge. “Where are my things?” I asked the Chief. “Clothes we burned, everything else is evidence. You can get some of it back at the station. Let’s go see your sister.”
I nodded and he gestured me out of the door ahead of him. I awkwardly used the crutches that the nurse provided to exit the room. I was immediately flanked by 2 hard faced officers I did not know and led by a third, with the Chief bringing up the rear. At least I wasn’t handcuffed.
We exited the hospital into the clear morning air. I took a long look around and a deep breath of cleansing air before I crutched to the car that I was directed too. I got inside, settling my heavily bandaged leg as comfortably as I could get it in the backseat of the cruiser.
One of the hard faced cops drove with the Chief himself riding shotgun. No one spoke on the drive to my sisters house halfway across town. They already knew the address.
We pulled up in front of the white stucco house that Jack had so lovingly cared for. The lawn was as green as the lawn service could make it, and the house was as clean as the power washer that Jack toyed with could make it.
I asked the Chief then, “Does she know anything?” “No,” he said. “We waited for you. It was one of the only coherent things that you got out as we were taking you to the hospital.” “How did you keep it from her?” I asked. “She knew Jack was in trouble.” “We keep stringing her along. It’s not nice but…” he trailed off. I nodded. “Where is he now?” I asked quietly. “Coroner has him. Just waiting on you so we can set up the funeral.” He said.
I nodded and hard face let me out of the car. The Chief came with me to the door. She would know what was wrong when she opened it. I rang the bell and waited. Marie came to the door wiping her hands with a dishtowel. The towel fell to the floor as she looked from me to the Chief and back to me.
Chief Whitcom caught her as she collapsed in her doorway. I hadn’t even said hi yet.

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