M. Forsythe - While Rome Was Sleeping

“I don’t know what it means, but I called the number and guess who answered the phone? I rang in on the private line of Lyle Ramsey… you know, the Lyle Ramsey of Ramsey & Carr.”

Andrew stared at the name, “Hmmn,” Andrew puzzled over the telephone number written on the scrap of paper. “Why would Monte Maxwell have access to the private number of Lyle Ramsey? Unless…” Suddenly Neil Klein’s words ‘large and local’ loomed in Andrew’s consciousness.

“Jim, if Monte had this number I would be willing to bet the farm that it’s connected to the murder of George Kelshaw. Now the question is how and what would Ramsey have to gain? Unless…” Andrew continued, “I think I’d better let Neil Klein know about this little development.”

“Good idea Andy, and in the meantime I’ll do some quiet investigating of Mr. Ramsey at my end.”

“Thanks, Jim… I’ll see you later and I’ll call you after I talk to Klein, but right now I’d better get back.”

10:00 AM

Andrew had just reached Charlene’s room when he saw Father Ben and Jack approaching. He noted Jack’s bloodshot eyes and haggard appearance. Andrew looked at Ben questioning. Ben returned his gaze without expression.

“Hi,” Jack said to Andrew, “How are you—you don’t look so good, buddy.”

“You don’t look all that good either, friend,” Andrew replied. I know what happened to me—but what happened to you?”

At that, Father Ben shook his head at Andrew with a “Don’t go there,” expression. “How is Charlene?” he asked.

“I don’t know; the doctor’s with her now.”

One of the nurses came out and called, “Mr. Kincaid would you step in here for a moment?”

Andrew immediately followed the nurse into Charlene’s room while Father Ben and Jack waited. To his surprise and delight Charlene’s lips were moving asking for Andrew and when he spoke she seemed to recognize his voice.

“Hey,” he said, “It’s about time you woke up… how are you feeling?”

The doctor broke in, “You can have a couple of minutes with her, Mr. Kincaid; now that she’s awake we have a few tests that we would like to do; then we’ll see where we are.”

The staff left leaving Andrew and Charlene alone. He leaned over the bed and lightly kissed her forehead, “You really gave me a scare,” he told her.

“Andrew, I can’t see,” she said weakly.

“That’s because your eyes are bandaged… but its okay, you’re going to be fine,” he reassured her.

“But what if it isn’t..? What happened?”

“It will be and we’ll talk about what happened later. Right now, you just need to get better. I love you and—don’t worry—not at all,” he admonished.

The doctor reappeared and Andrew kissed her hand and said, “I’ll be back,” saying to the doctor, “Take good care of her.”

Father Ben was smiling, “She’s awake?” he asked.

“Yes, thank God.” Andrew drew a deep breath.

“Yes, indeed thank God,” Ben replied.

Jack stood forlornly by the door. “Andy, I am so sorry—this should never have happened to you.”

“I’m sorry too, but too many things have happened that shouldn’t have and I’m going find out what’s behind them.”

Jack nodded his head as Andrew continued, “When this all settles down I want to know the rest of the story with you and Kelshaw.”

Looking into space Jack murmured, “Yeah.”

Father Ben had been watching Jack as he and Andrew were talking. Drawing Andrew aside he said in a low voice, “Keep us informed of Charlene’s progress and don’t worry, Andrew, her eyes will be just fine,” he assured. Then turning to Hubbard he said, “Come with me to the Center—I could use your help today, Jack,” he directed.

After speaking briefly with Andrew, Jack obediently followed the priest.

Dr. Bennett called Andrew into a small conference area saying, “Here’s the situation; Ms. Thayer doesn’t appear to have any significant injuries other than superficial cuts and abrasions and a mild concussion. However, she has experienced what often happens to people who have been close to an explosion; in layman’s terms, her eyes were burned by the flash.

“Although she was close to the explosion, the timing of the passing vehicle somewhat shielded her from its full force. We have taken precautions and have had an ophthalmologist evaluate her condition. We’re going to keep her for a few more days and then she can go home, but until the bandages can be removed from her eyes someone must be with her.”

Andrew listened attentively, and assured Dr. Bennett, “That’s good news, Doc, and she’ll be well taken care of. Now, may I tell her?” Andrew asked eagerly.

The doctor nodded, “Go ahead, I’ll follow up with instructions.”

It was mid-morning when Father Ben and Jack arrived at the Center; Sister Ruth, Byron and Davey were busy unpacking and putting away supplies.

Seeing Father Ben, Sister Ruth eagerly seeking news asked, “How are Mrs. Thayer and Andrew, of course?”

“You will be happy to learn that Charlene is awake and Andrew is much better! But when she is released from the hospital she is going to need some care because her eyes have been injured—do you think she might stay at the Convent for little while?”

Ruth’s face lit up, “Of course, Father; you didn’t even have to ask.”

“Well Andrew has volunteered to stay with her…” he didn’t finish.

“Well, of course not!” Sister Ruth exclaimed. “He’s much too busy and besides we can’t have that,” she stated.

Father Ben smiled, “That’s what I thought, but we’ll cross that bridge when Andrew comes to it; by the way, this is Andrew’s friend Jack Hubbard, Sister Ruth Myers, Byron Curtis and Davey Collins,” he said introducing each of them. “The Center would not run without these three people who keep me going too.”

Byron and Davey both smiled and shook Jack’s hand and Sister Ruth gave him a hug saying, “I’m so excited to meet you—I’ve read so many of your columns, I feel I almost know you.”

Sister Ruth just smiled, “You’re a good friend to Andrew and that makes you our good friend!” Jack relaxed.

Father Ben broke in, “Come into my office, Jack, we can talk there. I have a comfortable chair that just might fit you. Would you like some coffee?” Ben asked as Jack settled into a deep seated leather chair. “Andrew says that our coffee is terrible, but I drink tea so…,” he smiled.

Jack requested coffee in spite of Ben’s warnings and Ben said, “I’ll have Davey bring us some.”

Noting Davey’s childlike mannerisms, Jack commented, “Father Ben, Davey seems to have found a niche here at the Center. He seems happy.”

“Yes, Davey is much help to me and to all of us here. You have noticed he has a slight disability, but he has a good understanding of what needs to be done. When Mr. Kelshaw was attacked there was no one else I could rely on. Sister Ruth and Byron had gone for the day; Davey had to stand in the gap for me, closing and locking the Center without anyone guiding him and he did it very well. I have come to look at him through new eyes.”

Davey brought the coffee and tea closing the door to the office on his way out.

Father Ben began, “I saw your face while you were conversing with Andrew about Mr. Kelshaw at the hospital, Jack. It was very disturbing to you. I know that he was your friend, but I sense there is something else.”

Jack sat motionless and silent, then looking at Ben, he sighed, “Yes, Father Ben, there is something else and I don’t know if I can even talk about it right now,” he said carefully setting his coffee mug on the desk.