It's so cold. I am an orphan. My mother is dead and buried, and my father is dead to me. How dare he? I lost my love. I murdered our baby girl. Talbot Reed: position, power, profit and my pain. I want him to feel as empty as I do. Who do I pray to now? No one answered then.
Julian leafed forward.
July 10th:
Austin Bailey was shot today. I held his heart in my hands. All I could think about was the heart I crushed twenty years ago. Austin must prevail. I won't break another Bailey heart. I saw Marty. I wanted to crawl on my hands and knees to beg him to forgive me. Wishes are overrated. But Austin is alive. I can give Marty that gift.
"Call Ian. I'll call the proxies." Julian sat in Elizabeth's desk chair and dialed the first.
A pleasant woman answered on the third ring. "Dr. Weiss."
"My name is Julian Dupart from Chase Security. Do you know a Dr. Elizabeth Reed?"
"Beth, of course. Why are you calling me?" the older woman's voice wavered. "What's happened?"
"Dr. Weiss, Elizabeth is a patient at Horizon Medical Center. Are you aware she named you her healthcare proxy?"
"Mr. Dupart, I do not have personal discussions with strangers. Give me the name of the treating physician. I will dial the Horizon switchboard myself."
"Yes, ma'am. You need to ask for Dr. Patrick Hedges or Dr. Steven Keys."
Julian was calling the other proxy when Martin ended his call to Ian. "Hi, this is Joyce," a chipper voice answered.
"Good morning, Dr. Bey. My name is Julian Dupart from Chase Security."
"Well, Julian Dupart from Chase Security and Louisiana, if I'm not wrong, what can I do for you today?"
Julian broke the bad news, "Dr. Bey, do you know a Dr. Elizabeth Reed?"
"Yes, I do. Now, why would you be calling me and not Beth?"
"Beth is a patient at Horizon Medical Center."
"Did you call Professor Weiss?" her chipper voice became stressed.
"If you mean, Dr. Ruth Weiss, then yes."
"You said she's at Horizon. What's her attending's name? I'm in San Francisco. I need to find coverage."
"Dr. Patrick Hedges and Dr. Steven Keys are her physicians."
"Tell my girl I'm coming, and, Julian Dupart from Chase Security, don't let her bastard father near her." Joyce hung up.
Martin and Julian readied to leave the house, but Julian reversed his path of entry and slipped out the back. Two Silverton police officers stood on the porch, and Zach sat on the rail. With all the seriousness he could muster, Zach warned Martin nothing could be removed. Martin nodded. Elizabeth's recent diary, the proxies, and her will stayed safe in his pocket.
Patrick sat researching neurotoxins and nicotine. The unit secretary leaned over, handing him a fax. "Dr. Hedges, there is a Dr. Weiss from Johns Hopkins on line four."
"Dr. Hedges, may I help you?"
"Dr. Hedges, my name is Ruth Weiss. I understand Dr. Elizabeth Reed is your patient?"
"Yes, ma'am, I received your fax. We have a conflict here."
"Talbot Reed, the bastard. I am aware of Beth's feelings. I called the hospital legal department. Talbot Reed is not permitted to make any decisions for her, and I want him out. I'll be there on the first flight in the morning. You keep her alive. She is NOT a DNR."
Patrick picked up the other call on hold. "Dr. Hedges, this is Dr. Joyce Bey. What's going on with my girl Beth?" He couldn't help but smile at the voice on the phone before explaining the situation.
"You tell her I'm coming and keep her father away from her. He’s an evil man." Drawers opened and closed in the background. "I'm coming. Don't let her die."
