Murder On The Mainline - S01 E42

Story 3 days ago

Murder On The Mainline - S01 E42

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 42

Next he goes over the ward itself. There are two beds in the room and the only access is though the office. The wide hospital door that leads into the hall is securely locked. He satisfies himself that they used a type of lock nearly impossible to break through. He thinks the Penitentiary Service of Canada (CPS) must have specified it.

He leaves the ward to check the OR. The nurse says they are nearly finished. He stands just inside the door and watches them work. Two interns are cleaning up and the doctor nods to Mike to follow him.

They step out into a scrub room. The doctor removes his gloves and pulls off his mask. He dumps them in a canister as he says, "We've done the best we can for her. It's up to her now to get rest and mend. We'll be watching for infection or other complications but she will have to recoup a lot of strength before we can go on to the next operation. She'll be out for a bit longer in the recovery room. When she comes around we'll move her to the secure ward."

Mike goes to the nearby recovery room. He looks down at the peaceful figure and notes he can see her face much better now. It's purple and yellow around the edge of the bandaging over her ear and scalp. The jaw is set in a swathed wire net but appears to not be out of line now. A rigid brace and basket affair support her one shoulder and hold it firmly in place.

She's a sorry looking specimen but she looks fine compared to how Flo must have looked. He's glad he broke into the house to find her. He settles in a nearby chair to wait.

First he hears a soft moan then a whimper. He steps up to the side of the bed. His movement alerts the nurse to come to the bed. "I think she's waking up. Ms. Mathers, can you hear me?"

She does not give any indication of having heard the nurse, who repeats the question. Tiny movements of the eyelids and small furrows of puzzlement on her brow are the only sign she is recovering consciousness. Hardly audible her lips move forming words, "Must call Mike Claymore, must call Mike Claymore, must call..." Suddenly her head jerks and she opens her eyes.

Mike says soothingly, "Marie, I'm right here. I'm here beside you. It's me, Mike Claymore."

The nurse says, "She may not be able to hear you, or comprehend what you're saying. Give her a minute." As they watch her features clear. She seems to have gone back to sleep.

Then she murmurs, "It hurts. Can't move my mouth."

The nurse speaks reassuringly, "Ms. Mathers, your in the hospital. Your jaw was hurt so it is wired shut on one side. Are you having any difficulty breathing?"

She tries to shake her head then whispers, "No. I can breathe alright."

The nurse shakes her head and says, "Good, you can hear me alright. You just rest and we'll have you better in no time." To Mike she says, "Let her rest as much as possible. She needs time to sort things out in her mind."

Mike nods and goes back to his seat. He waits and listens. In about ten minutes she stirs again and speaks, "Bob? Bob, are there?" Mike listens. "Bob, where are you? Bob?" Mike stands and moves to her side. Her eyes are shut.

He speaks, "Don't worry. I'll keep Bob away from you. Try to rest."

Her brow creases in puzzlement as she opens her eyes. She regards him then whispers, "Has he tried to come here?"

"He was here this morning but they caught him at the desk downstairs. He won't get up here. Have no fear."

"Please tell him I love him."

Mike looks in bewilderment at her words. "You want me to tell him you still care?"

"Yes. Maybe he'll come then."

"Marie, he hurt you! He put you in this hospital. He hurt you bad!"

"No! I did this. I'm clumsy and I hurt myself." She starts to ramble, "I don't remember, must have fallen down, maybe down the stairs..."

As she drifts away into a light sleep again Mike puzzles over her words. It's the battered women's syndrome, he thinks.
Subconsciously she fears blaming Robert because she fears retribution. He's going to need help with this one, of that he's sure.

He hears a PA page, "Mike Claymore, please call local 327." The message is repeated on the PA system. He steps to the nurse's desk and asks to use the phone. When he calls he's told by one of the hospital security people that Robert Hanson is at the front desk demanding to see Marie. He says he'll be right down, but do not let him come upstairs.

Quickly he goes to the elevator. When he gets off he is confronted by an irate man who is tall, dark and in his mid twenties. He's flanked by three security guards, one of them being Roger, and they are just in front of the stairs.

He joins the group and says, "Mr. Hanson, please come with me."

"You must be Claymore. How dare you prevent me from visiting Marie! I demand an explanation!"

"Follow me and I will give it to you."

Roger says, "I'll come with you, Mike." But Mike shakes his head. "Mr. Hanson and I have something to discuss in private. Are you coming?"

Mike leads the way down a corridor to the lunchroom. Three shadows follow them in the distance. Mike chooses a table near the windows and away from all others. He indicates for Bob to have a seat and takes one himself.

"Mr. Hanson, I don't know you. I have never met you before. I'll put my cards on the table. I'm investigating the death of your ex-wife, Florence. Someone brutally murdered her and you have all the right reasons to do so. Did you murder Flo?"

"What's that got to do with Marie?"

"Just answer my question and I'll tell you."

"Of course I didn't kill her?"

"You were out all that night. Where were you?"

"Marie told you." He wilts and looks confused. "I'm not sure where I was. The last while I suffer blackout spells when I'm drinking." He becomes more assertive. "But I did not kill my ex-wife! I could never do a thing like that."

"Night before last you almost killed Marie. How can you be sure you didn't do the same thing to Florence?"

"I was drunk, angry. I don't remember much of it. She said she was going to call you and leave me. It's all mixed up in my head."

"How do you keep a job driving bus in your condition?"

"I don't. They fired me last week. Caught drinking on the job. A passenger reported me. I'd like to see Marie."

"She's not in very good shape. Do you think she wants to see you?"

"She's all I have left. No job, bills piling up, and a drinking problem to fight. I need her. She's my solace. I love that girl. I have to beg her forgiveness."

"She forgives you. She said so herself. But she needs time to heal and she won't be able to do that when she fears for her life. Go home and try to find work. Try to stay sober and leave her in peace for now. Do it for Marie."

"I can't see her?"

"I can't legally stop you, but I can have the hospital guards detain you while I call the police. You will not be allowed to see her at this time. If you want any future with her, do as I suggest. Do it for her! Join the AA, look for work and let her alone for now. Can you do that for Marie?"

"I'll try. It's not easy, you know. They say I'm an alcoholic, but I don't think I am. My first wife: that was before Flo, drove me to drink. She was my life and she liked her booze so we drank together. When I found out she was sleeping with half my so-called friends I went berserk. That was the first time I ever struck a woman. We were drunk and she laughed at me. We survived that first episode and continued to drink together. She would sleep around and I'd beat her for it. I saw my dad do the same thing. My mother was a whore. One day my wife disappeared for a week. "

"When she came back she was drunk and some guys dumped her out of the car in front of our place. It was shortly after that she ran off with another guy. I was in a daze until I met Flo. She sobered me up. She got pregnant and we were so happy. Then she fell down the stairs and lost the baby. I went back to drinking and life became intolerable for her. We didn't have a life! She met Trixie and they started turning tricks on the side. "

"I was too drunk to realize what was going on at first. When I caught on I beat her, too. Not a pretty picture. I seem to be caught in this merry-go-round of drinking and bullying my wives. I guess you know she cleaned me out in the divorce and the courts. For a while I couldn't afford to drink."

"Then Marie came along and helped me get back on my feet. She helped me get on with the Transit as a driver. If I could just stop the drinking..."

"Sounds like you've hit the bottom. Talk to others who have been there. Find a local AA. Look in the phone book. They can help you. That's all I can suggest."

"I guess that's where I'll have to go. Thank you for taking the time to listen. I still wish I could see her for a few minutes, but I guess your right. I would only scare her. Please tell her I love her and am sorry for hurting her. Will you do that much, at least."

"No promises. I'll gauge her physical condition before I'll even mention you were here. Her health comes first. You understand?"

"Yes. Please let me know how she is occasionally."

"I can do that. I believe you have my card. She has received medical attention for her injuries. She has suffered a concussion, some possible hearing loss on one side, a broken jaw on that same side and a fractured collarbone. Same side. All, I believe, as a result of a blow by a heavy object, probably the cast frying pan I saw at your place on the floor. Other bruises and cuts came from your drunken mauling of her, I suppose. As I said earlier, you almost killed her."

"Oh God! I feel sick!"

He rushes off to the washroom. Mike joins the three guards at the other table and they watch the door. Roger sends one of them into the washroom to keep an eye on him.