Chapter 11

Murder or Not?

By

Rebecka Vigus

Copyright ©2019

All Rights Reserved

Chapter 11

Sam called her father on the way in to explain the situation. “I really believe we should take her to the hospital, for x-rays and a general health check-up, but I need someplace safe for her to stay. I really don’t want her sons to know where she is,” her anxiety showing in her voice.

“I understand,” the chief replied. “You drop Anna off and take Mrs. Hillman for a thorough check-up, if she’s had any broken bones it will give me grounds for an arrest. I’ll work on someplace safe.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“No problem. Just wish we had the DNA results in,” he lamented.

“Should be ready in a week,” Sam reminded him. “It gives us a week to plan a strategy.”

They rang off and she told Anna and Mrs. Hillman the plan.

“I couldn’t just stay with you?” Mrs. Hillman asked.

“No, there is a chance your boys will try to strong arm Misty and she would give my name if they threatened her kids,” Sam replied. “My place is the first place they’d look. I thought about the jail, but it didn’t seem like someplace I’d want to stay so, it won’t work.”

Mrs. Hillman nodded, “Appreciate that. Don’t want to bunk with criminals, been living with two for years.”

“Exactly,” Anna agreed.

They drove the rest of the way in silence. Sam dropped Anna off at the office and she and Mrs. Hillman went onto the hospital.

 They were greeted by the head ER nurse, Abigail Wilcox, who said, “We got a call from the chief to expect a VIP to come in with you, Samantha. Please, won’t you both come this way.” She led them to a private examination room and started asking Mrs. Hillman questions. “What is your age?”

“I’m eighty-six,” she answered.

“Do you have any allergies?”

“None I know.”

“Do you have any medical problems you are being treated for?

“I don’t go to the doctor, so I’m not being treated.”

“Have you ever had any broken bones?”

“Couple broken arms and a broken leg.”

“Did you go to a doctor for those?”

“No, Miss. The boys put splints on me. The one on my leg didn’t take too well. It’s why I hobble more than walk.”

“Okay, I’m going to get your blood pressure, take your pulse and look in your ears and throat. Finally, I’m going to listen to your heart,” the nurse told her. I’m going to step out and talk to Sam. Please remove everything but your bra and underwear and put on this hospital gown.” She nodded to Sam and they left Mrs. Hillman to get in the hospital gown.

“Samantha, this could be serious. If she’s not had medical care, she could be a ticking time bomb.”

“Relax, Abigail,” Sam said. “She’s under police protection. We believe she has been abused by her sons. We also believe her daughter was killed by one or both of them. Dad told me he was lining up a safe place for her.”

“I’m worried her health could put her in jeopardy,” Abigail responded. “She could have heart problems, liver, kidney disease, even cancer.”

“Well, get in there and check her out.”

“Come on, we’ll face the together.”

Abigail knocked on the on the door. She opened it when she heard a feeble “Come in.”

Mrs. Hillman was seated on the gurney with one hand holding the back of the hospital gown together.

“Let me tie that for you,” Sam said walking behind the woman to tie the gown together.

“Thank you,” Mrs. Hillman said.

“Okay let’s start with your blood pressure,” Abigail began. “I need you to uncross your legs.”

Mrs. Hillman complied. Abigail took her blood pressure after she placed an oxygen meter on her finger. She then felt Mrs. Hillman’s neck for lumps. “Mrs. Hillman, will you look straight at me?” Abigail held a small flashlight and looked at her eyes. Then she asked, “Stick out your tongue for me.” Again Mrs. Hillman complied. “Now I’m going to look in your ears and listen to your heart.”

Mrs. Hillman sat very still as the nurse looked in her ears. Then as she put the stethoscope to her chest. As the nurse moved the stethoscope to her back she said, “Take a deep breath and let it out slowly.” Mrs. Hillman did. “Again, please.” She did as she was asked.

“I need to take your temperature, then you and I are going to get an MRI. Samantha will wait here with your belongings. It shouldn’t take, too long.”

“Fine with me,” Mrs. Hillman responded.

Abigail put the thermometer in her mouth and waited until her hand-held machine beeped. “Good, ninety-eight point six. It’s normal.” She stepped out of the room for to get a wheelchair.

She came back saying, “I have your carriage, Mrs. Hillman.” She helped the woman settle in the chair, then put a blanket over her. “It gets drafty in those gowns.

Sam watched as they left the room. Taking out her phone she put a call into her dad.

“Chief, here,” he answered.

“Just the man I wanted to talk to,” she joked.                                                                     

“Where are you?”

“At the hospital, Dad. Thanks for the VIP service. Mrs. Hillman has just gone for an MRI. Can you believe she has never been to a doctor?” Sam was incredulous. “She says she’s had two broken arms and her sons set them. They also set a broken leg, but they didn’t do it right, because she walks with a limp.”

“We have a definite case for elder abuse,” the chief said angrily.

“Dad, she suspects one or both of the boys were responsible for the death of Bryleigh.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me in the least.”

“We’re going to be a while, have you found a place for her?” ask Sam anxiously.

“Sure have, but you’re going to have to take a drive,” he answered.

“Great. We need dinner and I don’t want to take her out, just in case.”

“Figured, so the first place you are coming is here, through the backdoor,” he told her. “I’ll give you food and the rest of the directions then.”

“Okay, I’ll call you when we’re on the way.”            

After ringing off, Sam paced the small room waiting for Mrs. Hillman to return.

###

Once Mrs. Hillman was returned and settled on the gurney, Abigail turned to Sam, “Can we talk outside?”

“Sure,” she responded following the nurse outside.

“This is serious,” Abigail began, “Not only has each arm been broken at least twice, her leg was broken in two places and not set right, she’s suffered at least three broken ribs, and she has pneumonia. We need to keep her here and treat her before it really starts filling her lungs. Her heart and other organs are fine. Blood work came back fine other than the infection. I want to start her on an IV-intravenous infusion-of antibiotic now. When did she last eat?”

“Lunch, but I need to call the chief, before you do anything,” Sam told her.

“Samantha, time is of the essence here. We don’t have any to lose or we could lose the patient.”

“I understand. Give me five minutes.” She reached into her pocket for her cell phone and hit speed dial.

“Chief here.”

“Dad, we’ve got a situation. Mrs. Hillman has pneumonia. She needs IV antibiotics and she needs them now,” Sam told him.

“Let me talk to Abby,” he responded.

Sam handed her phone to the waiting nurse. “Yes, Chief,” she said.

“Abby, I have Mrs. Hillman going to a nursing facility, can you arrange transport?” he asked.

“Sure, no problem.”

“Okay, put Sam back on.”

She handed the phone back to Sam. “What’s the plan?” she asked.

“Abby is going to start the IV and arrange for transport. Mrs. Hillman is going to Tender Mercies, they have doctors and nurses on staff. You come here and get dinner, then you can go make sure she’s settled,” he told her.

“Thanks, Dad.” She clicked off the phone and nodded to Abigail.

The two of them went inside and explained to Mrs. Hillman what was going to happen.

“Can I please have my own night dress out of the car?” she asked.

“I’ll go get it now while Abigail gets the IV ready,” Sam told her and left the room.

“Mrs. Hillman, you have been a trooper through all of this,” Abigail said. “I know you are going to get the best care. They are making you a special dinner and Sam will be out to see you in about an hour. She wants to give you time to get settled.”

“Thank you all, so much,” she said as tears ran down her face.

Sam re-entered carrying the bag Mrs. Hillman brought with her. They stepped out, so she could change into her own night gown. After about five minutes they came back in and helped her get settled, so Abigail could put in the IV and start the antibiotics.

Sam walked to Mrs. Hillman’s side. She leaned down to give the woman a gentle hug. “I will be out to see you tonight.”

“Thank you for everything.”

“I’m glad I could help.” Sam quietly left as Abigail talked to Mrs. Hillman about what she was doing.

###

Arriving at the back door to the police station, Sam locked her car and let herself in. She followed the aroma of food down the hall to the conference room. There she found the chief. “Hey, Dad, you really outdid yourself tonight.”

“I’m not done yet,” he replied. “You are being driven to Tender Mercies in a limo and I am taking your car to my house.”

“A limo, Dad?” she queried. “Isn’t it over doing it just a bit?”

“Needed a good way to disguise it was you,” he answered producing a blonde wig.

Sam laughed for the first time in days.

After dinner Sam took her limo drive to Tender Mercies, where she was led to a spacious room. Mrs. Hillman looked very tiny in her bed.

“Oh, Sam!” she exclaimed. “I was so afraid I would fall asleep before you arrived. This is such luxury and dinner was a feast.”

“I’m so glad,” Sam told her as she approached the bed to give her a hug.

Mrs. Hillman hugged her back, asking, “What’s with the wig?”

“Had come incognito, in case the boys have tracked us,” answered Sam. “I didn’t want to put you in jeopardy.”

“Do you think they will come?”

“Yes,” said Sam. “They won’t want anyone knowing they have beat you over the years, especially the police. It would mean trouble for them.”

“Shoot,” she responded. “The whole town knew what they were doing and did nothing. Misty was the only who ever tried. You will let her know I am okay?”

“Of course, but I promised not to stay too long. You need to rest. Today has been stressful,” Sam told her. “I’ll be back to visit and so will Anna. We’ll keep you up-to-date on what is happening.” She hugged Mrs. Hillman again.

“Goodnight, Sam,” she said softly.

“Goodnight.” Sam kissed her forehead and left.