Page 29 of Phoenix Fire

No one answered for a moment. Then, Dr. McNulty, his hands inside the pockets of his white smock, looked directly at Jenny and spoke. “His vital signs have improved over the past hour. We can't be absolutely certain but we believe that he is stable and out of danger. We believe he will live. It is too early yet for any kind of positive prognosis.”

The doctor paused, suddenly occupied with a thought, stepped forward to Carlton's side, noted something on the chart, and spoke to nurse Bingham.

Officer Donahue led Jenny out of the room and back to the emergency room. On the way, the officer asked, “Is there a wife we should be in touch with?”

“No, there's just his grandmother and his brother.”

They now sat in a small room just off the general waiting area. Jenny was supplying officer Donahue with information about the Prince family.

“You won't be contacting the grandmother at this hour, I hope? She's a strong lady but I don't know how she would handle this.” Jenny's words were sad in their delivery.

“We don't need to contact her at the moment, Ms. Mason. We should talk to the brother, though. Do you wish to call him first, to maybe dampen the blow of this?”

“Yes, I think perhaps I should. Do you have any idea who could have done this to Carlton?”

“Unfortunately, no. Our investigators are working the case as we speak. Lab people were at the site when we brought Mr. Prince to St. Joseph's. Hopefully, they will come up with something useful. I was the first officer on the scene and I'm responsible for writing up the report. Can you tell me anymore about Carlton Prince? Where does he live? Where does he work? Anything you can think of that might help?”

“I don't know his home address. He works, I believe, at the Heritage Tool and Manufacturing Company. He is vice president and controller there.”

“Is there anyone you know who might have had a hand in this? A disgruntled acquaintance? A fired and angry business associate? A relative? Anyone?”

“A relative?” Jenny repeated with surprise. “There is only his brother and his grandmother, that I know of, and I can assure you that they had nothing to do with this. It would be preposterous to think so.”

“Yes, I'm sure, Ms. Mason. It's just that I must ask the questions, follow every conceivable avenue. You'd be surprised, the hate that is harbored in some families. A substantial percentage of violent crime can be traced to family disputes, sibling rivalries, and so forth. I see it all. At least, I see enough that nothing surprises me anymore.”

“I don't doubt you, officer Donahue. That's just not the case here.”

“How well do you know the victim?”

“Not very. I date his brother, Jason.”

Jenny felt the first subtle signs of irritation with the police officer. Then, she dismissed the unproductive impulse The man was only doing his job.

“Do you know why he would be carrying your name, address, and telephone number around in his shirt pocket, Ms. Mason?”

Jenny inwardly winced. Why, indeed, did Carlton have her address? Of course, she was listed in the telephone directory. That information was common knowledge. Still, it unsettled her.

“I don't really know,” she answered. “He had called me a couple of times.” Her expression showed some discomfort, and officer Donahue appeared to notice.

“Were you on friendly terms with Carlton Prince?”

Jenny hesitated before answering, not sure exactly what to say, or, whether she should say anything. “Well, yes, for heaven's sake. He was the brother of the man I date. Is this all really standard operational procedure, officer Donahue? Is all of this really necessary? I assure you that I am unable to help you find the 'perps' in this awful attack --- if 'perps' is what you call them.” Her body language said that she wanted to be dismissed.

“That's what we call them,” the officer smiled with his words. “I don't believe I need to keep you any longer, Ms. Mason. If you will, please, just give me phone numbers and addresses of Carlton Prince's brother and grandmother. I will give you time to talk to Jason Prince before I talk to him, say a couple of hours?” Jenny nodded in the affirmative. “And, I promise, I'll try to minimize the grandmother's involvement. Fair enough?”

“Fair enough, officer Donahue.”

Their conversation over, Jenny left the room and went to one of three public telephones on the far wall of the waiting room. She dialed Jason's number. It was now nearly 6:30 AM, and another cloudless sky was covering the valley of the sun.

Jason had only been asleep for some two hours when the telephone rang. He thought about being angry until he heard Jenny's voice on the line. He was pleased she had called. But, why so early?

After Jenny explained the reason for her call, Jason felt a strange mix of emotions settle in his gut. There was obvious shock at the news of his brother's beating and mugging, a genuine sibling concern, anger toward the thugs who had perpetrated the act, and an awful sense of dread. Despite these heavy feelings, there came as well an unwanted emotion, a sudden overwhelming sense of betrayal. This cursed thought was unbidden, ugly, and unworthy, but it was there as part of the visceral package.

Why was Jenny at the hospital? Oh, she had told him why, but, still, the ugly feeling was there. Jenny almost sounded uncomfortable, guilty, perhaps, over the phone, as though she knew it was an awkward coincidence that she should be the one notifying him of Carlton's unfortunate encounter. Jason did not like the feeling but it was there and would not go away. He knew that he must go to his brother, that this was his most important next move. He must block out all other thoughts … yet, the feeling persisted.

“Will you be coming to the hospital, Jason?” Jenny was asking.

After a palpable pause, Jason responded. “Yes, yes, of course. I'll be down immediately.”

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