Insecurity and a Bottle of Merlot (16 page)

“Wait a minute,” Mia said, leaning in closer to the computer monitor. “What’s this?”

Mia pulled up an entry called the Incident & Congestion Report. She clicked on it to find it was titled the Incident & Congestion Report for the Hudson Valley area of New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. “There might be something here. I can click on New York, and then the county. Let’s see what comes up.”

Mia was a bad typist, usually tapping away with her index fingers, but right now that didn’t matter. It would only take a few minutes to check this website. With two sets of eyes scanning the entries back to Saturday night, the search went a lot faster. Most of the posts were road condition incidents like potholes that needed repair, or debris on the road. Halfway down the page they both saw the accident report at the same time. Their backs stiffened in the chairs. They gasped together as they read about a motorcyclist hitting a deer on State Highway 9 just north of Croton-on-Hudson. The call came in Sunday morning at about 2:30 a.m. from a passing motorist.

“Mia, no!” Vic began sobbing uncontrollably. Her entire body shook in despair. “It’s Max, it has to be. Who else would be on a motorcycle at that time, on that road? Oh my God, I can’t believe this.”

“Okay, Vic, we need to find out for sure if it was him. C’mon, let’s go.” By this time, Mia was well on her way to breaking down too, but she knew somebody had to be strong and in control.

“Where are we going?” Vic cried out.

“We’re going to Croton-on-Hudson’s police department. We need information. Clean yourself up a little. I have to call Aaron and see if he’ll come over and take care of Reggie until we get back. Now hurry! Go run some cold water over your face. You’ll feel better.”

They were on their way within ten minutes. Mia drove as responsibly as she could. Once they got out of town she had to check herself often. Every time she looked at the speedometer she was going at least twenty miles per hour over the speed limit. “Damn it! Why don’t I have cruise on this hunk of shit? I’m going to end up getting a ticket, I swear.”

“Mia, don’t call this car a hunk of shit. You love it.”

“Vic, I’m just frustrated.”

Dusk was setting in. Mia remembered from plenty of nature shots, deer often came out to eat in the early evening hours. Twilight was right around the corner. She had to be careful on these winding roads. Because of the tree cover, the stretch between Sleepy Hollow and Croton-on-Hudson was dark, even in the middle of the day. The heavy ancient oaks engulfed her car like a shroud as Mia drove. She slowed down because she had to. They would arrive at the police station in fifteen minutes as long as she remained cautious and kept her eyes peeled for anything on the road.

“Vic, we’re getting close. Find the police station’s address on your cell. Guide me in.”

“Got it. I can do that.” Vic pulled up Google maps and found the address. “It’s 1 Van Wyck Street. We exit Highway 9 onto South Riverside Avenue, it’s a frontage road. We stay on that until we come to Brook Street. We turn right and go all the way to Old Post Road. We’ll make a right there too, and go one block. The Municipal Building is on the corner of Old Post Road and Van Wyck. Sounds easy enough.”

“Okay here’s Riverside. We’ll be there in a minute,” Mia said, as she was now turning onto Brook Street. Here’s the parking lot. Let’s go. Are you going to be alright? I’m not sure if they’ll tell us anything, so let’s try to remain calm and don’t go all commando on them, okay?”

“Okay, Chica.”

They held hands as they power walked to the entrance and found the police department down the hall on the right. They pushed through the double glass doors and approached the counter.

“Excuse me, who do we speak to about accident reports?” Mia asked, politely.

“Are you reporting an accident?” the dispatcher asked.

“No, we’re looking for someone who may have been involved in an accident Saturday night. We just want someone to confirm that it was, or wasn’t, our friend.”

“So you aren’t related to the person you’re looking for?”

Son of a bitch, why did I say that?
“Um… no, but she’s engaged to him. His name is Max Cole.”
White lies run out of my friggin mouth like water. I’m really getting good at telling them. Sorry, Jesus. I’ll go to church next Sunday, I promise.

“Have a seat, someone will be out in a few minutes to talk to you.” The dispatcher gave them both the once over, then disappeared around the corner.

“I can’t sit down,” Vic said, as she walked the length of the counter fifteen times before an officer came out and introduced himself.

“Ladies, I’m Officer Moreno. What can I do for you?”

Mia gave him a quick assessment.
He doesn’t look like a complete jerk. He’s not puffing out his chest with a full of himself attitude. He does have a pot gut and that handlebar mustache? What the hell is that crusty stuff on it? Oh well… he’ll have to do.
“We we’re wondering about an accident that was called in Saturday night, or actually Sunday morning to be specific. It was about a motorcyclist hitting a deer.”

“Yes, I’m familiar with that accident. Are you family?”

“Well, no, but it is public information. The report was on the Internet.”

“It didn’t state the victim’s name though, did it? If it had, you wouldn’t be here asking.”

“Victim?” Vic went into a round of hysterics at the sound of the word.

“Ma’am, you need to compose yourself. Victim is the generic term used for anyone involved in an accident. It does not mean he’s deceased. Now what relationship do you both have with this person?”

“I’m a close friend and… ”

“I’m his fiancé. We’re getting married in a few months. I’m pregnant with his baby!” Vic wailed.

Mia’s head spun around so fast it almost shot off her shoulders.
Damn girl, you’re good!

“It’s Wednesday night. You’re just looking for him now?” the officer asked, becoming suspicious.

“We had a fight, okay? I was giving him space, but it’s been too long.” Vic was sobbing so hard she was almost unable to speak. Mia hugged her and patted the top of her head.

“I’ll take over, hon. Breathe like they taught you in Lamaze class. Officer, please help us. We only want to know if the person involved in that accident was Max Cole and where he is right now. We’ll leave as soon as we get that information. You don’t want this sobbing, irrational, pregnant woman sitting here all night do you?”
I might as well jump on the preggers bandwagon
.

He gave each of them an irritated look and asked for their driver’s licenses. “I’ll be back with these in a minute. If there’s any disturbances in town from either of you, we’ll be knocking on your doors.” Officer Moreno walked into a small room where the copy machine was located. He returned and handed each of them their licenses back. He sat down nearest Mia. Something told him to stay out of arms reach of the pregnant Puerto Rican.

“Okay, ladies, I do have confirmation that the person in the accident on State Highway 9 early Sunday morning was indeed Max Cole.” He flinched in defense as Vic’s arms began flailing wildly. “What in God’s name?” he asked, as he ducked for the second time. “Please control your friend or I’ll have to restrain her. As I was saying, the motorcyclist was Max Cole, and he was transported to Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Peekskill immediately after the accident. Would you like me to call and see if he’s still a patient there?”

“Yes, please. That would be so helpful,” Mia replied, as politely as she could. “Vic!” she whispered, “take it down a notch before he locks us up. We’ll be out of here in five minutes. Just control yourself for crap’s sake.”

“I can’t help myself, I’m PMSing, Mia. You know the mood swings and all?”

“That would be funny if this wasn’t so serious.”

“You’re right, and I’m sorry. I won’t make another peep.”

The officer returned and informed the girls that Max was still listed as a patient. He didn’t think they would be allowed to see him since he was in ICU. Visitation in ICU was normally reserved for family only. “Give it a shot and good luck. Take your time getting there too. You don’t want to be detained with a speeding ticket tonight, right, ladies?”

“Yes, you’re right, officer. Thank you very much for your help. Goodbye.” Mia shook his hand. They turned and bolted out the door toward the parking lot.

Officer Moreno shook his head and walked back to his desk. He had a glazed donut to finish eating.

Chapter Twenty Two

“Vic, find the address of Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Peekskill just like you did for the police station earlier. We should be there in about ten minutes.”

Vic was so nervous her hands shook as she tried to type the name of the facility into the Google search bar. “Son of a bitch,” she screeched, “I can’t even spell simple words that a second grader could right now.”

“Use Google microphone. Just say what you’re looking for. Make it easy on yourself for Pete’s sake. I’ve got to keep my eyes on the road.”

“Shit, that’s right, sorry, Chica. Okay, hang on. I’ve got to breathe first. Alright, stay on Highway 9 until you get to the South Street ramp. Turn right on South Street until you come to South Division Street. That turns into Crompond Road which will take us right to the hospital driveway.”

“Okay. Just keep guiding me as I drive.”

Mia parked in the emergency area parking lot. They rushed into the hospital entrance and up to the counter. Vic was already wailing again. The startled looks on the faces of the ladies behind the reception counter put everyone on alert. They gave a head’s up glance in the direction of the security guards.

“Vic, calm the hell down. I’ll do the talking or we’ll get kicked out of here before we find out anything.” Mia put on her best smile and took a deep breath. She told Vic to sit in the waiting area and not to move or speak until she came back for her. “Hello there, I’m hoping you can help us. My friend and I were told her fiancé is a patient here. His name is Max Cole. We’re aware he’s in ICU and there’s strict rules as far as family goes, but he has nobody else here. His fiancé, the crying woman over there, is pregnant with his child. Please, you have to help us.” The look of concern swept across Mia’s face as she blurted out another lie with ease. She smiled pitifully, and waited. The calming elevator music played in the background. There were obvious shades of green on the walls, meant to relax visitors and patients.
I need to remind Vic of that.

One of the ladies behind the counter rose, scowled at Mia and said she would be right back. She soon returned with a security guard and informed Mia they could go up to see Max.

“Any ruckus, incidents, or outbreaks of crazy, and both of you ladies will have to leave. The security guard will immediately extract you from the building. Is that clear?”

“Yes, ma’am, we’ll behave, I promise.”

Mia waved to get Vic’s attention. Vic ran over to join her. The silence in the elevator was deafening as they were led up to the fourth floor. The music played quietly. The guard gave them both the shit eye as he stared them down. “Follow me,” he said, as the elevator doors opened.

They were led down several hallways until they arrived at the ICU wing. A large counter with people hustling about was directly in front of them. “I’m going to wait up here for you. Don’t make me throw you out, understand?”

“Yes, we understand,” Mia replied, nodding her head up and down. Mia grabbed Vic’s hand and held her close. “Excuse me, we would like to see Max Cole.”
Be assertive, but polite,
Mia reminded herself.

“And you are?” the nurse asked, with her head cocked to the side.

“I’m a friend that drove his fiancé here. She’s pregnant.”
Damn it, this whole preggers thing is taking on a life of its own.

“Please take a seat. His doctor will come out and talk to you.”

The girls sat and waited. The soft background music echoed through the hospital hallways, in an attempt to sooth frazzled nerves. They stared into space not knowing what else to do. “Do you want some coffee?” Mia asked.

“Yeah, that sounds good, thanks.” Vic quietly cried into her hands, not wanting to upset the guard or anyone else.

Within ten minutes a typical looking, middle aged man in a white lab coat approached them. “I hear you’re asking about Max Cole? One of you is his fiancé, is that correct?”

“Yes, I am,” Vic replied, with red, swollen eyes.

Mia couldn’t believe the stories they were coming up with.
Jeez… we’re so going to hell for all the lies we’ve told in the last hour
.

“I’m Doctor Taylor. Mr. Cole has suffered considerable damage to both legs and has numerous stitches. Our main concern though, is the swelling on his brain. That’s why he’s in ICU.”

Tiny sobs and coughs came from Vic, even though she was doing her best to suppress it. Tears streamed down Mia’s cheeks.

“The good news is, we’ve seen considerable progress over the last 48 hours. The swelling is going down. Right now Mr. Cole is in an induced coma, but we’re hoping to wake him up tomorrow. We’ll do an MRI of his brain and see how things look then. What he needs is rest. His legs will heal of course, but they were both broken in multiple areas. He’s wearing casts, and he’ll be in a wheel chair for a while. Our focus and concern right now is his brain and if there is any permanent damage. There’s really nothing else I can tell you.”

“Can we see him?” Vic asked. “I just want to sit with him, please.”

“Of course, but you have to remain calm. We don’t know if subconsciously he hears you, or not, but we don’t want any loud noises that might startle him.”

“Okay, thank you, doctor. We’ll be as quiet as possible.”

Vic and Mia tiptoed into Max’s room. The sight of him shook them both to the core. His face was deeply bruised and swollen. Stitches covered much of his body that was visible. Both legs wore white casts. Max had every kind of monitor and alarm hooked up to him. IV’s and tubes dangled from both arms. He lay asleep with no idea they were sitting next to him. Vic and Mia looked him over closely and whispered their anguish to each other. Vic gently touched his hand. It flinched lightly. The girls each said a silent prayer over him and walked out to the nurse’s station.