Toxin (30 page)

Kim ran a hand through his scruffy beard and glanced down at his dirty coat and scrubs. He'd not showered, shaved, or changed clothes since early Friday morning. “I know I look a little worse for wear,” he said. “There's an explanation. But for the moment I'm more concerned about Ms. Baldwin and the whereabouts of that man with a knife.”

“What about it, Curt?” Douglas asked the security man. “Was there a woman USDA inspector here or a strange, dark, tattooed man?”

“Not to my knowledge,” Curt said. “At least they didn't come in while I've been on duty. I came on at three o'clock this afternoon.”

“Sorry, fella,” Douglas said to Kim. “Nice try.” Then to Leroy he added: “Go ahead and cuff him.”

“Wait a sec,” Kim said. “There's blood in the other room that I'm afraid might have come from Ms. Baldwin.”

“Where?” Douglas asked.

“It's on a grate,” Kim said. “I can show you.”

“This is a slaughterhouse,” Curt said. “There's always blood.”

“This looked like fresh blood,” Kim said.

“Cuff him and we'll go see,” Douglas said.

Kim allowed his wrists to be handcuffed behind his back. Then he was made to walk ahead of the others the full length of the central aisle of the chill room. In the main boning room. Curt asked the policemen to wait while he turned off the lights and the conveyer belts.

“The man with the knife turned this machinery on,” Kim said.

“Yeah, sure he did,” Douglas said.

Kim didn't try to argue nor did he point out the plastic trash barrel which had rolled against one of the boning tables. He was sure the blood would convince these cops he was telling the truth.

Kim directed them to the proper grate. When Curt shined his flashlight, Kim was disappointed to see that the blood was gone.

“It was here!” Kim contended, shaking his head. “Somebody hosed it off.”

“Undoubtedly the man with the knife,” Leroy said with a chuckle.

“Who else?” Douglas questioned facetiously.

“Wait a second,” Kim said urgently. He was desperate. He had to get them to believe him. “The telephone! She
was talking to me on her cell phone. It's in the record room.”

“That's creative,” Douglas commented. “I have to give you credit for that.” He looked at Curt. “Do you think we could take a look? I mean it's on our way out.”

“Of course,” Curt said.

While Curt led the way to the record room with Kim and Douglas in tow, Leroy went out to the squad car to make contact with the station. At the record-room threshold, Curt stepped aside and let the others enter. Once inside, Kim was immediately crestfallen. The chairs had been righted; more important, the phone was gone. “It was here, I swear,” he said. “And a number of these chairs were upended.”

“I didn't see any phone when I came in here to investigate the break-in,” Curt said. “And the chairs were as you see them now.”

“What about the broken glass-door panel?” Kim said excitedly. He pointed at the door to the front hall. “I'm sure that was the shattering noise I heard while I was on the phone with her.”

“I assumed the door was just part of the break-in,” Curt said. “Along with the window.”

“It couldn't be,” Kim said. “I broke the window, but the door panel was already broken when I got here. Look, all the glass from the door panel is on the inside. Whoever did it was in the hall.”

“Hmm,” Douglas said. He stared down at the broken glass at the base of the door. “He does have a point.”

“Her car!” Kim said, getting another idea. “It has to be outside still. It's a yellow Ford sedan. It's parked at the end of the building.”

Before Douglas could respond to this new suggestion,
Leroy returned from the squad car. A wry smile lit up his broad face. “I just got off the radio with the station,” he said. “They ran a quick check for me on the good doctor, and guess what? He's got a sheet. He was arrested just last night for trespassing, resisting arrest, striking a police officer, and assault and battery on a fast-food manager. Currently he's out of the slammer on his own recognizance.”

“My, my,” Douglas said. “A repeat offender! Okay, Doc, enough of this nonsense. You're going downtown.”

Sunday, late morning, January 25
th

I
t was déjà vu all over again for Kim. He was back in the same courtroom with the same judge. The only real difference was the weather outside. This time there was no sun; the day was cloudy with scattered snow flurries, and Judge Harlowe's mood matched the gray day.

Kim was seated at a scarred library table alongside Tracy. Standing before them and directly below the bench was Justin Devereau, a lawyer and longtime friend of Kim's. He was aristocratic in appearance, a Harvard-trained lawyer who'd followed the old adage: “Go West, young man.” He'd started what had become one of the largest and most successful law firms in the city. His case success rate was unrivaled. Yet, on this particular morning, he looked concerned. He'd been fighting an uphill battle against Judge Harlowe's ire.

Kim looked worse than ever, having spent yet another night in jail in the same outfit. He still hadn't shaved or showered. He was also clearly anxious about the outcome
of the current proceedings. The last thing he wanted to do was go back to jail.

Justin cleared his throat. “Allow me to reiterate that Dr. Kim Reggis has truly been the proverbial pillar of society up until the tragic affliction of his only daughter.”

“His daughter's illness was the excuse for his appearance before this court yesterday, Counselor,” Judge Harlowe said with impatience. “For my weekend on call, I don't like to see the same face twice. It's an insult to my judgment for having allowed the individual his freedom after the first infraction.”

“Dr. Reggis's daughter's recent death has caused him monumental stress, Your Honor,” Justin persisted.

“That's apparent,” Judge Harlowe said. “What's in question is whether he is a threat to society in his current state of mind.”

“These were aberrant episodes that will not be repeated,” Justin asserted. “As you have heard, Dr. Reggis is full of remorse for his rash actions.”

Judge Harlowe toyed with his glasses. His eyes wandered to Kim's. He had to admit the man did look penitent. As well as pitiful. The judge looked at Tracy. The woman's presence and testimony had impressed him.

“All right,” Judge Harlowe said. “I'll allow bail, but what has swayed me is not your Ivy League bombast, Counselor, but rather the fact that Dr. Reggis's former wife has graciously consented to come before this court to attest to his character. With my probate experience, I find that a convincing testimonial. Five thousand dollars bail and trial in four weeks. Next case!”

Judge Harlowe struck his gavel and picked up the next set of papers.

“Excuse me, Your Honor,” Justin said. “There's no
question of flight here, so five thousand dollars is blatantly excessive.”

The judge peered down over the tops of his reading glasses. He raised his eyebrows. “I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that,” he said. “And I advise you not to push your client's luck, Counselor. Next case, please!”

Justin shrugged and beat a hasty retreat back to Kim and Tracy. After gathering his things, he motioned for them to follow him out of the courtroom.

With Justin's help the bail was quickly posted. In less than a half hour the group emerged from the courthouse out into the overcast, wintery morning. They paused at the base of the courthouse steps. A few isolated snowflakes drifted down from the sky.

“At first I was afraid Harlowe wasn't going to give you bail,” Justin said. “As the judge implied, consider yourself lucky.”

“Under the circumstances I have a hard time considering myself lucky,” Kim said with little emotion. “But thanks for your help. I apologize for getting you out on a Sunday morning.”

“Glad to do it,” Justin said. “And I'm terribly sorry about Becky. My heartfelt sympathies to you both.”

Kim and Tracy echoed their thanks.

“Well, I better be going,” Justin said. He touched the brim of his hat. “I'll see you two. My best to you both at this difficult time.”

Justin gave Tracy a peck on the cheek and Kim a handshake before starting off. He got only a few paces away, when he stopped. “A word of advice to you, Kim. Don't get arrested again. If you do, I can guarantee you won't get bail. Back-to-back arrests like you've managed obviously puts you in a special category.”

“I understand,” Kim said. “I'll be careful.”

Kim and Tracy watched Justin walk away until he was completely out of earshot. They turned to each other.

“Now I want you to tell me really what happened,” Tracy said.

“I'll tell you as much as I know,” Kim said flatly. “But I have to get my car. Would you mind giving me a ride out to Higgins and Hancock?”

“Not at all,” Tracy said. “I'd planned as much.”

“We'll talk in the car,” Kim said.

They started across the street in the direction of the parking lot.

“I'm living a nightmare,” Kim confessed.

“As I said last night,” Tracy responded, “we both need help, and we might be the only people who can give it to each other.”

Kim sighed. “It must seem crazy to you that I've plunged headlong into this E. coli crusade. Our daughter is dead and all I want to do is race around like some cloak-and-dagger sleuth.” He shook his head. “All these years I prided myself on being the strong one, but now I see that, really, you're the one with the inner strength. I know I can't avoid the fact of Becky's death forever, but I just can't look at it now. I hope you can understand that I'm just not ready to deal with it.”

Tracy was silent for a while. Then she reached out and put a hand on Kim's arm. “I understand,” she said. “And I won't rush you. I'll even support you in your quest. But you won't be able to deny Becky's death forever.”

Kim nodded his head. “I know,” he whispered. “And thank you.”

The ride went quickly. Kim gave Tracy all the details from the time Marsha showed up at his house until the police booked him and put him in jail. When he described
the attack by the man with the knife, Tracy was aghast. He even showed her the shallow slice across the top of his hand.

“What did this man look like?” Tracy asked. She shuddered. She couldn't imagine the horror of being attacked in a dark slaughterhouse.

“It happened so fast,” Kim said. “I wouldn't be able to describe him very well.”

“Old, young?” Tracy asked. “Tall, short?” For some inexplicable reason she wanted an image of this individual.

“Dark,” Kim said. “Dark skin, dark hair. I think he was Mexican or at least Latin American. Slender but well-muscled. He had a lot of tattoos.”

“Why didn't you tell all this to Justin?” she asked.

“What good would it have done?” Kim said.

“He could have said something to the judge,” Tracy persisted.

“But it wouldn't have changed anything,” Kim maintained. “In fact, it might have made things worse. I mean, it sounds so improbable, and I just wanted to get away from there so I could think of what to do.”

“So you believe Marsha Baldwin is still in Higgins and Hancock?” Tracy asked. “Possibly being held against her wishes?”

“That or worse,” Kim said. “If it were human blood I found, she could have been killed.”

“I don't know what to say,” Tracy admitted.

“Nor do I,” Kim said. “I keep hoping she got out. Maybe I should call my answering machine. Maybe she called.”

Tracy pulled the phone from its car cradle and handed it to Kim. He dialed and listened. After a couple of minutes, he put the phone back.

“Well?” Tracy asked.

Kim shook his head dejectedly. “No luck,” he said. “Just Ginger.”

“Tell me again exactly what you heard when you were talking with her the last time,” Tracy asked.

“I heard the sound of breaking glass,” Kim repeated. “It came right after she said someone was at the door. Then I heard a series of crashes, which I believe were from chairs falling over. I think whoever came through the door chased her out of the room.”

“And you told all this to the police?” Tracy asked.

“Of course,” Kim said. “But a lot of good that did! Yet it's understandable. They think I'm some kind of nut. When I tried to show them the blood, it had been washed away. When I tried to show them her cell phone, it was gone. Even her car wasn't in the parking lot where it had been when I got there.”

“Could she have taken the phone?” Tracy asked. “And driven away in the car?”

“I hope to God she did,” Kim said. “I hate to think of any alternative, and I feel so responsible. She'd gone there because of me.”

“You didn't force her to do anything she didn't want to do,” Tracy said. “In the short time I had with her, I could tell she wasn't the kind of person people could push around. She definitely had a mind of her own.”

“What I'd like to do is get my hands on the guard,” Kim said. “He had to know Marsha was there, even though he denied it.”

“If he lied to the police, he certainly isn't going to tell you anything,” Tracy said.

“Well, I've got to do something,” Kim said.

“Do you know anything about her?” Tracy asked.
“Like where she lives, or where she's from, or whether she has any family in the area?”

“I know almost nothing about her,” Kim admitted. “Except that she's twenty-nine, and she went to veterinary school.”

“Too bad,” Tracy commented. “It would be a help if you could establish for sure whether or not she's missing. If she is, then the police would have to listen to you.”

“You just gave me an idea,” Kim said. He straightened up from his slouch. “What do you think of my going to Kelly Anderson and getting her to help?”

“Now, that's not a bad idea,” Tracy said. “The question is, would she do it?”

“There's no way of knowing unless I approach her,” Kim said.

“She's caused you enough grief,” Tracy said. “It seems to me she owes you something.”

“Gosh, the media could be a big help,” Kim said. “Not only with the Marsha problem, but also with the whole meat-contamination issue.”

“The more I think about this, the better I like it,” Tracy said. “Maybe I can help you convince her.”

Kim looked appreciatively at his former wife. With the bitterness of the divorce and the rancor of the custody issues he'd forgotten how warmly attractive she was. “You know, Trace,” he said, “I'm really thankful that you came to court this morning and not just because you made the effort to raise the bail. I'm just thankful you're willing to be with me after all that's happened.”

Tracy looked over at Kim. The remark was so out of character for him, yet seeing his eyes she knew he was sincere. “That's a very nice thing to say,” she told him.

“I mean it,” Kim said.

“Well, I appreciate your saying it,” Tracy said. “I can't remember the last time you thanked me for anything. In fact, it must have been before we were ever married.”

“I know,” Kim admitted. “You're right. I had a little time to think last night in jail, and I have to say that the events over the last twenty-four hours, particularly concerning Becky, have opened my eyes.”

“Opened your eyes to what?” Tracy asked.

“To what's really important in life,” Kim said. “I suppose that sounds melodramatic, but I've realized I've made a terrible mistake. I've focused too much on career and competition, at the expense of family. And us.”

“I'm impressed to hear you say such a thing,” Tracy said. This did not sound like the Kim she'd divorced.

“I'm afraid I've been selfish all my adult life,” Kim continued. “It's a little ironic since the whole time I've been hiding behind the facade of the charitable, selfless physician. Like a child, I've needed constant praise and constant reinforcement, and being a surgeon was a perfect fit.

“All this makes me feel sad and ashamed. It also makes me want to apologize to you and wish I could take back a number of wasted years.”

“I'm surprised and overwhelmed,” Tracy said. “But I accept. I'm impressed by your insight.”

“Thanks,” Kim said simply. He stared out the windshield. They had turned onto the side road and were approaching Higgins and Hancock. The building looked peaceful and clean under the dusting of snow.

“Is this it?” Tracy asked.

Kim nodded. “The entrance to the parking lot is coming up,” he said. “My car should be right in front of the main door. At least that's where I left it.”

Tracy turned where Kim indicated. Kim's car was immediately apparent. It was standing in total isolation. There were only two other cars in the lot, but they were all the way at the end of the plant.

“Marsha's car was parked where those two cars are,” Kim mentioned. “Maybe there's an employee entrance over there.”