Why a Wolf Cries, Julie Steimle [ebook reader macos TXT] 📗

normal,” Doug murmured. “Skyler says we’ve stepped into the Upside-down—or they’re from the Upside-down.”

“What? Man-eating monsters?” Audry snorted. “They’re just—”

“I wasn’t saying they were monsters,” Doug retorted. “But Skyler does not know what the Twilight Zone is—which they fit into more. The Upside-down was the best parallel.”

Yeah, Audry thought. That did fit. The Twilight Zone. All of Rick’s friends were peculiar. Every single one. Including his lover, Daisy. They all gave the impression that they were denizens of an irrational world merely visiting this one—maybe like a crack that leads to an Upside-down of some sort.

Audry close the door behind them as they stepped back into the room with her brother. Silvia had created the prettiest upward, haloing braid on Maris’s head and was now styling Jean’s hair. And Jean was smiling, chatting with Silvia so naturally—which was a miracle. Indeed, Silvia had to be a witch. In no other circumstance would Jean have allowed anyone to mess with her hair and be happy about it. She was clearly charmed.

The Good Doctor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Eleven

 

Getting past the media, who seemed to want to ask questions to everyone going into the hospital, was like running a gauntlet. When Dr. William McAllister came through, they questioned his reason for arriving as if any person coming without blood gushing had to be evidence of some kind of conspiracy.

“I’m a doctor. This is a hospital,” he said, shaking them off. He was a tall man, Nordic stock, with blonde hair and blue eyes. A number of reporters there gazed critically at him for the sheer virtue (or vice) of being a white male. Automatically they were mentally accusing him of being a supremacist—never mind that they did not know a thing about him.

“Can you make a statement about the rumor that H. Richard Deacon was in car accident from drunk driving?” one reporter said.

He shot them an odd look and shook his head. “No. I am coming into the hospital. Not going out.”

And he passed through the doors, hurrying through to the front desk. The entire thing was ridiculous. What did they think they were going to get? And he honestly doubted that Rick had been drinking. Though he knew the man was impulsive, he did not think the man was that kind of foolish. He went up to the desk and said, “Hello. I am Doctor William McAllister. And I am here to see H. Richard Deacon immediately. I also need to speak with his attending physician.”

The nurse nodded, looking at his ID, which he presented. “We were told to expect you. I’ll summon a nurse to escort you.”

“Escort?” William puzzled over that. “A room number will suffice.”

But she insisted, pointing to the nurse who would guide him. Apparently, they were not allowing people to walk about the hospital, which could be good, but also annoying.

A sweet young nurse led him to the room, smiling as if flirting. But William was not to be distracted. A man he had never really met, but knew about—a tale pale man (with dark sunglasses) by the name of Tom Brown, greeted him at the door and shook his hand, then allowed him in without hardly a word between them. Tom seemed to be listening to the air, surveilling the naughty and sneaky thoughts of those people in the vicinity. It was brilliant, really, to have a half imp doing that. When he had time, and Tom was off duty, William figured he would finally get to talk to the guy. But that had to wait.

Stepping into the room, he saw Andrew was already there. So was Henry whom William had met only on one occasion.

“Well,” William said, grinning at the two of them. “It seems Rick is being well cared for. Do we need more doctors?”

“Hello, Will.” Smiling, Andrew rose from his chair to greet him, reaching out to shake his hand. “We’re sure he’s fine. I think Mr. Deacon wants you to check on someone else here.”

Will nodded, embracing Andrew’s strong warm grip, gazing toward Rick who had more color in his face but was still dead asleep. The machines showed a steady heartbeat, and he was getting plenty of fluids. “Well, he flew me out here. What happened? No one would say over the phone.”

Yet as he said this, he also reached for Rick’s charts.

Tom shut the door again to stop anyone from eavesdropping. The second the door was entirely closed, Andrew whispered, “Audry is here.”

Will stared, angling his head to the side. “I’m not sure who that is.”

Andrew nodded. “Sorry. I’m never sure who knows her. Let me back up. Uh. There is this woman Rick cares a great deal about. Her name is Audry Bruchenhaus. She does not know what he is, except as a wealthy man. And for some reason she keeps getting entangled in his life, even though he tries his best to protect her from it. The thing is, she’s an animal rescue worker and—”

“Oh…” Will nodded. “I think Eve mentioned her once. They’ve never met, but she knows Rick likes her. And I think Silvia did mention her a few times. What was it? She dug a bullet out of the wolf’s leg once?”

“Exactly.” Andrew nodded, though he seemed annoyed that Will was familiar with Silvia. “And more than that. The thing is, she is a normal human being who wants a normal human life.” Andrew closed his eyes. “She’s also my wife’s good friend. But we all agreed to help Rick protect her from the supernatural world. You know how it goes—once you step into it, it never leaves you alone. Rick feels that Audry does not deserve to get entangled in the dangerous world we live in.”

“And yet…” Will led on, waiting for the punchline.

Chuckling, Andrew sighed. “Exactly. And yet here we are.

“What happened was, as far as we know, is that both of them ended up in Yellowstone at this full moon time of the month,” Andrew shook his head, thinking that alone was problematic. “And Rick, somehow while during his hunt, prevented a hungry cougar from killing Audry’s niece.”

“Oh.” Will cringed.  

“But he didn’t scare the cougar off. He fought it. He literally took on a cougar. A cougar! Single handedly. I mean, he’s barely recovered from Germany where he took on pack of wolves. And he is now in this state because of a cougar!” Andrew shook his head, peeking to Rick who hardly moved. If it weren’t for his heart rate, they would have thought he was dead.

“Oh….” Will’s eyes widened. He stared then reached over to Rick to feel his forehead which oddly had three smudged letters written there in pen saying FOO. His skin felt cool. No fever. And Rick stirred, breathing in.

“And to top it off,” Andrew said, shaking his head, “Audry recognized the wolf, and rescued him—again.”

Will closed his eyes, this time cringing. He recalled the time when he first learned Rick was a werewolf. It kind of helped that his sister was demon and he had seen vampires already.  

“She saved his life.” Andrew shook his head. “He would have bled to death, or gotten attacked by other animals. But she wrapped him up and carried him back to safety.”

“But she doesn’t know he’s the wolf,” Will tagged on with nods, understanding.

Andrew nodded.

“And we are to keep it secret.” Will had to make sure.

One more nod.

“Who staged the car crash?” Will asked finally.

With a shrug, Andrew replied, “James says that Rick and a ranger out there arranged it. He called from the canyon village where he has been doing damage control.”

“How would Rick arrange it?” Will stared, trying to imagine a wounded wolf doing any of that.

Andrew shrugged this time, glancing to his sleeping friend. “I don’t know the details. But apparently he risked confiding in one of the rangers and got his help. Luckily he found a good one.”

Will nodded.

An exhale and a swallowing noise came from the hospital bed. They looked again. Rick heavily opened his eyes, blinking at them. Then he yawned before wincing. “Oh… How long was I out?”

“We don’t know. When were you last conscious?” Andrew asked, rising to get closer.

Struggling to keep his eyes open, Rick murmured, “It was night. Third full moon. I was in an ambulance. I didn’t get to make a kill two nights….”

Peeking to Will, Andrew snorted, shaking his head. “What do you want me to do? Find you a mouse to eat?”

Rick shot him a dirty look and rubbed his eyes. “How about just breakfast?”

“Too late for breakfast, man,” Andrew said, rising. “But I think something like an afternoon snack can be ordered.” He went to the door to talk to Tom.

Will got in closer to Rick, peeking to the machines—the rhythm of his heartbeat steady. “How are you feeling?”

“Like a banana,” Rick muttered, wincing as he took in Will’s face.

Will glanced back at Andrew who just barely had two words with Tom. Both men exchanged funny looks.

“Peeled,” Rick said more plainly.

“Ah.” Will nodded. That made sense.

“Well, cougars have sharp claws,” Andrew replied closing the door again.

Rick emitted a short chuckle. But that even hurt. He cringed, his teeth elongating a little.

“What were you thinking?” Andrew asked, quieter.

“I…” Rick shook his head. “I was thinking I did not want her to die.”

“The little girl, or Audry?”

“Yes.” Rick closed his eyes, cringing more.

Andrew nodded, sitting down.

“And you had no choice,” Will added. It was not a question. He understood. But of course he understood. Eve was the same. Right and wrong were black and white to her. Letting children die when she was capable of saving them, regardless of the damage it could do to her, was unquestionably wrong. It was the same for Rick. And more.

“Can I ask?” Will said, getting nearer. “Did you see Eve at all?”

Rick sighed, shaking his head. “But rumor has it, she’s in the Middle East right now. That’s where Hanz went.”

Will laughed, breathing easier. “That may be, but if your life were truly in danger, I have no doubt she’d show up to save it anyway.” He sighed, rising. “It is a good sign that you will be fine.”

Andrew nodded, grinning. His eyes were damp, though. That past year there had been too much tragedy.

“How’s Maris?” Rick asked, thinking to change the subject. Besides, he wanted to know.

“Who?” Andrew perked up.

“The little girl. The one the cougar was after. She’s in this hospital, right?” Rick sat up with effort. “You’d know about it. Is she ok?”

Andrew shrugged. “I haven’t seen her. I promised your dad to keep out of Audry’s way. She’s not supposed to know we’re here.”

Rick nodded. At least his father would respect that wish.

“But her brother knows you are here,” Andrew added, shaking his head.

“What?” Rick headed toward pale. “How? Why?”

Andrew shrugged. “He handled your blood transfusion. But I think your father also made sure he would not let on to Audry you were here.”

“Audry’s brother handled my blood?” Rick stiffened. He hoped Doug was ok. Rick wondered if someone ought to recommend Doug eat garlicky Italian for the next few weeks.

“He’s an expert, apparently.” Andrew said. “Randon and Silvia are also here, by ‘coincidence’.” He used air quotes. “Audry called them to help with the wolf. And James is—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa… Audry called