Wedding Woes (eBook)

Chapter Seven

Sleep-deprived, I was up at 4:30. It made no sense to lie in bed with so many things running through my mind. Worrying about Trip was hard enough. The first of the year was looming, and I had one new course to develop, possibly two, depending on which of Dr. Harrisons’ courses I was assigned. Fortunately, three of my classes are repeats from last semester, and reworking the material for the new semester is not as time-consuming as starting from scratch. Getting started this morning will take my mind off my troubles. It was early, and there was plenty of time before I needed to call the Evans.

I shut down my computer at 8:00 and placed the dreaded call to Trip’s parents. Trip’s dad, Clarence, answered the phone.

“Is this a good time to talk, Mr. Evans? It’s Maggie, Trip’s fiancé?”

“Yes, Maggie. What can I help you with?”

“Sorry to call so early, but I have some disturbing news I need to tell you. I didn’t want you to hear an account on a news channel first. Trip was shot during an incident at the hotel last night. I haven’t talked to him yet; the doctor sent me home last evening with instructions to call or return today. I am going to the hospital after I speak to you.

“Maggie, please call me after you see him today, and let me know when we can come to visit him. We will stay as long as Trip needs us. If you need anything or there is something we can do to help you, please let us know.”

I hung up, glad that call was over, reminding myself I needed to prepare for a second call later today. I hate feeling so distrustful. I genuinely hope our relationship improves.

I dressed in my go-to, no-brainer look: a pair of black slacks and a red turtleneck sweater. Pulling my hair into a ponytail, I added a pair of gold hoop earrings. Sliding into my black Sketchers and grabbing my purse and a jacket from the closet, I was on my way to the hospital by 9:00.

Asking for Trip at the front desk, I received a room number in the intensive care unit. I opened the door and peeked in. Trip was sleeping, and a nurse was present. She quietly introduced herself simply as Nancy and said she would summon Doctor Nevins; she knew he wanted to speak to me.

I sat in a chair, staring at Trip, who was connected to a pretty scary IV machine. Dr. Nevins entered the room a few minutes later, and I stood to greet him. Openly studying me before saying, “I realize this must be an awful experience for you, young lady. When Trip arrived at the hospital yesterday, the surgical team determined that Trip’s gunshot wound required immediate surgical intervention, meaning the removal of the bullet. The location of the bullet was a promising sign that there was a likelihood of improved neurological function.”

I asked, “What does the recovery process entail?”

“Trip will be hospitalized for roughly a week and discharged to his home after that. He will receive home rehab therapy to facilitate mobility in his lower extremities, followed by rehab at a local facility if needed.”

Dr. Nevins took my hand, saying, “You must prepare yourself; gunshot victims often need counseling. He was heavily sedated last night because of the pain. I will know more once he wakes up.”

Dr. Nevins asked, “Do you have any questions for me?”

“I can’t think of any right now, Doctor.”

He handed me his card and said, “Don’t hesitate to call if you need me.”

I sat down in the chair, uncertain of what to do next. I had no idea when Trip might wake up, and I didn’t want him to wake up alone. I took my phone out of my purse and called Jennifer. Grateful when she answered, I gave her the update from Dr. Nevins. We agreed I would sit with Trip and call her back when he woke up.

Time dragged, and it was a good two hours later before Trip began to stir. Thank goodness Nancy was present, smiling at me after checking his vital signs, saying, “He is doing well. I will leave you two alone; pull the cord if you need me.”

I stood at Trip’s bedside, watching him. When he finally glanced in my direction, I picked up his hand, trying not to cry. He looked around the room, seeming disoriented at first, and finally, looking directly at me, whispered, “Oh my God, Maggie, what a nightmare.”

“I am so sorry, Trip. Dr. Nevins assured me you will be fine, but you will need physical therapy.”

“When I came to last evening, Dr. Nevins was here and explained my situation. He said he sent you and Jennifer home. I was in so much pain that he had to sedate me.”

“Can you share what happened?”

“Yes. I was called by the front desk clerk, saying a guest reported shouting coming from a room on the second floor and a loud bang that sounded like a gunshot. I notified security and headed to the second floor. A guest room door was open; I entered the room and saw Dr. Caruthers slumped over on the couch, covered in blood. I went back into the hallway, and a man, who must have been hiding in the room, suddenly appeared in the hallway; as he raised a gun, I turned to run just as he fired a shot. I fell to the floor. The killer took off. That was the last thing I remember before waking up in the hospital last evening.”

“Oh no, Trip, not Dr. Caruthers! Who did this?”

“All I know is she booked a room a few nights ago, telling me she was receiving death threats and didn’t feel safe at home. I agreed to her staying at the hotel under an assumed name.”

“My friend Shirley White told me she witnessed a terrible argument between Dr. Caruthers and Trevor Martin on the River Town Campus last week. Shirley called security, and they were escorted off the campus. Dr. Caruthers was asked to resign because of her inappropriate conduct, and Trevor was fired. Perhaps he had something to do with her murder.”

“I don’t know. The detectives must figure it out; we have enough in our lives to deal with right now.”

“I agree; you need to focus on your recovery. Jennifer is anxious to see you. I told her I would call her when you woke up.”

“Tell Jennifer to come later today. I don’t need company right now. I need more pain medication.”

I rang Nurse Nancy, and she arrived within seconds.

I leaned down and kissed Trip gently on the cheek before saying, “I will leave you to rest, but you should know I have been in touch with your parents. They are planning on coming to visit and will stay as long as you need them. I love you, Trip. I will be back tomorrow.”

I took a seat in the lobby and dialed Jennifer’s number. She promptly answered, and I updated her. “I just left Trip’s room. He is still in a great deal of pain and had me call the nurse for medication.

“Trip told me it was Dr. Caruthers who was murdered. We can’t tell anyone until her next of kin are notified. Dr. Caruthers is divorced and has one son, but I don’t know if her parents are alive or if she has siblings.”

“It was Dr. Caruthers I met with yesterday. We had a long conversation in the dining room. She told me she had resigned and wanted to move away from River Town as soon as possible; it wasn’t safe for her to live here. She listed her house with me, saying, ‘My ex-husband was awarded half of the proceeds of a sale in our divorce settlement.’”

“Jennnifer, one of my colleagues, called me yesterday and said, ‘Dr. Caruthers was forced to resign, and Trevor Martin was fired over their argument on the River Town Campus last week. Trip told me Caruthers said, ‘She had been receiving death threats.’ That’s pretty radical; who would want her dead? Trevor, maybe?”

“I have no idea, but I hope those detectives don’t drag their feet on this one. You and Trip can’t bail them out this time; Trip needs to focus on getting better. I will call him tomorrow morning.”

“I don’t have a key to his house, Jennifer. Trip’s cats need to be fed, and his parents are coming for a visit; they will need a key, as well.”

“We have a key, Maggie; I will send Todd over to feed them. He can have copies of the key made and drop both keys off at your house. Please call me if you need anything. It is going to be a challenging time for both you and Trip.”

After assuring Jennifer that I would call her if needed, I hung up and headed for the parking lot. I just wanted to get home to the security of my house. I must think about Trip’s recovery and sort through what Trip had told me about Dr. Caruthers’s murder. First and foremost, I need to call his parents and give them the promised update.

I dialed the Evans number as soon as I got in, steeling myself for their reaction to my news.

Trip’s father answered the phone, saying, “I am putting Mary on speakerphone.”

I began by telling them I had spoken to Trip; he was in a great deal of pain, but so far, he doesn’t seem to be traumatized by what happened.

“Doctor Nevins told me that Trip must remain in the hospital for at least a week. He will require physical therapy after he is released. Initially, he will receive at-home care and may need to visit a facility a few times a week after that.”

“Oh my gosh, his injury must be severe. Where was he shot?”

“That’s awful! I am so glad we canceled our Christmas Cruise last week when all the problems were happening with Sissy. We will drive down and can be there by Thursday afternoon. I know it is Christmas Eve, and we don’t want to interfere with your plans.”

“In the...