A Flicker of Doubt - Tim Myers [61]
His voice was softer still as he answered, ‘That’s just it. I can’t walk anymore.” Cyrus Walters rolled toward us in a wheelchair.
His eyes blazed as he focused on his sister. “Blast it all, Ruthie, what right do you have to be here?”
“Are you saying I need permission to come into my own home, the place I was raised? Nonsense, your thugs weren’t about to keep me out Now what’s all this about? Why are you in that chair?”
“I’ve lost the use of my legs,” he said as he buried his head in his hands.
She was beside him in a heartbeat “Cyrus, is that why you wouldn’t see anyone?”
“I was afraid it was getting worse,” he said. “I couldn’t stand to look you in the eye, Harrison.”
Ruth asked, “So it’s true then, you two are friends?”
Cyrus nodded. “More than I even realized. He’s the only one who wouldn’t give up. He got you here, didn’t he? Only there’s nothing you can do, Big Sister. I can’t walk.”
“When did this happen?” I asked. “The last time I saw you, you were hale and hearty and striding down your river path.”
“It came on me overnight,” Cyrus said. Thankfully the new doctor came to the house to see me. Greg Runion brought him by. He’s been giving me injections every day, or else I’d be completely paralyzed by now.”
“Do you mean to tell me that you didn’t at least consult a specialist? Cyrus, did he rot your brain as well?”
“I couldn’t walk, that’s all I knew,” Cyrus said. “Dr. Jefferson’s done something about the pain, but he said my case was hopeless.”
“We’ll see about that,” Ruth said. She told Morton, “Call the hospital. Have them send an ambulance immediately. Then find out the identity of this quack who’s been treating him. Do it now, sheriff.”
Morton jumped as if he’d been snake bit “Yes, ma’am, I’m on it”
“I won’t go to the hospital,” Cyrus said. “They kill people there.”
“Well, they cure them there, too, little brother. You’ve been a perfect fool about this; you know that don’t you? Don’t worry though, we’ll make it better.
- Where is that confounded ambulance?”
As if materializing at her request I heard the sirens approach.
One of the deputies stepped into the room. “Boss, what should we do about those guys you had us watch?”
‘Take them in,” Morton snapped. “And you can charge them while you’re at it”
“With what?” The deputy looked even more confused.
“Make it disturbing the peace, kidnapping, you can even claim they were resisting arrest for all I care. I just want to sit on them until we can find out who hired them.” “
“Yes, sir,” the deputy said and left
Two paramedics came in with a gurney between them. “What’s happening here?”
Ruth pointed to Cyrus and said, ‘Take him to the hospital. He believes something is wrong with his legs, but he’s going to resist, I warn you.”
“I’m not going to the hospital,” Cyrus repeated.
Ruth got down in his face and said, “Little brother, do you really feel like going up against me?”
“No,” he said, the fight suddenly gone out of him.
“That’s better,” Ruth said, softening with capitulation. “Will it help if I ride there with you?”
One of the paramedics said, “Sony, ma’am, I’m afraid you can’t do that”
“Young man, I could stand here and threaten you with the fact that one wing of your hospital was endowed my father, but I won’t Instead, I’ll just say that if you do anything to keep me away from my brother, you’ll be working in the hospital furnace room before nightfall.”
While the paramedic was making up his mind, the other said, “Ma’am, we’d be delighted to have you ride with us.”
“Very good,” Ruth said, pleased with the minor victory. “Is there any way my brother can avoid being strapped down to that thing and ride upright?”
“I’m sorry, but for his safety, it would be best if we could do it our way.”
She nodded. “So be it.” Ruth turned to her brother. “I’m going to be right beside you the entire way. Don’t worry, Cyrus, I’m here now.”
I followed them out, and said, “Should I take the limo and join you at the hospital?”
Ruth said, “No, have the driver take you back