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Chapter five

In the Hospital

Mark was asleep in front of the television when a nurse found him next morning. She gave him some orange juice and took him to Ricky’s room. ‘Dr Greenway is here,’ she said, ‘and he wants to see you.’

Dianne looked tired. She stood at the foot of Ricky’s bed and her hands were shaking. Mark stood next to her, and she put her arm on his shoulder. They watched as the doctor touched Ricky’s head and spoke to him. Ricky’s eyes were closed.

‘He doesn’t hear you, Doctor,’ Dianne said finally. She didn’t like the way Greenway was using baby talk. Greenway continued touching and talking. Dianne had tears in her eyes. Mark, smelled fresh soap and noticed her hair was wet. She had changed her clothes too, but there was no make-up.

Greenway stood straight. ‘A very bad case,’ he said, staring at Ricky’s closed eyes.

‘What’s next’ said Dianne.

‘We wait,’ said the doctor. ‘He’ll wake up, and when he does it’s very important that you are in this room. He must see his mother when he opens his eyes. Do you understand?’

‘I’m not leaving,’ said Dianne.

Greenway looked at Mark. ‘You can come and go a bit, but it’s best if you stay here as much as possible too.’

Mark nodded his head, but he knew he would get bored.

‘Have you seen cases like this before’ asked Dianne.

Greenway looked at Ricky and decided to tell the truth. He shook his head. ‘Not quite this bad,’ he said. ‘But I’m not worried. Ricky will be all right. It’ll just take some time.’ He took a card and a newspaper from his bag. ‘Here’s my phone number,’ he said. ‘If Ricky wakes up, tell the nurses and they’ll call me immediately. Okay?’

Dianne took the card and nodded. Greenway opened the newspaper. ‘Have you seen this’ he asked.

‘No,’ she answered.

‘Well you’d better read it. It’s about Mr Clifford.’

Mark looked at the paper and saw a big photo of Romey. Underneath the photo he read: MAFIA LAWYER SHOOTS HIMSELF. The word ‘Mafia’ jumped at Mark, and suddenly he felt sick.

Greenway leaned forward and spoke softly to Dianne. ‘It seems that Mr Clifford was a well-known lawyer in New Orleans. He was working on a murder case. The police and the FBI are downstairs. They want to talk to Mark.’

‘Why’ asked Dianne.

‘It’s a big case. The murdered man was a senator. You’ll understand more when you read this story. Then you can talk to them.’

‘No,’ said Mark suddenly.

Dianne and Greenway looked at him. ‘I don’t want to talk to them,’ said Mark. ‘I - I might get like Ricky if I have to talk about,’ he added.

‘Keep them away for now,’ said Dianne.

‘All right,’ said the doctor. ‘I’ll keep them away until twelve. Now don’t worry. Just stay by this bed until I come back.’

Greenway left. Dianne ran to the bathroom with the newspaper and lit a cigarette. Mark turned on the television by Ricky’s bed and found the news programme. Nothing but weather and sports.

Dianne came back into the room. ‘Clifford’s client killed a United States senator,’ she said slowly.

‘I wonder why he did that,’ said Mark, because he could think of nothing different to say.

‘It says Jerome Clifford worked for the New Orleans Mafia, and they think his client is a member.’

Mark had seen film about the Mafia on television. His heart jumped, and he felt pains in his stomach.

‘I’m hungry, Mom. Are you hungry?’

‘Why didn’t you tell me the truth, Mark?’

‘I’m sorry, Mom. I planned to tell you when we were alone.’ Dianne looked sad and tired. ‘You never lie to me Mark.’

‘I’m really hungry, Mom. Can we talk about this later? Give me some money and I’ll run down to the cafe and get us something to eat. Don’t you want some coffee?’

Luckily Dianne wasn’t ready for a serious talk yet. She opened her purse and gave him five dollars. Mark took the money and put it in his pocket.

‘You know where the cafe is’ asked Dianne. He nodded. ‘Be careful,’ she said, and sat down again to watch Ricky. Mark left the room. He needed time to think.