Heading For A New Life Read online

  They drove to the hospital in silence, only the DJ on the radio cheerfully rattled that the fog was going back into the bay, which means that Seattle would soon shine under the sun, which its inhabitants had not seen for several days.

  — Today I have two operations. Leaving the car, Laura leaned over. “I won't be free until eight, and if I were you, I would still have spent the day more profitably than sitting in the hall.

  Chris gave her an eloquent look, forcing her to snort indignantly: "Do as you want!" and slam the door harder than planned. The car roared loudly with its engine and took off, heading for the parking lot.

  — Crazy! - Laura muttered, watching Hammer with her eyes, and tucking up her chin, went to the door.

  The open gallery has always been a favorite spot for a short respite for doctors and interns. From the height of the third floor, one could view the entire hall, which stretched out below, and through the glass wall, the alley leading to the hospital was visible.

  — What, today is your handsome on a long leash? - Emma hungrily devoured Chris, who was sitting on a bench under a maple tree a few feet from the entrance. His musical fingers fluttered rapidly across the keyboard, but every few minutes his gaze rushed to the hospital, scanning people continuously entering and leaving it.

  — I offered him to go home and pick me up in the evening, ”Laura shrugged indifferently, although the mere mention of him made her heart jump to her throat and pound loudly and swiftly. - Tell me, which neurologist did you go to when you got divorced? She asked casually, leaning against the chrome railings of the gallery.

  — What, fucking nerves? - Emma looked sympathetically, forgetting about Chris for a while. - I would recommend Dr. Ridgens, but you know, he is a bore, although he prescribes awesome pills - after them I thought that I would move mountains, there was such a rise! What have you got? Sleep disturbances? Depression?

  — Panic attacks seem to me, ”Laura sighed, involuntarily shifting her gaze to Chris. - Not quite that, of course, I keep myself in control, but sometimes uncontrollable panic rolls over, it's even hard to breathe.

  — Try an asthmatic aerosol first. Emma looked at her friend seriously. - True, it helped me. If it's just stress, of course, and not something more serious.

  Laura chuckled nervously, imagining how she would spray every time she was alone with Chris.

  — Okay, I'll go to your Chris, I'll go and offer you some coffee. Do you think she will agree? Emma put her hips on her hips and bit her lip.

  — I don’t know, ”Laura could not help smiling. It would be funny if Emma spun with her bodyguard. Imagining how he, having checked her apartment, goes downstairs and goes to his friend, unpleasantly sucked in the stomach. Unwittingly following Emma's eyes, who had already left the hospital and was now heading towards Chris, Laura exhaled irritably and decisively left the gallery - it was high time to prepare for the operation.

  —Hey! - Emma sank on the bench next to Chris, accidentally hitting his hip. - It's hot today, isn't it?

  — True. - Chris looked at her with interest. Plump lips, piercing blue eyes that looked up with the promise of everything one could ask for: Emma knew she was attractive and enjoyed it.

  — Would you like to have a coffee? We have a great coffee shop here. She tilted her head slightly to one side. Taking a quick glance in the direction of the hospital, Chris opened his mouth, but Emma was ahead: - She has an operation in half an hour, I assure you, in the next two hours Laura will not leave the building.

  — I'll take your word for it. Chris smiled as he saw Emma flush, suddenly embarrassed and looking down. He never complained about the lack of female attention, especially when he was wearing a uniform. But now women literally fell into his arms, as soon as he made it clear that he needed it. Chris did not understand what the reason was, but he could not help but admit that such an alignment was completely fine with him. The main thing is that short hobbies do not grow into something more.

  He closed the laptop and stood up, holding out his hand.

  — Come and show me where this wonderful coffee is.

  — Will you treat me? - Emma shrugged coquettishly.

  — May be. - Under the appraising gaze of dark, almost black eyes, a scalding wave passed through the body, and Emma involuntarily sucked in her lower lip, quickly licking it.

  — How long have you known Laura? - confidently grabbing Chris by the arm, Emma led him to the door. “I didn’t think she’d need security, although Dominic is a bastard.

  —Her father hired me. - Chris was not going to go into details, but he could not ignore innocent and logical, in general, questions. - And you? He looked down at her. - How long have you known Laura?

  — Three years. You know, I'm not from Seattle at all ...

  Chris smiled to himself: if you want to force the woman to change the subject, offer to tell about your friend. Who would agree to praise another when he wants to grab a man's attention? For the next thirty minutes, Emma talked enthusiastically about how she had moved to Seattle from Boston, how she got used to the local climate, how she hesitated between Seattle and San Francisco, and even about what an asshole her ex turned out to be, who abandoned her a year ago. The charm caused by the attractive image dissipated in the first minutes, and all Chris had to do was finish his coffee and wait for Emma to finally shut up.

  In the end, patience ran out, and he looked at his watch, seemingly furtively, but making no attempt to hide it. Emma cut herself off in mid-sentence and smiled sweetly.

  — I must have blabbed you completely. All about myself and about myself. Do you want to tell something about yourself, where are you from?

  — From here. Chris smiled broadly. - Do you always have so much free time?

  — Time? Emma flapped her eyelashes in confusion. - No, it's a small window, but ... By the way, what time is it?

  She leaned over the table, turning Chris's wrist towards her, giving a glimpse into the cleavage. Then she straightened up and jumped up sharply.

  — I completely forgot about the time! I'm afraid I have to go. But we'll see you again?

  — Surely. ”Chris’s smile widened. But as soon as Emma disappeared, she immediately disappeared. Returning to the bench, Chris reopened the laptop: information about Alexander Smite was general, but it's better, than nothing. Connections from aerospace construction, active support of the head of the plant for the construction of rocket launch complexes - the senator has received support from the state's largest businessmen for many years. Now he was running for a third term, which was an undoubted success and in the future could open the way to the White House. Or maybe this was precisely the goal of Alexander Smith, because the new presidential elections will be in two years. Could these ambitious plans serve as a reason for protecting your daughter? The senator had no more relatives, at least not a word about them in the press. The wife died several years ago - they shot him. But this is already interesting. The killer was found quickly, but it is unlikely that it was he, and not a dummy, who decided to take on someone else's fault. History repeated itself: a new campaign, probably new threats. And now Senator Smith feared for the safety of his daughter ...

  Chris pondered, not paying attention to the fact that the sun again disappeared behind the clouds and pulled again with dampness, promising an imminent rain. Perhaps this is a false alarm, then all his work will be reduced to sitting in the hospital lobby and escorting from home and back. Chris was determined to keep the weekend with Marcus. Surely Mrs. Reeds goes on a spree when the opportunity arises, and he did not hire her lovers. The rest of the day had to be spent in the car - it started raining, and there was no desire to return to the hall under the close attention of Emma. Laura won today.

  And she did not fail to demonstrate her triumph when he met her at the entrance. With a subtle grin, Laura proudly walked by, although she was bursting to say something malicious. It seems that life was still beginning to improve.

  The first day off this week fel
l on Thursday, as she warned Chris on Wednesday night.

  — Tomorrow I'm allI'll be at home for the day - I have a day off

  — I ask you to inform me about all possible movements, - Chris answered evenly, pressing the button - they have just entered the elevator.

  — There will be no movement, I will be at home all day. Maybe I'll run to the grocery store. The one in the next house.

  — In what time?

  — How do I know! I'll get some sleep and go.

  — I'll be waiting downstairs.

  — All day? - Laura stared at him in amazement, forgetting even about the fear that she continued to experience, being alone with him.

  — This is my job. - Chris looked straight ahead, but his skin felt her irritation. It even became their kind of game: who will lead whom first. Tonight he evened the score - in the morning Laura sent him to the dry cleaner for bathrobes, arguing that he still had nothing to do all day. The Hummer's wheel took the brunt when Chris kicked it heartily several times.

  — Okay, let's go to the store now. - Laura pressed the stop, the elevator obediently froze, then went down.

  — I'll still be waiting downstairs. Suddenly you decide to take a walk. In the evening. - Chris

  glanced at her, smiling to himself: Laura's eyes flashed dangerously.

  — I will stay at home. All. Evening. What the fuck is not clear here ?!

  — As you say. - He got out of the elevator and went to the door to the street, swinging it open. Laura continued to stand, feeling that another word, and she would explode. “Shop, Mrs. Reeds. You walk?

  — Since you will wait all day under the windows, I'll go tomorrow, ”she smiled sweetly, taking a step back into the elevator. “Good night, Mr. Labert. - The last word still remained with her.

  — So how was your first week of work? - Denise blew on the bangs that fell over her eyes, and it flew up into a chestnut cloud. Friday night in the Shanell family was always noisy and cheerful, but now Chris desperately needed just this - home warmth and comfort, the screams of children and the muttering of the TV. You could go and unwind yourself, you could spend the evening alone in your apartment, but looking at his girlfriend, enthusiastically slicing cucumbers for salad, he did not regret at all that he accepted her invitation to a family dinner.

  — It was the heaviest five thousand I have ever made, ”Chris sighed.

  Until now, yesterday has made me want to send everything and leave. He hadn’t hoped, of course, that Laura would invite him up, but she made him walk around the fucking supermarket five times looking for pads, and then, slapping her forehead, she remembered that they were sold at a pharmacy three blocks from home. So I had to go back, bring in my purchases, then go to the pharmacy with her, and then sit and wait in the car, sipping on the sugary-sweet orange juice bought at the supermarket. Laura never left the house, out of sheer stubbornness, not otherwise. And all day she looked at him with such a sneer that Chris could hardly resist the urge to grab her skinny shoulders and shake her properly so that her teeth would snap.

  In an incredible way, she managed to evoke in him the wildest mixture of irritation and contempt, which did not fit in with the image that Eleanor Reeds personified in public. A truly talented surgeon - this week Chris managed to study all the available information, including the stories of colleagues who themselves tried to tell about how smart Laura is. And, it seems, is actually unhappy in marriage. Which, however, does not matter. They might not know the true reasons for the divorce, but Chris stubbornly continued to think that this was due to the fact that Laura was cheating on her husband. The mocking gaze flashed green again, forcing him to involuntarily grit his teeth, clenching his fists.

  — Wow, how many emotions. Denise put down her knife and stared at Chris. - I hope you're not going to lose your head?

  The look Chris gave her friend could have incinerated on the spot. But Denise just snorted and played with her eyebrows.

  — From hate to love ... Heard of this?

  — Have you started drinking yet? I think it's time for Mark to start keeping records of wine. Chris looked at Denise with exaggerated concern.

  — Oh well. She shook her head. - I still remember that you promised to introduce her.

  — Look, I'm not going to bring her here, ”Chris suddenly flushed. - We are not a couple, I work for her. And the fact that there is one between us, - he raised his finger up, - if something

  was, does not give you a reason to believe that I feel something for her, except irritation.

  — Of course, ”Denise nodded complaisantly, returning to the salad. “No feelings, Chris. I think you need to find a girl and try to have a relationship with her. Normal, you know? As people do.

  — I'll do it, ”Chris grunted, springing up and out of the kitchen. Denise followed him with a mocking glance - how predictable men are and how naively they think that no one can read them like an open book! She had known Chris for years enough to determine that the mysterious Laura was taking up too much space in his mind, even if he himself hadn't noticed it yet.

  The new week started with a heavy rain. He covered Seattle with a wall, smeared the outlines of houses, flowed rivers along the pavements. Laura was silent, staring straight ahead. Shadows formed under her eyes, eloquently indicating that she had spent a sleepless night. Every time, casting a short glance at her, Chris pursed his lips, trying to drown out the anger that for some reason boiled inside, once you saw her. It was as if she deliberately wanted to emphasize the distance, moving away from him as far as possible, to the door. She even pulled her knees up, and clasped the bag with her hands, so as not to accidentally touch. For some reason it hurt.

  Saturday for Laura turned out to be difficult - a seven-year-old girl with a congenital deformity of the valve was brought from Wyoming, and the operation took six hours. And on Sunday Dominic called, and this conversation drank all his strength. It all ended with her sobbing in the bathroom, clutching the phone in her hands. And today, this fucking bodyguard looks like she robbed the National Bank, while dancing naked in front of the guards, giving everyone a blowjob.

  Laura bit her lip and turned away sharply - right now she lacked support and it seemed as if the whole world was against. And even such a trifle as Chris's disapprovingly pursed lips caused tears in his eyes. Rag! She is a rag who is ready to burst into tears right now only because there is no one to hug and say: everything will be fine. Gritting her teeth, Laura nodded dryly and got out of the car as they stopped by the alley leading to the hospital.

  Chris spent the whole day as if on pins and needles, pacing in front of the entrance - a dull alarm came suddenly, spread in his chest, and he used to trust her. In prison, an indistinct feeling, sucking in the stomach, saved his life more than once. Chris had no idea what it might be related to right now, but he couldn't ignore it. When Laura appeared in the doorway, he almost groaned with relief, although he himself could not decide what he was afraid of - that someone would stab her with a scalpel over the operating table?

  Although one glance at her was enough to understand that something was wrong. Lips clenched into a pinstrip, a look inward - Laura did not see anyone or anything as she approached Chris. The phone in her hand rang abruptly, and Chris thought she jumped in surprise. But she answered calmly.

  — I'm listening. Not. You know this day had to come. Enough, House.

  They walked to the parking lot, and Chris kept looking around, itching between the shoulder blades, anxiety screwed in, as if a sniper's sight was sliding down his back.

  — This is the end, do you hear? - Laura's voice sounded insanely tired, even her shoulders dropped, as if she wanted to become lower. Chris tensed when he saw a tall man next to his Hummer. - See you in court.

  Laura hung up the phone and looked up, abruptly out of step. Until the car remained

  a few steps when she froze, and Chris, not having time to brake, crashed into her. Swiftly circling, he rubbed her back and stepped forward.


  - What, Lor-ri ... - Laura winced - he always called her that - drawlingly, stretching the consonants, - found herself a new fucker?

  He did not look at Chris - he did not take his eyes off Laura, and she froze like a rabbit in front of a boa constrictor.

  — So, little wife, you already have few doctors in your hospital, are you expanding the territory? - Dominic took a step forward, and Chris put out a warning hand. The man in front of him did not inspire fear, but this did not mean absolutely nothing: he could rush at any moment.

  — And you, boy, how many times have you been lucky enough to tear my wife, huh? Dominic smiled an almost good-natured smile. - She's good, huh? Good slut Lorrie.

  He approached slowly, waddling, not taking his eyes off Laura, and Chris felt her fear in every cell. The insane, uncontrollable fear that was so familiar to him - the first year in prison passed under the sign of this fear. And he was not going to allow anyone to feel the same here, in freedom.

  Meanwhile, Dominic walked around Chris and threw his hand forward, grabbing Laura by the shoulder. She suddenly went limp, somehow doomed, and allowed herself to be pulled from behind Chris's back, hiding her eyes.

  — Here she is, my beloved wife. You thought you grabbed the jackpot? A dick with two! She won't bring a shit! But it will spread its legs in front of the whole Seattle. Am I right, Lorrie, baby?

  — Let her go. - Chris carefully took Laura by the forearm and pulled towards himself, blocking his shoulder. - You will talk in court.

  — To hell with the court! Dominic unclenched his hand and stared at Chris. - I will prove that she is a whore, and I will sue her half of daddy's fortune! You bet on the wrong horse, boy, she's almost a beggar!

  — I didn't cheat on you! Laura shouted from behind Chris. - I never cheated on you until we parted, you hear!