Twelve Angry Librarians

“No, but she’s got the wine.” Marisue grinned. “Come on, she’s only a couple of doors away.” From the nearby desk she picked up a couple of key cards, each in its own sleeve, and slipped one into the pocket of her slacks. Diesel and I followed her out of the room and to another room two doors down and across the hall. Marisue knocked lightly, waited a moment, and then inserted the key card.

*   *   *

I waited outside the room with Diesel while Marisue made sure Randi was awake and in a state to receive visitors. Diesel and I didn’t have to wait long. Marisue came back soon and invited us in.

Subdued lighting greeted us, and I paused a moment to let my eyes adjust after the door swung shut behind us. Marisue went over to the king-sized bed and sat on a corner by the foot. I approached the bed, watching Randi’s face as I did. She was obviously still a bit woozy from her pain meds. She blinked owlishly at me for a moment before she smiled.

“Hi, Charlie.” She yawned. “Sorry about that. So tired. Nice to see you and your kitty.” Her cast made her left arm look nearly three times its normal size, and I hoped she wasn’t too uncomfortable. With the pain meds at work, she probably didn’t feel much, at least. Marisue had her propped against several pillows so she could sit up and talk.

“I’m sorry about your arm,” I said. “I hate to see you incapacitated like this. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Not that I can think of.” Randi yawned again. “Sorry. Can’t seem to stop.”

“No need to apologize,” I said. “If you don’t feel like talking, don’t worry. We won’t stay long.”

Diesel meowed, and Randi smiled. With her uninjured right arm she patted the bedspread beside her. “Come on up, kitty. Come on, now, let me rub your head.”

Diesel needed little urging. He understood the tone of Randi’s words, if not their precise meaning. He climbed on the bed and stretched out by her side. Randi stroked his head, and I could see that doing so made her perk up a little.

“How did it happen?” I asked. “Do you remember?”

Randi grimaced. “Way it always happens with me. Flapping my gums, not watching where I was going.” She fell silent after another yawn.

Marisue shook her head. “She stepped off the curb, and I guess she didn’t realize it was the curb. She stumbled, and down she went before I could grab her.”

“Not the first time.” Randi’s eyes closed, then opened again a moment later. “Sorry, keep wanting to sleep. Thirsty, though.” She looked hopefully, I thought, at Marisue. “Wine?”

“Certainly not, not with the pain medication.” Marisue got up from the bed and headed for the small nook that housed the refrigerator, coffeemaker, ice bucket, and cups. She came back with a bottle of water.

I glanced at the bottle as Marisue paused to twist off the cap. The brand name looked familiar. Then I remembered why I recognized it.

“Don’t open that bottle.” I reached to grab it away from Marisue.

TWENTY-EIGHT

I had to stop Randi before she drank from the bottle. When I reached out for it, Marisue stared at me as if I had totally lost my mind.

“Don’t open it.” My tone was sharp, but Marisue complied with my demand. She jerked her hand away from the cap.

“What is it?” Randi demanded, now more alert than before.

“That’s the same brand of water that Gavin drank.” I took the bottle from Marisue’s unresisting hands. “Where did you get this bottle?”

Marisue looked at me, then at Randi. “Is this the one you took from Gavin’s party the other night?”

Randi nodded weakly. “Oh dear Lord, do you think it’s poisoned?”

“I don’t know,” I said, my heart still pounding, “but I don’t think we should take any chances. Is this the only one you have from Gavin’s suite?” I took a couple of deep breaths to try to steady myself. Diesel meowed and moved away from Randi toward me. I reached over and rubbed his head, and we both calmed a little.

“Yes,” Randi said. “Thank the Lord I hadn’t tried to open it before.” Her skin had an ashy cast to it, and I knew how frightened she was from a potentially narrow miss. I patted her right hand.

“You’re fine now,” I said. “I’m probably overreacting.”

Marisue went to the bathroom and came back moments later with a cold washcloth, folded it in half, and laid it on Randi’s forehead. “Thank you,” Randi said.

“I need a drink.” Marisue went over to the nook and poured a cup of wine and drank half of it in a gulp. “Charlie, how about you?” She refilled her cup.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Is there another water bottle for Randi?”

“Yes, the expensive one the hotel provides,” Marisue said. In a wry tone she added, “Worth three dollars in this case.” She brought the bottle over to Randi and twisted off the cap. Randi took the bottle and drank deeply while Marisue went back for her wine.

“Better?” I asked, and Randi nodded. “Are you hungry at all? It’s been a long time since lunch.”

“Actually, I am hungry.” Randi sounded surprised. “I don’t feel like going anywhere, though. I guess it will have to be room service.”