Where Angels Fear (Detectives Kane and Alton)

Jenna glared at him. “Ha, ha, very funny.” She made her way back to her bedroom to wait for the doctor.

When Kane ushered the doctor into the room, Jenna took in what she could see of her. Bundled up in a huge sheepskin coat that hung down to cover her boots, the doctor peered at her through oversized black-framed glasses that made her dark eyes appear huge and surreal.

“Good morning, Sheriff.” The doctor had a distinctive English accent and when she untied the knitted scarf from around her face and then pulled off her hat, long black hair spilled down to frame her features. “I’m Doctor Mavis Weaver. What seems to be the problem?” She placed a brown leather bag on the bed and inclined her head from side to side, like a bird of prey, then looked down at her.

Jenna wrinkled her nose at the strong smell of lavender and blinked at the doctor. She looked as if she had walked out of the 1940s. A large woman in her late thirties, she dressed in a variety of unusual clothes like a bag lady. Stymied for a second, she cleared her throat then coughed uncontrollably.

“Oh, I see.” Dr. Weaver opened her bag, took out a stethoscope and proceeded to examine her. “You have a chest infection. You should have called me a week ago, young lady. I want you to stay inside; going out in this weather could lead to serious complications.”

Astonished by her bedside manner, Jenna blinked. “Ah, I thought it was just a cold.”

“Are you allergic to penicillin?” The doctor reached into her bag, took out a small bottle and a syringe then prepared an injection.

Jenna read the label—it was in her best interest not to trust strangers planning to shoot drugs into her system—and shook her head. “No.”

“Good! I’ll give you a shot. Roll onto your side away from me and lift your nightie. This one goes into your butt.” Dr. Weaver grinned. “It hurts like a bitch too.”

“Ah… is that really necessary?” Jenna eyed the needle with suspicion. “Pills will be fine.”

“Oh, you’ll need them as well.” The doctor chuckled as if enjoying the idea of inflicting pain, cleaned the area and jabbed in the needle. “There you go. I’ll draw some blood while I’m here as well, just to check for any nasties.”

Jenna rubbed her backside. The injection hadn’t worried her. She sat up and offered her arm. The doctor was fast and efficient. She watched her write on a prescription pad and wondered why she ran a clinic. “Do you work at the hospital as well?”

“The hospital is all about insurance and around these parts there are people barely surviving. I never turn anyone away and I can handle most emergencies.” Dr. Weaver’s eyes moved over her face. “I have a few colleagues who are prepared to help out pro bono when necessary as well.”

“That is very noble of you, but we do have the Department of Public Health and Human Services to assist low earners with healthcare. If you provide a free service how do you pay the bills?” Jenna pressed a wad of cotton to the crook of her arm. “We all have to eat.”

“Those who can pay are more than enough for my simple needs.” Dr. Weaver handed her the prescription. “Take the meds and if you’re not better in four to five days, call me, or if your condition deteriorates, go to the ER.”

“Sure.” Jenna eyed her critically. As a doctor, the woman did not fill her with confidence. She reached into the bedside table for her wallet. “Are you a Medicaid or HMK Plus provider? I’ll pay cash for the visit if that’s okay. If you leave my blood sample, I’ll have one of my deputies drop it at the ME’s office. Wolfe will perform the tests.”

“You don’t have to worry, my dear.” Dr. Weaver patted her on the shoulder. “Deputy Kane insisted on providing his credit card details before I left. I’ll email him a receip

t and as I go right past the ME’s office, I’ll drop by on the way home. If you have someone to pick up your meds, I’ll drop the prescription into the pharmacy on my way home too. I won’t contact you unless the tests show up something of concern.”

“Thanks, that would be a great help.” Jenna’s attention drifted to the door, wondering why Kane would pay for her medical treatment. “I’m sure I’ll be fine in a few days.” She handed the prescription back to the doctor.

She watched as the doctor shrugged into her coat, pulled on her bright red hat and purple gloves and waddled into the hallway. The moment she heard the front door shut behind the doctor, she slipped out of bed and marched into the kitchen. “Kane, why did you pay for her visit? I had cash here.”

“I told her you were insured and she asked for credit card details before she left, so I gave her mine.” He sighed. “Friends do that for each other, it’s no big deal.”

Jenna balled her fists on her hips. “Uh-huh. I would have preferred to go into town to see Doc Brown. She was… weird.”

“Sorry but I didn’t have a choice of doctors.” Kane gave her a sheepish look. “I don’t know any others who make house calls. It’s like she stepped out of the fifties.”

Jenna rubbed her butt. “You can say that again. And she gave me a shot. I hate needles.” She went to the counter and refilled the coffee pot. “When she sends the receipt, I’ll reimburse you.”

“If you must, but it’s not necessary.” He took down coffee cups from the shelf. “It was my idea for her to call.”

Jenna gave him a sideways look. “Maybe, but now it will be all over town we’re living together and you’re paying my medical bills.”

“Nah, she won’t say a word.” Kane grinned at her. “Doctor–patient privilege and all that.” He leaned against the counter. “FYI, people already believe we’re involved. I had one old lady ask me when I was going to make an honest woman of you.”

Aghast, Jenna gaped at him. “Oh, my God, tell me that didn’t happen.”

“Sure did. I told her you wouldn’t have me if I was the last man on earth and that our relationship was strictly professional.” Kane moved to the refrigerator and took out the cream. “She patted my arm and told me not to worry, I would find someone one day.”

Jenna giggled, followed by a fit of coughing. “I’d better get back to bed. Give me a call when the coffee is ready.”