Second Interview: "Sparkles"?

Officer Lacy kept her composure. That woman was definitely putting on an act. Why? She didn't ask anything that wouldn't be expected of a concerned mother...but her demeanor changed subtly when she was questioned about her son versus answering the door. Like some airhead. She had answered the door more composed than that.

Her guests sat in the back, comparing notes.

"Well, her story about a friend in the hospital matches up...that's our next bet. What would you bet she's covering?"

"It felt like it. Bet there's no record of a coffee burn at this hospital."

These two felt off, too. They seemed too personally involved in finding this missing Nova. Had it not been for the chief, she wouldn't buy their story. The Novaxan Placement Program isn't supposed to be so directly involved in this stuff...something wasn't right. Why was Alan not on this with her? They were always partners.

She spoke up, "We shouldn't try to predict what we'll find. We're looking for the truth here, so don't set yourselves up to see one story."

"Right...yeah, we should wait and see. So far nothings turned up but gut feelings."

She pulled up to the hospital, escorting them inside. She stepped in front of them both, to greet a curly haired blonde nurse at the main desk. "Excuse me, I'm officer Lacy. I'm here to see a patient who was admitted here a few days ago. We have some questions about a friend of hers. She'd have come in recently for severe chest burns from hot liquid."

The nurse bit her lips, typing into the computer. "Let's see here...yep! Janice Douglass. She was discharged this morning."

The short man interjected, "Could you tell us how we can contact her? It's important."

Officer Lacy shook her head. "No, she can't. You should know that. Patient information is restricted unless I have a warrant. As it is, there's no reason for any suspicion so we don't need one."

"Is there anyone we can talk to? The doctor that was caring for her?", he asked hurriedly.

The nurse checked back at the document. "That looks like it was Nurse Baker. I can call her over, if you'd like."

Officer Lacy nodded. "That would be a big help, thank you."

The three of them stood awkwardly in the main area as the nurse in question was called over. After a few minutes, a black haired woman with tired eyes and a beautiful smile arrived. She stuck her hand out. "Hi, I'm Tanya. How can I help, officer?"

Lacy shook her hand. Firm, friendly. This woman felt honest. "I was hoping to ask some questions about a patient here." She scanned her notes, "A woman named Janice Douglass."

Tanya nodded sharply, "Okay, I'll tell you what I can that won't expose any private information."

"She was here for burns, correct?"

Tanya nodded again, "Nasty ones, too. Some places need better maintenance on their machines."

Officer Lacy kept a straight face. No one had mentioned machines, but she'd only just started. "What machine was it that burned her?"

"Coffee did the burning, but the cafe followed up claiming a faulty thermometer on their machine."

"Why wasn't a doctor assigned?"

"Oh, there was. Officially it was Doctor Mike, but he's usually in surgery so I took over and left him with the paperwork so he wouldn't be pulled away."

"And he signed the discharge papers?"

"At my recommendation, yes. After a couple days of observation, I taught her how to do the bandages and she was sent home."

"Did she have any visitors?"

"I saw a young man in there with her once, yeah."

"Do you remember anything he might have told her?"

"No, I had other patients to look after. I just checked in to see how she was doing."

Lacy finished her notes and put away her pad and pen. "Thank you ma'am, that's all we have to ask you. Sorry for pulling you away."

Tanya shook her head with an earnest smile. "No apologies needed, officer. I hope I helped."