Chapter 8 chapter Five

New York, New York City Monday, June 5, 2006 three: forty-five in the afternoon Jack put down the phone and sat at his desk for a few minutes, tapping his fingertips on the metal surface.He didn't quite tell the truth to his sister.He himself didn't realize that this was the reason for not visiting them for so many years.She was absolutely right in her analysis.Worse, he dared not admit that he was still afraid.Really, maybe even less should I go now, because Alexis's two youngest daughters, Megan and Christina, are now eleven and ten.And his two daughters, Tamara and Lydia, were exactly that age when they died.But the brother-sister relationship is also difficult to part with.He and Alexis were especially close as children in Indiana.He was five years older than her, and this age gap made him a bit of a patriarch, but more of a close brother.He had been hiding from the Alexis family for ten years in New York, and he really felt guilty, so when she needed help, he couldn't bear to refuse.However, he knew that the next step would not be easy.

He stood up and considered for a moment who he should talk to first.He would have liked to speak to Laurie first, though he knew the consequences might be dire, and Laurie was very anxious about the wedding.Her mother was driving her crazy, and she was already driving Jack crazy.That being the case, he thought he might first talk to Deputy Director Calvin.Better to say hello from Washington.Originally, Calvin had to approve it before he could ask for leave.For a moment, he even secretly wished that Calvin would not be allowed to leave.Because he and Laurie were supposed to take a two-week wedding leave from Friday.No leave means he doesn't have to feel guilty about Alexis, and he doesn't have to force himself to face her two daughters, let alone explain to Laurie.However, such a good thing that kills multiple birds does not exist.

Calvin wouldn't say no.He has always approved employees asking for leave in case of family emergencies. Jack regained his sanity before turning off the computer.He knew he must say hello to Laurie first.The wedding was imminent, and if Laurie found out that he had left without saying goodbye, the consequences would be dire.So he walked down the corridor to Laurie's office. Jack didn't want to go to Boston for another reason.He doesn't like Craig very much.Boman.He put up with Alexis for the sake of him.Their relationship has always been bad.Jack knew what type he was from the first day he met him.There are several such people in Jack's medical school, and they are all at the top of the class.When this kind of person wants to prove his point of view during a discussion, he will quote a bunch of medical literature and will not rest until he chokes his opponent to death.If it's just this problem, Jack can bear it.The problem is, Craig is not only opinionated, but also somewhat arrogant, arrogant and self-righteous.In fact, even this Jack can bear, he just tried to divert the topic of Craig away from medicine occasionally, but it never succeeded.Craig is only interested in medicine, science, and patients, and knows nothing about politics, literature, or even sports.He has no time.

Jack has arrived at the door of Laurie's office.He remembered what Alexis said about his avoidance in his personality, and he snorted.How dare she say that!He thought for a while and smiled.It was suddenly clear to him that she was right, and that Laurie would agree with her completely.His reactions largely testify to his narcissism.He and Alexis admitted as much. Jack poked his head into Laurie's office and found her seat empty.Riva in the same office as her.Mehta has dark skin and a sweet voice.At the moment she is at her desk on the phone.She raised her onyx eyes to Jack. Jack pointed to Laurie's chair, frowning in question.Riva didn't move the phone receiver away from his ear, but pointed to the ground and mouthed a pit.

Jack nodded, expressing that he knew that Laurie was in the autopsy room downstairs and must be rushing a case.He turned and walked towards the elevator.Now even if Laurie knew that he told Calvin first, he would have a reason. Jack found Calvin.When Dr. Washington came, he was in his cramped office.Although it was right next to the supervisor's office, compared to the two, this one was much smaller, except for the metal filing cabinet, his desk and a few straight-backed chairs, there was basically no space.Calvin, a massive 250-pound man, had a hard time squeezing his way over the desk and into a chair.Calvin is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Forensic Service.It's not an easy job.Because there are only a dozen forensic doctors in total, there are more than 20,000 cases each year, that is, nearly 10,000 autopsies, and there are an average of two murders and two overdoses every day.The Forensic Medicine Department is busy, and Calvin has to be responsible for any trivial matters.

What happened again?Calvin asked, his voice approaching a bass.When he first came, Jack was afraid of him because he was big and short-tempered.As the years passed, the two gradually began to respect each other.Jack knew that Calvin had a sharp mouth but a tofu heart. Jack didn't go into details, only that there was a sudden emergency at home and he needed to go to Boston to deal with it. Calvin watched Jack through framed reading glasses.I didn't know you had relatives in Boston.I always thought you were from somewhere in the Midwest. It's my sister, said Jack. Can you come back in time for your wedding leave?Calvin asked.

Jack smiled.He knew Calvin too well to know he was joking.I will try my best. How many days will it take? Maybe, but I hope it can be done in a day. Oh, keep me informed, Calvin said.Does Laurie know about this accident?Over the years, Jack gradually realized that Calvin treated Laurie like his own daughter. Not yet, but I'll tell her right away.In fact, I only had to talk to her. very good!you go.I'm going to work. Calvin waved him off.Jack thanked him, left the office area, and headed down the stairs to the autopsy room.He greeted the morgue technician and the head of security.The entrance door to Thirty Street was open, and there was a gust of wind, what New Yorkers call fresh air.He turned right and walked, past the walk-in freezer and the individual coolers, the stained concrete.In the autopsy room, he peered through the barbed wire on the window.Two men in full hazmat suits were cleaning up.On the autopsy table closest to him lay a body with its incisions closed.Apparently the autopsy was done.

Jack opened the door and asked loudly if anyone knew where Dr. Montgomery was.Someone said she left five minutes ago.Jack cursed in a low voice, turned around and walked back, and took the elevator up to the fifth floor.In the elevator he considered how best to explain it to Laurie.His instinct told him that Laurie would be upset by this sudden turn of events, and that her mother had put enough pressure on her for Friday's wedding. She was indeed in the office, arranging things on the desk, obviously just returned.Riva was still on the phone, ignoring them both. Surprise me?said Laurie happily.

I hope, said Jack.He leaned his bum against the edge of Laurie's desk and looked down at her.There are no other chairs.The facilities of the Forensic Medicine Department are outdated, and the forensic doctors not only need to share an office, but the office is already very small.Two desks and two filing cabinets are enough. Laurie stared at Jack intently, questioning in her blue-green eyes.She had all her hair up, fastened on top of her head with a fake tortoiseshell barrette, and a few curly locks fell down her cheeks.What is hope?For God's sake, what the hell are you going to tell me?she asked warily.

My sister Alexis called me just now. nice.How is she now?I've always wondered why the two of you don't get in touch more.Especially now, she has a bad relationship with her husband.Are they still together? she's fine.They are still together.She called to talk about him.He is having a hard time now.He was accused of medical malpractice. so terrible.You used to say he was a very good doctor.I can't hear that kind of thing.We forensic doctors know best what kind of doctors should be sued. Those doctors spent all the time studying medical skills on risk prevention. What the hell is going on, Jack.I know you didn't come to discuss malpractice with me.I can be sure of that.

Apparently my brother-in-law's case isn't looking bright, at least that's what Alexis said.And his self-esteem was all based on being a good doctor, so she worried that if he lost the case, he would have a nervous breakdown.If this is the case, their marriage and family will also disintegrate.I wouldn't have believed these claims if Alexis hadn't had a PhD in psychology.But she does, so I think maybe she has a point. Laurie turned her head a little sideways, looking at Jack from another angle.Such a foreshadowing is obviously related to what you want to say.And I think it's definitely something I don't like to hear. Alexis begged me to come to Boston and help. What can you do to help? Maybe just holding her hand.I also wondered if I could help, so I told her too.But she was almost begging me.To be honest, she made me feel quite guilty. Oh, Jack, Laurie murmured bitterly.She took a deep breath and let it out again.How many days are you going? I hope it's only one day.That's what I told Calvin.Then Jack quickly added, I came to your office to tell you first, and found you in the autopsy room, so I stopped by Calvin's office when I went downstairs. Laurie nodded.She looked down at the table, fiddling with a deformed paperclip in her hand, obviously wondering who was more important, herself or Jack's sister.As you know, it's Monday afternoon and our wedding is scheduled for Friday at half past one. I know, but you and your mother are trying to figure it out.I was in charge of the honeymoon and that part was all arranged. What about Warren? As far as I know, he himself said it was fine, but I can ask him again.Jack can't decide who should be the best man, Warren or Lu.In the end, the lottery was decided, and Warren won.In addition to Warren and Lu, Jack also invited Xie from the same office.Dr. Mark Gervin and his basketball buddies were at his wedding.For various reasons, he deliberately did not invite his family. And you? I'm all set. So when you go to Boston, don't you have to face your sister's daughter?Should I be worried?You told me before that this is a big problem.How old are they now? One is fifteen, one is eleven, and one is ten years old. Wasn't your daughter eleven or ten years old at the time? Yes. You've told me about your way of thinking over the years.I worry that you might get hurt if you come into contact with them.Where do you live? Stay at home!Alexis insisted on this. I don't care what she insists on.What do you think?If you don't feel well, don't force it, just stay in a hotel.I don't want you to get hurt by this and then decide not to have the wedding.There's a good chance you'll touch old wounds when you go to Boston. You know me too well.I have considered everything you said.I feel like it's finally time to think carefully about this risk, rather than continue to run away from it.This is a good sign.Alexis accused me of avoidance in my personality. As if I didn't know.You have considered for so long before deciding to marry me. Don't start a fight, Jack said with a smile.He waited a moment to make sure she knew he was joking.She was right.For many years, Jack lived with guilt and grief, feeling that he should not be happy.He even thought he was the one to be damned, not Marilyn and the girls. It would be petty of me to persuade you not to go, continued Laurie, gravely.But to be honest, I'm not happy with you going.Not just for myself, but because you're going to get hurt doing it.We are getting married on Friday.Don't call me from Boston about the postponement of the wedding then.If that's the case, it's not an extension, just cancel it.I hope you don't take this as vexatious.For so many years, that's what I thought.All that needs to be said has been said, so go if you want. Thanks.I understand how you feel, and your concern right now is justified.In many ways, it did take me a long time to get back to normal. when are you leaving? Jack looked at his watch.It's almost four o'clock.Just now.I'll ride home to get some stuff first, then go to the airport.Currently, he and Laurie lived on the ground floor of Jack's old house on 106th Street.They originally lived on the fourth floor and moved down because the house was being renovated.Jack and Laurie bought the house seven months ago, only to make the mistake of deciding to live in the building while it was being renovated. Can you give me a call after you've settled in tonight? Of course. Laurie stood up and they embraced. Jack wasted no time.After clearing away the odds and ends on his desk, he took the elevator to the basement and retrieved his mountain bike from the storage area.He put on his helmet and riding gloves, and clipped his right pant leg.Then he rode down Thirty Street to First Avenue and turned north. As usual, the annoyance disappeared as soon as Jack got on the bike.The movement and the excitement that comes with it transports him to another world, especially as he diagonally traverses Central Park.Central Park is like a verdant gem in this concrete jungle, which makes people feel far away from the hustle and bustle.By the time he turned Park West onto 106th Street, the tension from his conversation with Laurie was gone.The park was full of flowers, and the otherworldly beauty made the afternoon less pleasant. Once home, Jack stopped by the court across from the building.Warren and Flash were on the court working on their shots for a fast, furious, competitive evening neighborhood basketball game.Jack pushed open the gate of the barbed wire fence on the sidelines and slipped the car into the field. Hey man, Warren gives a shout out.You are early.Are you coming to play tonight?If you are playing ball, stay away as soon as possible.We're going to play tonight.Warren wore an oversized hip-hop-inspired coat that completely concealed her muscular body.Flash was older and his beard had grayed prematurely.In addition to his excellent jumper, he is also good at eloquence.If there is a dispute on the score, he can convince most people.Together, the three of them are almost invincible. After a brief hug and a ritualized handshake, Jack told Warren that he was temporarily out of play because he was going to Boston for a few days. Bean City!Warren said.I had a buddy there who was nice and played basketball.I can give him a call and tell him you're coming. That would be great, Jack said.He hadn't thought of bringing his sports gear, but some exercise might do him good, especially if he's emotionally unstable. I gave him your mobile number and left his in your voicemail. OK, said Jack.correct!How about your friday dress? no problem.We pick it up on Thursday. Very well, said Jack.See you Wednesday night then.I still want to play ball before the wedding. Come if you want, we're here anyway, doctor, Warren said.Then before Flash could react, he snatched the ball, made a long three-pointer, and hit it.