Getting a tip (hospital)
(follows later in the afternoon of "Dry cleaners and stains" )
Kyle's stomach grumbled in between his shaking spells. He checked his watch. 'Wow, 6:30pm.' The sun was just starting to set in Nachton as Kyle decided to grab something to eat.
He had been running down tips all day to keep his mind off of drinking. The assistant district attorney's death proved interesting although he couldnt glean any more information from the coroner, Dr. Ava Kaufmann. With legs up to her eyeballs, his efforts to secure her phone number were met with cold resistance. He had heard she was dating some bigwig...or at the very least fucking him senseless. Dejected he ran down some other possible tips.
As he walked along the food corridor of The Strip, his hands went into his pockets as he decided what to eat. Kyle fingered the piece of paper in his left pocket and pulled it out.
'Ahhh,' Kyle smiled. Carol's phone number. Perfect opportunity to...then his cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID and considered not answering but thought better of it.
'Yes, Grant.'
'Got something for you,' said Grant Thorps, he's editor.
'Ooh, give give. I've had nothing but road blocks all day on that assistant DA murder.'
'Well, it's nothing more on that, but we just heard that Marthinus Steyn of Duibne Industries had a heart attack, maybe 2.'
Kyle sighed, 'What, you want me to write the obit for it? Am I getting demoted?'
'Idiot, he's a Nachton icon, benefactor and CEO of the larget pharmecutical company in the city if not the eastern seaboard. He's at Nachton Hospital, 8th floor. GO.'
'Yes, yes,' Kyle said and hung up his cell phone. The day turned into dusk as he hailed a yellow cab with a sharp whistle. It pulled up to him and he jumped in.
'Nachton Hospital,' and the yellow cab sped off.
Turning to look at Jan, Marthinus smiled. Another one of Simon's children. 'Very good to see you again, Jan.' Jan was so young and a very handsome man. Bit wild but a very good heart.
Speaking of which, Marthinus looked down at his hands and flexed them. He felt much better. Unnaturally so. He did not feel the prickly sensation of addiction from Eternity so he assumed he had only been given a big enough dose to help his ailed heart. Duibne would have to spin the story correctly.
CEO of Duibne Industries collaspes, stress related. Over night stay. Something like that. The computer files would have to be taken care of as well. Marthinus rubbed his face. The stubble was beginning to make him itch. He must look like a fright.
Again he addressed Jan, 'So how goes it, young Jan? Staying out of trouble, are we?' Marthinus knew better. Jan was tameless soul, one of Simon's more interesting turns. Some day he would have to ask Simon about why he does the things he does.
Some day soon, hopefully.
And would he be around to see his plan to fruition? Nova felt hopeful at this, but did not allow herself to feel -too- optimistic.
She stepped out through the sliding glass doors into the warm, humid air and opened up her mobile to dial Simon. Then she frowned, closing it again. Maybe this wasn't the sort of thing she should bother her creator with; after all, he had a lot on his mind. Hearing about some jackass coming in and agitating Marthinus would only serve to upset him. Who would -he- call in this situation, anyway? It wasn't as though he would tail Evans himself, he would assign someone else to do it.
Hmm. Maybe that's something Carol could do.
She dialed the number and held the phone to her ear.
She watched the male and female vampires make out in the elevator doing some rather circus style positions.
'Ok, they MUST have agility.' Carol tilted her had to the side as she watched the wall monitor. She almost fell out of her chair trying to watch the couple in their upside down trist when her desk phone rang.
'Fuck,' she mumbled and reached back for the phone, but kept her eyes on the monitor. 'Carol here, what the fuck, I'm watching porn. Who is this?' She knew it wasn't Ellis or Simon, they had her cell phone. It had to be another Tacharan.
He grinned then and thought back to his latest nights out trying to think of anything of interest.
"I met a couple of Anantya earlier tonight. One was a music lover, redeemable quality there. She was also in the House of Pain so perhaps there is hope for the fossils. The other was a large man who didn't say much, might have been too much work.. I don't know. They seemed to have issues with each other."
Jan shrugged. "A while back I met an Evenhet in Club Eternity, he seemed decent enough though I'm not sure what he was up to... heard him speaking to someone that wasn't me, unless he was talking muttering answers to himself. I thought he was wired and it was a possible set up so I lit out of there."
"So what about you? Aside from the unscheduled visit to the large Doc in a box?"
It's Nova. Listen, we got a problem here at the Hospital; some motherfucker came in and started causing trouble. He's a reporter an' seems to think he knows an awful lot about Marthinus. Trouble is he's right. Claims he'll keep mum at Marthinus's request but I'm not so sure.
Think you might be able to see your way to getting a tail on him, make sure he doesn't try any bullshit? He started a fight with me, and you know I woulda finished it but for Marthinus saying to back off.
His name is Kyle Evans, reports for the Times.
She realized that Carol might actually want to answer at some point, and so refrained from elaborating on the bastard's disposition.
She had the forsight to stop and let the other woman answer.
Well what with Marthinus being sick and all...haven't had much time to settle back in, honestly. And this Evans guy...yeah, he's causing some problems. Coming up to Marthinus's room, upsetting him, throwing stuff at me...he's trouble, Carol, needs to be watched.
I was just wondering if you might have someone up to that task.
She frowned at the sound of sirens and walked further along the curb just as two doctors rushed out the sliding glass doors.
'...Oh. Hmm.' It was tall, dark and sweaty from the dry cleaners. The honey dew blonde smiled and tapped her lips with her fingernail.
'Yes, Nova. I can put a tail on him immediately.' She leaned back in her chair, her office filled with the sounds of humping vampire screeches of passion. 'I'll see to it personally.'
Thanks so much Carol...one less thing to think about. Though do give me a call if he needs to be...taken care of. I wouldn't mind finishing what he started in there.
Anyways, I better get back inside. Supposed to be keeping an eye on Marthinus and all.
With that, Nova snapped the phone shut and hooked it back to her belt loop. She watched as the paramedics and doctors pulled an obviously injured patient out of the back of the ambulance and rolled him through the doors before following herself.
She took the stairs back up, but only one at a time. Now that that mess was over, at least for the time being, she was back to thinking about Marthinus's choice, and wondering if she could draw any conclusions from what he said to Evans.
Well, one way to find out.
'Oh,' Marthinus started thoughtfully, 'well...the usual. Blood, murder, mayhem. All business, I'm afraid. I am considering taking a break.' He chuckled.
'Golf maybe.' He sighed. 'Yes, I should like to golf again.' His family home back in South Africa had a golf course nearby. It was quite high born to have a private golf course. 'I used to golf as a teenager. We were quite lucky to have so many riches and luxuries growing up.'
He recalled his benefactor visiting him in his childhood, checking him over like a piece of meat or...invested property. Yes, property. Lucky him, Marthin thought darkly.
'Yes, lucky me.'
'Mr. Steyn?'
Marthinus had not noticed his doctor open his door.
'Mr. Steyn, you're free to leave, if you wish. Your stay here has been...taken care of, per your company.'
Ahh, Marthinus thought, the good Dr. Taylor had been debriefed, so to speak.
'A miss Carol Hedley has called and your car is enroute to collect you.'
'Thank you, Dr. Taylor,' Marthinus put his hand over his heart and gave the doctor a smile. He watched the doctor bow nervously and backed out of the room. He would have to remember to have the doctor handsome rewarded for his patience and ability to keep things quiet. Speaking of which, Marthinus wondered how Mr. Evans was fairing, especially his column that will no doubt come out in the morning.
Marthinus did the only thing he could do during his search for the 'right thing'. He watched cartoons with Jan until Nova returned.
In a rare moment of sentiment, she reflected that it was kinda cute. Funny that no one would guess that the one who looked like a kid was the oldest in the trio, and she the youngest.
And all kids at heart, to some extent. She tried to picture Marthinus as a kid, and snorted. But who could say? Maybe Marthinus was a little hell raiser back in the day.
Doc wasn't giving you any problems, was he? She peered over at the television. What're you guys watching?
"I think a break is a good idea. Let the old gal do her own dirty work for a bit, she enjoys it enough. We can hang out.. go to some clubs, dance and party.. you'll be stress free in no time. "
He chuckled at the idea of Marthinus dancing and drinking at the House of Pain though stranger things had happened, several Anantya were there just tonight. Amazing!
"Golf sounds better than stick ball which is what I played as kid. Nothing like hitting it into a merchant's cart and getting chased through the streets, of course that -was- part of the excitement."
Jan smiled at the remembered game, it was rare that he had time to play anything as kid, mostly he was doing what he could to make money to eat because he certainly couldn't count on his mother for food. He was lucky she fed him until he was old enough to walk. Jan could pick pockets like a pro at the age of 5 but when he started working as a messenger and started taking care of horses he knew he wanted something better, Jan wanted to be one of the ones riding the horses and drinking at the taverns, not the one mucking a stall or crawling under tables to cut loose a few purse strings.
They found the rare treat of some of the older cartoons and were busy watching tv when Nova came back into the room.
Turning at her question, Jan replied.
"Only the best, The Coyote and Road Runner. I always felt sorry for the poor guy though, you'd think he'd get a chance to catch it just once. A talking coyote has got to be smarter than a silly bird that just meeps, right?"
Jan gestured to the other chair and said. "Marthinus was thinking of taking a break and we were discussing what kind of wild parties to throw. You want to help?"
'A car has been sent, we should leave quietly now.' He walked over to the dresser and pulled open a drawer, finding his clothes. Gathering them up, he exited to the private bathroom. He dressed quickly and considered not tying his tie, but then he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror.
If he didnt know any better, he would say the drug took about 5 years off the wrinkles on his skin. He could see how addictive the regenerative properties of the drug would be mentally, not just physically. Who wouldnt want the fountain of youth in a bottle?
That made him pause. How long would the drug keep his ailing heart at bay? They had researched this drug inside and out. He knew it was only a matter of time before his heart failed again. The drug had a built in return service guarantee. Marthinus began manuevering his tie into a Windsor knot. When that day came, would he take the drug again or just let death happen naturally?
He did not consider the alternative.
Splashing some cold water onto his face, he opened the bathroom door.
Stupid coyote.
She grinned at the news and began stuffing the various books and accumulated scraps of paper and oddities into the shopping bag Jan had brought with him. After a moment's consideration, she opened up the various drawers and cabinets and threw in whatever miscellaneous medical crap she could find as well. It would be good to get Marthinus home, where choices could be made in privacy, though part of her worried that the matter would lose its urgency.
She would just have to make sure that didn't happen.
Bet you can't -wait- to get out of here. And yeah, welcome home party for sure!
She watched Marthinus exit quietly to dress, and turned to Jan.
Man...I didn't know if I'd be seeing him up and about again after he collapsed like that. Don't mind admitting he gave me a bad scare. Gave us all a fright, Pops was just...I've never seen him like that. She untied her ponytail and gathered up the loose strands before pulling it back once more. Sure is good to see him walking and talking again.
Thanks for coming, really. She smirked. Hope the entertainment value was worth it, even if Evans didn't end up in quite the condition I would have liked.
Thinking about Evans still grated on her nerves, and she took a moment to ponder exactly what state she would have liked to send the reporter out of the room in before Marthinus returned. She clapped her hands together.
Alright, let's roll!
"Yeah, no doubt he was worried something fierce. You know how he loves his family. Not having one save you guys, I have to say that I both understand and I don't, you know? I know I'd be pretty out there if something happened to him and he isn't my birthfather. Some people say that matters and some people say it doesn't."
He shrugged and stood.
"Yeah, well I think Evans better watch himself. Any rumors starting to fly about what happened here and we'll know who started them. His life won't even be worth the birth certificate his doctor printed out for him but you slamming him up against the wall was fun to see."
Jan smirked at his sister and began to help her get things cleaned up.
Turning to Marthinus as he came back in, he said.
"So what would you like to do now?"
Grabbing his jacket out of the small closet in the room, Marthinus opened the door for his companions.
((Marthinus out pending responses))
She nodded her head grimly at the mention of 'missing property', though she kept her disposition cheerful enough at the thought of getting her friend home. She shook her head at the sight of the CEO holding the door open for them, still not quite believing how well he had bounced back to being the same old Marthinus.
Ah, back to business then. But you are -so- taking a nice break the very minute you can.
She held out one arm for Marthinus, the other, with the shopping bag still draped over it, to Jan.
Shall we, gentlemen?
/ooc Nova outie
Shaking his head and laughing quietly he came and took her other arm.
"Alrighty then, we're off to see the wizard."
((OOC: Jan out))