Tarnished Armor
Part 154

Pine Valley Hospital. Jake Martin’s office. Very late the same night.

The door to the office opens. Two figures enter. Both are dressed in black. One is shining a flashlight.

Liza: Hurry it up, Allie. We don’t have much time.

Allie: You sound like Adam did that night at the fertility clinic.

Liza: Oh, yes. Adam. The only villain in the piece. I’m sure he held that gun so closely to your rubber gloved hand. Let’s go. I want you back on that jet at four in the morning.

Allie moves over to Jake’s desk and turns on Jake’s computer.

Liza: Enjoy this, Allie. It’s what you’ve always wanted. I gave Jake a child, and you’re taking her away.

Allie puts her hands on the computer keyboard as Liza shines the flashlight on it.

Liza: Not your password. Jake’s. No loose ends.

Allie quickly types some data into the computer.

Liza: Well, that’s lucky. Jake neglected to change his password. Keep going.

Allie: What do you want first?

Liza: Now that’s more like it. Let’s start with the sonograms. The very first one.

Allie types some data into the computer. Liza takes out a sheet of paper and reads from it.

Liza: Change that four to an eight.

Allie makes a change.


  ******


Dr. Clador’s office. Early morning.

Dr. Clador is sitting at his desk.

Liza enters.

Dr. Clador: Good to see you, Liza. Why don’t you go into the examining room and change, and then we’ll get started.

Liza sits in the visitor’s chair.

Liza: Dr. Clador? I hope you can help me. I have some questions about Colby.

Dr. Clador: About Colby? Shouldn’t you ask her pediatrician?

Liza: Oh, Dr. Clador, I only wish I could. But this is about my pregnancy.

Dr. Clador: Oh?

Liza: Dr. Clador, I think a terrible mistake has been made. I hope I’m wrong. Because I just don’t know how I’m going to explain everything if I’m right.

Liza begins to cry.

Dr. Clador: Liza? Are you all right? What is it?

Liza: Oh, Dr. Clador. I don’t know how to even ask you this.

Liza takes a tissue from Dr. Clador’s desk and wipes her eyes.

Liza: I mean, Adam will hate me. And Jake will hate me. And my poor baby girl.

Liza sobs.

Dr. Clador: Calm down, Liza. I’m sure that all your questions will have comforting answers.

Liza wipes her face again.

Liza: Do you think so?

Dr. Clador: I’m almost certain.

Liza: Okay. Well, I guess I should start at the beginning.

Liza’s eyes well up with tears again.

Liza: Even though I don’t know when that was. You must think I’m a terrible human being.

Dr. Clador: No, Liza. Of course not.

Liza: Well, I guess I should tell you everything. I can’t believe it never occurred to me. First there was that AFP test result. I mean, you told me -- you were the one who said it might have to do with the date of conception. And then Colby being born ahead of schedule. Dr. Clador, a month before my insemination, I slept with Adam. Could it possibly be... could Colby be Adam’s child? Because as she’s grown, I see more and more of him in her.

Dr. Clador: I’m not sure that’s possible, Liza. All of our data from the pregnancy didn’t indicate that at all.

Liza: I know it seems silly, but could you check?

Dr. Clador: Of course. If it will ease your mind. Let me go back to the first sonogram.

Dr. Clador punches some numbers into his computer.

Liza: Thank you so much.

Dr. Clador: No need to thank me. This is what I’m here for.

Liza surreptitiously checks her watch.

Dr. Clador: Okay. Here’s the information gathered from your first sonogram. I’ll explain this to you in layman’s terms. If Colby had been conceived a month earlier...

Dr. Clador stops talking.

Liza: Dr. Clador?

Dr. Clador: This is impossible.

Liza sits back in her chair.

Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred and Fifty Three
Part One Hundred and Fifty Five