Chapter 235: Finally, the Elevator
Lainey’s POV
“I’m sorry we missed most of cocktail hour,” I sighed.
“Lainey, you had no control over the situation,” Ben said, stroking my cheek. “Phillipe Marceaux basically kidnapped you.”
“Well, at least we can make dinner,” I announced.
“We can just skip it if you don’t feel comfortable,” Ben advised. “Ok if you feel tired because of the chloroform.”
“I’m perfectly fine, Ben,” I declared. “We should head down now to make the last 20 minutes of cocktail hour.”
“Are you sure you’re ok?” Ben asked.
“I’m sure,” I said, smiling.
Ben took my hand and led me to the elevators.
“Well, this is déjà vu,” I giggled.
A piercing female scream came from down the hall. “HELP SOMEONE, ANYONE! HELP MY HUSBAND!!”
I ran down the hallway before Ben could stop me, to the sound of a woman sobbing and screaming, and banged on the door.
Mindy, Phillipe’s wife, opened the door with tears streaming down her face. Phillipe was lying on the floor, motionless. She cried, “Please help him.”
I rushed over to him and kneeled next to him on the floor. I could already see that his lips were blue, his skin ash grey. I checked for a pulse and breathing. “How long ago did you find him?” I asked. I checked the back of his neck and then pulled up his pant leg. Just as I expected, reddish-purple patches and streaks adorned his skin. He was gone, probably dead, about 20 to 30 minutes.
“About 5 minutes ago,” Mindy sobbed. “I called 911.”
Ben came into the room, and the EMTs followed.
“Ben, take Mindy to the bedroom and get her a glass of water, please,” I requested. Ben nodded and basically carried Mindy away.
“If you can step aside, Miss,” one of the EMTs advised, dropping to his knees.
“I’m a doctor,” I replied. “Livor Mortis has already set in. I would say time of death, 6:20 pm.”
“Thank you, doctor,” the EMT responded. “Let me just confirm for our records.”
I stood up and backed away from the body. The body. How many times have I seen a dead body? It must be in the hundreds. It never gets easier. I don’t think it ever will.
It didn’t take long for the EMTs to come to the same conclusion. The police showed up a few minutes later and started to question me.
“Thanks for answering all the questions, Dr. Halesten,” Constable Burke stated. “In your professional opinion, what do you think is the cause of death?”
“I can only speculate until the autopsy is done,” I advised. “But in layman's terms, I think he had a heart attack that caused a cardiac arrest. I can see no signs of struggle on the body, from the parts I can see.” I paused and looked towards the bedroom. “His wife is in the bedroom. My husband took her there so she wouldn’t freak out while the EMTs worked on him. She found the body.”
“Thanks for your assistance,” Constable Burke replied. “I have your contact information if we need further information. Thank you for coming to help.”
“You’re welcome, Constable,” I stated, walking with him towards the bedroom.
Ben looked up from the chair in the corner of the room. Mindy was lying on the bed, whimpering.
“We can go now, Ben,” I informed.
Ben stood up, walked towards me, and hugged me. “I’m so proud of you for taking charge and helping out,” he whispered.
“That’s what being a doctor is,” I said, smiling. “Now let’s go and face our past.”
I led Ben out of the suite and towards the elevator.
“Maybe this time we’ll actually make it down the elevator,” Ben joked.
“Don’t jinx it,” I giggled.
When we were finally down in the lobby, I let out a sigh of relief. Ben grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. We moved to the check-in table.
“Benjamin Halesten, so great to see you again,” the lady at the table gushed. Tonya Bishop. Ugh. Great, and sitting next to her was none other than Mariana Sanchez.
“Benjamin,” Mariana greeted, biting her lip.
“Ladies,” Ben said, nodding his head. “I’d like you to meet my wife, Dr. Lainey Halesten. Although both of you already know her.”
They looked at each other, puzzled. Tonya handed Ben his name tag and searched for mine. She furrowed her brow, trying to find it.
“Madelaine Black,” I said proudly. “Lainey Halesten is my married name.”
Tonya’s jaw dropped open. Mariana looked at me wide-eyed, then she gulped. “You’re Maddy Black?”
“Yes, I’ve changed a bit since prep school,” I giggled.
“You’re still the same kind-hearted, selfless, beautiful spirit,” Ben said, kissing the back of my hand he was holding.
Tonya handed me my name tag, still stunned into silence.
“Have a great night, ladies,” I said, smiling, as Ben led me into the ballroom.
As soon as we entered the room, everyone flocked to Ben. He was the golden boy of our year. Every boy wanted to be him, and every girl wanted to date him. Through every greeting, though, he never once let go of my hand.
“Wait,” One of Ben’s old friends, Edward, said. “You’re Maddy Black?!? The Maddy Black. Nerdy Girl.”
“Don’t call her that,” Ben chastised.
“Yes, I’m the nerdy girl,” I replied. “The surgeon who made the top 30 under 30 list. Yes, I’m that nerd.”
“Damn,” Edward smirked. “You had a serious glow up, girl. Hailstorm is one lucky son of a bitch.”
“Hailstorm?” I smirked, looking at Ben. “I like it.”
“You do?” Ben asked.
I leaned into Ben and whispered, “I might have to call you it while you eat my pussy.”
“Fuck, Lainey,” Ben growled quietly. “Don’t get me fucking hard at the reunion.”
“Sorry, my bad,” I chuckled.
“Well, it was nice seeing you, Ben, Maddy, um, I mean Lainey,” Edward said, turning to walk away. “Guys,” he yelled out as he approached a group of guys from school. “You’re never going to believe who Hailstorm married, and she’s fucking hot now.”
“So, fucking hot,” Ben said, then kissed me hard on the lips.