Read A Stirring from Salem for Free Online

“Ever hear of a guy named Richard Gaines?”
    “Don’t think so.”
    “Like Bernie Madoff, but his scheme seemed to mostly attract those of us in the health industry. I met him at a medical convention in Paris five years ago and sank every cent we had into his hedge fund. One of those too-good-to-be-trues. And it was.”
    “A lot of people depend on this clinic,” Patch reminded him.
    “To have the place named after my folks go under will kill me,” Bill offered. “Mueller put me off until next week, but that may be too damned late. Please, don’t tell Kayla until after that last meeting. I beg you. Do not let anyone know.”
    “Bill…”
    “Promise me.” Bill was adamant.
    “Promise. But is that why you’ve been in your cups so much lately, Bud?” Patch asked while looking him squarely in the eye.
    “Strange thing is, I haven’t been overindulging,” Bill answered.
    “The slurred speech, the forgetting things?” Patch added. “Really out of character for you, man.”
    “Oh, I know it’s been happening,” Bill admitted, concerned about it himself. “I just don’t know why.”

“Mommy!” Joe squealed. He flew to Kayla as she walked in the door.
    Seeing Joe always put a smile on Kayla’s face. Well, almost always. When she was exhausted, as she was this morning, she wished Steve was with her to absorb Joe’s energy.
    “Play with me!” Joe said as he grabbed her hand.
    “I will, sweet boy,” she agreed. “Just give me a few minutes with Violet.”
    Violet appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands.
    “We made mud pies, Mrs. Kayla.” Violet smiled.
    “Want some, Mommy?” Joe asked. “Where’s Pop?”
    “Taking care of some things,” she answered simply. “He’ll be home soon.”
    “Can we play? Let’s play soldier!” Joe said, taking a stance as if holding a gun. “Bang!”
    Kayla blanched. “How about playing mechanic instead?” she asked. No matter that they were in Africa and had several guns in the house, Kayla was not a fan of war games.
    “Bang!” Joe repeated. “You’re dead!”
    Kayla gave him an admonishing look. He turned the pretend gun on Violet. “Bang!”
    Violet pretended to fall back, and Joe giggled happily. “Let’s build a fort!” he said, tossing the imaginary gun to the floor. “Come on, Mommy.”
    He tugged at her pant leg.
    “Let’s let your mommy rest a few minutes, my big little man.” Violet smiled. Her warm and wide smile crinkled the corners of her deep brown eyes and always made Kayla feel better. “Just ten minutes,” Violet added with a directive to Joe that let him know she meant business.
    Joe nodded and shuffled off with Violet. “Darn it,” he grumbled under his breath, which made Kayla smile. Her son was a rambunctious one, but for being just over two years old, he was both articulate and compliant.
    Kayla put her satchel on the African mahogany dining table and took out her phone to charge it. She thought about how in Africa, the phone had become as important a doctor’s tool as her stethoscope and syringes.
    As she was about to plug it in, she remembered her terse conversation with Marlena. She checked the time and selected Marlena’s cell number.
    After two rings, Marlena answered. “Kayla, hi. You didn’t need to call back.”
    “I just didn’t want to leave you hanging,” Kayla answered. “Is this a bad time?”
    “No, of course not,” Marlena said. Actually she was wrapped in John’s arms on their living-room sofa, watching the end of the parade, but she didn’t want to lose the chance to talk to Kayla. “I always love hearing a voice from home.”
    As she sat up to talk, John noticed Marlena’s demeanor change. She seemed more relaxed than she had been over the holidays.
    “Didn’t want you left hanging about Bill. I know you were close,” Kayla said gently.
    “What’s going on?” Marlena asked.
    “We don’t know, but he’s been acting strangely lately,” Kayla admitted. “I hadn’t said