Read Detective Wade Jackson Mystery - 03 - Thrilled to Death for Free Online

remission.”
    “Will I be functional and able to work?”
    “Most likely.”
    Jackson reached for his pants. He’d heard all he could process in one sitting.
    “You’re not going home yet.”
    “No?”
    “We have to put stents in right now or you’ll lose your kidneys.”
    Jackson tried to imagine how they would get stents into his urinary channels. Oh God . Nauseated, he lay back down.
    “We can give you anesthesia so you’re unconscious, but it’s really not necessary. It’s a very simple procedure.”
    Right. Why would he want to be unconscious while they shoved little plastic tubes into his penis? Jackson suppressed a moan. The anesthesia would take too much time before and after. He needed to get this over with and get going. He had a missing person to find.
    “You can give me something though, can’t you? Maybe a mild tranquilizer?”
    “Of course. The room is ready now if you are.”

Chapter 6
     
    Tuesday, April 7, 8:16 a.m.
    When the doorbell rang early the next morning, Kera nearly dropped the coffee she was carrying. She set the cup on the desk and ran for the front door. It had to be Danette. Thank God, this would be over.
    Margaret Blake stood on the front step, her expression grim, her black clothes giving off the vibe she was already in mourning.
    “Margaret, come in.”
    “Call me Maggie, please. We’re family now whether we like it or not.” Danette’s mother came in, pulling a small suitcase behind her. Mrs. Blake was shorter, heavier, and paler than her daughter. Kera often wondered about Mr. Blake because Danette looked nothing like her mother.
    “I’m glad you’re here.”
    “What else could I do? I was going crazy sitting at home.”
    “Would you like some coffee?” Kera led her toward the kitchen.
    “Sure. How’s the baby?”
    “He’s fine. He’s sleeping in his daybed in my bedroom. He was up half the night and just went back to sleep. I feel like I haven’t slept.”
    “Me neither.”
    Kera noticed Maggie did not ask to see Micah. In the kitchen, Kera poured coffee and Maggie said, “I didn’t want Danette to have this baby. I was so afraid it would ruin her life. I raised a child alone, so I know how difficult it is. Now something terrible has happened to her.” Maggie began to cry.
    Kera instinctively put a hand on her shoulder. It was good to have Maggie here. Now she had a reason to stay strong and not give in to her own emotions. “We don’t know that she’s in danger. In fact, I think she may have taken off with a new boyfriend.”
    “Without the baby?”
    “Danette’s appointment yesterday was with a psychiatrist. I think she’s been depressed.”
    Maggie’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know. Danette and I haven’t been close lately. We argued so much about her decision to keep the baby it caused a strain. I feel terrible.”
    “Whatever is going on with Danette is not your fault. Post-partum depression is caused by brain chemistry and hormones.”
    “What are we going to do?”
    “I’ll file a missing persons report with the police, then go over to Danette’s house and, if I can get in, I’ll go through her e-mail to see what I can find.” Kera finished her coffee, which had gone cold. “Would you mind staying here and taking care of Micah? I think one of us needs to be here in case Danette shows up.”
    “Sounds like a good plan.”
    As she drove downtown to city hall, Kera wanted to call Jackson and see how he was doing, but she didn’t want to wake him this early after his long ordeal at the hospital the night before. He’d called her around nine o’clock and told her about his RF diagnosis. Her instinct had been to drive straight to the hospital, but Jackson had convinced her to stay home with the baby. She felt guilty about not being with him during his procedure, but she suspected that’s what Jackson wanted. He wasn’t ready to let her see him in a hospital gown. She understood he associated medical issues with weakness. As a