Chapter 15

"What they are really saying is that even though the bullet deflected off your skull, a bunch of bone fragments were blown deep into your brain cavity and are stuck in there, waiting to do you harm, huh?"

It was George Carver, one of the President's advisors, trying to get the four-one-one on my condition. "I'm told by Constance that you feel pretty good, but have a lot of lingering weakness or tiredness, huh?"

He apparently liked to end sentences with, "huh?"

We were talking on the phone, and he said that the President asked for an update on my recovery. "So, Kevin, if I tell the President that your doctors are warning you that those skull fragments are not only inoperable, but will be fatal in their own time, is that correct?"

"Yes sir, Mr. Carver. One day I'll close my eyes, and they won't open again. There's no timetable, just an undetermined death sentence that I live under."

Might as well rub it in a little if he was going to be such a stuffed shirt.

Carver promised to have Constance continue to look after me, even after I specifically told him I was fine looking after myself. Those White House guys really don't listen.

When Constance returned from her bi-weekly meetings in town, I wanted to fill her in on my conversation with her boss, but she was way ahead of me. "The President called me in this morning, and questioned me at some length about your condition, prospects, and likelihood of survival. He seems sincerely concerned about you, while his staff is concerned only with the possibility that they can trot you out to campaign for their boss next year.

We chatted for a while, and then she said, "I got you that phone number you wanted. It's on my iPhone. Their names are Jim and Colleen Bell, and they live in Missouri. The people I spoke to, who knew them from working for President Gray, say those two are very cagey lawyers, who always come out on top, so you would probably be in good hands to get them to sue Fornier for you."

Hearing Colleen's name made my heart hurt. Having a hurt heart, gave me a head ache, and having a head ache reminded me that I put her through hell the last time I had a terminal brain illness.

Before I could reply Constance said, "I called their office and spoke to a Josephine, who put me through to Colleen, who said she and her father would be happy to meet with you, but only if you come to them in Branson. When I explained who you were and what has you somewhat physically limited, she said to ask you if you'll come to Branson.

"If you think your health is too questionable, I'm to call her back and they will decide if they want to fly back here, or meet with you by phone." She was proud of her ingenuity.

I pretended to think about it and then said, "Because you love me very much and are a very nice person, and because you made me rich. I am going to call the airport and hire a private plane to take me to Missouri and meet with the lawyers. It will get me moving, give me things to look forward to doing, and help me not think about my head."

Constance smiled when I said that she loved me, then frowned when I said I would hire a plane to go to Branson, then thought it over when I commented on needing things to take my mind off my medical troubles, and said, "That makes a lot of sense. Let me call my boss and see if he wants to use a government jet to transport you."

While Constance talked to her boss, I closed myself up in the bedroom and called Jim and Colleen's office.

Finally...

"Bell Law Firm This is Nanette. How May I help you?"

Just hearing Nanette's voice hurt my heart.

"Hello. My name is Kevin Townsend, and I was referred to Jim and Colleen Bell by George Masset, Chief of Staff to President Dryden." As soon as those words left my mouth, I realized how ridiculous they sounded, and hoped she didn't giggle and hang up on me.

"Good Morning Mr. Townsend, How may we help you?"

So far so good.

"Ma'am, I was shot when President Gray was killed. Now that it is apparent that the Speaker of the House was behind the murder, and because the doctors tell me I will never recover, it has been suggested that I hire an attorney and sue Fornier to protect myself. President Dryden's Chief of Staff told one of his lawyers to have me call Mr. Bell because of the work he and Colleen did for President Gray.

"So, that's my story. Now you know everything I know..." I said that with a smile on my face.

After a few seconds of silence, while Nanette processed my words, she said, "Mr. Bell is not in the office right now, but I can tell you he will want to speak to you as soon as possible. Can I give him the number you called in on and have him call as soon as he comes in?"

I recited my number to be certain she had it right, thanked her, and hung up.

Constance found me sitting on the bed, holding my phone and staring off into space. She came to me, hugged me to her, and said, "Don't let things get you down. We'll get through this together. I promise. You don't have to go through all of this alone, as long as I'm around, and you want me." Her words fell across me like a soft, satin, blanket that cooled and comforted me.