Certain Jeopardy by Jeff Struecker, Alton Gansky Page A

health without permission of the patient. But I see here that he signed the release.”
    Of course he did. He also gave the wrong phone number. Why was he being secretive about his health? And how to make the doctor think she knew what was going on? “I know he’s sensitive about the problem. He had a difficult time talking to me about it.”
    The line was silent for a moment. “So he’s spoken to you? That’s good. Such matters should be discussed between spouses.”
    “When he calls, what shall I tell him?”
    “I’d like him to come back in for the blood test and to arrange for the colonoscopy. We don’t want too much time to pass before getting the tests done. As I told him, colon cancer is only one possibility. Most likely he has a far-easier-to-treat ailment, but we don’t want to take any chances. Sometimes it’s hard for men to follow through on these tests. I’m hoping that you can encourage him to do so. We men like to act brave, but we’re often more fearful than we let on.” He paused. “I’m not saying your husband lacks courage, you understand. I’m sure he’s very brave in other ways.”
    “You have no idea, Doctor.”
    Stacy set the phone back in the cradle after three tries. She staggered to the sofa on legs that felt made of overcooked noodles rather than bone and muscles.
    “Colon cancer.” They were the only two words she could muster.
    * * *
     
    J.J. WA S IN HIS element. Standing in the back of the panel truck, he made a quick survey of the equipment and weaponry smuggled across the border from Colombia. Entering the country by commercial airliner made bringing weapons and recon gear impossible. J.J. didn’t know who brought the truckload of equipment, but it must have been a long drive across Venezuela. “Everything there?” Moyer directed the truck along one of thecity’s highways.
    “They forgot the kitchen sink.”
    “Figures. What about the incidentals?”
    “Side arms, field knives, M4s, and enough surveillance equipment to make Caraway slobber all over himself. There’s even some stuff to make things go boom.”
    “You know what they say: ‘There is no situation in the human condition that cannot be solved through a properly sized, shaped, packed, placed, timed, and detonated charge of high explosive.’ It’s a motto we can all live by. Electronics?”
    “Yup. Digital Soldiers-R-Us. Looks like we’re set for anything. This truck is a rolling weapons locker.” Moyer nodded. “All we need is the small stuff. Can’t walk around with M4s slung over our shoulders.”
    J.J. lifted a 9mm pistol. “I can see how that might get noticed.”
    “Let the others know the rendezvous is on. Time to earn our pay.”
    * * *
     
    LUCY MEDINA SETTLED INTO her husband’s easy chair. She did so for two reasons. First, the chair reminded her of him; it carried his smell, and sitting in it made him seem close even when he was far away— wherever far away might be. She wore one of his T-shirts that she slept in for the same reason. The second reason was physical. She had been busy getting three children ready for school and driving them to the campus. Fortunately all three went to the same school. Matteo and Jose Jr. would be in school until nearly three, but Maria would need to be picked up at noon when her half-day kindergarten class ended. Still, that left her a couple of hours to rest her body and mind. Taking care of three children under the age of nine was difficult with help; alone was an impossible task. She wondered how she would manage once the baby was born. She could handle days all right as long as Jose was there to help in the evening—which he wasn’t today and might not be for weeks.
    She closed her eyes and tried to nap.
    The baby moved, then kicked. Lucy rubbed her belly.
    Another kick, then a sharp pain. She winced.
    Lucy took a deep breath and released it slowly. The pain eased. “What are you doing in there, little Niña?” Again, Lucy tried to relax in the