Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center by Judith Townsend Rocchiccioli Page A

cleaned up together, Mitch said, "I know this voodoo stuff is foreign to you and probably seems ridiculous in many ways .  Just know I'm here for you and will help you all I can.  Call me anytime.  I'm a good listener."  Mitch smiled warmly at Alex and kissed her cheek.
    "Thanks, Mitch. It means a lot." 
    "Well, let me get out of here before your company arrives.  I'm sure he wants to see you alone.  He'd probably feel bad if he thought he'd interrupt ed your evening," Mitch replied while gathering his things. 
    As he leaned over to give Alex a good night kiss, something fell out of his pocket. Mitch retrieved it quickly.
    "My new cell phone. " Mitch explained hastily.  "I have it for the Arcadian project."  Then he gracefully lowered his head to Alex's engaging her in a long kiss.  "Take care, call if you need anything."
    After Mitch left her home , Alex touched her cheek, still flushed from the kiss.  Well, she thought, maybe we're getting s omewhere.  He's such a nice guy .  Any other date would wisecrack about entertaining your ex-husband this late at night.  Mitch's just about as perfect a man as I've ever seen; she continued to think as she went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Maybe he is just a little too perfect .
    Ten minutes l ater Robert arrived at her door.  He looked fatigued and disheveled. He had a tortured look in his eyes .  His appearance was untidy and his cloth es looked as though he'd slept in them . 
    Robert kissed her on the cheek as he came in, and she smelled bourbon on his breath.  On well, not my problem and he can probably smell wine on mine. 
    Robert immediately began talking.  "Thanks for seeing me. Hope I haven't interrupted your evening."  Robert's eyes scanned the flat and saw its beautiful furnishings and neatness.  "This place looks great.  I recognize some of the antiques, though." Robert smiled carefully, his emotions clear on his face as he struggled to gain control.
     
    "Suppose you do."   Alex returned the smile , touching his arm for support .  "Some of these things have been with me a long time.  You know me, I find something I love, and I can never quite give it up."
    As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she realized the implications of what she'd said.  "The furniture of course," she added hastily, turning red with embarrassmen t, her heart beating frantically.
    Robert grinned at her and replied, "I understand what you mean.  I'm the same way. Anyway, the place is beautiful; the floors are in great shape.   You did a lot of renovation?"
    "Yes, a complete renovation.  I lived in the warehouse district the first year I was her e, while this house was being renovated .  Can I offer you some brewed decaf and chocolate raspberry mousse pie?"
    "My favorite, as you may remember.  Yes, on both accounts."  He accompanied Alex into the kitchen.  Robert looked around and noted the silver tray and wine decanter in the dish drainer.  He immediately felt guilty.  "I'm so sorry, you must've had company."
    He remembered walking past two men several houses down.  One of them seemed familiar to him; probably so meone he'd gone t o school with but now wondered i f one of them was Alex’s beau.  He felt a pang of jealously and was surprised by it .
    Alex followed his gaze and simply said, "I had a friend over for dinner.  We'd finished when you called.  It's okay.  Don't worry about it.  Coffee is almost ready. "
    As they drank their coffee and ate their pie, Robert once again admired the beauty of the hand rubbed kitchen cabinets and the colors in the hand-painted tiles in the kitchen.  He hesitated fo r a moment before he continued .  "I didn't have anyone else to talk to. No one I could really trust. I trust you, and you know what happened.  There's something strange going on, and I can't sort it all out.  I'm hoping you can help me." 
    Alex intently gazed at Robert and said , “ What do you think is wrong?"
    As he searched for the best