Suture Self : A Bed-and-breakfast Mystery

“Ah . . . Not too much,” he said, looking down at his

cast. “It wasn’t a terribly bad break.”

“I thought it was fractured in several places,” Renie

said.

“Well . . . yes, it was,” Mr. Mummy agreed, giving

the cousins a diffident smile. “But they weren’t severe

fractures. Tell me, did you speak with Mr. Randall’s

children this morning?”

Judith noted the swift change of subject, but let it

go. “Yes, Nancy and Bob Jr. stopped by. Have you met

them?”

“Not exactly,” Mr. Mummy answered. “I’d like to, to

convey my condolences. Their mother seems a trifle . . . ineffective. I hope the young people are more

able to cope.”

“Dubious,” said Renie.

Mr. Mummy nodded slowly. “Yes. I suppose they’re

like the children of many successful parents—spoiled,

lacking incentive or ambition of their own.”

SUTURE SELF

191

“Something like that,” said Renie. “Okay, I’m going

to scream now.”

She did, loud, piercing shrieks that alarmed Mr.

Mummy and annoyed Judith. At the same time, Renie

banged the buzzer against the bed to make the light

outside in the hall flash on and off.

“Dear me,” said Mr. Mummy, leaning closer to Judith so he could be heard, “is she really in that much

pain?”

“Maybe,” Judith allowed. “I know I feel pretty rotten. It’s impossible to get comfortable.”

Heather arrived looking disconcerted. Jan Van

Boeck was right behind her, frowning deeply.

“What’s this?” he demanded, his bass voice bouncing off the walls.

Renie stopped screaming. “It’s suffering. Recognize

it?”

Dr. Van Boeck’s face reddened with anger. “You’re

exaggerating. No one in real pain could make such a

noise.”

“Wrong.” Renie glared at the chief of staff. “I can.

I’ll do it again, to prove the point.” She let out a mighty

yelp.

“Close that door!” Dr. Van Boeck commanded

Heather. “See here, Mrs. . . .” He faltered, and Renie

stopped yelling.

“Jones, Serena Jones,” Renie retorted. “And don’t

you forget it, buster.”

Judith thought Dr. Van Boeck looked as if he might

explode. It was all she could do to not cower under the

blankets and pretend she’d never seen Renie before in

her life. Instead, she summoned up her courage, and,