Doctor Ruben Robinson watched as the nurses disconnected all of Elizabeth Sykes’ machines.
After someone’s passing, the nurses were usually so quick and efficient at cleaning up. They reserved all emotion and compassion for those who still lived, only to fully consider the loss later, in the dark hours, when they lay awake contemplating the day.
Robinson was no different. Life and death were part of the job. Too much of an emotional response was a one-way ticket to early retirement.
Today, however, the nurses moved more slowly, and elegantly. It felt different somehow. And, as he observed Nurse Rhodes removing the PEG tube, he succumbed to a rare moment of reflection.
Elizabeth Sykes had been an enigma. A tragic tale scarred with intrigue, in much the same way that her body had been so badly scarred by the flames.
To survive the fire had defied the odds. To live for three decades since, truly impressive. To never once emerge from a state of catatonia, a startling anomaly. And now, to die without warning? No infection, no presentable heart or breathing problem… well, in a way, it could be said that the story of Elizabeth received a fitting conclusion.
He sighed.
He knew now that the unthinkable may just happen and he’d miss her.
For so long, for so many days, she’d offered him mystery on his rounds, when his day was so often black and white.
He moved over and looked down at the scarred woman and sighed a second time. Nurse Rhodes looked up at him. ‘Our longest resident.’
Doctor Robinson nodded. ‘And we never got to talk to her.’
‘No… but she spoke… just before she passed.’
‘I thought she was alone?’
‘No,’ she said, pointing up at the camera in the room’s corner. ‘They record for twenty-four hours before restarting. I’d a quick look before you arrived.’
‘And?’ Robinson said, raising his eyebrow. Even in death, the mystery of Elizabeth Sykes continued.
‘Sorry.’
‘Why are you sor—’
‘No, doctor, sorry, that’s what she said. Over and over.’
He looked down at Elizabeth again. At her pale, scarred face, and the thick skin where her eye should have been. ‘I don’t think you’d anything to be sorry for, my dear.’
‘That’s not all. She said a name…’
‘Interesting… who was it?’
After the nurse had told him, he creased his brow, perplexed. ‘Odd.’ He then raised an eyebrow and looked down at her. I’m going to miss you, Elizabeth… you really did interest me.
He placed a hand on the nurse’s shoulder. ‘Thanks, dear. I’ll contact the detective.’