Mutual Friend

Dr David Holt had gotten a couple of breakthroughs before, but none of them could be superior to the one he was about to get.

The appearance of John Crowe had placed something on his table. Something different from the norm. And he had an inkling that whatever breeze had blown that man into Black Hollow, that same breeze would have to protect him until his breakthrough was accomplished.

He was whistling as he went about his business. There was a knock on the door, and with a jay attitude, went and opened it wide without looking through the peephole first. The people who stood on the porch weren't the ones he was expecting to see.

There was Sarah's brother, Lucas Miller, and the rest of his henchmen.

David's eyes fell on each of the men, then he blurted out, "Your sister isn't here, Lucas."

Lucas scoffed. "Hear that, boys? He said my sister isn't here. How do you know I'm looking for my sister, doctor?"

David said nothing.

Lucas walked into the room, forcing David to take steps backwards. "You can't invite a friend into your place, hm?"

Two other men came in with Lucas while the rest remained outside, probably to keep anyone else out. The last man shut the door behind him. David felt his eye twitch when it slammed. He wasn't comfortable being close to the man and got every opportunity to avoid Lucas.

Lucas went around looking at his tools. Good thing David had cleaned up earlier.

"What do you want?" David asked.

"Sit down, doctor," Lucas said, then sat in a chair.

"This is my house. I should be the one offering the chairs, Lucas. Not the other way round."

"It's obvious that you don't want me here and I have no idea why. But since I'm here already, we have something to discuss," Lucas put forward.

The doctor adjusted his spectacles and sat down. "What do we have to discuss?"

"Good. Now I heard whispers."

"I don't do well with gossips, Lucas. I'm a lone wolf."

Laughter erupted from the mouths of every man in that room. All expect the doctor.

"What is so funny?" David wanted to know.

"It's something you said, doctor," Lucas said, trying to hold back his show of mirth.

"Something wrong with what I said?" David asked.

"Yes, there is, doctor."

David folded his hands across his chest and said, "Enlighten me."

"You aren't a lone wolf, doctor. You can't call yourself that. Whether figuratively or literally. I'm even surprised you referred to yourself that way."

"I still don't see anything wrong in what I said."

"No? Well, I am disappointed that a visionary like you can't see that. I'll tell you, just don't just that expression. You might regret it someday. Now, to the heart of why I am here. I'm sure you must have met our mutual friend."

David knew where the conversation was heading to but he didn't want to be led in that direction. Better he played along until the man lost interest in questioning him. But what were the chances of that even happening?

"Mutual friend? I have no friends, Lucas. And I don't even know who your friends are. So what are you talking about?"

Lucas got to his feet, adjusted his jacket and closed the distance between him and David. "Look, doctor. I didn't come all the way to listen to you evade my questions like I'm some kid who was born yesterday. Because I wasn't. You do know who I am talking about so I am going to ask this for the last time, you have met our mutual friend, have you not?"

David swallowed. He was being threatened. So that was some serious shit.

"Well, yes."

Lucas smiled. "Happy you could come around, doctor. Now, why was he here?"

"He looked sick. So I gave him something for his ailment."

"Sick? How can you describe that?"

"He was boiling up. Like a fever."

"Are you messing with me, doctor?" Lucas asked, and the look on his face was a serious one. "A fever?"

"Look, I'm telling you what I know when I should not because of.."

"Patient-doctor confidentiality," Lucas broke in. "Yes, yes, I know about that. But it doesn't apply in these parts, doctor. This place isn't an hospital and when there's a serious matter as this one, you have to compromise."

No one had told him that before. Doctor David Holt loved his profession and the rules that came with it. But what Lucas Miller was running in Black Hollow made it very hard for him to stick to those levels of confidence.

They did as they wanted. All for what? Because they saw themselves as the town's saviors? Protecting them from the beasts out there? Even Old Mikey took care of wolves more than they did.

David sighed and shook his head. "I've told you the truth. He came in here, all boiling up like he was catching a fever and I took a look at him and gave him something for calm."

"Hm. That all?"

"That's all."

"He didn't tell you anything else? Hm?"

"He couldn't even talk coherently when he knocked at my door."

"I'm talking about after."

"No. No, he didn't. Just took those layers of clothing and went his way."

"Hm. I see. How long was this?"

"About two hours ago," David lied, hoping to buy the trio some time.

"Any idea where they might have gone?" David asked, picking up a scalpel.

"They?"

"I know my sister and someone else was here too, doctor. I can still smell her perfume."

David was quite sure he hadn't gotten a whiff of perfume from Sarah. He'd known her for some time and she didn't wear one. She smelled nice but that was not the effect of a fragrance.

"She came to see him but he left before she did. The man didn't want company."

"And what direction did he go?"

"East," David lied again.

"Did my sister follow him?"

"I don't know. Their relationship isn't any of my business."

"Oh, no. My sister has nothing to do with that man, doctor. Careful with your words."

"Then why the hell was she so concerned about him? Or is there something you aren't telling me?"

Lucas grinned. "I'll take the scalpel and I'll find them. If I find out that you've lied to me, I'll come back and carve my cock right into your midsection."

His henchmen laughed. Everyone who knew Lucas could tell he never bluffed.