W Is for Wasted

happened?”
    “He was jumped by a bunch of thugs and beaten half to death.”
    I closed my eyes, picturing the Boggarts laying into Felix with fists and kicks. “How badly is he hurt?”
    I reached over and turned on the lamp, forgetting the bulb was lying on the bed beside me.
    “His skull was fractured and they broke both his legs. Damage to his kidneys and spleen, probably brain damage as well. This happened outside the bicycle-rental place on lower State Street. Luckily, the owner put a stop to it, but not fast enough.”
    “That sounds bad.” This had to be retaliation for Felix and Pearl’s tearing apart the Boggarts’ camp. Still, it seemed harsh. I angled the sixty-watt bulb into the socket and turned it gingerly so the threads would catch. Light bloomed.
    Henry went on. “Dandy was on his way to the hospital, so I offered him a ride. Harbor House had given him a bus pass, but it seemed absurd for him to try getting there by public transportation.”
    “Where’s Pearl?”
    “She’s still at the hospital as far as I know. She keeps saying this is all her fault. That’s about as much as anyone can get out of her. She’s close to collapse.”
    “He’s going to be okay, though, isn’t he?”
    “The doctors won’t say. It’s one of those wait-and-see situations. At least for the next few hours.”
    “This is awful. I feel sick.” I flashed on a quick succession of images. Most of them involving Pearl. Felix did whatever she did, but he wasn’t the instigator. I’d known better myself, even at the time, and I hadn’t raised enough of a fuss to head her off. It was a dumb idea and I’d gone along with it, which made me as guilty as she was. Why so savage a response to what amounted to a load of mischief? “Did someone call the police?”
    “Pearl intends to file charges, but so far she’s been sticking close to Felix’s side. She says she knows who they are.”
    “Did she actually see the attack?”
    “No, but she swears it’s those bums who live at a hobo camp near the bird refuge.”
    “She can’t swear to something she didn’t witness firsthand.”
    “You’d have to talk to her about that. Meanwhile, they have Felix in a medically induced coma, hoping the swelling in his brain will subside. That’s the crux of it for now.”
    “Have you seen him?”
    “They don’t allow visitors in ICU. I was able to peer in briefly, but there wasn’t much to see. Pearl’s claiming he’s her brother, so she’s been with him since he came out of the recovery room. Dandy and I hung out for a while and then I came home. Between calls, I left that message for you but didn’t expect to hear back so soon.”
    “I had to make a run to the office and I saw the light blinking as soon as I walked in. Can I do anything from here?”
    “No, no. Everything’s under control, but it’s been crazy as you might imagine. What about you? How’s it going so far?”
    “Not good. I talked to Ethan and told him about the will. He was upset, which came as no big surprise. I’ll give you a full report as soon as I get home.”
    “Which is when?”
    “I’d hoped to talk to his sister, but now I think I’d be better off hitting the road. I can do more good there than I can stuck here.”
    “I don’t like the idea of your heading into rush-hour traffic.”
    “I should be fine as soon as I clear town. I don’t anticipate much congestion on the 5.”
    “Well, don’t do anything foolish. It sounds like you’ve already had a long, hard day.”
    “All the more reason to get home,” I said. “The motel I’m in is such a dump, I’ve had to repent all my miserly ways. I want my own bed. I want to be there lending moral support. Did Rosie get home?”
    “Not yet. Her plane gets in at five o’clock. The same United flight William was on. I’ll pick her up while he’s having his last PT appointment of the week. Once I drop her off, I’ll head back to St. Terry’s. You want me to turn on the porch lights for you?”
    “Please.”
    “Will do, and if there’s anything new, I’ll leave a note on your door.”
    “Thanks. I’ll see you in a few.”
    “You drive carefully.”
    “I will.”
    I hung up, grabbed the duffel, and toted it into the bathroom. I tossed in the shampoo bottle, the conditioner, and my deodorant. I paused to brush my teeth and then packed my toothbrush and toothpaste. I set aside thoughts of Felix, knowing I’d have plenty of time to process that development once I was