Chapter 19 - Self Awareness

Oh really, maybe I imagined she referred to you by your name. I guess I'm the one mistaken.... But, why are we following Ignas?" Janet querried.

"Because, we're headed to the hospital. I know you're gonna scream. But please Janey, I just want to see that lady and make sure she's well. Please don't scream." Clara pleaded, still keeping her face glued on the road.

"What the actual hell!!! We are suppose to be home right now. I'm so exhausted and you want to take me to a fucking hospital. I told you I feel nauseated when I'm in such a setting."

"You don't have to do anything J, just stay in the car and you'll be good okay."

Jane grumbled and placed her head on the car seat.

St. Gregory Memorial Hospital

Ignas kept her gaze steady, as she made way to the reception with Clara tagging behind. Janet refused to come down from the car, she insisted that the setting will make her nauseous. So, she'd rather wait up in the car than the reception.

They had made a quick stop at the police station. Before heading to the hospital. All thanks to the air conditioner, Jane slept most of the journey and only woke up when they were almost at the hospital.

Detective George sighted them from afar and walked up to them. She looked at Ignas with a resigned face.

"She didn't make it?" Ignas asked, and George shook his head in confirmation.

Clara had expected the news. The lady was barely conscious when they left for the capital. But she had prayed for a miracle.

"Have the family been sent for?"

"The husband is on the way." George replied. "She is indeed a Lowen. You might want to drop by at

Gibbons office. I think he has a lot to say, but would rather say them to you?"

Ignas nodded. "He saw her?"

"Yes, but when she was certified dead."

"I'll go see him then." Ignas said and started marching to the medical examiners office. Clara tagged along, praying that Ignas wouldn't turn around and tell her to go back. They got to the office and Ignas turned to her. "Wait here." She pointed to a chair beside the office, and waited for Clara to get seated before she disappeared through the door.

The door brought her to a corridor that led to medical examiners office. She knocked gently on the second door and waited to be called in. Opening the door carefully, she came to face with Jeff Gibbons.

Jeff flashed a warm smile at her. She had known him since elementary school, where he had teased her mercilessly about everything from her height to her good grades to the numerous birthmarks on her face, and she was just as happy seeing him now as she had been on the playground those many years ago.

Aside the various homicide cases that brings them to each other's path, Ignas tries to avoid him completely. But the same can't be said for Jeff, who would rather hold back certain information with the excuse that he needs to talk to the detective in charge, just to see Ignas.

Jeff was extremely muscular, but there was something unhealthy about him. He was always perspiring, and looks bloated with an unhealthy looking oval shaped stomach. His face was round with wide orbits attached to it. Ignas wondered if his current look was from the use of steroids or poor weight training, but he sure looked like a cardiac arrest waiting to happen. He gave Ignas a flirty grin as she walked into the office.

"Ignas Derim." He said with a swell smile. "How are you, and how do you manage to look so good in that uniform?"

"Thank you Jeff." She said, faking a smile, and taking a seat.

"Welcome. You almost missed me, I was getting ready to head to the morgue." He told her. Ignas nodded with a smile.

"You do have something you'd like to say to me? About the lady that was brought in moments ago?"

"Oh that? Uhh, here I was, thinking you came to see me cause you missed me." Jeff murmured.

"Oh Jeff stop it. Let's hear it please."