monitored."
Javier was touched by the tears that welled up in Starr's eyes as she spoke. "My father is a good man, he doesn't deserve all this. I don't understand what's happening to him, Dr. Gomez, but I just can't shake the feeling that something is seriously wrong, something that has little to do with his physical injuries."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean."
"No, I don't expect that you do. If I may ask you a personal question, Dr. Gomez, are you strictly a man of the mainstream sciences?"
"Excuse me?"
"I guess I want to know if you believe in something other than physicality."
Javier wasn't sure he liked the direction this conversation was taking. Attractive or not, if Starr was some kind of religious fanatic he wanted as little to do with her as possible.
"I'm still not sure what you're asking. If you want an explanation of my spiritual beliefs, I have to say that I fail to see what my personal convictions have to do with your father."
Starr could tell that Dr. Gomez was starting to distance himself from her.
"Dr. Gomez, I apologize if I've offended you--it certainly wasn't my intention. I can appreciate what you must be thinking, but let me assure you, I'm not a nut case or some off-the-wall zealot. Allow me to share some things with you..."
Starr rarely discussed her psychic aptitude with anyone, much less with a virtual stranger. But her father's life might depend on Dr. Gomez' approach to his care and she wanted to make damn sure the physician had all the relevant data. So, Starr talked about her clairvoyant impressions, past and present.
"...and so, Dr. Gomez, that's about it. The last thing I want to do is alienate you, but I love my father too much not to risk it. Frankly, I don't know what I expect you to do with the information I've given you but at least it's on the table for your consideration."
Javier's initial impression when Starr had first started telling him about her "visions" had been, "Oh, shit!" but then, the longer he listened, the more he realized that the woman was quite sincere. Javier was not unfamiliar with the so-called supernatural aspects of life, his grandmother had done her best to indoctrinate him into both her faith and her beliefs relative to the preternatural. Although Javier had loved abuelita Tencha, he had always regarded her as a brainwashed Catholic whose arcane superstitions ruled her life. If his grandmother had never been able to sway his beliefs, it was highly unlikely that Starr Forsythe would be able to. It was curious though that both Cassie and Starr seemed to have similar interpretations of what was going on with Mr. Forsythe. Curious, yes. Correct, no way.
"It sounds like you've lead a very interesting life and I appreciate your opening up to me, but I just can't buy into this paranormal ideology. True, your father's case is somewhat baffling but I'm confident that there are logical reasons for everything that has occurred. I believe that the appropriate tests and observations will bear that out."
Starr was not surprised by the doctor's response. "I hope you're right, Dr. Gomez. God, I hope you're right!"
Paul had finally fallen asleep, thanks to Tamara's calming presence. Tamara herself felt anything but calm. She was indeed frightened for her husband, but there was another sensation as well, one that affected the core of her being. Tamara shivered as she felt a shock of cold cut through her very soul.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Charlie was relieved when
Javier was touched by the tears that welled up in Starr's eyes as she spoke. "My father is a good man, he doesn't deserve all this. I don't understand what's happening to him, Dr. Gomez, but I just can't shake the feeling that something is seriously wrong, something that has little to do with his physical injuries."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean."
"No, I don't expect that you do. If I may ask you a personal question, Dr. Gomez, are you strictly a man of the mainstream sciences?"
"Excuse me?"
"I guess I want to know if you believe in something other than physicality."
Javier wasn't sure he liked the direction this conversation was taking. Attractive or not, if Starr was some kind of religious fanatic he wanted as little to do with her as possible.
"I'm still not sure what you're asking. If you want an explanation of my spiritual beliefs, I have to say that I fail to see what my personal convictions have to do with your father."
Starr could tell that Dr. Gomez was starting to distance himself from her.
"Dr. Gomez, I apologize if I've offended you--it certainly wasn't my intention. I can appreciate what you must be thinking, but let me assure you, I'm not a nut case or some off-the-wall zealot. Allow me to share some things with you..."
Starr rarely discussed her psychic aptitude with anyone, much less with a virtual stranger. But her father's life might depend on Dr. Gomez' approach to his care and she wanted to make damn sure the physician had all the relevant data. So, Starr talked about her clairvoyant impressions, past and present.
"...and so, Dr. Gomez, that's about it. The last thing I want to do is alienate you, but I love my father too much not to risk it. Frankly, I don't know what I expect you to do with the information I've given you but at least it's on the table for your consideration."
Javier's initial impression when Starr had first started telling him about her "visions" had been, "Oh, shit!" but then, the longer he listened, the more he realized that the woman was quite sincere. Javier was not unfamiliar with the so-called supernatural aspects of life, his grandmother had done her best to indoctrinate him into both her faith and her beliefs relative to the preternatural. Although Javier had loved abuelita Tencha, he had always regarded her as a brainwashed Catholic whose arcane superstitions ruled her life. If his grandmother had never been able to sway his beliefs, it was highly unlikely that Starr Forsythe would be able to. It was curious though that both Cassie and Starr seemed to have similar interpretations of what was going on with Mr. Forsythe. Curious, yes. Correct, no way.
"It sounds like you've lead a very interesting life and I appreciate your opening up to me, but I just can't buy into this paranormal ideology. True, your father's case is somewhat baffling but I'm confident that there are logical reasons for everything that has occurred. I believe that the appropriate tests and observations will bear that out."
Starr was not surprised by the doctor's response. "I hope you're right, Dr. Gomez. God, I hope you're right!"
Paul had finally fallen asleep, thanks to Tamara's calming presence. Tamara herself felt anything but calm. She was indeed frightened for her husband, but there was another sensation as well, one that affected the core of her being. Tamara shivered as she felt a shock of cold cut through her very soul.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Charlie was relieved when
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