Page 2 of Guess Again
“Yes sir.”
Ethan tapped on the keyboard as he entered notes into the chart. “I can’t let you drive after we gave you morphine. We’ll have to keep you for a few hours before I can discharge you.”
“I’ll call an Uber.”
“I’d have to watch you climb in the car. Otherwise the hospital would be liable for discharging you while you’re under the influence of a narcotic.”
“Come on, Doc. I feel fine.”
“Morphine is like that. One moment you’re good, the next you’re high as a kite.”
“Can you make an exception? I’ve been here for three hours already.”
Ethan checked his watch.
“You’re the last patient of my shift. How about I buy you a cup of coffee? If you’re still feeling woozy, I’ll drive you home myself.”
“Sure thing, Doc. As long as I can get the hell out of this room.”
CHAPTER 2
Cherryview, Wisconsin Thursday, May 22, 2025
THEY SKIPPED THE CAFETERIA COFFEE AND OPTED FOR ASTARBUCKSdrive-thru, both ordering venti black coffees. Back on the road, Ethan commented on Christian’s coffee choice.
“No skinny vanilla with soy for the California transplant?”
Christian smiled. “Black coffee all day for me.”
“All day?”
“It’s all I drink.”
“If you want to avoid another kidney stone, I’d suggest adding some water to your diet.”
“I’ll take it under consideration.” Christian pointed. “Take a right up there.”
Ethan twisted his Jeep Wrangler onto a winding road that snaked through a tree-lined area along the water until he emerged a mile later at the edge of Lake Okoboji.
“There I am,” Christian said, pointing.
Ethan looked across the lake to where a massive home sat at the water’s edge. The morning sunlight reflected off the large windows that made up the back of the house. A set of stairs spiraled down from each side of the back patio and cut through the emerald-green grass to meet the man-made beach area that sprinkled down to the water’s edge.
Ethan had seen the house before. Everyone had. It was the largest on the lake.
“That’s your house?”
“Yes sir.” Christian pointed through the passenger-side window. “Head around to the north, it’s easier to get in through the back entrance.”
Ethan hesitated a moment before turning the wheel and heading around the lake. Ten minutes later he pulled through the gate at the rear entrance of Christian’s home and parked in the driveway, counting five bay doors on the garage.
“You feel okay?” Ethan asked.
“Unfortunately. My buzz is just about gone. Come inside and finish your coffee. I’ll show you the house.”
Ethan followed Christian through the massive double-doors at the front and shook his head at the enormity of the home. The interior was a combination of cutting-edge innovation and Northwoods Wisconsin.
“We’ll sit out back,” Christian said.
