Quintessentially Quilly

Welcome to Three Word Thursday #14. This week, joining the quondam word-list, we have quiddle; uxorious; glabrous. We also have a whole list of perspicacious writers. If you enjoy reading my story, leave a comment then click on the names of the other players and go see how they used the words. You’ll be entertained (and possibly educated) all at once.

Copper is Curious

Copper pulled his car into the hospital parkinglot.  The environmental group was still on the corner waving their posters with the big green panthers.  He couldn’t help but notice that their fliers littered the hospital parkinglot and shook his head, wondering if they knew what kind of message they were really sending.

There was a perky little red-head at the nurse’s station.  Nurse Spanner was nowhere in sight.  Copper heaved a sigh of relief and approached the guard outside door 357.  “Detective Vin Copper,” he introduced himself to the young uniformed officer, “Any news?”

“Bobby Argyle.”  The rookie introduced himself.  “The Captain told me to expect you.  Officially the hospital isn’t allowing the press in, but there are reporters lurking behind every corner.  Two or three have managed to slip into ICU, but Nurse Spanner has made short work of them.”

“Copper said, “She does have that talent.”  He nodded at the door behind Office Argyle’s back.  “In fact, I have to check in with her – -or somebody — before I go in and question Ms. Wheeler.  Is the beautiful battle ax working today or –”

Bobby’s gaze shifted to the right of Copper and his eyes grew huge.  Copper didn’t look.  He didn’t have to.  “Good morning Ms. Spanner,” he said on a sigh.

“Very good, Detective,” she answered.  “It’s nice to see your deductive reasoning skills are working again.”

Copper turned with a smile on his face.  He needed this woman’s cooperation and further insults definitely wouldn’t stand him in good stead.  A sudden memory of his Uncle Evan inspired him.  Perhaps he’d borrow some of his uncle’s uxorious behavior and apply it to Nurse Nasty-Tongue.  “Nurse Spanner,” he said in his most agreeable tone, “when would it be convenient for me to question Ms. Wheeler?  I would, of course, want you present at the proceedings.”

“You can guarantee I’ll be present,” Nurse Spanner answered.  “There won’t be any brow-beating, threats or tag-team questioning.  My patients health is my primary concern, not your investigation!”

“As it should be,” Copper agreed.  He smiled.  “I understand your concerns and we are not here to cross examine Ms. Wheeler, but as a victim, we do need her statement.  There is a killer on the loose and she might have vital information that will help us prevent him from killing again.”

It was Nurse Spanner’s turn to look surprised.  “But surely Ms. Wheeler is a suspect?” She demanded.

Never one to quiddle about important matters, Copper demanded, “What gave you that idea?”

“Well just … I… but surely you … they said … I was sure ….”  Nurse Spanner stopped, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.  Copper couldn’t help but notice she blushed beautifully.  He also couldn’t help but wonder why she was flustered.  He waited patiently for her to continue.

“When they first brought Ms. Wheeler in,” she said.  “One of the officers said she was a suspect in a murder investigation.”

“Do you remember which officer?”  Vin asked.

Nurse Spanner waved her hands, “Things were frantic.  Doc was shouting orders, her stomach needed to be pumped, there were forensics people underfoot.  My ICU was chaos.  I have no idea who said what.”

Copper noted her apparent agitation and decided to let her off the hook — for now.  “Well, if you do remember, let me know.”  He said.  “In the meantime, when can I see Ms. Wheeler?”

“Let me check with the doctor,” Nurse Spanner said and hurried away.  Copper watched her go, wondering what was really on her mind.

“She was lying,” Officer Argyle said.  “She looked at the floor, the wall, the ceiling, but not once did she look at either of us.”

Copper nodded.  “I noticed that, too. What I’m wondering is why she was lying. It’s certainly not something she’s very practiced at.”

Argyle made a murmur of agreement.

“Have you over-heard anything newsworthy regarding Ms. Wheeler’s condition?”  Copper asked.

Argyle nodded and hooked his thumb to point over his shoulder into Janice Wheeler’s room.  “I heard Doc tell her she didn’t need to be in ICU any longer, and they were making plans to move her up to the third floor.”

“Good,”  Copper said. “The Chief wants to keep her in the hospital as long as possible. She’s safer here than she would be home alone, and there’s no probable cause to arrest her, so — ”

“Arrest her?  Is she a suspect?”  Argyle asked.

“Well, I doubt she poisoned herself,” Copper said noncommittally, then turned to watch Nurse Spanner approaching with a glaborous fat man in doctor’s scrubs.

No nurses were actually agitated in the writing of this post.

Three Word Thursday #15:

Every Thursday I will give you three new words.  You have until the following Thursday to compose a story using all three of the words.  Then, on that following Thursday, post your story.  After you post, come by here and sign in to Mr. Linky.  If you sign in and don’t post a story.  I will delete your link.

The Week  Fifteen words will be:  rubefacient, senticous, & divagations

Got it?  Good!  In that case:  Your story is due on:  May 21st, 2009

(Oh!  And if anybody else has tripped across the perfect word (like Jientje when she sent in rubefacient and Dr. John for senticous and a few others!)  and wants to send me one, or two, or three, or thirty, I’ll throw them in the word jar and post them when I pick them!)