The Lovely Chocolate Mob - By Richard J. Bennett Page 0,100
him from above, it almost sent him into hysterics, but when the police surrounded him and David, the helicopter suddenly disappeared.
Update
Walter and David were released later that night, really, early in the morning. They weren’t the man the police were looking for; they weren’t Dr. Burke, so Lieutenant Bond and the department didn’t want publicity about having seized the wrong man and appearing like the Keystone Cops to the local media. Mae Ling was mad at me for having corrupted her husband, and so there was no more oriental food sent to our house.
A few days later, I met Miss Planter for dinner at a sandwich shop close to the clinic, a mom and pop family-owned restaurant. It wasn’t an expensive place, but homey, since the owners put a little effort into decorating it, making their customers feel welcomed. Miss Planter had walked over from her office, which was a block down the street.
I asked how things were progressing with the Burke family marital sessions. She asked in return, “Don’t you think this falls in the arena of confidentiality, between a counselor and her patients?”
“Well, yes, maybe,” I replied. “However, here’s another thought on the matter. Since I am paying for the sessions, don’t I have any rights to know if progress is being made? Plus, I am housing and keeping one of participants alive, and they both agreed to these meetings, so I am feeling almost somewhat entitled,” trying not to sound too demanding, but persuasive.
She thought for a moment and said, “Those are good points. As the supplier of funds for these meetings, you ought to be kept informed, like a parent should be with his children. Okay, I’ll update you but will keep things in a very broad sense. Agreed?” she asked.
“Agreed,” I said.
“Since you are concerned and are known by both parties, I don’t think there will be any betrayal involved.”
“Good,” I said. “So… how’s it going?”
“It’s going. They have their problems, like all couples do, but there’s always room for hope.”
“Okay. Have there been any improvements made, any progress?"
“There was a lot of progress made when they agreed to counseling. I think that was the hardest part for them, or him.”
Remembering the newscast from a few days prior, I mentioned, “I need to tell you something. Franklin is going through a very rough time, personally. He’s cooped up in my house, which is small enough to fit into his garage. He can’t practice medicine, he can’t practice his trade, he can’t make his rounds or see his patients, he can’t visit his peers or his country-club friends, can’t consult with other doctors, can’t see his children, and, most recently of all, Susan Lovely has turned on him.”
“I saw the KDBC news report the other night,” said Miss Planter. “Miss Lovely is really a piece of work. Even without her inheritance, Susan Lovely looks as though she’s not suffering financially. She even has a hireling as a possible new boyfriend. Yes, this must be tough on Dr. Burke.”
“I think that hurt Franklin worst of all,” I said. “You might keep this in mind during the sessions. I think her care-free attitude is what drew Franklin in.”
“Her attire wouldn’t exactly chase men away, either,” Miss Planter remarked.
“True, true,” I agreed, “But his wife is also a very beautiful lady. I think he was looking for an escape, possibly an escape from financial ruin.”
“I’ve gotten the sense that he was under pressure prior to these troubles,” Miss Planter said. “They’re both living above their means. They go from paycheck to paycheck and have no savings. She doesn’t work, their investments have crashed, and it’s beginning to dawn on him that he’ll be retiring one day, maybe soon. With all these recent events, his career may already be ruined, and if that’s so, they’re facing personal calamity. They won’t be able to afford their high lifestyle.”
“That’s what I was afraid of. What would you suggest they do?” I asked.
“If Franklin were free to roam about, I’d suggest seeking financial counseling. I’ve already suggested that for Helen Burke. It seems as though her appetite for the ‘finer things’ has speeded up their ruin.”
“I thought it might. How did she take to the suggestion?”
“She was offended, defensive, and acted as though she were a victim. I finally told her, “Look, you’re a millionaire, not a billionaire. You can’t be living like you’re Bill Gates.” She seemed to understand that. The sooner the better; even millionaires can go broke overnight.”