Dr. Zahovic clasped her hands on her desk and looked straight into Mrs. Hedley’s eyes. “First, I’d like to say how very sorry I am for your loss. You should know that your husband’s final moments were free from pain.”

“Thank you,” Mrs. Hedley murmured. She was blinking back tears. “It was so sudden. He was just standing there, minding his own business, taking pictures of a hummingbird. The bear came out of nowhere.”

“Mrs. Hedley, we do have a priest here at the hospital, as well as social workers who can help you cope with his death.”

“Thanks. Your assistant gave me the information just before I came in here. I’ll make an appointment.” She bit her lip. “When are you going to release Phil’s body? I…I’ll need to make the arrangements.”

Dr. Zahovic nodded. “Of course. As with any violent death, there will be an autopsy performed by a state medical examiner here in our morgue. They don’t take too long. Your husband’s body should be released within a day or so.” She pushed a piece of paper across her desk toward Mrs. Hedley. “I’ll just need you to sign this consent form.”

Mrs. Hedley picked up a pen and scanned the document. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s a routine procedure. Just sign and date, and everything will be taken care of.”

Mrs. Hedley’s lip trembled. “But…am I reading this right? It looks like it says you’re going to put a stake through his heart.”

Dr. Zahovic smiled gently. “When the grizzly tore your husband’s arm and shoulder off, he died from the loss of blood. The medical term for it is exsanguination. Exsanguination victims—depending on a number of factors, of course—have a statistically high likelihood of developing into vampires. It’s a routine precautionary measure. I think you’ll find all hospitals operate by these guidelines.”

“That’s preposterous! My husband has been through enough. I refuse to sign your form.”

“It’s standard procedure. And it’s paid for by the state, so you don’t have to worry about any additional out-of-pocket expense.”

“It’s not the money, it’s that you want to hammer a stake into my husband’s chest!”

“Mrs. Hedley, I really must insist—”

“Absolutely not.”

Dr. Zahovic sighed. “You know, many hospitals don’t inform the next of kin. They just perform the procedure without consent. Here at Mercy, we’re more respectful.” She leaned close. “It could be much worse, you know. If your husband had been infected by a viral infection that mimics death, we would have been obligated by state law to burn him alive or decapitate him to prevent his becoming a zombie.”

Mrs. Hedley stood up. “I’ve made up my mind. You can take your wooden stake and shove it up your ass.” The door slammed behind her.

Dr. Zahovic shook her head. Well, rules were rules. She picked up the pen, scribbled Marianne Hedley on the dotted line, and walked it down to the morgue.

Copyright 2005 Amy Frushour Kelly. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means prohibited without prior written consent.