#bergen_county

"Do you have someone you trust to recommend?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. You know Cleo was not in a good headspace when she arrived. And who could blame her? She's still very... well, she's healing. We considered 3 local children's therapists ... settled on a Dr. Lopez-Scwhartz. She's really helped Cleo."

"Can I get a phone number?"

And he gets it.

"It's a good thing I swapped out her poison for skittles." Connor says brightly once the phone conversation has ended.

Frank looks at Connor. "You... you took her pills? You have them?"

He had showed them to Frank earlier, and now he empties his pockets into Franks's larger hands.

An entire bottleful, more or less, of pills, and a somewhat used eraser that looks like a unicorn. "That's not Jodi's either." He nods.

"Why don't you keep the eraser." Frank suggests, and reads the bottle's label.

Oh, no bottle.

Just an entire pocket of loose pills!

Oh dear. Ok. Frank pockets them.

(After noting any markings on the pills.)

small teeny numbers but he can make a note

"Let's give this other doctor a call?"

"Ding dong." He agrees.

Frank dials.

"Dr. Lopez-Schwartz 's office. This is Jordan, her assistant. How can I help you?"

"Hello. Doctor Bruce Lee suggested I give Doctor Lopez-Schwartz a call regarding some questions I have about a medication. Is it possible to speak with the doctor?"

"Oh a Referel... she's about to finish up a session. How long can you hold, sir? I can call you back if you need?"

"I can wait."

He gets hold music from classic sesame street for about 7 minutes, then it clicks on "Dr. Lopez-Schwartz here, sorry for your wait, Mister...?"

"King, Frank King. Dr Lee said I could give you a call."

"Dr. Lee? How is that stoic softy? Oh nevermind, you didn't call for small talk I'm sure. How can I help you, Mr. King?"

"I was wondering if you could identify and describe the uses of a pill...." he describes it as he did for Bruce, but better now that he's seen them.

She confirms Bruce's guess , and says "Every six hours? That medication isn't really meant for that save in the most extreme cases. "

"Mm. Good to know. Thank you."

"At the risk of breaching a confidentality, can you tell me more about whoever is taking this?"

"I'm afraid not."

"If it's a child, that's overboard by my take. I also suspect I know who is suggesting that dosage. Can't say I care for that 'peer'" Lopez-Schwartz sounds testy

"I suppose to get these the child would need to be under a doctor's care."

"oh definitely or we're looking at some illegal action by the parents and or guardians. But the Doctor I know who would do this, the only one in the area is named Klansky, with a K. Ihave little respect for him"

"I'll keep that in mind, thank you."

"I have another appointment soon, Mr. King, but if you need anything else call me, my assistant will at least take down your message. And tell Dr. Lee I said 'wooga wooga' , he'll roll his eyes, but I've got his wife's permission to rattle his cage just a little"

"I will pass your message along." not without amusement "Thank you for your time, doctor."

"I hope it helped. Good day" And the call ends

Oh, just in time, as Connor, who has tried VERY hard to remain patient, starts fiddling with the radio.

"why you gota be so RUUUUUDEEE" 🎶

"Hey there!!" Frank is startled by the sudden sound as he ends the call. "Ok...." he tempers the volume and checks the time. "What time do you get out of school, Connor?"

"Now?"

He perks up. "Can we go to the pool?"

"Do you know what time school lets out Connor?" he asks patiently "I want to go back and see how Jo-Dee gets home."

Frank may recall Siv mentioning on when Kassidy gets off school before, another 2 hours

"Mmmphm. Kind of a long wait. Want me to take you back to the Lodge?"

“Ohhhh can we ride with my head out the window? Please please please?!”

"Once we get to the driveway; it's a long driveway."

And he takes Connor home.

And onward they go... (Back to Rivervale)

Two hours later, Frank and Connor await in the vehicle

outside the school once more