Cliff was awed by the idea of the lineup.  He called in Brittany.  “Take that chalk and make a list of the various leg conditions as we can think of them.  What injuries and conditions would you list as ones that would allow the person to be mobile enough to get from one place to another and still make a person’s gait appear unusual?”

They started with AK, BK, Simes, short leg, club foot, and continued.  When they were done he called in two other technicians and had them look at the list.  They added three more.  Then he asked them to mark the ones that would have similar gaits.  The number of items went from 26 to 14.  They argued briefly about four of them and reduced the number to 11.  Someone contested whether to include the DBK and he shook his head.  A DBK could easily do what they were describing.  It was better to not exclude a valid possibility.

Then he asked,  “Let’s think of patients that has the most typical gait for this condition.  Names started appearing on the board.  When they had three for all but two of the items Cliff called in the Sylvia.  During their training periods the TAB’s got no quarter from the rest of the staff, they still had to do their job.  She clomped into the room on her crutches.  “I need you to take down these names and get phone numbers for them.  Just make the list of the names, phone numbers and disability code for me, I’ll do the calling.”

That done Cliff, Jackie and Brittany started fitting them with their prosthetic legs.  It was really a cover for the leg they had been fitted for the preceding week.  They tried on the legs, after the peg-leg they were heavy and clumsy.  The lack of a knee seemed to be less of a problem than the weight heavy weight of the more complex leg.  Cliff assured them it would get better.  There were additional adjustments, they should return in a few days.  As they were leaving he also assured them he had something of an idea on the line-up.  They left without a clue.  On the way out the receptionist gave them the cards for the next appointment.  They asked how long she would have to wear the cast.  She looked at the calendar, “Another week.  You know my boyfriend likes it.  He has been putting nail polish on my toes.  He asked if they would give it to me when they cut it off.  I asked, Cliff said yes.  So tomorrow they cut off this one, I get the weekend to loosen up my leg and I get a left leg cast next week for two weeks.  When I get it off I get to keep both of them.  By the way, just in case I think I want to cheat and walk on the cast, they have a shocker in the foot, if you put pressure in it, it hurts.” 

If you wish to read more of this novel click on the link below.  It is the first chapter and it contains links to the other chapters. 

The Night Sniper Chapter One: On the Beat

The Night Sniper: Ch. 027 They Check Other Shooting Sites

The Night Sniper: Ch. 029 Barb Meets Margie’s Boyfriend