Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

8:40 p.m.

Mrs. Case motioned for her daughter who was admiring the many decadent looking desserts spread across silver trays. Or perhaps it was the chocolate fountain in the middle of that table that had her mesmerized.

Either way, Lillian turned away empty-handed and skipped toward her mother. Almost bedtime. Sweet treats were apparently off the menu.

Jamie wondered if it was Abi’s appearance at the dessert table that had alerted the child’s mother. He’d insisted on finding something chocolate.

If his sudden need for chocolate hadn’t made Jamie suspicious, seeing Dr. Case withdraw his cell phone from his jacket pocket for the first time since their arrival certainly did. The doctor turned from the trio to whom he’d been engaged in conversation. The three continued with whatever discussion they’d been having but the doctor’s posture changed dramatically as he listened to the more personal conversation.

Abi appeared next to her with a delicious looking offering. She shook her head. “Something’s happening.”

She’d no sooner said the words than Dr. Case ended his call and moved back toward the trio he’d abandoned. She didn’t need a listening device to get the gist of what he was saying. His body language spoke loudly and clearly as he patted one man’s shoulder and gave nods to the others. He was excusing himself.

Next to her, Abi suddenly reached for his cell phone.

Jamie ignored his subdued murmuring. She was far more interested in what was happening with the doctor. He crossed to his wife and daughter, said a few words, then dropped a kiss on each of their cheeks.

He was leaving.

He hurried from the room. Jamie drifted toward the front of the great hall, then on to the entry hall just in time to watch him disappear through the front double doors with no less than four men dressed in black accompanying him. Members of his security team, no doubt.

When she turned back to find Abi, he was moving in her direction. He put his arm around her shoulder and leaned close to her temple. “There’s an emergency at the hospital.”

“Are we staying here to await his return or going to the hospital?” She smiled up at him as if they were sharing secret love messages.

“We go with the doctor.”

A final glance at the wife and daughter showed the wife smiling with friends and the daughter having wrangled a dessert without her mother noticing. The other guests appeared unconcerned about the doctor’s abrupt departure. The servers continued offering drinks and finger foods and the music played on.

Jamie followed Abi from the house. The night was colder than when they’d arrived or perhaps it was only because the anticipation-fueled adrenaline related to what could happen had worn off, reminding her she’d opted not to wear a coat.

Abi said nothing until they were in the car traveling away from the house. “You’ll find a change of clothes in the back seat.”

She’d expected there would be a change of clothes for them at their next destination, but she hadn’t anticipated it being in the car. Turned out to be a good decision.

She tucked up her dress and slid somewhat awkwardly over the console into the back seat. A pair of jeans, a sweater and sneakers were folded neatly on the seat. When had he done this? She supposed he had not. More likely someone had prepared everything to his specifications.

Unzipping the dress wasn’t exactly the easiest feat, but she managed. She eased the luxurious fabric down her hips and over her legs.

“You have everything under control back there?” He glanced in the rearview mirror.

“I do.” She pulled the sweater over her head and tugged it into place. She kicked off the heels and slipped into the jeans. This was a relief. She’d always felt more at home in jeans than in anything else.

She folded the dress and placed it on the seat, then set the shoes atop it. A quick search of the floorboard using the flashlight app on her cell helped her find a pair of socks. When the socks and sneakers were on, she was set, except for her hair. Making quick work of the task, she removed the pins, shook her hair free and then did a quick braid. It was best if she didn’t look anything like the blonde in the red dress from the party.

“Any idea on how this changes our plans?”

“We’ll wait until—”

Jamie’s gaze swung to the rearview mirror. She didn’t have to ask why he’d suddenly stopped talking. The bright lights filling the mirror provided the answer.

They had a tail.

“Brace yourself.” Abi’s fingers visibly tightened on the steering wheel.

Rather than risk looking back, Jamie braced her feet against the back of the passenger seat and eased down low in her seat.

The crash of metal was followed by a hard lurch forward as the other car rammed them. A new wave of adrenaline rose inside her.

Abi righted their forward momentum. “There’s a weapon under my seat if you can get to it.”

Jamie eased down into the floorboard and felt around under the driver’s seat. The weapon sat snugly in a holster that had been secured to the bottom of the seat. A bit of creativity was required to remove the weapon from behind since it had been installed with the driver in mind.

“Got it.”

She eased up into the seat, keeping her head low.

“He’s coming again,” Abi warned.

Jamie got onto her knees facing the rear window and watched as the vehicle neared. It was impossible to determine if there were more occupants than the driver. She powered the window down and leaned out as far as she dared.

“He’s coming,” Abi warned.

Jamie closed one eye and focused on the front passenger side wheel barreling toward her. She took the shot.

Tires squealed as the car seemed to spin sideways and rush backward. In fact, it was only because they were going forward that the distance stretched out between them.

“Bravo!” Abi shouted.

The car rocketed forward as he pushed the accelerator for all it had to offer.

Jamie powered the window back up but kept her focus on the disabled car. It was dark, black maybe, and it wasn’t moving.

Once it was out of view, she climbed over the console and settled back into the front passenger seat. She placed the weapon on the console and secured her seat belt.

“Who could have known about your plan?”

He slowed for an upcoming traffic signal. “I don’t think this was someone who had advance knowledge of our plan. I’m thinking this was more like security picking up on our interest in the doctor’s departure from the party.”

“You’re suggesting they monitored the guests who left when or soon after the doctor did.”

“I am.” He made a left turn.

“Maybe.”

“Either that or your friend Poe tried taking us out of the game.”

Of course he would come up with that scenario. “No. Poe would have followed us and then confronted us at our destination.”

“At least one of us has faith in his motives.”

“Whoever that guy was, if he works for the doctor, he’s going to notify security at the hospital. They’ll be watching for us.”

“No problem.” He glanced at her. “I have a plan.”

Two more turns and he pulled into a slot in a parking area between two other vehicles. When he’d shut off the lights and the engine, he shifted in his seat to face her. “There’s a sweater back there for me and a pair of sneakers. It might be easier for you to reach them.”

The two items were in the floorboard after the erratic driving. She released her seat belt, got on her knees in the seat and reached into the rear floorboard. She passed the sweater and then the sneakers to him. His grin told her he’d enjoyed seeing her in that awkward position. She rolled her eyes.

His jacket, shirt and bow tie flew over the seat. He tugged the sweater over his head and rolled it into place. He powered the seat back to facilitate changing his shoes.

His cell vibrated and he took the call. “Yes.”

Jamie surveyed the area. A multistory building sported a Nashville Eye Center logo. The hospital that was their destination, Saint Thomas, stood across the street. On that side of the street there were steps leading up to the parking area, making their current position well camouflaged from anyone who might be watching for their arrival. Good move.

He put the phone away and turned to her. “A patient he operated on early this morning developed an issue, which is why he’s been called back here. We’re going to hang around and then follow him back to the house.” He sent her a pointed look. “At a safe distance and in a different car, of course.”

“Of course.”

They exited the car and headed across the street. The wind whipped across her face, making her flinch. Despite knowing that Poe wasn’t the one who had followed them, she couldn’t help looking around. Where the hell was he? She glanced at Abi. If he was responsible for whatever had happened to Poe...

She wasn’t prepared to go there just yet. There had to be another explanation. Poe would not abandon her under any circumstances. However, as she’d already considered, he very well might take a different tactic to help with whatever he feared was coming.

She had every intention of giving him the benefit of the doubt either way...until there was no longer room for doubt.

They didn’t enter the hospital through the lobby. Instead, they used the garage entrance. It was open twenty-four hours a day and since they had not arrived at the garage in a vehicle, the chances that security had spotted them via the cameras was unlikely. The cameras were only at the entrance and exit. Crossing over a short concrete wall in an area well camouflaged by shrubs near the entrance had protected them from view. Then they took the stairs to the level where the sky bridge crossed over to the hospital. Too easy.

“You have some idea of where we’re going?” Jamie asked as they moved along the corridor. So far no one had paid attention to their arrival.

“Surgery, I presume.” He flashed a smile.

Maybe it was that hint of a British accent, but his answer grated on her nerves. Of course the doctor was here for a possible return to surgery but that didn’t mean she and Abi would be hanging out there. The goal was not to be spotted by the doctor’s security team.

Careful to avoid eye contact with anyone they passed, they wound through the hospital until they reached the entrance to the surgery center. From there it was necessary to fly under the radar. Visiting hours were over and the usual excuses for their presence were no longer available.

Three people were seated in the surgery center’s waiting room. Jamie assumed they had friends or family who’d had to undergo emergency surgery. Then again, for all she knew, surgeries were scheduled all hours of the day and night.

“You wait here,” Abi said. “I’ll have a look around. See if there’s a need for anything beyond just hanging around.”

If this was a true emergency with a patient, they had nothing to worry about.

“Whatever you say.” She walked into the waiting room and took a seat where she could watch the corridor through the glass wall. If any dudes in all black showed up, she was following.

Abi watched her for a moment before going on his way. She pulled out her cell and then put it back. She couldn’t call Poe. His cell was back at the house, disabled. Damn it. She thought of the car that had followed them on the way here. Case’s personal security couldn’t have known they were at the house on Excalibur...could they?

Why would they? The doctor’s personal security team wouldn’t likely have gotten a heads-up on a potential kidnapping plan.

Would they?

Only if Abi’s employer was very, very bad at keeping secrets.

Then again, it could be as Abi suggested and the follower had been a member of Case’s team who’d followed them from the house to ensure they weren’t trouble...except she wasn’t buying the idea that they would go so far as ramming a guest’s car. Following it, she could see. After some time to mull it over, she was confident Abi had gotten that one wrong. Or simply gave her the story to cover the fact that he had no idea where the car had come from.

A man in scrubs and a surgical gown entered the waiting room and one of the two women who had already been present when Jamie arrived rushed toward him.

They spoke, heads together, for a moment, then the man patted her on the shoulder and left.

Standing in the middle of that waiting room, the woman lapsed into tears, her hands covering her face.

Since no one else moved to go to her, Jamie did. She grabbed the box of tissues on the table next to her chair and walked over to where the woman stood crying. “Are you all right?” Not exactly the most original conversation starter, but there it was.

The woman looked at her, eyes red and filled with tears. Jamie offered her the box of tissues.

She tugged a couple free. “Thank you.”

“Would you like to sit down?” Jamie asked.

The woman blew her nose, dabbed at her eyes and then shook her head. “I’m fine. Really. I’m only crying because I’m so grateful.”

She glanced around the room. The television was set to a news channel with the sound muted. The two anchors’ words scrolled across the bottom of the screen.

“Do you mind if we step into the corridor?” She shivered. “It’s really cold in here.”

She was right. It was cold as hell in here. “Of course.” Jamie followed her into the corridor. “You were saying you were grateful.”

She sagged against the glass wall as if she could no longer hold her weight. “It was all just a mistake.”

Since they were at a hospital—the surgery area of the hospital—a mistake wasn’t necessarily something for which to be thankful.

“My husband had surgery this morning.” Her face furrowed into a frown. “A brain tumor. We were so incredibly thankful when the surgery was a success. But then tonight the nurse insisted on calling the doctor back. She said my husband was having a possible bleed—a brain bleed.”

Jamie made a horrified face. “Oh, that sounds terrifying.”

“It was. The strangest thing was that he seemed fine. But after she told us this and gave him something in preparation for a second surgery, he had a seizure.” She clasped her hands together against her chest as if in prayer. “I was certain I was losing him.” Her lips trembled.

“But he’s all right now?”

“It’s the craziest thing. Dr. Case’s assistant—” she made a face “—not assistant but resident or whatever he is. A doctor,” she said, frustrated at herself, “who works with Dr. Case said that everything was fine. It was some sort of error.”

So this was why Dr. Case had been called back to the hospital. A mistake. Jamie wondered how often something like that happened. “Do you recall the nurse’s name?”

The other woman made a face and shook her head. “The resident or doctor asked me that as well. I believe it was Johnson. Brenda or Beverly Johnson.” She flattened her hands to her chest. “My Lord, I have to call our daughter and my husband’s sister. They’re all waiting to hear. Fearing the worst, I’m sure.”

“I’m certainly glad all is well, Mrs...? I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”

“Teresa Mason. My husband is Johnny.” She smiled, her lips trembling. “And he’s going to be fine. The doctor said so.”

“That’s wonderful. My name is Jamie, by the way. Can I walk you back to his room?” She mentally crossed her fingers. If this woman’s husband was Dr. Case’s patient, then Jamie was sticking close to her for as long as she could.

“That would be so kind of you. They said he would be back in the room very shortly. I want to be there when he arrives.”

Jamie walked alongside the lady who rambled on and on about the two of them, she and her husband, having recently shared their fortieth anniversary.

“How did you hear about Dr. Case?” Jamie asked. “I understand it’s tough to get on his schedule.”

“Oh my, yes, it is. We were so very lucky in that he was on call when Johnny lost consciousness. We had no idea anything was wrong. Dr. Case is the only reason he survived that brain tumor. We had no idea it was even there.”

Jamie was surprised that surgeons like Case were ever “on call.” Then again, she wasn’t that familiar with the way physicians’ schedules worked and certainly she had no idea how much of their time was owed to or pledged to a particular hospital.

“The other doctor said Dr. Case would pop into the room once Johnny was settled.”

Jamie would try her best to hang around until Case arrived. No reason to believe he would recognize her. Once they were in the room she should shoot a text to Abi. He might not be aware of the ruse that brought Case to the hospital.

In Jamie’s opinion the whole thing screamed of a setup for when the doctor left the hospital. He would have only a few security guards with him. Far less backup than he had at his home.

She and Mrs. Mason had just entered the room when Mr. Mason was rolled through the door on a gurney that looked more like a bed. Since there wasn’t a bed in the room, Jamie assumed it was not just a gurney.

“He’ll be groggy for a while,” a nurse explained as she and a colleague moved his bed in place. “And he may sleep off and on. But don’t worry. We’ll be watching him closely.”

Mrs. Mason parked herself next to his bed and took her husband’s hand in hers. “Thank you so much,” she told the nurses. “I appreciate all you do.”

Jamie wondered how many people bothered to express their gratitude in this way.

The nurses made their way out and another figure entered.

Dr. Case.

Jamie stayed put in the corner by the visitor’s chair. She avoided direct eye contact. She felt confident he wouldn’t recognize her, but why take the chance.

“Mrs. Mason, thankfully we did not have to go back in. As my associate told you, we determined that all was well. We’ll take another CT scan in a couple of hours just to be sure. Once that’s completed, I’ll let you know those results as soon as we have them. But I’m confident you have nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. Case.”

He gave her a nod, then looked to Jamie. “May I speak with you in the corridor?”

Holy cow. Was he speaking to her? Since he stared directly at her, she assumed so. Mrs. Mason was whispering softly to her husband.

Jamie mustered up a vague smile. “Sure.”

Maybe he had recognized her.

Oh hell.

Once they were outside the room and the door closed, he set his attention on Jamie. “Were you here in the room when the nurse told Mrs. Mason I needed to be called?”

Aha. They were attempting to nail down the reason this happened. “No. I’m sorry. I wasn’t here.” At his frustrated look, she shrugged and offered, “I went for coffee.”

“Anyway,” Case said. “I’m here now and I’ll be hanging around for a while. Just as a precaution.”

Obviously, he was worried this Nurse Johnson had done something more than make a fake call. Damn.

“If you or Mrs. Mason notice anything unusual, don’t hesitate to call for assistance.”

“We will. Thank you.”

Case walked away. By the weary set of his shoulders, he seemed exhausted. His day had begun very early and certainly had not ended the way he had anticipated.

She decided to call Abi rather than bother with a text.

“Where are you? I’m in the waiting room.”

She gave him the abridged version of what had occurred. “Doesn’t sound like Case is going home anytime soon.”

“I’ll make some calls about this fake nurse.”

“Dr. Case feels overly safe here at the hospital,” she said, thinking about how he’d come to the room alone. “He didn’t have any of his security personnel with him when he visited the patient’s room. Considering what just went down with the nurse, I’m not so sure that’s a good thing.”

“That is a very astute observation, Colby,” Abi said. “I’ll have to ensure he’s made aware of this oversight.”

Jamie had no idea how he intended to make that happen.

“You want me to hang around here? Case said he would be stopping back by?”

“Yes, please do. I have something else to look into.”

“I’ll let you know when I see him again.” She ended the call and put her phone away.

At the Mason’s door, Jamie knocked softly and pushed the door inward far enough to step inside. “Mrs. Mason, Dr. Case will be back after the next CT is taken. Do you need anything for now? My friend is still in surgery, so I have some time if you need anything.”

“You are so kind. I’m good for now though.”

“Great.” Jamie frowned. “They seem a bit concerned about this Nurse Johnson.”

Mason made a distressed face. “It’s so strange. It makes me wonder if she was even a nurse or if she was high or something.”

Jamie wondered the same thing. “What did she look like?”

“Brown hair. Short and spiky.” She scrunched her face in thought. “Kind of tall.” She shrugged. “I always think anyone taller than me is tall. But a couple or three inches taller than me for sure. Thin. Kind of willowy.”

“I’m sure they’ll get to the bottom of it,” Jamie assured her. “They have cameras everywhere here. Maybe she was from one of those temp agencies.” Jamie shrugged. “There are so many staffing shortages these days.”

If the point of this nurse’s lie about Mr. Mason was to get Dr. Case back to the hospital, why would she just disappear without completing the rest of her mission? Had her backup failed to step up? Or had the plan not been executed as of yet?

Which meant Dr. Case could be in danger right now.

“I think I’ll take a walk,” Jamie said. “You sure I can’t get you anything?”

Mason shook her head. “No, thank you.” She exhaled a big breath. “I really appreciate your help tonight. You were so very kind.”

“You’re very welcome, but it was nothing. Just being a good human.”

As soon as she was in the corridor, she called Abi again. “I think we might still have a problem.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” he said, sounding breathless. “Case is in the doctor’s lounge. I’m close by. Two members of his security team are stationed at the door. So far no word on who this nurse is or who is behind whatever went down or is going down.”

“Then we’re not going anywhere until he does.”

“You got it. We need to know where he is every moment until we make our move.”

Hopefully someone else wasn’t going to beat them to the next move.