Chapter Twenty-Two Min

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: MIN

Mountebank Medical Group encompasses a modern, four-story building in downtown Chicago. Skyscrapers surround the site, but the building stands out because of its futuristic appearance. The glass sparkles, revealing a blinding white interior. Bright white paint covers the walls. White marble covers the floors and serves as an accent on the walls, providing depth rather than color. Sporadic displays of modern artwork providing splashes of color. Even the furniture is white. Doctors and nurses wear white scrubs and coats. I don't know if I've ever seen a hospital with this much white. Better to see the blood?

On the way over, I reached out to Cicely to find out which departments she and the other missing woman worked in and how to get into the building without raising suspicion from security. She'd stressed the level of security Chambers Medical Group maintained, so I expect security to meet us at the door. However, I don't see a security guard anywhere in the lobby except behind the information desk. He pays little attention to us, his eyes fixed on the desk in front of him.

We pass through the lobby and wander the first floor until we find the directory. We take the elevator to the maternity ward. Dr. Blankenship was an OB/GYN, so we figure that's the best place to start our search. However, after multiple trips around the ward, we give up and find a nurse.

"Hi, I'm looking for a doctor," I start.

"Emergency is on the ground floor," she tells me.

"I'm looking for a specific doctor. He delivered our baby via an emergency c-section two months ago, but we weren't able to thank him. He moved here from San Diego. I don't know his name, but was told he came to work here."

The nurse glances at my flat stomach and I can see the doubt in her eyes. "You just had a baby?"

"I'm a fitness instructor," I explain.

She frowns, but then shrugs. "Lucky you. I'm sorry, but I don't think he's here. We have five doctors who work shifts in maternity and I don't know any who came from California. However, there is a doctor working in recovery who just started."

I thank her before turning to Babe, who is grinning.

"What?" I ask.

"Just thinking of you having my baby," he says, wrapping his arms around my waist so he can place his hands on my stomach. "Fuck, that's hot. Just thinking about it makes me want to find an empty room."

I elbow him hard in the gut, relishing in his grunt of pain as he releases me. "Should we keep looking?" I ask.

Babe nods as he rubs his stomach. I roll my eyes, knowing he's exaggerating. I didn't hit him that hard. Well, at least I didn't think I did.

When his phone buzzes, Babe takes it out and glances at the display. "A Dr. Bishop works in Pediatrics. He started yesterday. Shield discovered Blankenship used Bishop as an alias. He could use it here, too."

We take the elevator to the third floor and follow the signs. As we pass a waiting room, I spot our guy. He's standing in the corner, away from the patients. But he's not alone. Three men stand with their backs to us. They're each the about the same size and wearing matching black suits. Dr. Blankenship is nodding at something they're saying. I wish I could read lips. It would come in handy right now.

I glance at Babe to suggest that we move closer, but he doesn't glance at me. He's fixated on the four men. I decide to sneak closer, but before I step away, Babe grabs my arm to pull me back.

"Hold on, I'm trying to figure out what he's saying," Babe whispers.

"You can read lips?" I ask in surprise.

"Yeah. I'm rusty, but I'm getting the gist. He's telling them about a nurse. Said she worked with Vivian. She's been on a cruise for the past week and just got back in town. She's scheduled to work tomorrow morning."

The three men nod and turn in our direction. I gasp before spinning around to face Babe so I can hide my face in his chest.

Babe wraps his arms around my waist to pull me close. Laying a cheek on the top of my head so he can whisper to me. "What's wrong?"

"I recognize the man in the middle. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be anywhere. I thought he was dead."

"Who is he?"

"It's Fenhua," I murmur, unable to stop myself from trembling. Babe tightens his grip on me as he shuffles us around. I'm assuming to keep me hidden, and so he can keep an eye on Fenhua and his goons.

"Are you certain?"

"I know my cousin," I protest.

"Isn't he supposed to be dead? How long has it been since you've seen him? Maybe he just resembles Fenhua?"

I shake my head. "It's him. Believe me. I know." I turn to watch the three men make their way down the hallway to the elevator. Their backs are to me, so I step away from Babe and glance toward the retreating form of Dr. Blankenship. "We need to split up. I'll follow the doctor, you follow my cousin. Blankenship won't recognize me, but he might recognize you. Fenhua won't recognize you, but he would recognize me."

To my surprise, Babe nods. His eyes fixed on the three men. I'm surprised when he doesn't argue with me. Instead he moves to follow the man who once planned my death. I consider the possibility that Babe will use this opportunity to kill Fenhua. That he'll let emotion override self-preservation. I open my mouth to call him back, but stop myself. He's my partner and I trust him. I can't treat him differently than the way I want him to treat me. When he ducks into the stairwell, I turn back to Blankenship.

Keeping my distance, I watch him enter a patient's room. I lean against the wall and listen through the partially open door.

"Good afternoon, Jessica. How are you feeling today?" Blankenship asks.

"I'm feeling great, Dr. Bishop. Do you think you'll release me today?"

"That's the plan. The nurse said you woke up without headaches and dizziness?"

"That's right. I got up and walked around the halls, too. I feel great. So, can I go home?"

"That's the plan. I spoke to your mom and dad and they'll be here to pick you up at three. In the meantime, try getting some more rest. I'll keep the nurses out of your hair."

"Great! Thanks, Dr. Bishop."

"My pleasure, Jessica."

When I hear him moving toward the door, I slip inside the empty room next door. Pressing my ear against the door, I listen as Dr. Bishop approaches the nurse's station.

"I've ordered another MRI for Jessica at three."

"Really? I thought she was doing better," the nurse says.

"I just examined her and she mentioned that she's still having headaches. She's resting and I don't want her disturbed. The MRI is just a precaution."

"Yes, doctor," the nurse says as he hands her a folder.

What is he up to? My gut tells me he didn't make a mistake when he gave a different story to the nurse. He's up to something. Something that doesn't bode well for Jessica. I wait for Blankenship to walk past me before stepping out of the room and following him. He completes his rounds, but I hear nothing else suspicious until he ducks into an office. I wait a few seconds before opening it wide enough to hear him talking inside.

"Tell Jordan I have another girl ready for pickup tonight at three. She's sixteen. Brown hair, blue eyes. She's gorgeous. Got a concussion playing soccer. Yeah, she's fit, and she's a fighter. The guys will have fun breaking her. Tell Billings to come early to grab scrubs and a wheelchair and to meet me on the third floor. I'll give him something to keep her docile. He can wheel her out while I distract the nurses."

Walking slowly away from the door, I return to the empty room next to Jessica's before taking out my phone and calling Babe.

"Are you alright?" He asks. I can hear his motorcycle and realize he's on the road.

"I'm fine. Where are you?"

"Following your cousin. I'll swing back and pick you up once I figure out where he's hiding."

"We may not have time," I tell him before explaining about Blankenship's plan. "We could grab both Blankenship and Billings while also saving Jessica. Should we call the club for help or Schwartz?" Considering his suspicion of a traitor, I have a feeling he'll go with Schwartz. Our primary aim is to capture Billings and Blankenship so we can take them back to San Diego.

"This fucking sucks. Call Schwartz and tell him what you know. I don't want to risk telling the wrong person and having them escape and taking the girl with them. I'll stay on Fenhua's tail for now."

He ends the call, and I dial Schwartz's number. After relaying what I overheard, he promises to contact the Chicago PD to have men in place to grab both Billings and Blankenship.

"Let them know I'll be with Jessica. I plan on hiding out in her room to make sure they don't get her."

"I'll tell them, but be careful."