Things couldn't get more frightening for Petra, as the day she was to make the surgical operation for Mrs. Walker approached. She was more than nervous, and for the first time, she couldn't determine what could happen.
Ever since the incident with the child that has been assigned to Matts, Petra knew that something was going on in the hospital. She had gone inside the ER, where Matta had operated on the patient, and discovered the same lethal injections, lying on the floor, beside the patient.
Petra wasn't a detective, but something told her that the culprit was purposely leaving a trail for her to get to him, but she wasn't ready to take the risk.
Standing by her window, the memories of how Thomas died right before her eyes flooded her thoughts again. It was undoubtedly a painful event that happened, but there was nothing she could do about it.
The door opened, and Lewis entered. Ever since the incident with Lewis, she tried so hard to avoid the latter as the fear of doing something she would regret filled her.
"I imagined that you might be hungry. That is why I bought you fruit salad." He said.
Petra's heart was warmed to his gesture. She did not doubt that Lewis was one of the kindest people she had met in the hospital, and she was grateful to have met him.
"So, the rumors about you are handling Mrs. Walker's final surgery have spread across the hospital like wildfire," Lewis indicated, taking a sit on one of her sofas.
"And what are the people saying?" Petra asked as she munched on the carrots. It was the nicest she had tasted.
"Some people believe that due to the past occurrence with Thomas, you are likely not to be able to handle this one."
Petra stopped chewing and stared at Lewis. She couldn't imagine people would be so cruel to believe she had done those acts on purpose. She intended to save her ex-fiance, but it didn't work out.
"You know Lewis, there is something I figured out in the hospital, and it is a surprise that I am just getting to take notice of" She pulled her drawer opened and brought out three separate syringes.
"These are lethal injections. Remember when the president was convulsing? I found this right under his bed. Also, remember when I saved Mrs. Thomas? I found this too under her bed. Remember what happened with Matts? The young child that died while having to prepare for his transplant? I found this under the bed too" Lewis raised each of the lethal injections and examined them closely.
"I think the culprit is trying to leave a mark for us to follow."
"Exactly my thoughts. The only problem is I am not ready to risk anything for the sake of my career. It is enough that I am facing a heavy lawsuit with Megan. Having to indulge in another mess will ruin my career totally" Petra was not willing to take that risk.
Lewis was about to say something when one of the less talkative doctors entered the office, and the moment he sighted Lewis, he smiled.
"There you are. I believe you are doing nothing at the moment? I need you to come to check on a patient for me, and I have an appointment with the board," Lewis groaned silently while Petra chuckled, seeing him frustrated.
"I will see you around," He commented, smiling at Petra, who smiled back as she watched him leave.
***
Petra was still in her office when a sudden thought struck her. The best way to have a successful operation is to, first of all, get to know the patient. She needed to see Mrs. Walker and have a heartful conversation with the woman.
Standing up from her seat, she closed her document, turned off the lights, and headed out of the office with only a pen in her hand.
Walking down the hallway, a pregnant lady was being catered into the ER by the nurses on duty. She smiled, understanding the joy of being a mother. Petra had always believed that she would be the mother of Thomas' baby, but the latter shattered the dream.
She couldn't fathom why the thought of having a baby was so dire in her heart at the moment, but she believed that it was due to the sight of the woman.
When she reached an impressive hallway excluded from the Elites, she turned left, searching for Mrs. Walker's room. She found it and on the wall was written her name in full.
With a deep sigh, she knocked on the door, and immediately, the voice of the woman came through, ordering her to open up.
When she stepped in, the room was enormous and could fit in her office twice. Mrs. Walker was lying on the bed, reading a magazine on health-related topics.
"Ah! Look who is here," Mrs. Walker exclaimed when her eyes fell on Petra. The latter was filled with a smile, knowing how much the woman acknowledged her.
"Greetings ma'am, how are you feeling today?"
"A little bit rusty, but I know I will be fine," Mrs.. Walker replied, dropping her magazine and sitting upright, just for Petra to have a space to sit down.
"So, what brings you to my room?" Of truth and honesty, Petra didn't know how to tell the woman about her desire to conversate with her.
"To be fair with you, Mrs. Walker, I just came to have a hearty conversation with you. I want to learn from you, and as you may learn from me too."
"Really?" She asked.
"Yes, ma'am"
"That's awesome. In all my years as a medical practitioner and, of course, a surgeon, no one has ever thought of sitting down to chat with me. Everyone wants to work, work and then probably find a way to please me."
Petra understood the woman perfectly. Many of the doctors in the hospital do what they do to please her.
St. Gregory was the most famous hospital in the entire. Thus it is always many doctors' dream to at least work in the hospital.
"So child, what are the things you wish to know about me" Petra began to rack her brain endlessly, and suddenly a question came to her.
"St Gregory hospital is currently the best in the country; I wish to know, what are the struggles you faced in bringing it to where it is today?"
Mrs. Walker sighed for a moment, this was one question that none had asked her, and she was willing to share her experience with Petra.
"My dear, believe me when I say it was hell. There were days I felt like giving up, the days where women like yourself were considered arrogant for trying to chase a career. Unlike you, I was almost forced to marry a man at a tender age. My father was very insensitive and selfish. He wanted nothing more than to be milking the young man."
"What was surprising the most was that he wanted me to get pregnant for him. He wanted to make sure he could use the pregnancy to tie him down."
Petra was listening attentively. She tried to learn a lot from her.
"But the young man, who is my late husband today, knew what I wanted; he sent me to school and made sure that I am what I am today."
"Did you have any child?"
"Yes dear, I did have a child; she was the most beautiful, and I loved her so much" Mrs. Walker had a sad look on her face, and Petra knew it was a sensitive topic, and she avoided it.
"I may not be as old as you are, Mrs. Walker, but I understand how pain is, and I have experienced it myself. I am assuring you that all will be well in due time and season; I am certain of that fact".
"Give me your hand, dear," Mrs. Walker said, and Petra stretched her hands as instructed.
"You saved my life, Petra, and I will forever be grateful to you," Mrs. Walker said, with all honesty in her eyes.
"Oh please, Mrs. Walker, I just assisted. The real people you should thank are the doctors who were here that day to perform the surgery. I didn't do much compared to them," Petra replied. She didn't like taking compliments from patients; she believed she was doing her job.
"Still, I want to thank you for being there," Mrs. Walker said, causing a smile to appear on Petra's face.
As Mrs. Walker held her hands, her eyes moved to her wrist, and she noticed a triangular birthmark on Petras's wrist. A memory about a historical event flashed through her mind, but she wiggled it off, sure that it was impossible.
"Anything the matter, ma'am?" Petra asked, seeing the strange look that had beclouded her face. Mrs. Walker, on the other hand, faked a yawn.
"Oh, you must be sleepy, Mrs. Walker. I will leave you to rest, but I will be back to check on you," Petra stated.
"Thanks, Petra," Mrs. Walker replied and watched Petra walk away from her room.
Mrs. Walker grabbed her phone lying on the table beside her and dialed her Private investigator.
"I have a job for you."