"Why can't my coworker stay?" Rachel asks as the elevator doors pull too.
Nurse Ratchet makes sure everyone follows all the rules." Rolling his eyes he adds. "And I do mean all the rules. Her constantly nagging is so annoying at times. Do this, don't do that blah blah blah."
Recalling her hospital days, Rachel chuckles and says, "I've had to deal with a few nurses like that. And you're right it is very frustrating, draining, always second guessing yourself even when she's not around."
Pulling out a syringe he says, "I'm going to give you some medicine to help you sleep." He's screwing it into the IV port when the nurse charges through the door.
"What are you doing in my patient's room?" She demands. Her hands pressed firmly against her hips, a stern look on her face.
Unfastening the medicine from the tubbing, he shoves the syringe in his pocket, turns, smiles and says, "I just came in to say hi to an old friend, see if she needed anything."
"He was…"
The nurse points towards the hall. "Tend to your own patients on your assigned floor."
"Yes ma'am." Lowering his head, he bolts out the door.
"He didn't bother you, did he honey?" She asks, tidying up the sheets.
"No, but.."
"Good, I'll make sure he doesn't come in here again." Hearing her name coming from the hall she pats Rachel's hand and says, "I'll be back with your night meds shortly."
"But I…." The nurse disappears before she has time to finish. Rachel replays what just happened in her mind. How nervous the second nurse was when he first came in. The way he bolted out the door and the excuse he gave for being in her room. If she didn't ask him to give me my night medicine, then who did? The supervisor perhaps? But according to my nurse this isn't even his floor. So why would he be asked to give someone meds on a different floor? And why didn't he tell her what he was doing when he came in if it was all legit? It all seems a bit strange to me. A horrifying thought suddenly comes to mind. Could that have been the killer attempting to carry out his threat? His voice didn't sound the same, but that can easily be disguised on a phone. The strange turn of events replays in her mind again. Gasping, she says, "That's the only way this makes any sense." She nervously glances at the hall, then adds., "I'm not safe here now the killer knows where I'm at." Yanking the IV from her arm, she tosses her legs off the bed. Her head becomes woozy. The room begins to spin. She grabs a hold of the bed for support. I just need to sit here a few seconds until my symptoms subside. But instead of getting better, her vertigo becomes increasingly worse. She opens her mouth to call for help then realizes the hall is empty. Her symptoms continue to exacerbate. I need to call for help before I pass out. Rachel reaches for the nurse's button on the table and finds it's too far away. She extends her arm as far as it will go. Her side bumps the Bedside table pushing it further away. Scooting to the edge of the bed, she tries again. Losing her balance, she topples to the floor.
***
With lights flashing and sirens wailing Joe races through the small, peaceful town. "If anything happens to Rachel, I swear I'll sue," he vows, speeding through a stop sign. Headlights suddenly flood the cruiser's dark interior. Joe looks over to find a Tyson truck mere inches away.
***
What's taking him so long, Jerry thinks, pacing back and forth in front of the emergency room doors. He glances at his phone, willing it to ring, but the device remains still. "I wish I'd hear something." He's left four messages with the hospital administrator hoping to settle the matter before Joe arrives but she has yet to return his call. He thought about making a quick run by her house, but figures his time is better spent monitoring who goes in and out. It's not a full proof plan by any means, but it's the only thing he can do for now. Maybe that's what's taking Joe so long, he's stopped by to talk to her himself, he thinks. Jerry sees an ambulance pull into the bay. The doors open, he then hears a familiar voice say;
"I answered all your questions correctly, twice like you asked."
"I know sir, but with your head injury and all, you really should be checked out by the doc. Brain bleeds can be very dangerous, you know."
"If I did have a bleed wouldn't I have shown signs by now?"
"Not always, sir."
"I have a right to refuse treatment, correct?"
"Yes sir, but…"
"Well, I refuse. So unstrap me so I can go."
"But sir, your head."
"Joe touches where he's pointing, winces and says, "I'll get it looked at once I take care of something else, alright?"
"But sir, I think.."
"I don't care what you think. Undo these damn restraints so I can leave."
"Shining a pen light into the captain's eyes, the EMT says, answer a few questions correctly and I'll let you go."
Sighing heavily, Joe asks, "Must we go through that again?"
"Third time's the charm, right?"
"Fine, but make it quick."
What's today's date? Oct seventh no it's the eighth. Tuesday the eighth."
"The year?"
"2024."
"Who's the president?"
"Biden for a little longer anyways, Now can I go?"
"You really should get checked out."
"I will later, after I attend to a matter more life-threatening than mine."
"I'm holding you to that, captain." The EMT says, loosening the belts.
Joe's world spins when he stands. He grabs the Medics' shoulder for support."
"Sir, I…"
"I don't want to hear it." Getting his bearings, he hops off the bus, wobbling a little when he lands.
"What happened, Boss?" Jerry asks, running to keep up.
"I'll explain later. You said the nurse kicked you off the floor?"
"She said she wasn't made aware of us staying the night. I even claimed I was family, but that didn't work. So, I tried to sneak up the stairway twice, but got caught both times. The last time they said they'd ban me if I did it again. I tried to call the administrator but she isn't picking up. So I sent Jeff out to do a wellness check on her." Shaking his phone he adds, "I'm waiting to hear back."
"Good Idea, Jerr."
"Reaching the elevator, Jerry says, "Good luck, boss."
"I have a feeling I'm going to need it."
Joe sees the nurse with guards on either side waiting for him when the doors open. Let the fun begin, he thinks, stepping into the hall.
"You are not allowed up here past visiting hours." The nurse says, tapping her watch. With a stern look on her face, she crosses her arms, in front of her and adds. "Not without permission, which you clearly don't have."
Showing her his badge, Joe says, "I'm the Captain of the Berryville PD, and Mrs. Bower is under witness protection. So either get out of my way or I'll arrest all three of you for obstructing justice."
"What, no. You can't arrest us for doing our jobs." The nurse gasps.
Glaring into the woman's eyes, Joe says, "I can and will if you don't let me by."
"Yes sir." the nurse and both guards move out of his way.
Joe steps into the room to find the bed empty. Glancing down he sees Rachell unconscious on the floor, a puddle of blood encompassing her head. "Rachel," He exclaims, racing to her side. "I need help in here," he yells, checking for a pulse.