Chapter 9

“Major, is that necessary? I could come back in the morning.” McCann shivered at the idea of talking to Dr. Stanton.

“What I know tells me that you didn’t do anything to jeopardize the hospital or her unless something happened while you were helping out. That bit with the potential bioterrorism may have caused some panic if she acted on it. That could have cost the hospital time and money. Something most don’t have an abundance of. As a doctor, I would think that you would want to offer help if you could. Maybe I am wrong there. But Pierce knew things. Maybe he has someone in the hospital, or he just called and questioned people, or maybe he is watching. You leaving could send the wrong signal.” Jason didn’t want to explain the real reason behind it. There were too many unknowns to be sure. He didn’t want to scare anyone unnecessarily, especially McCann.

The elevator opened to let more on. That ended the conversation. When they all got out on the lobby level, McCann silent nodded at Jason before walking off toward the ER.

“We will be back in a few hours,” Gus said as he and Astrid headed for the exit.

Watching them all go, Jason started for the gift shop. He turned around after seeing the security gate down. The cafeteria was a little busier this time as he loaded a tray with several large cups. The cashier was looking around when he got to him.

“I just need to scan your patient ID,” he told Jason as he held a scanner up. “Precautionary,” he said when Jason frowned. “Patients try to come and get things that they are not supposed to have.” Well, that made sense. Jason held his wrist up. “It also allows us to bill your order to your stay bill if you like.” That could save what cash he had, just in case. It also prompted a spur-of-the-moment addition of several coffee and pound cakes. The cashier also helped with the cups, giving him a more secure cup carrier. He just missed the elevator and went looking for the stairs. He could use the alone time walking up to think.

Alone time ended about the third level. Two women, one a nurse and the other dressed in a more business outfit, were walking up. The former didn’t look past her twenties, while the other looked as if she should be in school. She was small in every aspect. Height, weight, chest, and even her butt. She looked like a teen. Their conversation echoed in the narrow stairwell. He held back when he overheard the conversation about a wedding. The one in the business suit was getting married in three months and was worried about fitting in her bikini more than the dress she would be wearing. Apparently, it was one of those destination weddings with a week’s worth of events leading to the main one. The nurse was her maid of honor and tried to assure her she was perfect as she dreaded the bikini, having trouble finding one that fit. Jason caught small glimpses as they stayed a stairwell ahead. She wasn’t bad looking. The pants she wore showed curves. He couldn’t get a great look at her entirely as she was mostly out of view. It was such a personal conversation that he hoped they would exit before he did. That didn’t happen. As his luck had it, they got off on the same floor he had to. They were just standing inside talking when he came out. He was huffing a little.

“Are you okay?” the nurse asked.

Jason pulled one of the cups from the carrier and took a drink. “Just a little out of shape. I haven’t climbed that many stairs in a few years.”

“You could have said something instead of listening in on a personal conversation,” the other barked. She had folded her arms and was tapping her foot.

“Public stairwell. Perhaps you shouldn’t be having a conversation you don’t want to be overheard in such a location.” He shot back. He got his second wind and started down the corridor. He stopped beside her.

“That said, I offer an unsolicited opinion and a suggestion. First, if your fiancé has any objection to how you look in a bikini, I would say consider the marriage before it happens. The odds are that he also objected when you were out of one. From what I see, he is either a lucky guy or a fool. That is up to you to choose. The suggestion is for both of you. If you fear how a bikini looks, try CustomWear on Appleton Ave. The owner there is a designer. They custom-make just about anything that you can wear or want to. That should eliminate how it fits. Custom-made to fit perfectly no matter the shape you are in. Enjoy your day, ladies.”

He continued on not waiting for a response. He had his own issues to think about. He considered Selena as she walked in and set the coffees down on the nearest table. The General’s words struck him as he walked went into the bathroom his phone in hand. It wasn’t the best location but it was all he had. He sat on the toilet and stared at the number he had called up.

It took a couple of rings before she answered. “It has been a long time, Jason.”

“Hello, Ramona. Yes, it has. You wanted it that way, after all.” There was dead air. “I understood then and more now. Unfortunately, this isn’t a social call. I am under orders. I need your help.” He went on to explain.

“To be honest, Jason, we have been going a little stir-crazy the last few months. Don’t worry about it. We can do this. Is there anything that we can get you?”

“Nothing that you can get here in time. If I had thought you couldn’t, I wouldn’t have called. Message me when you are set. I’ll do what I can from here.” He hung up and went out, directly to the closet, for his laptop bag. He sat and used one of the bed tables as he plugged in his phone to the computer and the computer to the wall. He watched Selena as it powered on. Her eyes were bouncing around as she dreamed. He wondered what it was she was dreaming. She had a very happy and content expression. It made him think, so he took out a headset. He wouldn’t be making a lot of noise, but why chance it?

He had been at it for an hour when Dr. Stanton knocked.

“Just thought I would stop and let you know things are a little quieter downstairs. Thanks for sending McCann. I don’t understand what happened, but since he isn’t in custody somewhere, I’m taking it as a good sign. He is going to cover for while a few of us go home and get some real sleep. Dr. Cruise is here if needed. I will be back for the night shift.”

Jason slid the earphones back. “Doesn’t sound like much time to rest. As for McCann, he’s a doctor and can help. It will make him feel better if he can make a difference. And it will give him some experience.”

She grabbed one of the coffee cups. “I owe you one,” she said, indicating the coffee.

“Probably ice cold by now. You should go and enjoy the rest you can get.”

“There is a microwave in the lounge. I’ll check on you when I get back. I also have ordered vitals done every three hours and another set of bloodwork labs. Your nurse will be in shortly,” she spoke over her shoulder as she exited.

Bloodwork? What for? He let it go and went back to working on his computer. What he was trying to do was harder to do than he remembered.

He looked up at the clearing of a throat. “I am Starr,” the nurse from earlier said from the door. “I am your nurse for the next eight hours.” She walked to the dry-erase board on the wall and replaced the previous nurse’s name with hers. Jason looked up at the moment and stared at her cute butt. “Dr. Stanton has been registered as your primary doctor, and she ordered her vitals. So I will be back in a moment to take care of that.” She didn’t even look at him before she left. She may have been small, but she had a sexy sway in her hips as she walked away. Her uniform was perfect around her waist, and she gave new meaning to the term sexy nurse even without the stereotypical nurse’s outfit.

He tried to continue what he was doing but she was true to her word and it took only a moment for her to get back, dragging the blood pressure machine forcing him to close the computer.

“Open and hold it under your tongue,” she held the thermometer out.

“You don’t look...” he started, but she popped the tip of the thermometer in his mouth.

“Eh,” she waved her finger in front of him. “No talking.” She looked right into his eyes. “Just how old do you think I am?” she laughed as he cocked an eyebrow, and the look of surprise crossed his face. “What do you think? Are you the first one to say that?” She pulled the thermometer. “You don’t look old enough to be a Major in the army, yet I’m told that is what you are.” She leaned over and took his arm to put on the blood pressure cuff. The top of her scrubs opened, and her shirt drooped just enough to show no bra. Her finger was under his chin, and she lifted his gaze up as she shook her head. “My brother is in the Army. He joined about five years ago. He is a private still. You must have seen a lot to be that high up.”

“I am just an old guy,” he said with a lopsided grin, “that has put in some time. Can’t say I have seen all there is to see, but some of what I have seen was worth seeing. But that comes with age no matter what you do. Some good,” he glanced down and then back up. “Some very good. Some bad. If you are lucky, the good and very good will outdo the bad. Usually, it is the little things that we can enjoy most.”

Starr finished the check. “Most people think bigger is better. Your blood pressure is a little high. Bigger numbers there are not a good thing. Maybe cut down on the coffee and drink some water before we check again.”

“More like stress than caffeine.”

She pointed at the five cups still in the carrier. “That may be part of it but less of that, more exercise and more water should bring the numbers down. I’ll bring in a pitcher and I expect you to drink it all. At least one every hour.” She looked at Selena on the bed. “Most of you old guys don’t drink what you should anyway. We can’t have you dehydrating.”

She pulled the machine away, and he swore there was more pop in her sway. She came back with a pitcher and a large cup, which she filled and placed by his computer. “Be good, and maybe we can arrange for a treat later. Something small and sweet.” She was by the door when she turned back. “You never said how old you thought I was. But I can guess. FYI, I am thirty-four, and I have a master’s in nursing. I’m studying to be a doctor.”

The time flew by. The phlebotomist came and went. Selena slept most of it waking just before her parents came back. They had the orders, three thermoses of coffee and their game table. This time the game was cards, gin rummy followed by crazy eights. The latter of which they had their own rules once again.

Astrid didn’t allow Selena to argue when it came time to leave. It was a little easier this time around to get her to leave. Not by much.

“Go home and study and then sleep. You have an early day. Behave yourself and maybe I’ll meet you for the class in the afternoon. We can get a late lunch before I take my road trip,” he told her, though two and half hours hardly constituted a road trip. He felt certain that she would opt to stay home. He didn’t even want to make the trip, why would she?

“Yes, and since he has not touched the coffee, I would imagine he will go through withdrawal soon; he might be extra cranky,” Astrid joked. They left one thermos with him and the others with nurses.

When the nurse came in a half hour later, it wasn’t Starr. Her tag said her name was Doris. She explained that Starr was caught up helping another of her patients.

“Now that you ask, Doris, I could use a towel and the shower. It’s been a rough day and a half. I’m feeling a bit funky,” he told her when she asked if he needed anything.

“I think that can be arranged,” she said with a smile. She left and came back ten minutes later. She even brought a small soap bar and shampoo. The showers were at the end of the floor on the left.