HARMED_Seconds From Revenge 2

by Dr L. Jan Eira

  “Can I go home first and come back later?” she asked.

  “Oh no!” Gary piped in. “This is potentially life threatening. We need to transfer you to ICU at Newton Memorial right away. We’ll get a wheelchair and take you there from here.”

  “OK, if you think that’s best,” she said. “What’s causing this problem?”

  “We suspect that when you started Advil for your aches, you threw off your kidney function. This is rare but happens sometimes. When your kidneys malfunctioned, your blood levels of quinidine and digoxin increased and caused this rapid heartbeat. Your potassium and magnesium may be depleted from taking Lasix. We’ll need to do blood work, stop your medications, and check out your heart function. Don’t worry; we’ll straighten all this out for you.” Jack gave her a reassuring smile.

  “May I call someone for you?” asked Shelley, noticing the patient was alone.

  “Yes, please. Will you please call my son?” said the older woman, looking through her purse to locate the phone number. The group of doctors exited the room with a plan, leaving Kate, Shelley, and the patient alone.

  At the insistence of the head of security, the process of transferring people from the outpatient to the inpatient areas involved, in part, summoning the ever-vigilant security department. Nai Trepur had put this plan into being as a safety precaution. Since the clinic was often short staffed, having the security people help with the patient transfer was a welcomed change to the modus operandi. Soon, Trepur and another guard arrived.

  “What’s going on?” asked one of the security officers.

  “Ees all OK?” reiterated Nai Trepur.

  “We’re OK. We have a patient that needs to be transferred to ICU,” said Jack, easing the tension of their arrival.

  “What ees the name of thee pationt?” asked Nai. He proceeded to write it down for his report. “Oh, by thee way, Dr. Norris. I was askaed to reemind everybody about thee hepatitees blood test. You weell do test soon, no?”

  “The dreaded blood test. I hate to have my blood drawn,” said Jack.

  “What kind of blood test?” inquired Ellie Singer, a med student.

  “The hospital is having all employees get hepatitis B vaccines. For those who have been vaccinated before, we have to get a blood test to see if our antibodies are protective. If not, we have to be revaccinated. And that’s me. I need to have blood work. I hate that. Can I skip it?” said Jack rhetorically.

  “You doo surgery. You are at reesk of needle stucks. You, of all people, should be prootected against hepatitis, no? Eef I can doo eet, you can doo eet,” said Nai Trepur reassuringly, proudly showing a Band-Aid on his forearm.

  “He’s a big chicken when it comes to having his blood drawn,” said Shalyn Ayer, the office nurse practitioner, with a grin. “Everybody’s gotta do it. Don’t worry, Mr. Trepur. I’ll keep reminding him until he gets it done,” said the nurse, looking at Nai Trepur, who returned a nod of understanding.

  “You call it reminding. I call it death by nagging. And you’ll do it over and over and over,” said Jack.

  “You betcha. If you don’t want the reminders,” said Shalyn, “get the blood test quickly.” With that, she exited the area, smirking.

  Soon the paperwork and wheelchair were ready, and the patient was transferred to the hospital’s intensive care unit.

  “Gary, write her admission orders and get her labs. Call me later to go over everything,” said Jack, happy that the subject of blood drawing was over.

  “Got it, boss.” The concerned look on the young doctor’s face for the patient had begun to fade, gradually replaced by Gary’s typical demeanor.

  “Come with me,” said Kate, taking Jack’s arm and towing him toward the exit door. “Now!”

  CHAPTER 8

  “Hi, Kate. Did you come down to the dungeons just to visit me?” asked the lab tech shyly. Lance Lantz was the poster child for geek. He wore heavy-rimmed glasses with thick lenses. On his face were nests of acne here and there painted on an incurable canvas of unspoken lovesickness for the nurse. Lance was a smart guy but had been an underachiever. He was now the shift supervisor at the main laboratory at Newton Memorial, a position he held with pride. He had met Kate when she first began working at the hospital and required blood work for the preemployment process. For him, it was love at first needle. He found her beauty irresistible and alluring and her eyes enchanting. Alas, his social ineptness did not permit him to express his sentiments. Near her, he felt nervous, a sense of panic looming about his wits, tying knots in his tongue. He attempted to disguise it all with hopeless cracks at quick wit.

  “Lance, I need a favor. Have you met Dr. Jack Norris?” she forged ahead.

  “We’ve seen each other around, but I’m not sure I’ve had the pleasure.” Both men shook hands. “How can I help?” Lance asked.

  “I need a blood draw. All employees are required to test for—” said Jack.

  “The hepatitis B titers,” said Lance. “Have a seat. I’ll take care of it myself. Get you out of here in a jiffy.” Gathering his things, Lance momentarily and imperceptibly blushed. How he wished it were Kate he was tapping. Blood draw, that is. Well, at least she was present to see him work. See him at his best. In his element.

  Jack sat in a chair equipped with a small side platform specifically designed for venipuncture. The phlebotomist tied a tourniquet around Jack’s forearm. Pretending to concentrate on a vein to draw blood from, Lance surreptitiously appraised the beautiful young nurse out of the corner of his eye. The perfect woman. The perfect life companion.

  The next thought caused wrinkles to appear on Lance’s face. Was she really engaged, he pondered, to that stupid doctor? The notion was difficult for him to accept. Just because he’s a doctor doesn’t mean he’ll make her happier than I will. He looked at Kate, who was staring at the needle hovering just above Jack’s skin. Noticing his gawk, she locked eyes with Lance’s. He smiled as his gaze quickly returned to the doctor’s arm in search for a good vein. She is so beautiful, he continued to reflect. What will it take for you to be mine, Ms. Kate?

  A good-enough vein became easily palpable under his index finger. Lance steadied his right hand as he prepared to guide the needle into the vessel. What if I had something you needed? An almost imperceptible tremor appeared on his hand. He was sure Dr. Norris didn’t see it. He was looking away. Who cared about him anyhow? Did Kate see him shake? He needed to prove to her that he was better than her doctor fiancé. A steady hand while doing his job was imperative. The tremble was unusual, and it wasn’t happening because of the blood draw. It was occurring because of where his mind was. I bet you’d give yourself fully to me if I gave something very important to you. It was time. The vein was prepped and ready to be tapped. Would I be your hero if I gave you something you couldn’t live without? Or someone? Despite the indiscernible hand quiver, it was time to advance the needle. Kate was watching, and the blood draw had to be faultless. One shot. No room for error. No chance for weakness. What would it take for you to give yourself to me, Kate?

  “Ouch,” said Jack, squirming in the chair. “Ooh, that hurts.”

  “Don’t move,” spat Lance firmly, still trying to enter the vein and having punctured the doctor’s skin with the needle. “Stay still.”

  CHAPTER 9

  It was dark out. Most people were getting ready to go home and enjoy the evening. It was Kate Fanning’s turn to close up shop after yet another busy day in the outpatient cardiology clinic at Newton Memorial Hospital. She still had paperwork to finish, charts to file, examination rooms to tidy up, last-minute phone calls to make to patients, and other miscellaneous items. This quotidian routine would take the better part of an hour, after which she would exit and lock up the building.

  Kate was in her twenties but exceedingly conscientious and proud. She was born in a small town in southern Illinois to hardworking farmers. She picked nursing a
s a career, but almost anything that would get her out of Dykersburg, Illinois, would have done. Her life was now running smoothly, better and better each day. She left home at eighteen to attend nursing school in Evansville, leaving behind Mom, Dad, and two younger siblings, one of whom was Maggie, a beautiful six-year-old girl with Down syndrome. Maggie had brought joy as well as sorrow to the Fanning family. Her congenital heart defects and necessary open-heart surgeries had been costly, both financially and emotionally.

  Despite having a dream job and life, as the eldest, Kate felt obligated to the family. She sent home at least one hundred dollars each month, though this was harder and harder to achieve. Kate made $34,000 a year working as a nurse at the clinic, barely enough to pay rent, food, and utilities. On a positive note, a very positive note, Kate met Frank, with whom she immediately fell in love. He had proposed, and the wedding date was set. She looked at the engagement ring on her left fourth finger and beamed. She stood there for a long moment, a smile on her face.

  • • •

  Earlier that same day, seventy miles to the west, the Fannings had been scheming. Barbara and Bill, recently aware of Kate’s engagement to Frank, were eager to hold their oldest daughter in their arms and congratulate her. Frank was such a wonderful young man, and they couldn’t be happier for both of them. Secretly, the Fanning family had driven to Evansville to do some shopping and then surprise Kate in the evening with dinner.

  “Amelia, get Maggie’s new coat and hold on to your sister’s hand,” said Barbara, some tension in her voice. Shopping at the mall was stressful. Going to the big city was stressful. All the traffic. All the people. She had a love-hate feeling about the mall and the city. Although she loved the ability to shop for almost anything she needed in one place, she detested the crowds that inevitably were present. Having to watch over her two daughters, especially Maggie, made things even more difficult. Nevertheless, surprising Kate and seeing the expression on her face at their arrival would make it all worthwhile.

  “Relax, Mom; everything is taken care of,” said Amelia in a soothing voice.

  Bill looked at his daughter and winked at her. “It’ll be all right, Ma,” he said to his wife. “Amelia has Maggie under control.” Amelia, now fourteen, had become quite a beautiful, precocious young woman, nearly capable of running a household by herself. Bill stood there a long moment, smiling and proud.

  The family walked deeper and deeper into the guts of the large mall, Amelia holding Maggie’s hand. Out of the corner of her eye, Amelia saw a familiar face. It was larger than life. The entrance to a sports-apparel store proudly featured an oversized poster of soccer icon David Beckham. Amelia paused and smiled for a few seconds. During this short stopover, Maggie peered at the establishment next door and spied Simba from The Lion King, her favorite movie. Just like Beckham, the large doll stood pompously, an aura of greatness all around it.

  “Hakuna matata,” she muttered, pointing at the window proudly displaying the lion. “Can I have Simba? He’s my best friend.” Amelia smiled. Barbara and Bill looked at one another, each studying the other’s body language.

  “What do you say?” whispered Barbara.

  “Is it expensive?” Bill adjusted his glasses, attempting to see the price tag. “Let’s go inside,” he said, boosting Maggie’s beaming smile.

  “You go. I’ll sit out here. Hurry up. We don’t have much time.” Barbara gathered the bags she was carrying, placed them on the large mall bench, and sat down. Her gaze followed her family as they entered the Walt Disney store, but soon they were all out of sight.

  Blankly, her eyes gazed at the passersby. Millions of people came and went, or so it seemed. A man approached from the opposite side of the mall and sat on the same bench, his back to hers. He opened up the Evansville Courier and began reading. Barbara fished her cell out of her pocketbook and opened it up. She couldn’t wait to call Kate, but preparing to dial the phone, she thought better of it. She would make the call when the family was together in the van. She grinned at no one in particular and put the Motorola on the bench, next to her. Several minutes later, she looked at her watch.

  What’s taking them so long? she thought. At that time, Maggie exited the store, loads of excited and contentment written all over her face. Barbara stood up and approached her daughter.

  “Look, Mommy. Look.” Maggie was energized. Ecstatic. Holding Maggie’s hand and slowing down her forward progress was Amelia, who also carried a large bag. Barely visible inside was Simba’s proud mane. Barbara grinned.

  Taking advantage of the commotion, the stranger, still sitting on the bench, turned and with one swift move, pocketed Barbara’s cell phone, got up, and departed the area inconspicuously. The Fannings gathered the packages and started toward the parking lot.

  “This is the best present I ever got, Mommy,” said Maggie.

  “Let’s go show Katie,” said Barbara.

  The four walked out of Green River Mall and soon reached their van.

  “Kate is going to be so surprised,” said Amelia. “Let’s call her.”

  “Who wants to do the honors?” said Bill.

  “I do. I do,” said Barbara with waning enthusiasm as she searched for the Motorola in her purse. “I can’t find my cell phone,” she finally said, disappointed, checking all her pockets yet again. “I think I left it on the mall bench. I had it in my hand but put it down on the bench. I can’t believe I did that.”

  “I’ll go get it,” said Amelia. “I know exactly where the bench is. I’ll be right back.” Amelia exited the van, closed the door, and walked rapidly back into the crowded mall.

  As she walked away from the family vehicle, a small dark round object was operating from its hiding place under the rear bumper. The covertly installed unit supplied the necessary signal to allow GPS tracking of the Toyota Sienna.

  Like a homing pigeon carrying a vital message home, Amelia walked briskly toward the bench. She weaved in and out of small groups of people strolling about the mall. She reached the David Beckham poster and halted her progress briefly. Looking at the picture gave her a chance to smile and ponder. The irritation of the situation quickly melted away. Feeling refreshed, Amelia resumed her hurried walk and several yards later, reached the bench. She stopped. The seat was empty. She looked all around. She got on her knees and glanced underneath.

  “Can I help you, miss?” a man’s voice asked. “By any chance are you looking for a cell phone?”

  Amelia looked up to see who had spoken.

  CHAPTER 10

  Kate, Lori, Shalyn, and Shelley departed the outpatient clinic building together, bound for the employees’ parking lot.

  “We’re still waiting to meet your man, Shelley,” said Lori. “Can you at least show us a picture?”

  “Yeah, we’re starting to think this boyfriend of yours is imaginary,” said Shalyn.

  “You’ll meet him someday,” said Shelley. “He’s been busy is all.”

  “By the way you speak of him, you two seem to be very much in love,” said Kate. “And that’s all that matters. We’ll meet him whenever you are ready for us to meet him.”

  Each of the women sauntered in different directions deep into the parking lot in search of her own vehicle. A moment later, Kate arrived at her Honda Civic. She plucked out the keyless remote from her pocket, and in an instant, her car chirped. She opened the door and sat behind the steering wheel.

  What she didn’t notice was the small device attached to the underside of her car, exactly like the unit located under the bumper of her family’s van. Just like them, she was being tracked by GPS. In addition, behind the headrest of the rear seat, a small camera had been mounted, allowing spying of her actions. Both of these hidden devices remained undetected.

  Kate took a deep breath and placed her purse on the passenger seat and, in so doing, noticed a cell phone on the seat, one she had never seen before. It wasn�
�t Frank’s, and it certainly wasn’t hers. No one else had been in the vehicle for the last several weeks. The device was not on the passenger seat earlier that morning. She was sure of that. For a second, she sat motionless; then she abruptly scanned inside her car, looking in the backseat and through her mirrors for possible intruders. The cell phone rang. Startled and nervous, she pushed the answer button after the second ring. She put the device to her ear, wrinkles on her forehead.

  “Good evening, Ms. Fanning,” said a man even before she could speak. Kate’s breathing momentarily ceased. Reflexively, she pushed the button that immediately locked all her doors. She looked around the parking lot, trying to spy who might be calling her. No one in sight. There were empty cars and SUVs all around her but not a soul. The man’s voice was strange to her, a hint of a strange accent barely perceptible.

  “I’m calling to enlist your services.”

  “What?” said Kate. “Who are you? What do you want from me?”

  “You are going to help me with a very special project.”

  “No, I’m not. Who are you?”

  “And you will keep your mouth shut.”

  “I’m calling the police right now.” Kate prepared to hang up, but the next few words paralyzed her.

  “Do you want to see your sister Amelia alive again?” The mysterious man’s voice was somber and dreadful. Devastated by his words, Kate put the phone back to her ear but remained unable to enunciate a word.

  “What do you mean?” she finally said tremulously, overwhelmed by fear. The words were barely audible.

  “You won’t see Amelia again unless you cooperate fully with me. Stay on the line. I’m going to make a third-party call. I’ll be listening. You listen and speak, but I will kill your sister if you say anything I don’t like. Got it?”