Code 15

by Gary Birken

  “How are you doing?” he asked.

  “About the same. Were you able to reach Jenny?”

  “She said she’d meet us in the emergency room.”

  Her eyes already starting to swell with tears, Morgan struggling to get each word out, she said, “I . . . I can’t lose this baby, Ben. With everything that’s going on, I don’t think I’d be able to get through it.”

  “You’re not going to lose the baby,” he assured her, putting his hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get to the hospital. We can talk on the way.”

  Hank waited until Ben had pulled away before walking Limerick back toward the building’s entrance. Preoccupied with the setter, he never noticed the man across the street step out of his car.

  Clutching a key in his hand, Kevin stared at the building. Feeling more desperate than he could ever remember, he prayed Morgan hadn’t changed the lock.

  CHAPTER 71

  It took Kevin three cigarettes to gather the courage to cross the street.

  By the time he reached the front entrance, Hank had gone back inside and taken up his customary position behind the granite-topped information desk. Limerick, at home in his new surroundings, curled up at Hank’s feet and went to sleep.

  Displaying the biggest smile he could manufacture, Kevin strolled across the lobby.

  “How’s it going?” he asked Hank without slowing his pace.

  “Can I help you?” he asked Kevin as if he’d never seen him before. Hank’s military background had a predictable way of sneaking out when he was confronted with a potentially contentious situation.

  Kevin stopped. “I was just heading upstairs,” he said with a light shrug.

  “Is Dr. Connolly expecting you?”

  He chuckled and crossed his arms. “It’s my apartment too, Hank. Just because we’re separated doesn’t mean I can’t use the place.”

  “Go ahead,” he said, pointing to the elevator.

  “You’re a good guy, Hank, but you might want to think about losing the attitude.” When he reached the elevator, he cast a glance back at Hank before inserting his coded card. He waited for the red light to turn green and the doors to open, but it didn’t happen. Having a pretty good idea why, he reinserted the card anyway. The result was the same. He slipped the card back into his pocket and walked back to the information desk.

  “My key doesn’t seem to work.”

  “The system’s fine. It was just checked yesterday. I guess somebody changed the code.”

  “In that case, would you mind calling my wife and telling her I’m here?”

  “I’m sorry. I have a written directive from Dr. Connolly not to do that.”

  Red-faced, Kevin took a few steps forward and raised his finger. Hank responded by standing up. With a frosty stare, he crossed his arms.

  “Asshole,” Kevin said, taking a step backward before starting for the exit.

  “Yes, sir,” Hank responded.

  Hank waited a few seconds before coming out from behind the desk and walking over to the front door. Looking across the circular entranceway, he watched Kevin climb into his car and screech away from the curb. If he didn’t know better, he would have guessed he was fleeing an armed robbery.

  Hank had never liked Kevin, and the opportunity to watch him become unglued brought a self-satisfied smile to his face.

  CHAPTER 72

  Are you still having cramps?” Leslie Cardenas, one of the obstetrical nurses, asked Morgan as she helped her out of the wheelchair and then up on to the examination table.

  “The last one was about five minutes ago, but it wasn’t as bad as the first. I think they may be going away.”

  She slipped a blood pressure cuff on Morgan’s arm. “What about the bleeding?”

  “I think it’s almost stopped. Have you heard from Dr. Silverman?”

  “I’m right here,” Jenny said, walking through the door pushing a portable ultrasound machine in front of her. Leaving the machine at the foot of the bed, Jenny walked over and gave Morgan’s hand a quick squeeze. She then began her abdominal examination. “How are you feeling?”

  “A little scared. I’ve seen a lot of women lose their babies this way.”

  “Try to relax. Tell me what happened.”

  “The whole thing was so stupid,” Morgan said with a note of embarrassment. “I was walking my dog. I had just started heading home when I saw a man on the other side of the street. I thought . . . I thought he was following me and I . . . I guess I panicked.”

  “That would terrify any woman. What happened after you saw him?” Jenny asked.

  “Nothing. It turned out to be nothing. When I got home a few minutes later, the cramps and bleeding started.”

  Ben coughed a couple of times and then in a quiet voice said, “I’ll . . . I’ll just wait outside.”

  “Why don’t you go home?” Morgan suggested. “I’ll be fine. I’ll call you later.”

  “If Jenny says it’s okay for you to go home, how were you planning on getting there?” he asked.

  “I’ll . . . I’ll call a cab.”

  Ben nodded once. “Like I said, I’ll be right outside.”

  Jenny waited for the door to close and then pulled ultrasound machine closer. “You really didn’t think he was going to leave. He looks more worried than you.”

  “He’s been a good friend.”

  “Blood pressure and pulse are fine,” Leslie announced.

  “Great,” Jenny said, helping Morgan slide her shirt up. She then applied a generous amount of ultrasound jelly across Morgan’s lower abdomen. “Start an IV of normal saline and send off some blood for a CBC and a type and screen.”

  “Type and screen? Do you really think I’ll need a blood transfusion?” Morgan asked.

  “I just want to be on the safe side,” Jenny assured her.

  Jenny lightly placed the ultrasound probe on Morgan’s abdomen. Morgan averted her eyes from the monitor, concentrating instead on slowing her breathing and trying not to allow her terror of losing the baby get the better of her. She watched Jenny carefully, studying each expression on her face as she changed the angle and orientation of the probe.

  After the fifteen-minute examination was over, Jenny looked up with a comforting smile and said, “The baby looks fine.”

  Overcome with relief and fighting back the urge to cry, Morgan thanked her. When Jenny had completed the rest of her examination and checked all of Morgan’s blood tests, she pulled up a chair and sat down next to her.

  “All of your lab tests look fine and the bleeding has stopped. How are the cramps?”

  “Completely gone.”

  “Good.”

  “I’m sorry I dragged you in here,” she told Jenny. “You’ve been great.”

  “If you really want to thank me, you’ll go home and put your feet up for a couple of days.” Jenny winked and pointed to the door. “I think I know somebody who wouldn’t mind babysitting. Think about it. It might be fun.”

  Morgan smiled for the first time. “I told you, Jenny. Ben’s just a good friend.”

  “I’d say he’s a good friend who just happens to be in love with you. Is the relationship serious or not?”

  “Ya know, Jenny, sometimes I think you’ve fallen out of the pages of a romance novel.”

  “I don’t mind being known as a hopeless romantic . . . and I’m very happy for you and Ben, but you’re in your second trimester. You have to take better care of yourself, and that includes keeping your stress level down.”

  “My stress level is no different than anybody else’s.”

  “You’re talking to me, Morgan. I’m not totally oblivious to what’s been going on in your life. It’s no secret what you’re going through with the hospital and the medical board.”

  “I’ll be fine, Jenny. I just need a little time to figure this thing out.”

  “Can’t you put things on the back burner until the baby’s born?”

  “Unfortunately, I don’t have that luxury.”
<
br />   “As a friend, do you mind if I ask why?”

  “The board of medicine has their own agenda, and it doesn’t include any consideration for the fact that I happen to be pregnant. These people go fishing with dynamite. If I don’t defend myself, I could wind up losing everything.”

  There was a knock at the door. Jenny walked over and slid the glass door open. Ben poked his head in.

  “Leslie said you guys were about finished in here.”

  Jenny motioned him the rest of the way in.

  “Morgan’s fine. But I’ve told her it’s important for her to take it easy for the next couple of days. I volunteered you to babysit.”

  Ben walked over and helped Morgan off of the exam table.

  After what seemed to be an uncomfortable silence, she said, “I’ll try to take it easy.”

  Jenny gave her a hug. “Call my cell phone if you have any more cramps or bleeding. My twin sisters are in town this week. They’re both in heavy-duty therapy. Have dinner with us. I don’t know if I can get through the evening alone.”

  “As intriguing as that sounds, I’ll have to get back to you,” Morgan answered.

  As she was heading for the door, Jenny tapped Ben’s shoulder a couple of times. “Keep an eye on her for me. She really needs to slow down a little and take it easy.”

  “C’mon,” he said to Morgan, picking up her purse from the end of the stretcher. “I’ll take you home.”

  “I could use some dessert. Can we stop somewhere?”

  His brow furrowed. “Jenny’s only been gone for ten seconds. Did you forget what she said already?”

  “I was just thinking that it would—”

  “Don’t think too much. It weakens the team.”

  “Fine,” she said in a childlike pout.

  Ben gave her a long hug and then kissed the top of her head. She hugged him back and they stayed that way for almost a minute. When she turned her head, he could feel her wet eyes against his neck.

  CHAPTER 73

  DAY FORTY

  It had been two days since Morgan’s unexpected trip to the emergency room.

  She had experienced no further cramps or bleeding and was feeling the best she had since learning she was pregnant. It was a few minutes past twelve when she walked into the physician’s dining room. She quickly scanned the room and spotted Mira Ramon making her way through the self-serve line. She walked over and joined her.

  “I called your office. Your secretary said you might be here.”

  “How are you feeling?” Mira asked.

  “Fine. I’d like to talk to you about something. Do you mind if I join you?”

  “Grab a tray.”

  “I had a late breakfast. I’m going to skip lunch today.”

  “Both times I was pregnant, I couldn’t even look at food for the first three months. Then one morning I woke up and didn’t stop eating until I delivered.” They shared a laugh. Mira pointed to a small table, led the way over, and then sat down.

  “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind answering a few more questions about that pacemaker case we talked about.”

  “Sure,” Mira said, setting her a paper napkin on her lap and then taking her first spoonful of Italian wedding soup.

  “How common is it for a young woman to develop complete heart block and require a pacemaker?”

  “How young?”

  “In her twenties.”

  “In two words: incredibly uncommon.” Reaching for a packet of crackers, Mira paused for a few seconds. “Are you sure we’re talking about the case, because I don’t remember you mentioning she was so young.”

  “I may have overlooked it,” Morgan confessed.

  “So you’re trying to find out how this young and otherwise healthy woman could have developed full-blown heart block that required insertion of a permanent pacemaker.”

  “I’ve checked every medication in the PDR. I’ve also looked at every infection we’ve ever seen in the hospital.” Morgan lowered her voice. “I’ve even researched every poison known to mankind.”

  “Poison?”

  “I don’t know what else to think. I can’t find a disease, drug, virus, bacteria, or toxin that would have destroyed her ability to pace her own heart. Is there anything you’re aware of that could have caused the problem?”

  Although she was silent, Morgan could sense Mira’s level of discomfort rising.

  “Look, Morgan. I’ve known you a long time, and I have some idea of what you’ve been going through lately.”

  “I’m not sure I understand what—”

  “I just don’t want to contribute to . . .”

  “My paranoia and bizarre behavior?”

  “I didn’t say that. I just don’t want to make things worse for you.”

  Morgan wasn’t offended by Mira’s concern. And, perhaps, under different circumstances, she might have been persuaded to let the matter drop. But she knew Gideon had somehow figured out how to murder Alison Greene and she desperately needed Mira’s help.

  “I’m well aware of what people are saying, but that doesn’t make them right. I’m three months pregnant and in a matter of a few short weeks my whole life’s been turned upside down. I’m running out of time, Mira. I need your help.”

  Mira put her spoon down and sat back in her chair. “There may be one thing, but it’s a long shot.”

  Morgan pushed her chair closer. “At this point, I’m willing to listen to anything.”

  “About three years ago, the British were doing trial studies on a new antidepressant. The name of the drug was Axaptamine. The drug turned out to be an excellent antidepressant, but unfortunately it had one major side effect. In therapeutic doses it caused permanent heart block at a fairly predictable rate. After about ten people wound up with permanent pacemakers, they pulled the drug and stopped the studies.”

  Morgan looked perplexed. “But I did a complete literature search. Nothing came up.”

  “I’m not surprised. The drug never even came close to making the U.S. market. The only reason I know anything about it is because I attended a meeting in London where it was discussed.”

  “If somebody wanted to, could they get a hold of the drug?” Morgan asked.

  “I guess if you passed yourself off as an independent lab wanting to do further studies, you could get it. Since they never finished the trials, there must be plenty of it around still.”

  “Do you remember who the manufacturer was?’

  “No, but I’m sure any search engine would give it to you.”

  “How long after taking the drug did the symptoms of heart block begin?” Morgan asked.

  “As I recall, it was pretty fast—within days, but not too many people know about Axaptamine. It’s hard to believe somebody poisoned your patient.”

  “This guy’s not exactly your average Joe,” Morgan said, reaching across the table and taking Mira’s hand in hers. She gave it a quick squeeze and added, “I’ll let you finish your lunch in peace. Thanks for the help.”

  Walking out of the dining room, Morgan had no doubts that Mason Kaine was more than clever enough to have learned about Axaptamine. He also had the wherewithal to get his hands on the drug and figure out a way to poison Alison Greene with it.

  CHAPTER 74

  DAY FORTY-ONE

  Having finally reassured an anxious mother that her three-year-old wheezing son would eventually outgrow his asthma, Morgan returned to the nursing station to finish charting her discharge instructions.

  “You have a call on six, Dr. Connolly,” the unit secretary told her, waving the phone in the air.

  “Who is it?” Morgan asked, only half paying attention.

  “She said her name was Adele Kaine and that it was personal.”

  Morgan looked up from writing the boy’s antibiotic prescription.

  “Adele Kaine? Are you sure?”

  “Positive. Do you want to take it or should I tell her you’re unavailable?”

  “Tell her I’ll be right with h
er,” Morgan said, finishing up the prescription and putting it on the chart for the nurse to give to the boy’s mother.

  Wanting a little more privacy, Morgan made her way to the back of the nursing station to a small area shaped like an alcove. The space was made up of three partitioned cubicles, which were used by the physicians to dictate their reports.

  With all of the cubicles unoccupied, Morgan selected the farthest one from the door, picked up the phone, and tapped line six.

  “Hello.”

  “Morgan. It’s Adele Kaine. I apologize for calling you at the hospital.” Her voice was nasal.

  “No need to apologize. It’s nice to hear from you. You sound like you have a cold.”

  “I’ve been battling the flu all week but I’m finally starting to feel a little better. The reason I’m calling is to find out if you’re still having that problem we talked about.”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “In that case, I think we should talk. I’ve recently come across some information that I’m certain you’d be interested in seeing.”

  “What kind of information?” Morgan asked, taken back by the sudden urgency in Adele’s voice.

  “I’d prefer not discuss the specifics on the phone. I’m going out of town in the morning for four days. We can get together when I get back or, if you prefer, I can meet you tonight. I’ll be working late at my office.”

  Morgan looked at her watch. It was five o’clock. The idea of driving to Coral Springs after a busy twelve-hour shift didn’t thrill her, but with time running out, waiting almost a week to find out what Adele had on her mind seemed far less attractive.

  “My shift’s over at seven. Why don’t we make it tonight?”

  “Fine. Do you remember how to get to my office?”

  “I think so.”

  “I’ll meet you there at eight. I may be a few minutes late. I’ll give you a call if I am.”

  “I’ll be there . . . and thank you.”

  Adele said, “I’m doing this for both of us. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  For a minute or so after she hung up, Morgan sat in the cubicle staring blankly ahead. She then looked at her watch and realized that if she had any hope of being on time, she had to get back to the ER. She stood up. Heavy in thought, she wondered if Adele’s information would be the answer to her prayer and incriminate Mason Kaine.