Ultimate Surrender: The Surrender Series, Book 2

by Jennifer Kacey

  “Why additional funding?

  “High-risk pregnancies require more care, more appointments, more sonograms, a lot of the time bed rest, which is hard on the moms-to-be but is what the baby needs. Deliveries of high-risk are much more time consuming as well, involving a lot more C-sections and staff time as well.”

  “Sounds complicated.”

  “That’s just a tiny bit of it and what our small staff is able to provide to these women with no other alternative is nothing short of amazing.”

  “And who’s Dr. Sanchez? I mean I’ve met her but what does she do here?”

  “She’s our psychiatrist who works about twenty hours each week. All of the women who come here are required to meet with her every couple months or more frequently if they need it or we see a reason for it.”

  “Why do you have a shrink here?” By his closed-off expression and his arms crossing over his wide chest, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out his feelings on that branch of the medical field.

  “Most of the women who use our services use a fake name and a bogus address. Some are completely homeless. Some were raped and dealing with the fallout of the pregnancy is too much to bear alone. Some are first-time mothers and terrified, which everyone normally is. Some have greater hardships to deal with. Getting kicked out because they’re pregnant. Losing relationships because of it.” She nodded toward Wren who had just settled in a chair and her little girl named Hazel picked up a book to read to her mother and was struggling to get in the chair next to her. “Some with other children are already struggling to make ends meet. So having someone else here to talk to can help. Sometimes it’s even a life-and-death decision they need help making because the baby they’re carrying isn’t viable. Stillbirths have a high rate of occurrence with runaways and homeless because they don’t get the proper nutrition or care. Dr. Sanchez and Greta also help coordinate adoptions for the mothers who are unwilling or unable to care for their baby after it’s born.”

  “Damn. That’s a lot to try to handle.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “But you still didn’t answer the question. You said why you do it is how you keep going.”

  She glanced at him and then glanced away again. “I once found myself in a similar situation and didn’t have any options. No place to turn to. My situation was incredibly different than that of most of the women who come here but I know how they feel. I vowed then and there I’d make a difference. That I’d do something so other women in the same situation would have somewhere to go, someone to turn to. Empathy is one of the best things I can offer to these women.”

  “Kind of like that hair club for men commercial. Not just the president but also a client?”

  Natalie took a deep breath and released it, more than a little thankful he made a joke instead of digging into something incredibly personal and painful for her. She found a smile and nodded. “Exactly something like that.”

  “There are so many kids here. Like…a ginormous amount, and not just today because every time I’ve been here to help the waiting room is filled with them. Are you a doctor’s office, too? Though I’ve never really noticed sick kids here.”

  “Nope. No pediatrics because of germs.”

  “Huh?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “You remind me of Scooby Doo when you ask a question like that.”

  “Ruh roh.”

  She laughed as the door to the clinic opened and another woman walked in. One she didn’t recognize.

  Cheryl moved past them, called another patient named Sue, and brought her into the back.

  Natalie moved into Sue’s arms as she moved past. The young Polynesian woman was about four months along and clean for the first time in her life. Natalie prayed she’d stay that way for the baby’s sake and for her own.

  Moving back to Campbell, she picked up the conversation right where they’d dropped off. “Kids are unfortunately germ factories. They catch, pick up, and transmit all sorts of things. A lot of the women who come here don’t have amazing immune systems anyway, so the last thing they need is to be surrounded by sick children. So no sick kiddos are allowed inside the office. We have a cleaning crew that comes in every night to fully sanitize everything, but there are some infections we just can’t take a chance on.”

  “Makes sense. You’ve got a pretty good head on your shoulders, Ms. Grant.”

  His praise warmed her in ways she couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

  “Is this the only clinic like this in the city?” he asked.

  “So far. There are other clinics, abortion clinics, free care clinics, but none like this with the level of care we offer. We’re an only right now, but at some point I’d really like to set up a second one, and a third and so on.” She gestured toward the waiting room. “As you can see we’re pretty full up here.”

  “And it’s almost quitting time for you. I can absolutely see why you would need another location.”

  “And a clone.”

  He smiled at that then looked behind them. “What other staff do you have? I think I officially met everyone this morning but would love to have another run-through. Maybe a flow chart. People run around like chickens all day long. No wonder some people have no trouble falling asleep so quickly.”

  Her cheeks heated and she tried not to smile. Didn’t work though. “If I remember correctly, you didn’t have any trouble either.”

  “Nope, sure didn’t.” He leaned in close and whispered in her ear. “And how’s that bite mark on your shoulder? Tender?”

  Before she answered him, she glanced around to see if anyone was watching them. “Very.”

  “Good. A little distraction never hurt anybody.” He moved back, eyes twinkled with mischief. “So. The rest of the staff?”

  Ashton walked by to grab another patient.

  Took a minute to concentrate. Names seemed to be eluding her. “Umm…Greta is the secretary and is amazing.”

  “Older lady up front who looks like Mrs. Claus and pats my cheeks?”

  “Exactly. The other receptionist is Marsha. She does most of the check-ins and filing of paperwork. Jay is our computer guy, IT guru. Nice kid. Wicked good with computers.”

  “Yep, met him a couple times before and talked to him earlier. Seems smart.”

  “Really is and shows up on time. For somebody his age I expected to have issues out of him but I just haven’t. Then we have Tony and April.”

  “People in the lab? Older?”

  “That’s them. They do all the blood work. Sonograms, etcetera.”

  “Yeah. I’ve met everybody then. Interviewed them all but the two in the lab. They even worked through lunch. Talk about busy. I’m definitely gonna need a flow chart.” His smile should be outlawed in a tri-state area.

  “Oh and Debbie. She’s out front and helps with the kids while their mothers are in their appointments.”

  “Why don’t the kids just go back with their mothers?”

  “Trust me, doctor appointments are stressful enough without a toddler running around getting into everything while you’re trying to talk about your new bundle of joy. Then add stress on top of it with just general life getting in the way. Debbie is a godsend here.”

  “I stand corrected then.” He glanced around the reception area they were standing in. “What about client records? How accurate are they?”

  She made a face.

  “That accurate, huh?”

  “Because of the nature of the clinic, full info isn’t required. A name and phone number is all we absolutely need.”

  “And each name you get is real?” Skepticism bled from his question.

  “No. Take the mother who came in earlier with the little girl. The mother said her name was Wren and the little girl’s name is Hazel. I think Hazel is right because she answers to it, but when the nurse calls
Wren’s name she has to call it at least twice, sometimes three times before she realizes it’s her she’s talking to.”

  “Well, even though I don’t think it’s going to produce a whole hell of a lot of info, I’d still like to look through the records.”

  “Can’t because of Privacy Act laws in place for records.”

  “What would you need for me to look into them?”

  “Court order requiring me to make them available to law enforcement.” She made air quotes.

  “Then I’ll have Wyatt get—”

  “Already on it. I spoke with him this morning about it. As soon as it’s in place he’s going to have another officer run it down here.”

  “And you were going to tell me this when? Since it’s completely relevant to the ongoing investigation?”

  “Right now.” She barely kept the smile in check at him being growly.

  “Uh huh. You’d better be glad I’m on my best behavior.”

  She bit her lip and he growled really low.

  Maria walked past them and she almost jumped back from Campbell. A glowing sign must be pointing to them together. She probably just couldn’t see it.

  “And while you’re at it, will you get me copies of the fire report from the fire before?”

  “The one caused by bad wiring?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “Why? It was deemed an accident.”

  “So was your first suspected hit-and-run. I’m not taking any chances.”

  “Touché.”

  “Oh and one more question. What about the babies?” he asked.

  “What about them?”

  “Well, you said some of these women put their babies up for adoption. Others obviously take them home or whatever home is. What about CPS and foster care? I’m sure you’ve had to deal with it before.”

  Reality hit her like a ton of bricks. “Ugh.” She held her head in her hands.

  “Ugh, what?”

  She looked up at him. “You can’t stay with me.”

  “I thought we already covered this.”

  “No, I mean, I want you to. Well, kinda. Anyways. I’m an approved foster parent. Remember the nursery? I can keep foster children until they can be placed with a permanent family. With you there I can’t keep kids, even in an emergency basis.”

  “Then I’ll get approved.”

  Frozen didn’t adequately describe how still she got. “Huh?”

  “I’ll get approved. Can’t be much more than what they already had to have in place for the security license for C&C. Background and criminal checks already done and fingerprinting. How often does it happen?”

  “Uhh. Every few months normally. Sometimes more often depending. And placement can be very quickly needed. There’s some training that you’d have to do.”

  “I’m already CPR and first aid certified, and anything additional should be fine. We’ll make it work. I have some friends in the state department who owe me a favor. Let me see what I can do. And we’ll probably need to file something additional for you as well since I’m living there. I’ll get it all done. If something comes up before then, we’ll figure out what we need to do. Okay?”

  Just that easy he fixed it.

  He didn’t bitch and moan about the inconvenience. Didn’t act offended and pissed off. He just fixed it.

  Just like that.

  “Wren?” Maria called for probably the second or third time.

  “Oh, sorry. That’s me.” Wren pushed herself up and held her hand out to the little girl. “Come with mummy.”

  “But I’m playing. Can’t I stay and play? I’ll be super quiet.” The little girl whispered the last part.

  “You know I don’t like to be separated from you. Why don’t you come with now and I’ll let you play for a few minutes before we leave?”

  “Okay.” The little girl sighed but got up and took her mother’s hand.

  “You have some extra stuff to do before we’re ready to go for the night?” Campbell asked and it took her a minute to remember what else she had to do.

  “Yes, a few things. Lots of email still to get through so I’m not drowning in it tomorrow.”

  “Perfect.” As Wren and Hazel walked by, he said, “Miss?”

  Wren looked around and then glanced up at Campbell. “Y-yes?”

  “I was really looking forward to doing the wall activity out there but it seems all of the experts have already gone home for the day. Unless…” He mushed his mouth to the side and looked down at Hazel. “Unless you might be willing to show me the ins and outs of the awesomeness?”

  The little girl giggled behind her hand and then looked up at her mom. “Can I, Mama? I’m an esspert now.”

  Wren brushed a hand over her cheek and then looked at Campbell and then over to Natalie.

  “He has my complete stamp of approval, Ms. Wren. There are no better hands little Hazel will be in. I assure you.”

  Glancing at Campbell one more time, she smiled just a little. “Are you sure it won’t be too much trouble?”

  “She’ll be doing me a huge favor and I promise not to be any trouble.”

  Boy, Natalie didn’t believe that for a second.

  Maria left the door open and waited with a sweet smile tilting her lips up. She waggled her eyebrows at Natalie, which she completely wouldn’t acknowledge.

  The mother bent down and kissed the little girl on the head. Campbell held a hand out to her and she gladly took it. “I’m Campbell, nice to meet you,” he said to the little girl as she led him back through the door and over to the toy area.

  “I’m Hazel and I’m free.” She held up two fingers and then stared at them as if they’d done something wrong. “Hep,” she told him and held her hand out to him.

  He lifted another one of her fingers for her.

  “See, free.” As if that settled it she started chattering away about the awesomeness that was the wall activities.

  After he got settled on the floor, he winked at Natalie before Maria closed the door between them and took Wren down the hall to check her vitals.

  Work. She had work to do and she needed to keep her priorities straight.

  Campbell made her feel all soft and warm inside, so she threw some more steel up around the walls protecting her heart to keep him out. She never expected to be worried he might already be inside them.

  Chapter Twelve

  Campbell

  Five o’clock on the dot Campbell made sure the doors were locked and the rest of the staff were settled in finishing things up before going back to Natalie’s office to collect her.

  He already knew she was going to be difficult to rustle out of her office chair, but her safety was his number one priority.

  Walking into a torrent of f-bombs was not exactly what he expected.

  “What the fuck pictures are you talking about, you ass-hat? There isn’t anything here.” She clicked a few more things with her mouse, which Campbell was pretty sure she was two seconds away from throwing.

  “Natalie?”

  She stood so fast she nearly fell over and shoved her chair back so hard it crashed into the far wall. “Oh, you. Sorry.” She went and grabbed the chair, dragged it in front of her computer, and sat back in it again.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “I got an email from my resident jackass extraordinaire talking about pictures on my computer. But I’ve been checking for almost ten minutes and there’s nothing here.”

  Campbell was behind the desk and beside her in about two seconds. “Do you have another computer they could be talking about? One at home?” He read the email over her shoulder and then she proceeded to angrily push buttons again.

  “No, this is it. I have a tablet at home but I only use it as an e-reader. No pictures at all since I always have my cell with me
.”

  “Let me sit down and take a look. I’ll see if I can figure out what he’s alluding to.”

  “Fine.” She threw up her hands, clearly seething with pissed off and nowhere to aim it.

  It didn’t take long for him to sit in her place and read the email fully. It called her all sorts of horrible names, alluded to some awful pictures that would get her shut down for good, threatened her and the clinic, and told her she didn’t deserve anything she had for who she was.

  “Have you sent this to Wyatt yet?”

  “No. I was about to when you walked in.”

  “And of course you were about to come get me when I walked in. Since this is exactly why you hired me.” He glanced up at her and then back down. Yeah, he was upset she hadn’t called him in immediately.

  “Actually no. At that exact moment I was thinking about chucking the computer in the hall and smashing it to bits. I’m sick and fucking tired of this guy invading my life.”

  “I get that. But you don’t want to destroy evidence.”

  “Duh.”

  “And you’re not alone on this anymore, Natalie. Get it through your head this is not the bad guy against you anymore. You have a whole team of people fighting for you now.” As he spoke with her, he pulled the pics up on her computer and nothing greeted him that was outwardly bad. Honestly there wasn’t much there at all.

  She watched over his shoulder, seething, as she paced back and forth in a five-foot area. “See, there’s nothing there.”

  “Or at least nothing that hasn’t already been deleted.”

  “If it’s already been deleted, it’s not there anyway. Duh. Didn’t they teach you that in spy school?”

  He pushed a few buttons, and then a few more, and a few more. Then hundreds of pics started populating onto the screen.

  Awful pics. Murder porn. Bestiality. Child porn. “Damaging pics” was putting it mildly.