The children were dressed in loose pajamas that resembled surgeon’s scrubs. The younger children’s attire was printed with dinosaurs, kittens, horses or princesses and the scrubs of the older children were various solid colors, but were neon-bright. Except that many of the children were holding onto or sitting right beside IV poles and/or were wearing masks covering their mouths and noses, he could have been in a school or children’s play area anywhere. All of the adults were either playing with the children or sitting quietly by and reading or watching TV.
When Luke saw Claire, she was engrossed with the child. As he watched, she gently kissed the bald head, smiled and whispered something. The sensation Luke experienced at that moment was completely unique for him. Even during his most vulnerable circumstances, whether he’d been playing football against a tough opponent, or facing tense situations on the war’s frontline, or riding in a plane landing on an aircraft carrier in rough seas, he’d never felt this particular combination of apprehension and anticipation. His palms were sweaty, his mouth was dry and his heart beat erratically.
Luke spent much of his life trying to avoid being conspicuous. He’d learned to stand very still to keep from attracting attention. Normally he had at least some success, but in a room filled with about a dozen Korean children and at least that many smallish, slender, black-headed men and women, the huge American man in jeans and green polo shirt was impossible to miss. Before he’d even gotten completely through the door, one of the children squeaked something and within seconds all heads—including Claire’s—had turned in his direction. Even the dogs seemed to be aware of his presence.
With a room full of staring men, women and ill children, Luke did his best to appear non-threatening. He gave a small, friendly wave to no one in particular and graced the room’s inhabitants with a shy smile. He tucked his hands into his jeans pockets and slumped, trying to shrink.
Claire was startled by his sudden appearance. Still holding the child, she stood gracefully. “Uh...em...Lieutenant...” When she spoke, all eyes moved from the huge man at the door to her. She cleared her throat and managed to mutter, “Do you need something?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’d like to speak to you for a minute.”
Claire passed the little girl to one of the nursing assistants standing nearby. She brushed a hand over her hair and adjusted her glasses before crossing to the door. Once there, she seemed nearly overwhelmed. She blinked tensely as she looked up at him.
“Is there a problem with my case?”
He glanced beyond her into the room full of curious faces and then back down at the anxious young woman. “Is there somewhere quiet we can talk?”
Claire took one step to the side, as if afraid to turn her back on him. She motioned down the short hall leading to a large waiting room in the outer lobby.
“Yes. I’m sure we can find a spot this way.” She glanced at him as she led him toward several unoccupied chairs at one corner of the lobby. “Um, why are you here? Is something wrong?”
Luke studied her for a moment before responding. “Has anyone from the consular staff contacted you?”
He was struck again by her unusual eyes and fine, soft features. She was tall and slender, and she was dressed much as she had been on Saturday, in a long dark skirt made of some knit material that flowed. Her pale pink blouse was mostly covered by the buttoned white lab coat and she was wearing soft-soled, flat ballet slippers. She was remarkably lovely, but there was something extra, something elusive about her that drew him.
Under the cuff of her right sleeve he noted the edge of the gauze dressing and cringed inwardly, envisioning a knife tearing through her soft skin. His mouth tightened as he realized anew how much worse the attack could have been.
“About my passport? I thought they said it could take up to two weeks.”
“No. I don’t have anything to do with that.” They had reached the chairs and he motioned for her to take a seat. She settled obediently, but remained sitting very straight and on the edge, as if she could be ready to bolt if the need arose. Luke scooted another chair around to sit facing her. “No one called you back to follow up on the attack?” His tone betrayed his annoyance, bordering on anger. She shook her head and he took a deep breath and frowned. “I left a detailed report which instructed the attaché to order one of the embassy personnel to let you know what I learned about the assault.”
Claire sat up even straighter. “Lieutenant...um...Llewellyn... No. No one has called...”
He sighed and slumped back in his chair a bit. “Look, first, please call me Luke. I’m not here in any official capacity. That...” He motioned randomly with one hand. “Working at the embassy isn’t my real job. I’m just a weekend substitute. They—the embassy personnel—were supposed to let you know...” He paused, frowning again.
“Know what?”
Luke leaned forward, ensuring he had her full attention. “I spent the better part of Sunday reviewing all of the hospital’s surveillance feed.” One corner of his mouth turned up in a half grin. “By the way, they’re very well covered—in regard to monitoring what goes on—particularly the doors and the parking lots.” He pointed to a camera mounted near the ceiling about twenty feet away from where they sat. The grin faded and he said, “At any rate, I had to go back several hours from the time of the attack, but I was finally able to spot the two assailants. I figured out when they got to the hospital and pieced together what they did while they were here.”
She was watching his expressions with mingled curiosity and concern. “Okay. That sounds like a good idea... But why?”
“I told you, the attack bothered me. It didn’t make sense and still doesn’t.” His lips tightened and he looked uncomfortable. “Anyway, I had to go back nearly six hours to find when the two men arrived. They came here at about five, long before they attacked you.” He frowned at her and asked, “What time do you normally leave?”
“It varies. Sometimes as early as five or six, but sometimes much later.” She shrugged. “Last Friday was one of the later times.” She looked perplexed. “I’m not sure where you’re going with this.”
Luke fought the urge to reach over and rub her hand or pat her cheek—anything, just to touch her. Instead he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Miss Olsen... Can I call you Mary?”
She blinked a couple of times before answering. “No...um... Yes, of course. But I go by Claire. My parents call me ‘Mary Claire,’ but to everyone else, I’m just ‘Claire’.”
He smiled then. It was his first genuine smile since he’d walked into the playroom and tried to put its occupants at ease. Claire’s breath caught. Her own face softened and her lips turned up slightly in response.
“Okay, just Claire it is...” He sat back up at attention and the smile died away. “Claire,” he repeated, “the bottom line is this: the attack wasn’t random. They were waiting on you. They’d been watching you for at least five hours and followed you into the parking lot.”
Disbelief clouded her expression. “How can you know that?” She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. “Likely they were just waiting for a lone woman, someone who looked vulnerable.”
He shook his head. “No. There’s no doubt. Claire, this is what I do. Like I told you, I only act as babysitter to a bunch of Marine guards occasionally. What I’ve spent much of the past six years doing is reviewing and interpreting surveillance video.”
He glanced around to ensure that there was no one in the vicinity and continued quietly, “Claire, during the time between when they arrived and when they followed you out, at least fifty women exited the building alone. They weren’t looking for a vulnerable woman to mug... They were waiting for you.” She paled a little then. He gritted his teeth and looked down at the polished floor before allowing his gaze to capture hers again. He was weighing how to proceed. “And something else,” he said, leaning
a little closer. “I’m pretty sure they weren’t intending to steal your purse.” His voice quieted to almost a whisper. “Claire, I think they may have been trying to harm you, maybe even kill you.”
She surged to her feet and paced several steps away before whirling around to face him again. Her voice was quiet but emphatic. “That’s impossible! I don’t know anyone in Seoul.” She struggled to keep her voice calm as she took a few steps back toward him. “I’ve only been here a few weeks, for goodness’ sake. I’m just a nurse from Minnesota. I haven’t done anything wrong and haven’t harmed anyone. I don’t have anything anyone would want!” She moved away again and then sighed. “Look, you’ve made some sort of error.”
Luke remained seated, still trying to keep a low profile. “I’m sorry, Claire. There is no mistake.” He pinched the bridge of his nose in fatigue and frustration. “I left a detailed report for the consular attaché on Sunday. I strongly suggested that someone contact you to tell you what I found and warn you to be wary. It’s clear that request wasn’t heeded.” He sighed and swore under his breath. “I’ve been—um—away since Sunday night. I just returned from a recon detail this morning and came by to check on you. I hoped you’d been told to be alert and take precautions.”
“Lieutenant—”
“Luke,” he interrupted. “Like I said, I’m not here officially.”
“Okay.” She bit her lip then started over. “Luke, I really appreciate your concern. You’ve gone above and beyond.” She smiled slightly. “But there’s no reason someone—anyone—would want to hurt me.” She paused a breath then sat back down, shaking her head. “The only explanation I can think of is that I was mistaken for someone. Do you think that’s possible?”
“Maybe, but I’m doubtful. They were here, waiting for you.” He sighed again. “Look, please at least consider the possibility. Don’t go anywhere alone and pay attention to your surroundings. And if anything even remotely suspicious happens, contact the hospital security guards or the police and the embassy.” The last sentence was spoken authoritatively, as if he was giving an order.
“Yes, sir.” She gave him a small smile. “I will, sir.”
His own lips turned up slightly, but he still looked frustrated. There seemed to be nothing left to say. The interview was over. They both stood and Claire held out her hand. “Thank you very much for coming all the way here to talk to me, Luke. It was very considerate of you.”
He looked down at their clasped hands. Hers was slender, delicate and soft; his was large, thick and imposing. Despite the contrast, he sensed the unexpected strength that had helped her fight off two men in a dark parking lot.
“Not a problem.” He grinned again and said, “I could’ve lied and said I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by, but I thought you’d see past that one.”
She chuckled and pulled back her hand. “Well, the medical center is a bit away from the Army base...”
They started toward the hospital’s entrance. She intended to walk him out, but before they had covered much ground, he placed a hand on her arm, stopping her. “Um, Claire. One more thing.”
She turned to face him and her eyes climbed hesitantly up the considerable distance to meet his. She swallowed and said, “Yes.”
“Will you have dinner with me?”
Claire took a half step back and bit her lip. Luke could tell that her mind was racing, hastily trying to come up with an excuse—any reason she could use to plausibly but politely decline his invitation. He cringed inwardly. He really didn’t want to beg, but he was willing to do whatever it took. Claire’s lips parted and he knew she was going to say “no,” so he forestalled her. Very quietly, he added one word. “Please.”
* * *
IT WAS THE “PLEASE” that did it, Claire mused later. Well that and the random, funny and sometimes oddly sweet smiles that contrasted so markedly with his imposing presence. It was also his intensity and the concern he’d displayed by coming to see her, despite being almost dead on his feet. It was his sharp, knowing hazel eyes with the amber flecks, and it was his impossibly large hands; hands that could obviously be deadly, given their size and strength, but hands that felt gentle, strong and protective when holding hers.
Claire took a shallow breath. She couldn’t hide her apprehension as she searched his eyes. Her nod was very slight, and she said, “I need to go report to the charge nurses and finish charting. That shouldn’t take more than twenty or thirty minutes. Do you mind waiting?”
The smile that crossed his face dispelled any lingering doubts. He gestured toward the playroom with his head. “I saw the latest iteration of Super Mario on one of the computers. You think I can interest one of the kids in a game?”
Claire’s smile mirrored his. “Yes, I’m certain you can. But I’ve got to warn you, they’ll beat the daylights out of you. Those kids are brutal!”
CHAPTER FIVE
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, Claire returned to the playroom. After reporting to her colleagues and completing her charting, she’d slipped into the nurses’ lounge where she quickly brushed her hair. For a moment, she thought about leaving it down, but she coiled her hair back into a knot and secured it with a large clip. She dabbed on lip gloss and rinsed her sweaty palms. Her last act before re-joining Luke was making a quick call to Jessica.
“Um, hey,” she said when her roommate answered. “I just wanted to let you know I’m going to be home late this evening.” She took a breath. “I have a date.”
“Fun!” Jessica replied. “Who’s the lucky guy? That cute doc who did his residency at Johns Hopkins?”
“Uh, no. It’s the lieutenant from Saturday—Luke.”
“What?” Jessica barely stifled a shriek. “Oh my gosh! How in the world did that happen?”
“He came by the hospital this evening to talk to me. It kind of took me by surprise, but, well, he seems nice, don’t you think?”
“I don’t know about nice, but he gives new meaning to the term ‘hunk.’” Claire heard her friend chuckle. “Now that I think about it, he did seem to be taken with you... Oh my gosh!” she repeated.
Claire glanced at her watch. “Look, I’ve got to go. I’ll fill you in when I get to the apartment.”
“Okay, but keep your phone with you all the time, and try to call and let me know how it’s going. Not that I don’t trust the lieutenant, but I want to make sure you’re safe and all.”
“Yes, Mother.” Claire smiled into the phone. “I’ll be careful.”
Clicking off, she glanced in the mirror again and noted that her cheeks were flushed. That wasn’t surprising—her heart rate must be well above a hundred. She grabbed her new purse and lightweight jacket from her locker and took a deep breath. “Well, here goes,” she murmured.
* * *
THIS TIME THEIR roles were reversed. Claire stood at the door and watched in astonishment as the very large American man sat cross-legged on the floor surrounded by six Korean children and several adults. He was engaged in a heated video game match, and from all appearances, she concluded that he was getting soundly defeated by a twelve-year-old boy named Heen-nak.
Exaggerated groans and growls from Luke mingled with giggles, cheers and jeers from the children. Finally, Luke tossed down his control box. He clutched his chest and fell to one side moaning, “You got me... That’s it... I surrender!”
Several children, a couple clutching IV poles, mobbed him. After a few moments, Luke sat up and fist-bumped the young victor. “Great game, dude!” He glanced at one of the adults, who translated. The boy smiled shyly. Luke gently patted the boy’s head and glanced toward the door. Spying Claire, he stood. “Thanks again, partner. I’ve got to go now, but I’ll practice up some and maybe we can have a rematch soon.”
He waited for the translator and the young boy grinned and nodded his head. “Thank you, mister.�
�
All eyes were on the huge man as he strode across the room. Claire saw appreciation in Luke’s face as he moved toward her, and her heart rate intensified. No man had ever looked at her that way before, with admiration tempered by respect.
“Are you ready to go?” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled at her.
Her own smile was shy and a little uncertain. “Yes, I’m all checked out and charted.”
Luke walked very close to Claire as they crossed the lobby. It was nearing dinner time and the hospital was teeming with patients, family members and hospital staff.
Luke was both more and less imposing than before. Wearing his uniform, he’d been disconcerting, simply because the clothing conveyed such authority. The loose-fitting uniform shirt, however, had camouflaged his daunting size. Although Luke’s polo shirt was not tight, Claire couldn’t help but notice the bulk of the heavy muscles in his chest and arms and the thickness of his neck.
Luke’s size probably attracted attention back in the States, so in Korea, he was nothing short of a giant. As a result, his efforts to study the crowd—trying to spot anyone who seemed unduly interested in Claire—were hampered by the fact that pretty much everyone was staring at him. He didn’t seem too concerned, however. Perhaps because any potential assailants would be forestalled by his presence.
Initially both Luke and Claire were a little stilted. Luke tried to break the ice as they exited the building. “Thanks for coming with me like this. I know it’s short notice and all...”
Claire peered up at him and realized that he seemed to feel as self-conscious as she did. That such a self-assured man seemed nervous helped dispel some of her own anxiety. “Thanks for asking.” She smiled then glanced away. “I haven’t gotten out much since I’ve been in Seoul. It’ll be fun to go somewhere other than Jessica’s apartment and the medical center.”
The Nurse's Bodyguard Page 4