by Lisa Eugene
He’d forgotten about the associate sitting across from him. The young gentleman’s hands were folded on his lap as he waited for direction. Wade apologized and rescheduled the meeting, effectively dismissing him. As the associate left, Wade’s anticipation grew. He tried to imagine the reason for this wonderful surprise visit. Maybe she’d missed him too. Maybe she’d realized that what was happening between them was as unstoppable as a tidal wave and even more powerful. He quickly did a mental check of the meetings he had scheduled for that afternoon, trying to determine which ones he could shuffle to allow some time with Nina.
His face stretched into a wide smile as he circled his desk to greet her when the door opened. The look on her face halted his steps. He frowned and searched those radiant emerald eyes for warmth. He found none.
“Good afternoon, Wade,” Nina said evenly, her tone formal.
He smiled despite the cool breeze she blew at him. He was so pleased just to see her that his heart pattered happily. She looked ravishing in an ivory V-neck blouse and dark slacks. She had on open toed heels that revealed perfectly shaped toes with plum polish that matched her fingernails. Her curls fell softly around her face and tumbled unto her shoulders.
“I’ve missed you, Nina.” He said in one breath, taking several steps towards her.
She cleared her throat and crossed the richly appointed room. She walked to the large glass floor to ceiling windows that look out over the city, giving her a breath taking view of the shimmering Chrysler building. She was careful to avoid touching him as she passed.
“This is a beautiful view,” she said absently, staring into the distance.
“It’s much better now.”
She ignored him and he sighed, growing impatient with her frigid affect. He looked at the long elegant lines of her body silhouetted against the window, and all he wanted to do was to nestle behind her and envelop her into the folds of his arms.
“Nina—”
“I think I may owe you an apology.” She was still staring off into the distance, her back to him.
“Nina, no. I would have thought the same—.”
“I took a look at the MRIs at WMH.”
Her words stupefied him and he was overcome with instant dread. He frowned, drawing his dark brows together.
“You did what?” he barked in alarm.
Nina pivoted and looked at him. “I took a look at the MRIs at WMH, and you were right. RL is imprinted on the back. The MRI department was renamed the Rob Lewis MRI center.”
“Oh my God, Nina, what did you think you were doing?”
His words echoed through Nina’s mind. Shouldn’t he be glad she proved him right? His tall frame prowled close to her and she had to take a step back; she was immediately inundated with his power and masculinity. His huge form was fitted perfectly into a dark pin stripe suit, and his wavy dark hair looked like it had just been cut. His eyes were bluer than she remembered, but a storm brewed in their depths.
“I thought you’d be happy. I’ve done exactly what you wanted me to do. In fact, that’s why I’m here.”
“Nina, you couldn’t be more wrong.” A hurtful look flashed across his face. “I never wanted you involved in this. It’s way too dangerous. Besides, I’ve requested a copy of my own films that were taken there. You didn’t have to do this. You shouldn’t be poking around at the hospital, especially now after what happened to Ben! If you arouse suspicion you could put yourself in danger.”
“Listen,” she replied hotly, “if what you’re saying is true, then I am involved. I can’t sit back and let it happen. I can’t just do nothing! I want to help you find these criminals.”
Wade studied her silently then asked, “What made you change your mind?”
“I searched through the computer data base. I noticed that films were printed recently on one of my patients. MRI films that no one should care about.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The man died three months ago.”
“How were you able to get to the file? I though you said only senior attendings can access the data base.”
“Only senior attendings can access the entire data base. I can only go back three months. My computer code gives me limited access and I can’t print films. Only senior attendings can do that.”
“I see.”
She continued, “So I think it may be possible that someone is accessing the data banks, changing the names on the films—which is pretty much impossible to do and printing them out from the archives.”
“But wouldn’t it be noticed that the films are printed? Aren’t medical records monitored?”
“Yes, the hospital is supposed to monitor medical records as part of HIPAA compliance. But there’re tens of thousands of MRIs in the archives. You wouldn’t necessarily notice that number thirty-thousand and fifty-four has been printed unless you’re looking for it. If it’s a film that no one cares about then it’s not a problem.”
Although Wade nodded in agreement, his features were still puzzled. “I know HIPAA compliance is a big deal. Who has access to medical records?”
“Usually just hospital staff. But only the hospital staff that is pertinent to that patient’s direct care. Every identification code allows for different levels of access.”
“I don’t understand how someone can change a patient’s name…” He scrubbed his chin thoughtfully.
She sighed. “I don’t either. That seems virtually impossible.”
He nodded pensively. His curiosity peaked. “How do the names of patients get on the files in the first place?”
“When the original scan is being taken a technician types the name of the patient and his ID number into the computer. Once that happens the name is permanently with the film.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “What happens if they make a mistake or misspell a name? There’s got to be a way to change it. Who has that authority?”
She expelled a long gust of air. “That I don’t know. I think someone at the computer center might know how something like that can be done. If I go there and talk to one of the techs, I might get a better idea.”
“Nina, no way!” Wade fumed, savagely raking fingers through his hair in frustration. He was upset that he’d gotten caught up in discussing the case with her. What she’d done was very dangerous. He had to grudgingly admit though that it was the best lead they’d had since the case started. If they were going to build a case against Dr. Barton, the insurance company and the other doctors involved in this he needed some solid evidence.
That was where a private detective came in. He was happy that she believed him, although he could just imagine what this was doing to her illusion of her perfect little medical community. He knew her brave façade was just that.
“Wade, I can do this.”
“It’s just way too dangerous. You’ll get yourself killed! We’re not investigators and we’re not the police. Our firm has hired a new investigator to pick up where Ben left off.”
She turned back to the window and peered out at the expanse of the city. He could see the pulse racing at her neckline. “You need me, Wade,” she said quietly.
He admitted that was true, but not for the purpose she was proposing.
She turned back to him, her eyes simmering to a hunter green. “I’m on the inside. No one you hire will be able to get inside.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but was so dumbfounded by her reasoning that he stalked to his desk and leaned on the edge of it, keeping his eyes on the source of his aggravation. He folded his arms in front of him, glad that he’d gotten rid of that damned sling. “Absolutely not. This is ludicrous,” he said finally.
“Well, I can’t sit back and let this go on. I’m going to intervene whether you like it or not. There’re patients to consider here, plus I’ve spent my entire medical career at this hospital and plan to continue there. I can’t knowingly let patients suffer without trying to help in some way.”
He pounced from the desk and
faced her squarely.
Nina inhaled a sharp breath as he approached; his face hovered within inches of hers. The angle of his jaw sharpened with anger. God he was intoxicating!
“Do you realize what will happen, Nina? When this gets out your hospital will be scandalized. That means being an attending at WMH will not be an enviable appointment. You won’t even want your name associated with WMH. Your sterling medical career will be tarnished until this scandal boils down. Perhaps you should be focusing your efforts on becoming affiliated with a different institution.”
Nina fixed her lips tightly, she held his gaze as blue flames slid through her. “Don’t try to scare me. I know what I’m doing is the right thing. I can’t just leave!”
He cursed beneath his breath. “What you’re proposing is insane.”
She folded her arms across her breast. “Wade, are you in or are you out?”
Wade couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He wanted to shake some sense into her. No, he wanted to passionately kiss some sense into her. He wanted to hear her scream his name again in heated abandon. He wanted to take her out for a long romantic lunch and then make love to her for the rest of the afternoon, or actually, reverse the order of activities.
He silently cursed the day he’d told her about the case. He looked at her where she stood, legs solidly planted, arms folded stubbornly across her perky breasts, and her tempting bottom lip protruding with defiance. He knew that if he didn’t agree to her terms she’d go ahead and investigate the case on her own anyway. The only way that he could keep an eye on her was to pretend to go along with her, and maybe when she wasn’t so damned fired up he could convince her to abandon this ridiculous idea.
“I’m in,” he agreed roughly.
“Good.”
He had expected to see triumph light her eyes, but when he examined them all he saw was that cold detachment that had accompanied her into his office.
“Let’s have some lunch,” he proposed, hoping that maybe he could steer this conversation on to a more pleasant topic—them. He felt as though things were left unresolved between the two of them, and he wanted her to know just where he stood. She’d said that she wanted no part of him and the angry words still echoed in his head.
“No. I have to go.” She caught his expressive blue gaze and said, “There’s one other thing.”
“What?” He braced himself.
“Strictly business. Our relationship is strictly business. We work on this together and that’s it. Consider me a consultant.”
Wade stared at her for a protracted moment. He didn’t like this one bit. He was not used to being manipulated, and he was truly worried for her safety. He could see though by her no-nonsense expression that she meant business.
He sighed and licked his lips. It was a careless action done as he was contemplating his response, but when he saw the way her eyes followed the movement of his tongue and the glaze that coated those beautiful green stars, he smiled and slowly bent close to her ear.
“I don’t think that it’s going to work—a strictly business relationship.”
She absorbed his natural woodsy scent. He wasn’t touching her, but the sensuality radiating from him was almost tangible. Goose bumps lined up on her skin.
“I want you. I’ve missed you,” he whispered hoarsely. “I’ve pleasured myself while remembering your sweet taste. I’m aroused now just thinking about it.”
She inhaled sharply; the desire that kicked inside her fired a hot bolt of lightning to her sex. Her legs started to tremble, but she couldn’t summon the strength to turn away.
His breath stirred hot against her skin and his voice pulsated in her ear. “I dream about your warm skin and slick moist folds. I want to make you scream again.”
The memory of being with him was so crystalline and potent that she felt like she was back at her apartment being pleasured by him. She thought of how much those fleeting moments had meant to her and how little they had mattered to him. She thought of how he’d used her and tears threaten to form. Bracing both hands flat on his solid chest she pushed him back as far as she could. She squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes, meeting his shocked expression.
“No, Wade. I won’t be fooled again. Strictly. Business.”
“Nina, you’re wrong…” He reached for her, but she shook her head, stopping him cold.
“Business. Right.” He nodded seriously.
She ignored the seeming hurt and desire in his eyes.
He cleared his throat and rubbed his jaw pensively. He needed to make a few things clear. “As part of our business agreement, I don’t want you doing anything unless you discuss it with me. I don’t want you snooping around anymore. I mean it, Nina.” Wade thought about his friend lying in the hospital and his gut burned. He needed to protect her at all costs. “Ben made it through the surgery, but he’s still unconscious.”
“I know.”
Her words surprised him. “How?”
“I spoke to his surgeon. I checked in on him.”
“Nina,” Wade hesitated briefly, “I think Ben found some clues about the case. He was trying to tell me something the night he got shot.”
Her eyes widened. “He was?”
“He was trying to give me a message. He thought maybe he could get some prints from an MRI he took from Dr. Barton’s office.”
“And?”
“He was going to let me know if he found anything. That’s why he got shot. We’re close to the truth and they know that.”
Nina’s brow furrowed as she watched Wade circle his desk and take a clear zip-lock bag from the top drawer. He silently handed it to her.
She looked down at the blood soaked piece of paper. Her eyes rounded as she read the only legible words there, and as understanding burgeoned, her head shot up in startled confusion.
“Oh my God, surely you don’t think—I mean I have nothing—”
“I know you are not part of this.” Wade gave a resolute sigh. “However, Ben was trying to tell me something he thought urgent enough to interrupt our date. Something that involved you. It could have even been a warning that you are in danger.”
She took a deep breath, shaking her head in disbelief. “I can’t glean how I could possibly have anything to do with this. But this makes me more determined to do what I can to bring these criminals to justice. I will be careful.” She looked into his deep blue eyes and at his concerned expression added, “I promise.”
“Let’s leave the investigating to the PIs. If they need anything from you I’ll let you know. Ok?”
She nodded slowly, trying to ignore his incredible physique, tall solid frame and the sexuality that radiated from him like a potent aphrodisiac. “Ok.”
Nina walked through the elegant marble and glass lobby of the skyscraper that housed the law offices of Bennett, Stein and Connolly and stepped out into the hot summer day. She pulled her sunglasses over her eyes and headed south on busy Madison Avenue. Shoppers strolled by burdened with a bounty of pricy merchandise while tourists posed next to some of New York City’s impressive concrete structures, capturing static impressions of their vacation.
She dawdled in front of a sumptuous window display, staring in, but registering nothing. Her mind was still on the thirtieth floor of the building she’d just left.
Wade’s reaction to her offer to help with his case was surprising. She’d thought he’d be happy to have someone on the inside. That’s what he’d wanted from her all along, right? She’d thought about this all weekend and had decided that helping find these greedy culprits was the best course of action.
True, she hadn’t given much thought to how this case would impact the reputation of the hospital and thus impact her career. She knew the resolution of this case would leave a devastating blow. The hospital was a business that depended on the public; it couldn’t afford to have public opinion soured against it. Also, a lot of their private funding and generous donations would suddenly disappear at any hint of transgression.
The hospital administrators would do whatever they could to mitigate a scandal.
Her career was bound to be hit by the debris if and when this thing exploded. She supposed she could apply for appointment and privileges at another hospital, but she’d done her residency at WMH. It wasn’t her nature to run away, and she couldn’t stand idly by and do nothing. It sickened her stomach to know that such corruption existed. She’d always been so proud to be part of a profession that took an oath to help mankind, but now she not only questioned the core of her creed, but her ability to judge others.
She couldn’t believe that Wade had tried to seduce her with his heated words. Did he really think he could beguile her a second time? Even though her heart had been galloping in her chest and liquid desire had started to flow at his explicit words, she couldn’t forget the pain he’d caused her. She wished she didn’t have such a strong physical attraction towards him. Her body practically burst into flames when she was around him.
She frowned as an image of a figure appeared in the display window she’d been viewing. It dragged her wayward thoughts to the present. She’d sensed the person beside her, but as the space between them narrowed she realized it wasn’t the display they were interested in. She turned her head to see Marie Deluse in all her designer grandeur standing next to her. Casting off her initial shock, she perused the leather and silk clad frame. Marie was older than she appeared on TV, and, Nina noted with critical feminine appraisal, she also wasn’t as pretty in person. Oh, her body was gorgeous, with long shapely legs and breast that any woman would envy, but her face was hard and pinched. Nina almost felt guilty about the unbidden barb, but the unfriendly sneer the other woman directed at her stifled the emotion.
“Nina Henley, right?”
She hesitated, not able the hide her shock that Marie knew her name. Nina nodded cautiously.
“Wade is keeping interesting company these days.” Marie smirked, her cherry red lips pulling into an unflattering line.