Page 18 of Tesoro: Mayhem Makers

“I’m counting on it.”

“So, on to the next phase?”

“On to the next phase.” I confirm, glancing down at my screen in time to see the smile on Kate’s lips as she takes a healthy drink from the coffee I’d sent.

Chapter

Thirteen

KATE

Dante didn’t return before I left for the day. Angelo was still unconscious, which gave me twelve hours of uninterrupted studying, with a few minutes of reflection tossed in the mix.

Waking this morning, I made the decision to return the watch and pay Dante for the coffee. While I considered selling the watch, affording me a little more time to look for a job, I knew I wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt. I also decided to try one final time apologizing to Andi before putting my plans into motion. Giving the watch one final look before tucking it into my backpack, I toss the strap over my shoulder and head for the ICU.

Chaos is the only word I have for the scene I find when the elevator doors open. Police and suited officials are everywhere.

Scanning the sea of people, I lock gazes with Porter who is standing in the doorway of Angelo’s room. Making my way to him, I step around at least a dozen people, a few cops trying to tell me I couldn’t be there.

“What is going on?”

“Huge hospital fuckup, that's what.” Porter snickers, tipping his head toward the sea of people.

“I’m going to need a little—” The missing bed robs my attention. Pushing passed Porter and into the room. “Where is Angelo?”

Porter points his finger in my direction, “That’s the fuck up.” He laughs, eyes wide with excitement. “Last night, I’m in here with Angelo when I get a call from Raymond to come help him in the ER with a critical peds patient.” Porter was an amazing ICU nurse whose heart belonged in pediatrics.

“I remind him I’m assigned here, he says he will send someone to cover while I come help. A few hours later, I walk in and Angelo is gone. I call security and well...” he shrugs, the smile never leaving his face.

“Surely they checked the camera,” I point at the black globe in the ceiling by the elevator.

“Fake as Tiffani’s tits.”

My eyes widen at Porter’s confession. “What about the other nurses? Surely one of them saw something.”

“Patient in bed two somehow pulled out his IV and the unit of blood he was getting. Everyone was in there trying to save him.”

Turning to look at the room in question, I find the elderly man who, up until a week ago, was receiving chemo treatments for an aggressive form of brain cancer. His blood count had been too low for treatment, but he demanded they do it anyway. He had fainted a few minutes into treatment and hasn’t woken since.

“Ruby was doing damage control, but I doubt it will be enough to save the hospital. The Cavalettis are about to be even richer.”

Snapping my attention to Porter, “What did Dante say?”

“Dante?” He chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest. “I didn’t realize you were on a first name basis.”

“Shut up,” I wave him off. “I met him down in the ambulance bay when they brought Angelo in originally. I gave him my name?—”

“I was teasing you, Romano,” Porter interrupts. “No need to get defensive.”

“I wasn’t,” I stop myself, closing my eyes and adjusting the strap on my shoulder. “I need coffee. Can I get you anything?” Without waiting for a reply, I head out of the room. With only one patient, they certainly won't need me today.

“No, thanks,” Porter shouts behind me. “You should know they’ve assigned you to the on-call room for the remainder of this storm.”

Leaning against the wall of the elevator, I let out a breath as the doors closed. A smile covers my lips at the thought of being in the on-call room. It’s quiet in there, reserved for wayward providers who need a few hours of sleep.

Reaching the floor, I make a last minute decision to grab a real breakfast and a pot of Daily Grind’s coffee. Turning to the right, I cut down the maintenance hall and out the delivery door in hopes of avoiding any reporters or doctors who need my help. My backpack feels heavy when reality reminds me I won’t be able to return the watch.

Rounding the final corner, my heart drops as I see a line exceeding the front door of the coffee shop. Reaching for my phone, I hear the squealing of brakes beside me. As I turn my attention toward the noise, something slams into me from behind and my world goes black.

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