Page 2 of The Library on Plum Island
Daniella turned to Tanya. “If you’ll just give Miss Joyce the forms. I’ll take Mr. Blackwell and get him ready for x-rays.”
“I’ll be right there,” Tanya told her, getting out the necessary forms for Harriet.
“This way.” Daniella pointed down the corridor to Alex.
“Thank you for seeing me. Harley didn’t know if you’d still be here at this time,” Alex said, following Daniella to the x-ray room.
“I was just about to leave,” Daniella told him. “And it’s your lucky night, as Nurse Beckett is also our local radiologist.”
“This is an amazing clinic you have here,” Alex commented, taking a seat where Daniella pointed him. “For a small town, you’ve got quite a lot of modern technology.”
“I’ve been upgrading it since I took it over,” Daniella explained, rolling a stool in front of him and sitting. “Please rest your arm on the table for me.”
Alex did as Daniella asked, and she started to take the bandage from his hand.
“Harley bandaged it in the helicopter on our way back to Plum Island from Boston,” Alex told her.
“He did a good job,” Daniella noted. As he extended his hand for her examination, the swelling and bruising betrayed the force behind the punch he had delivered. “It looks like you’ve done a number on yourself,” Daniella observed, her professional demeanor in place as she gently examined his hand.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve punched anything besides a punching bag for exercise,” Alex told her. “Don’t tell him this, but I think Harley’s right. I have soft hands,” Alex admitted, the corners of his mouth lifting in a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes as he tried hard not to flinch with the pain Daniella knew he must be in.
“An X-ray will show me the extent of the damage,” she said gently, feeling around the hand. “Based on what I’m seeing, it looks like a boxer’s fracture.”
“Great!” Alex sighed. “That’s all I need.”
“Nurse Beckett will be here shortly,” Daniella told him. “When she’s done, she’ll take you through to an exam room, and I’ll see you there.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Alex said, smiling.
Daniella nodded and left him in the x-ray room.
“How is he?” Shay asked as Daniella walked back to the front of the clinic.
“I won’t know until Nurse Beckett has done the x-rays,” Daniella told Shay.
“But you’ve made an interim diagnosis,” Harley asked. “Did he break it?”
“I can’t discuss a patient with you,” Daniella told her cousin. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go ready a consulting room.”
“Wait!” Harriet stopped Daniella. “Can you tell me if he broke his hand?”
“I’m not making any diagnosis until I’ve seen the X-rays,” Daniella said. “What is it with you two?”
“They have a bet,” Shay told her. “Aunt Harriet’s bet that it’s just a bruise. Harley says Uncle Alex probably broke his entire soft hand.”
“You little snitch!” Harriet mushed Shay’s hair playfully. “You didn’t tell Daniella that you’re in on the bet he had a boxer’s fracture!” She frowned. “How do you even know about that?”
Shay grinned. “I box for exercise. My instructor told us about it.”
“Ah!” Daniella nodded. “In that case, let me tell you…” She paused for dramatic effect as three pairs of eyes looked at her eagerly. “I’m still not discussing my patient’s condition with you.”
“Spoilsport!” Harley shook his head.
“How are you, Shay?” Daniella changed the subject. “Were you hurt?”
“Nah!” Shay shook her head. “I’m fine. The kidnappers were actually careful not to hurt me. They knocked Uncle Alex and Carly out with a sedative, though.”
“Oh!” Daniella’s eyes widened, and she glared at her cousin. “Another bit of information you left out.”
