Page 88 of Every Last One
“I want to. They really aren’t doing anything for me.”
Gail smiled at her. “Okay. I’ll happily eat them.”
Maria couldn’t think about taking one more bite. It wasn’t the chips that were the problem, but her clenched stomach. She just had this horrible premonition in the pit of her gut. It was unclear if it was uncertainty about Jordon or more than that. “I’m going to go now. Lock the door behind me.” She left and ducked into the hall. Before moving on, she waited to hear the lock engage.
Maria didn’t know why she was so anxious. That man was secured in a locked room. The other gunmen couldn’t get to this floor. She went over all these details and facts repeatedly in her mind, but there was still this niggling feeling in her gut.It’s just my imagination… all those drama shows on TV…
She hit the vending machine again, this time feeding every cent and buck she had into the thing. She used her credit card when that ran out. Armed with a cart full of chips, chocolate bars, and nuts, she carried out her rounds, checking on her patients. Surprisingly she found most of them in good spirits, considering. Those who weren’t holed away with nursing staff or doctors didn’t know much of what was going on, just that the hospital was in lockdown. They were terrified when she knocked on their doors, and at first, she wondered if she was doing more harm than good. But when she let them select a snack and saw the smiles on their faces, she felt better.
After making her last stop, she found herself across from the storage room where she’d locked up that man. She wondered ifhe was still out cold, or if he’d come to and was disoriented in the dark. Then she remembered he wouldn’t need to be for long. She’d left his phone on his person. He’d just need to fish it out of his pocket and turn on the flashlight. Would he find the release switch? That was a strong fear.
She went to move on, but found her steps were leaden. That FBI agent had asked about his phone, and she’d only do that if it might serve a purpose. Possibly it would shut down communication between him and the others, destroy chances of him coordinating his moves with theirs.
Don’t play the hero…
The haunting words cycled back. She had hit him hard, and it was quite possible he was still out cold. She could get in, grab his phone, get out. Easy peasy.
Don’t play the hero…
Instead of pushing her away, the advice was urging her forward. As she thought earlier, shewasa hero. Wasn’t that what her patients thought when they saw her? Getting his phone might help the FBI and police bring this all to an end sooner. Jordon would get the surgery he desperately needed. The bad guys would be taken away, and the patients would be safe again. Her baby would be safe.
She inched up to the storage room and leaned her ear to the door. Silence. If he was awake, he would most likely be moving around in there trying to figure a way out.
This was it. She was going to do this. She’d make it quick. In and out, then call Sandra.
She entered the code to unlock the door, and slowly opened it. The lights automatically engaged.
The man was still in the wheelchair. His head was slumped forward, just the way she’d left him.
Get his phone, call Sandra.You’re a hero, Maria!Her inner cheerleader spurned her on.
She quickly reached him and rooted through both his pockets at once to save time. What she didn’t count on was for him to wake up, wrap his arms around her middle, and pull the gun from her waistband.
FORTY-EIGHT
6:50 PM
Watching Nurse Torres go into that supply room made Sandra sick. She was playing the hero just as she told her not to do. But seeing her come out with that man was even worse. He had a gun on her. She must have gone in there with his, but he got the upper hand.
“Why would she go back in there? It makes no sense,” Brice said.
“I think she was trying to get Sparling’s phone.” Sandra shared her suspicion.
“Why would she do that?” Kreiger leveled a glare at her with the enclosed accusation.
“I just asked if she knew where his phone was.” Sandra could say she cautioned her, but what difference had that made?
“Brave or stupid, take your pick,” Neal said.
Sandra couldn’t argue, as it surely appeared that way. Luis switched from one camera to another as Sparling nudged Maria around the fourth level back to Phoebe Chapman’s room, where they went inside. He didn’t seem to pay Maddox any attention, and somehow Dr. Bell must have been alerted because he’d left Maddox’s side.
Sandra wanted to call Sparling right away, but she had to call Mindy first to honor their deal.
Mindy answered after the first ring. “You heard everyone agree to surrender?”
“I did, and I’ll work on arranging the money.”
“Call me before you head in.”
