Page 90 of Hot Damn
“Clear the way!” Natalie comes charging down the corridor behind Whit, the concern on her face matching everyone else’s. “All right, we don’t need everyone hanging around, step back and let the doctor do his job.”
His job is taking care of hockey players, and while I’ve always been grateful to have a team doctor, in this moment it feels like a lifeline. Until he asks something I can’t do.
“Lay her down on the floor so I can examine her.”
“I’m not putting her on the floor!”
“I need to examine her.”
With my gaze locked on his, I grit out between clenched teeth, “I’m not putting her on the floor.”
“Check her eyes, I’ll take her pulse.”
I look to the woman who’s been with the team, shadowing Dr. Kerns, for less than a week and nod. “What she said. Do that.”
There’s a quick standoff but the Natalie in full GM mode puts a stop to it.
“Do what you can. The EMTs are on their way with a gurney.”
It takes seconds for them to come up with nothing. Cami’s pulse is normal, her eyes equal and responsive, and her dad confirms she didn’t actually fall, just stumbled, so we’re not looking for a head injury.
“I think she’s been drugged.”
My gaze darts to the woman now taking her blood pressure. “What? Why? How?”
I’m not the only one who speaks; in fact the questions areflying from every direction, but the woman keeps her gaze on mine.
“Everything indicates she’s sedated. Can you tell me what happened?”
“No, I?—”
“Here.” Ray holds out his phone. “This is the clearest video we have of the incident. The other camera angles don’t pick up as much detail as this one, but I can show you those as well.”
We all lean in for a closer look and as the clip rolls, my muscles get tighter and tighter until the woman next to me shouts.
“Stop. Replay that bit.”
I have no idea what she saw to prompt her outburst but I’m not about to argue. Cami hasn’t moved since I pulled her into my arms and if it wasn’t for the fact I can see her chest rising and falling I’d be yelling for someone to do something.
Ray replays the last few seconds twice before the woman asks if he can play it in slow motion. It takes him far too long for him to work out how to do it and when he does, I find myself looking away.
I can’t watch it again.
“There! See that?” Her exclamation brings my gaze back to the phone where she’s pointing at the screen. “He’s got a syringe in his hand. Just before he gets close. He’s hidden it well the rest of the time.”
“Damn. How’d you spot that?” Ray murmurs while replaying the film again.
With a shrug, she says, “I see them in my sleep since I started med school.”
“You think he used it on her?” Ray asks, still frowning at his phone.
“Yes.” Her gaze moves to Dr. Kerns. “She appears sedated to me.”
Dr. Kerns nods. “I agree with Dr. Wendall’s assessment.”
“Do you think it would be okay to examine her right side?”The woman, who’s apparently a doctor, asks. “See if I can find a puncture wound?”
I open my mouth to say yes and instantly shut it. I can’t make that decision. I have no right to make it.
