ls, watching the numbers on the screen like a hawk. The reduced sedation made
is oxygen mask when
s head sn
ing the lower half of his face. He had a stethoscope draped around his neck
thing wa
scanning the man from head to toe. It was a habit she had nev
rs. Doctors usually had their coats tailored, or at least fitted. And the cuffs were frayed, the
looked at
that every doctor and nurse wore for twelve-hour shifts. They were d
a ster
ong. There was a stiffness in his wrist, a tension in his fingers that didn't belong. Experienced doctors were relaxed, their motions flui
aroline's head w
and professional. She stepped slightly away from t
ask. "Dr. Adler sent me," he said, his voice muff
ne said. She glanced at the chart at the foot
ied smoothly. "We were consul
the chart, pretending to check it. "I'll
s the silent alarm, a direct line to the secur
id, taking a step toward the bed
aid, her voice firm. "I have
is gaze hardened, turning flat and cold. He moved fast, faster
the man and tried to sit up, but t
dn't think.
. The cart crashed into the man's side, sending syringes and gauze pads flying. Ting from his grasp. He spun toward
screamed at the top of her lun
e door burst open. The two MPs
ground!" one o
d around wildly, his eyes darting between the gun
unarmed, her chest heaving.
pping around her throat in a vice grip. She felt the cold steel o
ing from behind his mask. "Drop yo
uns still raised but their
ushing her windpipe. She could feel the scalpel trembling agains
Black spots danced at
a voice said f
calm, and abs
way, his gray eyes fixed on the man holding her. He didn't have a weapon drawn. He didn'
, pressing the blade deeper. A warm tr
loose at his sides. "You aren't leaving this room with her. That i
her! I sw
id, his voice dropping to a wh
gging Caroline backward, toward the door th
ancing. He stepped aside, clearing a path to the
e tried to dig her heels in, but the man was too strong
light from the ICU. The stairwell was dimly lit, the
her ear, pushing her towar
shaking. She could hear the door above them ba
der. He saw Romero descending the sta
r spun around, his back to the railing. H
e shov
a
steps rushed up to meet her. She threw her arms out, tryin
he stairs was sharper. She was going to hit
eyes, bracing
ever
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