Again?
Her choice of that word baffled him, but he brushed it aside for the moment.The next instant, he got the strong odor of blood, and he involuntarily took a step back.The woman was on her menses.Although most of his kind were drawn to females at the time of their month, Rhyne tried to avoid them.Not because of the blood, but because he feared he might lose what humanity he’d managed to regain these past few decades.The last thing he needed or wanted was to fall back into those depraved depths he’d languished in during those dark, forgettable days.
“Are you here to check in?”
He jerked himself out of his stupor.“No.No, I’m looking for one of your employees.”
“Oh?Who?”
“I just know his first name.Norris.He handles blood and works?—”
“In the labs!”Her face brightened.“He’s one of our phlebotomists.He works the night shift.Gee.”Her smile reached her eyes, making them sparkle.“Talk about a small world.”
“I hate to cut this short,” Rhyne apologized.“I’m playing hooky from work, or else I’d stay and chat some more.Can you give me directions on how to get to that department?”
“Oh, I can do one better for you.Hold on.”She went over to the phone, punched one of the clear buttons on it, and dialed a four-digit number.“Darin?Hey, this is Grace up in admissions.Listen, is Norris there?He is?Would you tell him I need to see him for a second?This won’t take long.”
Rhyne saw her cast him a side eye as if to verify that their meeting wouldn’t take up much time, as he’d said.He flashed her a smile, which she returned.
“Okay, great.Thanks.”She hung up and turned back to him.“He’s on his way.You’re welcome to have a seat.”She motioned toward the rows of chairs.
Rhyne declined.“Thank you, Miss Lockhart.”
“Hey, Grace?Are you going to close up out there?”a woman standing in the doorway inquired.
“Yes.Right after I’m finished here.”She gave Rhyne an apologetic smile.“I hate to leave you, but I need to shut down.”
Curious, he asked, “So where do people go after hours?”
“The emergency room.”
“Do you work there, too?”
“Nope.Just the front desk.”She tilted her head at him.“Where did you say you worked?”
“At Wonderland Amusement Center.”
“Oh, I know the place!You said you were playing hooky.Do you work the evening shift?”
“I’m one of the assistant managers.”
She started to ask him something else but the other woman reappeared, cutting her short.
Rhyne watched as she came around the counter and ushered him outside the office.Before she closed and locked the door, she peered around the jamb.
“Hope to see you again,” she told him.
Rhyne stared in stunned silence, unable to believe his luck.
Grace.Her name is Grace.And she works here at the hospital.
He was still swimming in his memories of the past few minutes when a familiar voice called out to him.
“Hey, Rhyne.What’s up?”
Jerking himself back to the present, Rhyne turned to face his, for want of a better word, supplier.“Is there some place where we can talk in private?”he asked in a hushed voice.
Norris’s face paled slightly as he nodded.“Sure.Come with me.”
