But even still…what if the Bandits killed the Reapers, including Zack? Would I be in any condition to work? All my friends would be grieving the loss of their loved ones. And on top of that, they’d have no reason to keep me around. There was no need for medical attention when there was no chance for blood.
“I can’t quit the hospital.”
“Then you die.”
It was bone-chilling how simply he said it. I couldn’t get out of this on my own. I needed help somehow—I needed the assistance of the Reapers. But how?
If Eduardo seemed to know that I had eyes for Zack, he would know if I saw him again. If I did, he’d probably put a target out on Zack. And if he killed Zack…
“I can’t just quit the hospital cold turkey,” I said. “There are patients depending on me there.”
“Then call them right now and say you quit,” he said. “But your employment with us has already begun. I just want to make that very clear. Which means you are done with the hospital right now.”
I saw no way out of this situation. What was I going to do, dodge bullets while I ran back to my car without it getting blown up? Kill Eduardo myself and somehow leave without drawing suspicion? My only chance was to get help, and I didn’t see how. The only thing I had was one phone call to the hospital, and I couldn’t tell them I was in danger.
Who said you have to call the hospital?
My heart raced fast at the idea. It required a lot of luck for it to work, but it was the only shot I had. In the absence of any other half-decent ideas popping to mind, it was what I had to work with.
I pulled out my phone, found Zack’s number, and called. As the ringtone continued, I tried to lower the volume as much as I could, the better so no one else could hear.
“Justine, what’s up?” Zack said cheerfully, completely unaware of my situation.
“Hi, Dr. Jones, this is Dr. Elks. I…I need to resign from my position with the hospital.”
Zack laughed on the other end of the line.
“What? Is this some kind of joke?”
“I wish it were a joke, but I found a different job somewhere else. I can’t stay with the hospital anymore. I’m sorry. It’s effective immediately.”
Zack wasn’t laughing anymore. I couldn’t quite tell if he’d picked up on how much danger I was in right now, but he at least understood that I wasn’t cheerful anymore.
“Where is this somewhere else?”
“It’s…it’s elsewhere,” I said, looking to Eduardo as if searching for advice. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to get into it. A smaller hospital offered me a pay raise.”
Zack gulped on the other end of the line. I think he was starting to get it.
“Justine, if you’re in danger, tell me that I know the situation is frustrating. If not, tell me it’s sad.”
“I know the situation is frustrating, Dr. Jones, but that’s just the way it’s got to be.”
“We’re coming.”
“I’m sorry again, Dr.—”
Zack hung up. But that was fine by me. He’d gotten the message. I turned to Eduardo. My heart raced even faster. If he’d wanted to call me out for lying and really speaking to Zack, now was the time he’d do it.
“Dr. Jones took it well, it sounds like,” Eduardo said with a grin.
“Well, no,” I said, nervously laughing. “But he’s got no choice but to accept it.”
“Good.”
He rose from his chair—leaving his gun behind, thank heavens—came over to me, and put a hand on my shoulder.
“You and I are going to make a great partnership here,” he growled. “Now stay here. I’ll be back. And don’t even think about making any calls—we will know.”
He brushed his hand over my face and through my hair before he stepped outside of the room. I took a seat on a couch nearby. I didn’t dare do anything more.
I’d done all that I could. If something happened to me now…
Zack. I need all of you here. Including the rough and killing side.
Please.
