“Okay, we’re done,” the nurse with the dark ponytail said. “The doctor will be in momentarily.”
The nurse who’d delivered the blankets scurried out of the room. The other two nurses didn’t appear to be in a hurry to leave.
“Do you have any form of identification that would prove you’re in fact this woman’s bodyguard?” Nurse Bowman asked.
He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and removed one of the business cards Hawk had provided for each of the men working for the Hawaii branch of the Brotherhood Protectors. Along with the business card, he handed over his driver’s license. “You can call my boss to verify and the Maui PD. They’re aware of our work. They know we’re legit.”
A hospital security guard appeared in the doorway, his eyes narrowing on Rex. “Sir, if you’re not a relative of this patient, you’ll have to leave.”
Rex straightened. “I’m Miss Kekoa’s bodyguard. I’ve been assigned to protect her. I can’t do that from the lobby.”
“Until she regains consciousness and corroborates your claim, you’ll have to leave.” The security guard moved closer. “Hospital rules are in place to protect the patient.”
Rex planted his feet slightly apart, prepared to defend his position. “I stay with my client.”
“We can make this easy or do it the hard way,” the guard said.
“He stays,” a weak voice said from the hospital bed.
Rex turned to find Kimo Kekoa’s dark hair fanned out across the white pillowcase, framing her pale face and dark, brown-black eyes, open to the drama happening in the examination room.
“You heard the lady,” another voice said behind the security guard. A man wearing a white lab coat with a stethoscope tucked into a pocket entered the room. “Her bodyguard stays. Thank you, Officer Haoa. You were doing the right thing. Fortunately, our patient is able to speak for herself.”
Officer Haoa nodded and left the room.
“Miss Kekoa, I’m Doctor Stanford. I understand you’ve had a rough night.” The doctor pulled his stethoscope from his pocket and held it loosely in his hand. “Do you want your bodyguard to remain in the room while I conduct my examination, or would you prefer he step outside?”
Kimo’s gaze met Rex’s and held for a long moment. Finally, she sighed. “He can stay as long as he turns away during the exam.”
The doctor cocked an eyebrow.
Rex turned away again, focusing on the sounds in the room while respecting his client’s right to privacy. He took a moment to text Hawk.
Rex: With client. Doc with her now
Hawk: Good. Let me know if you need anything. Keep me in the loop
Rex: Roger
“She has a wound on her right calf,” Nurse Bowman was saying.
“Ms. Kekoa, how did you acquire this wound?” the doctor asked.
“Someone shot me,” she said, her voice soft, matter-of-fact.
“Gunshot wound. We’ll clean it up and get you a prescription for antibiotics. You don’t want that site to get infected.”
“Can we hurry this up?” she said, her tone tired but exasperated. “I’m not the one who needs medical attention.”
“No?” the doctor queried.
“My friend,” her voice caught. “She was with me. Now...who knows where they took her.”
Rex turned to find tears in Kimo’s eyes, her forearm resting on her forehead. “I need to get out of here and find her.”
“That’s why I’m here,” a deep voice sounded from the doorway.
Rex stepped in front of the man attempting to enter. “Who the hell are you?”
