`“I saw Chantal yesterday. I thought you told her to change doctors.”
“I did. Her blood pressure is running high. She says Dr. Melencon keeps telling her she’s fine. I don’t think so.” Harper looked down.
“Next time she comes in, I’ll say something. Maybe if she hears it from me, she might listen.” Adelaide stood. “Time to head back to work. Wanna do some retail therapy this weekend?”
“I’m working the weekend. Maybe I’ll call in Sunday. Thanks about talking to Channy.” Harper thought about how concerned Hunt Montgomery was.
* * *
Beverly Whitefrom Ovax pharmaceuticals rested her feet on Jerrold Sommerstone’s desk. “What do you mean, I can’t be in the treatment area? I’ve been for the last three weeks,” she complained.
“Because my mother brought Harper to our lunch. She’s working today. She’s already not buying the clearance for stage two.”
Beverly stared at her long fingernails. “I’ll have a letter on Monday.”
“That won’t be enough. We had a patient from week one almost die on us today. If Harper gets nosier, she will destroy any chances of fixing the drug while the trial is ongoing. You know what that will mean,” Jerrold hissed.
Adelaide knocked on the door and walked in. She looked down her nose at Beverly and turned to Jerrold. “The ambulette dropped off three Manor patients.”
“Thanks, Addy. Get them comfortable in the chemo loungers and draw a CBC and comp. I’ll be there in a moment.” Jerrold smiled.
“I’d like to chart their information. What are they here for, and do you need IV access?” she asked. “It’s Friday. Are they part of the trial?”
Jerrold’s gut tightened. “No IV. They’re a follow-up. Thanks, Addy.” He dismissed her.
* * *
“Boss,I’ve got a Kodi Bush on the line for you. He says it’s urgent,” Elin said through the intercom.
“Kodi, talk to me.” Kip put him on speaker for Mia and Tobey.
“Something is going down at the Manor. I just helped package three patients to be taken to the Women’s Health Center. And they’re playing musical beds with a group of female patients with dementia, moving them all to Four North. Boss, five of them have fever, profound diarrhea, vomiting and hair loss. They’re from different wards. When I asked if I needed to use more precautions than standard, I was told not to worry.”
“I’m here with O’Mara and Donnelly. Bruce Steele and a team are coming to do a walkthrough. They’ll be introduced as a family looking to help their mom. Are you safe?”
“Yeah. The administration seems to be flustered.”
“An email about the sale is going through tonight. Maybe the Sommerstones told admin. Can you get some biologic samples—blood, urine, feces from those patients?” Kip asked.
Kodi chuckled. “Do I get a bonus?”
Kip sighed. “Have you seen our other undercover, Emma?”
“Roger. She’s moving patients. I’ll catch up with her when I get to four.”
“Get the samples to Steele, get Emma and get out,” Kip said.
“Roger,” Kodi said. “Bye, Dad. Kiss Mom for me.” He ended the call.
“I don’t like it,” Mia said. “He sounds stressed.”
Kip looked at his watch. “I’m checking in with Bruce and Rich, then they’ll be on their way.” He could feel bile begin to rise in his throat.
* * *
The elevator doorsopened onto the ground floor. Kip stepped off with Josh, Tobey and his XO, Chad. As the foursome headed to the health center doors, Kip’s stomach growled. He rocked on his heels, feeling rushed by the short timeline. He feared finding something he couldn’t fix quickly, and it would cost the company.
When one of the Sommerstone guards attempted to stop them, Josh stepped in front of Kip. “I don’t think you want to do that.”
