“The fire was brought under control at 5:15 this morning. I can confirm one hundred forty-four patients and injured staff were transported to area hospitals. An additional ninety-seven uninjured patients were transported to the cafeteria at Sommerstone Hospital, where they will be evaluated and placed. Currently, we have recovered ninety-nine bodies.” The chief stepped from the podium without taking questions.
“Boss, did you hear that? There were supposed to be three hundred seventeen occupants, yet, if the chief was correct, the count is up to three hundred forty,” Josh said. “They were over capacity.”
Kip opened his phone and called Tag Dupart, the newly appointed first deputy in charge of health and safety. “It’s time. Put the transition plan into effect. The count is ninety-seven uninjured Manor patients so far. When you’re done, take a team to the fire scene and evaluate.”
Josh walked over and opened his phone to bring up the continuation of the news report.
Another reporter standing in front of Sommerstone Hospital spoke, “It’s chaos here as family members attempt to find out information about their loved ones. We cannot confirm, but it was not the hospital but rather Chase Care that set up a tent to triage and treat the injured. Victims continue to come in, many with serious burns. We have received information it is the same scene at University Hospital. A hospital spokesperson there said they are working with nursing home staff to identify the injured. Many do not have identification bands.
“Attempts to locate Lourdes and Rene Sommerstone have failed. Attorneys for the Sommerstone Corporation have declined to comment.
“Prior to the fire, the staff of Sommerstone Manor, Sommerstone Hospital, and the Sommerstone Women’s Health Center received an email advising them, effective Monday at five PM, the facilities will belong to Chase Care-New Orleans. Chase Care, under the direction of CEO Kieran Chase, was created to aid the underserved. In Louisiana, Kip Brennan, Executive in Charge of Chase Security International, will also become CEO of Chase Care-Louisiana. We have requests in for comment. We will continue to follow the story.”
* * *
Kip satin the Suburban and called Kieran. “Do we have anything?”
“Yes, the Sommerstone board doesn’t want to wait another minute. They had enough votes to override the Sommerstones. They want out now. Their attorneys have the contracts ready to go,” Kieran said.
“What about the Manor?” Kip wondered.
“The fire took two million off the top, but all their inadequacies become ours. Every violation. Every lapsed license. Every health code violation. I’m not saying we don’t do this, but we need to be prepared for the fallout. I woke up the health commissioner; he said he’ll give us fourteen days to clean things up,” Kieran finished.
“I want a storm update, and then I’ll meet you to sign. Where and when?” Kip waved Rich over.
“Conference room on eighteen. Whenever you get here,” Kieran said.
“Do we have any idea where the Sommerstones are?” Kip asked.
“Negative.”
Rich slid into the back seat beside Kip. “What are we looking at for Greta?”
“I think you might want to find a voodoo priestess to help. It’s a monster—currently it’s battering the Bahamas. We got our assets out of there. It’s heading toward the Gulf and South Florida. Hurricane warnings are up for Monday from Florida City to Vero Beach and Lake Okeechobee. Tuesday likely from Florida City to Jupiter. What’s concerning is tropical storm warnings are reaching back toward the Grand Bahamas, Bimini and the Berry Islands. Those bands will begin hitting the Mississippi Coast to just west of Jacksonville, Florida, by Wednesday, with a likely Cat 4 to Cat 5 storm striking us on Thursday pre-dawn, somewhere near Plaquemines Parish. Katrina almost wiped them off the map.”
“What direction do we go if we have to make an emergency evac?” Kip asked.
“Shreveport or Houston. Either way, five hours,” Rich said.
“Take hotel space in both cities. The hospital will need to shelter in place. And as soon as I sign the paperwork, we will move the uninjured Manor patients to the building.”
Rich nodded. “They picked the right guy to do this.”
“Stop buttering me up. What’s the shoe you’re trying not to drop?” Kip raised a brow.
“We need to replace the hospital generator. Our electricians got up close and personal with it. The one that’s there won’t power a flashlight. Bruce’s team is putting out calls. We should find a solution with enough capacity, but it’s going to be close.”
Kip yawned as he ran his hand through his hair. “Keep me posted. I need to get back to the building.”
Chapter 15
Kip and Kieran walked into the conference room where Brock Carpenter and three assistants sat waiting. Three more well-dressed people sat across from Brock. This was a different group from the last meeting. Kip assumed they were the Sommerstone corporate attorneys.
“Mr. Carpenter, now that Mr. Chase and Mr. Brennan are here, we can close the deal,” an older gray-haired man said.
“Where are your clients?” Brock asked.
“We represent the board for the corporation. We also have power of attorney for Rene and Lourdes Sommerstone.” The lawyer passed a file to Brock.
