“Boss, I’ll add it to your schedule. Do you want me to ask Elin to work through to the storm?” Josh called from the front.
“Please.” Kip wanted two things: to be with Harper and another cup of hot coffee.
* * *
The rain continuedto come in waves, and, combined with the unabated heat, it was like driving through soup. Josh parked in the CEO-marked parking spot. Reaching into the glove box, he removed and handed Kip his hospital ID badge on a black lanyard, as well as his own. After hopping out, he went to open Kip’s door, but Kip was already out and about to walk through the ED entrance.
Immediately he was greeted by a level-one provider and a former Sommerstone guard. “Good afternoon. Where can we direct you?” the guard asked.
“The Emergency Room,” Kip tested the system.
“Please step over to your right, and the people at the desk will provide you with a visitor pass,” the operator said.
Kip smiled. “That won’t be necessary.” He flashed his ID card.
“Mr. Brennan, sir, the ER is that way.” The startled operator pointed to his right.
“Thank you.” Kip picked up his pace.
Josh caught up. “Boss, for your safety, please tell me what you are going to do,” he pleaded.
Two more security personnel were at the ER doors, checking for visitor passes or ID cards. “Mr. Brennan, do you need assistance?” another guard asked.
Kip kept walking until he made it to the round desk centering a large room. Curtained bays circled the desk with more bays off them like a starburst.
Hunt rolled his eyes. “Listen to me. You worked more today than most people do in three days, plus you have a concussion. You are going to wear yourself out. Slow down.” He leaned over the desk. “Andy Coates, please.”
The clerk looked over her half glasses attached to a vividly beaded chain. “Sir, a moment?” She picked up the phone and said, “I have a visitor for Dr. Coates.” She smiled up at Hunt and Kip. “Just one more moment.”
Kip’s eyes scanned like a robot. There were forty beds and more beds in the corridors. “If this is normal, what happens during the storm?” he whispered to Hunt.
“That’s what we have seventy-two hours to solve.” Hunt frowned.
Four security officers were making their way toward them. “They think, hmm, three men in suits, may be dangerous,” Kip said to Josh.
“Boss, please,” Josh warned.
A tall woman with chocolate brown eyes and chestnut brown hair piled on her head in a messy bun joined the security officers. Kip counted to ten in his head as he watched the administrator with her ID tag adorning her right hip instead of on a lanyard. He was angry before arriving, and if she pushed, she’d be his target.
“Hello, I’m Sabine Landry. I’m the administrator on duty. Hospital policy dictates that visitors must be cleared in the waiting room before entering the unit, and only after that may they enter, walked in by security.” Her lips rose a hair.
“And what if I am not a visitor?” Kip’s eyes twinkled.Game on.All she had to do was to ask for identification.
“You look too well for a patient. So, again, I need to ask you to step out.” She pursed her lips.
“Two questions: when did you get your medical degree? And is it your policy to speak at people instead of with them?” Kip asked.
“Who are you to tell me that?” An unkind smile spread across her face.
Kip looked up to see Hunt chewing his lip, a tall bald male beside him. “Sabine, I’m Kip Brennan. I’ve participated in your little power game.” He pointed to the officers. “I’m sure you have questions for me. I will be happy to answer them after I speak with Dr. Coates.”
The administrator continued to glower at him.
Perhaps she didn’t recognize his name. “Excuse me, do you have a piece of new hospital letterhead?” he asked the clerk. He handed the paper to Sabine. “We will speak in a few minutes. Dr. Coates, you’re about to be treating a fainting spell.” He made eye contact with Hunt and walked around the administrator. His lips turned up as he heard the gasp behind him.
Josh called out, “Boss, Crescent 3 is here.”
“Floor to floor, room to room in pairs. Storm guards on all the windows,” Kip said.
