“When did this happen?” Kip felt his temper rising.
“The doctor came in about an hour ago. The Irish guy got here about ten minutes ago,” she said.
Josh’s, Hunt’s and Kip’s phones buzzed as the hall doors opened and Crescent 3 filled the corridor. Mark Hart, Crescent 3’s leader, approached Kip. “We got a call from Jamison O’Reilly. He requested assistance.”
Hunt keyed into the unit. Dressed in dark gray scrubs with a shamrock-covered scrub cap, Jamie O’Reilly, facility director of the New York Chase Health Center, stood in front of the nurse’s station. In front of him were the nursing staff and the two residents and fellows currently assigned.
“Hey, Kip, there’s an irate doc locked in the supply closet. He punched a doctor. Can you get rid of him?” He turned to Hunt. “Doc, I could use some medical help. I’ve got twenty beds and twenty-seven in labor. Damn pre-storm.”
“Jaime, where’s Dr. Linton?” Hunt asked for the head of the unit.
“She’s the one he hit. He ripped the phone out and the contact numbers off the wall. One of the interns called information and got our switchboard. I came straight from the airport.”
An expectant father came out of one of the rooms. “I need help in here.”
“Go.” Jaime pointed to a nurse and one of the fellows.
“Mark, four on me,” Kip said. “Where is he?” When Jaime pointed, Kip stood back as the Crescent 3 leader opened the door.
Jerrold Sommerstone came flying out at them. “You son of a bitch! I am an attending here. I have private patients!” His eyes widened at the sight of Kip. “You again. My parents still own the facility.” He tried to weave through the four operators and Kip, who now formed a circle around him.
Kip appeared passive. “Jerrold, your parents disappeared after the Manor fire. The Sommerstone board closed the deal. Chase Care owns the facility.”
“You’re lying!” he screamed in Kip’s face.
Kip wanted to gag at the combination of mint and alcohol. “Jerrold, where were you before you came in?”
“None of your fucking business!” Jerrold yelled even louder, trying to push his way between Mark Hart and Kip.
Kip placed a restraining arm across Jerrold’s chest, and Mark repeated the same gesture from his other side. Two more operators pressed into Jerrold’s knees, dropping him face-first onto the cold linoleum floor. “You bastards you can’t stop me,” he yelled.
“Stand him up.” Kip met the doctor’s angry eyes.
“You. You ruined my career and stole my girl. You’ll see—that traitorous bitch never does anything you want. You’ll see. She’s a gold digger, and when she’s done with you, she’ll be on to the next.”
“Mark, take him downstairs to the psych ward. Make sure he can’t hurt himself or anyone else. Frisk him and lock him in, then check on Dr. Linton. Once you have appropriate transport, take him to the building. Also find his car and tow it. When I get answers to my questions, call NOLA PD and press assault charges.”
“Yes, sir,” Mark Hart said.
“Hunt, need you,” Jamie called.
Chapter 21
Sunday, August 26th
Hurricane Greta T-3 days
Kip, Kyle, Rich and Bruce sat together in the collaborative room, the name he learned his glass cage was called. “Hunt and Jamie are restoring order in the OB unit. When the storm passes, I want a deep look at the records of that unit. How many children died because of the care? The rest of the units are hanging on by a thread.
“I spoke with Thom Wagner. We are going to take twenty-nine more discharges from the hospital who are healthy enough from the fire. This will open some beds so the ER can clear out. Hunt hired a new head of the hospital. She’s a trauma surgeon, Selma Bryant. Apparently, she’s had privileges at Sommerstone Hospital for a while. They go back to medical school.
“Tobey reported the security division is tightened up and ready. Chad reports evacuations of non-essential employees and their families begin tomorrow at 1400.
“Police picked up Jerrold Sommerstone, who broke Rose Linton’s nose. He gave us no idea where his folks are, nor did he provide any information about the blue car. I have Second Deputy Nora Kennelly investigating how Jerrold got into the hospital, and she’s also running racing friends of Jerrold’s. He called Harper a traitorous bitch. He’s involved up to his eyeballs.
“Tag is under a six-hour mandatory sleep order, which all of you are also under after this meeting. I’m trying to get everyone on a sleep schedule. Change that—Elin is. She’s great with spreadsheets and food. Her husband owns a restaurant.” Kip and his friends never had issues with sexuality in theory, but working with a transgender woman was new to all of them. He paid attention to reactions and was happy to see only gratitude for the woman’s skills.
The door opened, and in walked Mike Johnson, Chase Security’s COO. “Hey, everyone, don’t let me interrupt.” He sat in the seat across from Kip.
