The men acknowledged him, and Kyle continued, “We lost two RNs in the fire. All the remaining nurses from Sommerstone Manor are fully cleared. Eight nursing assistants deceased. Twenty-four cleared. We are going through every department in the hospital now. Halfway there.”
“We test the hospital generator tomorrow—fingers crossed. My team is finishing up the storm windows and sandbags. I’m working with Rich. We have two separate warehouses stocked with duplicate supplies. If we lose one, we have the other. Portable generators. Fuel. And, Kip, you signed off on cash. Pantries are stocked with extra non-perishables,” Bruce reported.
Rich looked up at the ceiling and back at the group. “For the storm: unless it falls into a black hole, it’s going to be as direct a hit as possible. The low is flowing in, and the tides are high. Bruce, I’d raise the sandbags to five feet high at the hospital and move all the items in the basement and one up to the second floor or higher.”
“That’s a logistical nightmare,” Bruce said.
“That’s the ER,” Kip said.
Rich flexed his palms. “I know.”
Bruce opened his tablet. “Okay, second floor is home to ambulatory clinics and surgery. We can cancel all elective procedures effective 1600 hours tomorrow and move the ER up there. We can divert central supply up there too. But the cafeteria…we’ll need to find space on three. But the big issue is how do we get people into the ER?”
Kip propped his head on his hand. “If it’s that bad, nothing will move until the storm ebbs, though people will find a way. I want a fleet of swift boats.”
The men at the table stared at him like he was crazy. Mike broke the silence. “It might work. Remember the jet crash?”
Tired eyes blinked. “Yeah, we dragged people into the boats, and the ships dragged us onto the hospital ship,” Kyle said.
“Okay.” Kip typed an order on his tablet, including a note to Elin to specifically identify SEALs on staff.
“Now to the other issue. I ran the tapes over again. The car that hit Harper and Adelaide is the same. Was this Jerrold avenging a wrong, or are the crimes unrelated to Jerrold?” Rich asked.
First Deputy Kelly Ramirez, former Bravo Team member, looked at her phone. “Hold it,” she said, typing something rapidly. After a moment, she looked up. “We’ve got the car. Lourdes Sommerstones’ fingerprints are all over it.”
“Damn it. Good work, Kelly. We need to find her. Everyone hit the sack.”
Kip stayed seated.
* * *
Mike steepledhis fingers on the table. “You’re doing a great job.”
Kip wasn’t expecting that. “Thanks.”
“Who is Harper Rousselle to you?” Mike asked.
“I’m not sure. I met her a week ago. She’s um… I…” Kip stumbled.
“Well, she’s something to you for you to risk your life to save her. Coop seems to have the same affliction with her sister. He said he thinks it’s a voodoo spell.” Mike cracked a smile. “Timing is never perfect. From the company’s point of view, both women’s deep background checks have one speedbump.”
“Their parents,” Kip said.
“Pierre and Rosalind Rousselle. The paperwork the girls signed giving up their financial rights to the parents’ finances or holding the parents responsible for any debt incurred is public record. Brock said he put it out to the Bureau. There is one loophole they didn’t close, and that’s future heirs. Harper or Chantal’s children, and their guardians, could have a claim. That puts Chantal in potential danger.
“The Rousselle Corporation is a well-known benefactor and contributor to all sorts of local causes on the surface, but under that perfectly appearing portrait, they are being sued by the government for failure to deposit funds into escrow for costs of an oil leak clean-up from one of their gulf platforms.”
“You’re warning me off Harper?” Kip angered.
“No, I’m giving you a full picture. Her parents are a security risk. They could conceivably try to go through the girls to get to you or Kyle. Both of you have deep pockets.”
“ would destroy them if their folks faked wanting to repair their relationship. Thanks, Mike.”
“What can I do to help?”
Kip blew out a breath. “Harper and Chantal are my tenants. I need to consider their needs. My home has the most modern storm abatement technology. What are your plans?”
“I’ll stay, help as necessary,” Mike offered.
