“Sir, continued inspection of the facility brought to our attention a storeroom with seven more dead, wrapped and double body-bagged to eliminate the odor. There were no outward identification bands. Dr. Montgomery suggested holding my team in the conference room on twenty for a stress debrief.”
Hunt grimaced. “I had the bodies moved to the hospital morgue. With Kevin’s help, we opened each bag. No ID bands, all in various stages of decomposition, all women. I took samples for DNA and closed the bags. I’ll bring in an ME and make the appropriate notifications.”
“And?” Kip knew there was more.
Kyle pointed for Mark to sit down.
“Sorry I’m late.” Thom Wagner joined them. “After speaking with Logan and Hunt, I was relying on charts, but now I instructed my PAs to do a full exam on all patients. It appears there have been falls or abuse that were not reported. I ordered a combination of X-rays, sonograms, and CT-scans. Kip, I think we have multiple injured throughout the facility.
“I ordered a chart-by-chart review to identify all staff involved in each patient’s care. I also ordered a payroll review to identify all on shift. Kyle assigned Crescent 5 to begin questioning.”
The peace from the six hours of sleep dissipated. “We need to identify the dead and injured, then notify their family. Hunt, get some shut-eye. Logan, debrief Crescent 3, then send them to bed.” Kip sat heavily. “Brock, where do we stand?”
“I’ve got two of my criminal attorneys with Mike and Tobey. Legally, we need to notify the authorities about our findings. What happens depends on the NOLA police, ME’s office, and the health department.”
Kip said firmly, “Brock, I’ll ask one more time, where do we stand—and no more lawyer speak.”
“It boils down to time of death. That’s a black and white. Now, time of fracture—that’s less predictable. The positive is you immediately brought qualified staff to examine, diagnose and treat patients. You are working on finding the offenders. The downside is Lourdes and Rene Sommerstone remain missing,” Brock said.
“Where’s Jerrold?”
“Kip, there was nothing I could do. He was arraigned at 0830. The magistrate shipped him off to a rehab in Houston.” Brock shrugged.
Kip’s eyes narrowed. “Give me something I can throw.”
* * *
Josh Stone stayedstride for stride with Kip. Showered, shaved, and dressed in a navy suit, no one would know Kip was functioning on coffee. Approaching the hospital doors, Kip noted builders hanging the new name sign. A low grumble came from his chest. Also in front of the hospital were news trucks and reporters.
He heard Josh tap his comm. “Juliet Sierra request cordon for Alpha 1.”
Six operators in Eagle’s Talon uniforms opened the front door and formed a tunnel. Josh, with his palm on Kip’s back, pressed him into the building. The six operators blocked from behind, closing the doors behind him. “Thanks, ladies and gentlemen.”
Josh held the elevator as Kip stepped inside. At the executive offices, Kip felt Josh’s eyes on his back as he headed to the CEO’s office. Once inside, he closed the door. After making a cup of peppermint tea from the bag Raven gave him, he sat at the desk in silence.
The phone on his desk looked like disco lights. Press calling for comments, he assumed. If someone important wanted to reach him, they’d call his cell. As the thought crossed his mind, his cell rang. Seeing the number, he answered, a touch of panic in his voice. “Greece, what’s wrong?”
“Whoa, breathe. I’m calling to check on you,” Troy Bremen said.
“You do realize what time it is?” Kip asked his friend calling from San Diego.
Troy laughed. “It’s 0600 my time, and, asshat, I called you. I just walked Kieran and Monique to the health center. Kieran briefed me on what happened. I also read the report Hunt generated. I wanted to offer help. I’m staying on the phone with you, and we will talk everything through.”
Kip took another sip of tea. “You’re sure?” When Troy growled, Kip continued, “Okay, Mike is meeting with legal again to develop a strategy. PD wants to interview staff. He intends to be at every interview. I’ve dodged them so far.
“Kyle and his team are running the licenses again for 2200 people. Bruce and his team are running through the hospital, double-checking each room is on our plans. O’Mara and Thorn are double-checking building and hospital security plans. Logan Shepard and Casey Reynolds are continuing to hire medical staff. And Greta is due in three days.
“You’re welcome. Now the shit that’s got your gut on fire,” Troy asked.
“The health mess is growing. We have unidentified dead and a whole bunch of broken bones. Is it because of staff shortages, or do I have a serial on my hands? Legal is drafting letters to the families involved. As soon as I get names and the room number in the building, I’m going door to door to see each patient myself. The positive is the new units are functioning well.
“The hospital. I’m meeting Hunt and Kevin at 0930 to go over department heads and senior medical staff. Thanks for sending Tim Holland, by the way. By then, Hunt should have the full breakdown of the units at the hospital. We know OB is in trouble. Two of the medical/surgical units have unacceptable infection rates…”
“You can prattle on all morning. My schedule is clear today. I’m waiting,” Troy said.
“Harper Rousselle,” Kip’s voice cracked.
“There you go. Feel better?” Kip could imagine Troy’s expression.
