Looking out the window, she could see enormous tents where they were evacuating patients. The man she was introduced to named Mike opened the passenger door and slid in behind her. The drizzle didn’t bother either of them.
“Harper, I believe you were fed some bad information. I’ll reintroduce myself. I’m Mike Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of CSI. Mr. Stone relayed some of what Brigitte Mone told you.”
Harper swallowed hard, realizing she never told Josh Brigitte’s name.
“I am sorry to confirm Adelaide was killed yesterday. She was struck in front of the building. Mr. Stone managed to get Kip out of the way, but Mr. Steele couldn’t make it to Adelaide in time. Kip and Dr. Montgomery, along with the police and Brigitte, went with the police to notify Adelaide’s husband.”
“Whoa… why?” Harper asked.
“Kip and Hunt wanted to offer their condolences and let Mr. Matin know the funeral and other things would be covered,” Mike said.
“No, I get why they went there. Brigitte… She hated Addy. And me…” Harper dropped her head.
Mike continued, “And your accident. Kip wouldn’t take no for an answer. He insisted on finding a way to get you. The fire department had no good options that wouldn’t harm rescuers.”
“He wouldn’t even let our experienced people try. And today, you were his first thought,” Josh said.
“Mr. Johnson, Josh, please don’t tell him about my losing my mind.” Harper wiped her face on her sleeve.
“We all have our less than spectacular moments,” Josh said.
“Some more than others.” Mike laughed and rolled his eyes at Josh.
Chapter 24
Mike, Josh, and Harper returned to the ER, where Andrew Coates approached, leaning close to Harper. “Kip’s stable. They’re pumping him up with another unit of blood, and then Hunt will take him to the OR—once it’s cleared for a bomb—to close him up.”
“That obvious?” She blushed.
“Not from you.” He laughed. “He’s in Bay 6.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
The IV drippedblood into Kip’s vein. The bomb’s fragments tore through his harness and into a blood vessel just beneath his shoulder blade while his arms were over his head. When he brought his arms down, the bleeding seeped into his black uniform, hiding the blood loss.
Tobey O’Mara worked on his tablet in a corner while Chad Thorn sat beside him. “I need to speak with Mike,” Kip said.
“Boss, you’re supposed to be resting,” Tobey said.
“I need an engineer’s look and a damage assessment. Get Bruce and his team here.”
“Boss, they’re here. So is Mr. Parry. Please…” Tobey begged.
“Harper. Where is she? And Chantal?”
“Chantal was evacuated to your home with Tuck. She’s fine. And Harper…” Tobey stopped when the curtain drew back.
“Knock, knock. How are you doing, Mr. Security Guy, or were you Mr. Hospital Guy when you almost blew up?” She smiled. “Open up.” She slipped a thermometer into his mouth. “Good, 99.2” She cycled the monitors and checked his IV. “Any pain?”
“Harper, I’m okay. Really.” He reached for her hand.
She stepped out of his reach. “Dr Montgomery will make the decision.”
Kip’s pulse jumped by twenty beats.
“Kip, what’s wrong?” Harper’s voice rose.
