Josh opened a box, lifted a thick white file and placed it in the center of the table. On top of it, he placed a large blue candle. Poking three holes into the candle, he put some crumbled herbs into two holes, and ground clove and dried onions in the other one.
As he lit the candle, he said in French: “You will not fear the terror of the night. Nor the arrow that flies by day. For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91.” He placed his hand on the stack of white papers and focused into the flame, praying for the protection of all the people on the list—a list of the entire branch. When he was done, he blew out the candle.
“Thank you, Josh.” Kip welcomed any help he could get.
Kip flipped on the 70-inch monitor where Greta raged across the screen in giant colorful circles. The national weather reporters were filling the twenty-four-hour news cycle:
“Hurricane Greta has reached a category five storm with sustained 160 mile-per-hour winds. Outer bands with winds to 100 miles per hour are beginning to lash the coast. We expect landfall of the mammoth storm around one this morning. The governors of Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana have declared states of emergency. The Louisiana governor states it’s too late to issue a mandatory evacuation order and instead is providing locations for eighteen shelters accessible by bus as well as the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The governor has also called for a six pm curfew.”
“It’s going to be a long night,” Kip said. He left their glass room to look out the window. From the penthouse, he could see rain beginning to lash lower rooftops and small bits of debris getting caught like sails.
Elin walked in wearing her new tactical uniform. “Boss, the local news is calling for comment about the hospital.”
“Put them through.” Kip sat behind his desk.
Josh whispered with Elin and then turned the second monitor in the collaboration room to the station interviewing Kip. “Mr. Brennan, this is Rock Driver. Can you tell me how Chase Care Hospital is fairing, considering the recent bombing?”
“Mr. Driver, we have made the necessary repairs, and as you know, we are a level-one receiving hospital. A storm, even one of this magnitude, is not cause to close. We have cancelled non-emergency procedures. We are currently maintaining all essential services.”
“What about the Chase Care Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and the Chase Care Women’s Center?”
“The CCCRN is operating out of a temporary location within the C and M building in the business district. The women’s center is closed until the state of emergency in Louisiana is over,” Kip replied.
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Brennan. We will be reaching out during the storm.” The reporter dropped off, but a producer remained on the line. Kip directed Tobey to pick up.
Bruce laughed. “Asshat. What did he want you to say? ‘We are going to put our patients out in the rain’?”
“I’m going to check on Harper. Kyle, come on.” Kip led the way to the elevator. “If something happens, I’ll come for you. Stay with Chantal.”
Kyle’s shoulders relaxed. “I apologize for not having my head in the game. I’m a little crazed.” A small smile touched his lips. “Kip, I was wondering: do you think the board would let me to transfer to New Orleans?” he whispered, almost afraid to say the words.
Kip’s eyes brightened. “First, you haven’t missed a beat. Now, you and Tally. There’s a lot happening,” Kip said.
He rubbed his chest. “She makes me feel good,” Kyle said. “And, yes, I know… instant fatherhood, but I’m forty-one. I think I’m ready. No, she makes me feel ready.”
“I don’t think anyone would object.” Kip punched his shoulder.
Chapter 33
Harper slept against Kip’s chest, his eyes on her TV. He’d checked every floor and checked in with Tobey and Chad, who moved to the hospital. The ER was seeing a small uptick of patients, but nothing too bad. It was only 2100 hours. The police and fire radios were reporting power remained intact, and there were very few curfew-breakers. They did report the water rising against a low tide.
“Mmm,” she sighed.
“Hi, how are you doing?”
“Pretty good. My legs are stiff. Do you think Tim will let me go for a walk?” she asked.
“Tim went to bed. Seth is on.” Kip rang her bell.
Harper, wearing pink fuzzy slippers Josh bought her, pushed her IV pole, and with Kip at her side and Seth on the other, she walked two rooms down. “I want to visit Channy.”
“We figured.” Seth slid open Chantal’s door. She was resting against the sleeping Kyle. “Hi,” her sister whispered.
Kyle’s eyes popped open. “Sorry.”
“Aye, we have a crowd. Seth and I will be outside. No stress,” Jamie said.
“Everyone is nice. Is that a condition of the job?” Chantal asked.
