Maddox shook his head. “You will never prove anything. I will come out on top—as always.”
As soon as Kieran and Hunter were clear of Maddox’s office, Andy Blake and Javier Ruiz walked in. Two hospital security officers sat, waiting to assist the head of HR.
Kieran stood in the reception area and watched the HR head speak to Maddox’s secretary and assistant. “Cancel all his appointments. Refer all Dr. Maddox’s patients to the new acting chief, Dr. Montgomery. Dr. Maddox will not be seeing patients until further notice.” The administrator provided them with the official hospital position to quote to patients.
In the parking lot, Hunter said nothing.
“She’s alive, and we’re tracing the wire transfer. We’ll get him for attempted murder.”
Hunter hung his head. “He was a brilliant surgeon. He would have killed her. Why?”
“Go home. Take a break. We have a meeting tonight.” Kieran patted him on the back. “And you have a big day tomorrow, Chief.”
Hunter gave a half-hearted smile. “See you tonight.”
* * *
After he was removed from the building, Joe Maddox picked up his phone. “The police just left. Kieran Chase and Montgomery found the wire transfer, the sponge, and the bacteria. I’m telling you one thing—I won’t go down alone for attempted murder.”
“Relax, I have everything under control.”
“That’s what you said six years ago. I don’t like this.”
* * *
Rain poured down from the skies, chilling Ian to the bone. When he checked in three hours after her surgery, Tucker advised him Cassie awakened confused and combative. Rachel crawled in bed beside her to settle her down. Ian dreaded having to question her. All he wanted to do was protect her, but other than Rachel, the family still refused all attempts to give up any pertinent information.
Ian shook off his jacket as he entered the pool house. Pete was in the kitchen warming some broth. “Hi, Ian. She passed her swallow test. You’re just in time for her first meal—some chicken broth from Ellen.”
“The cure for everything. How’s it going?”
Pete set up a tray. “Surgery was rough on her. Her right shoulder is immobilized, and we’re plying with her pain meds.
“She’s awake and sitting up. She can move and feel all four limbs. Not too keen about the feeding tube. The repetitive questions are continuing. She’s not holding on to information, and I suspect she has little memory of what happened. We don’t press, bland answers to her questions. Reorientation to who we are and lots of patience. She’s anxious, and the family is anxious. We keep reminding them she’s in a strange place—in pain with lots of tubes. Tuck and I are trying to get the family to stay mellow.”
Ian laughed. “Bless you if you can do that.”
“Sophie and Rachel did the best with her. Bruce and Zach took Sophie home an hour ago. Nice woman—she wanted to stay, but she needs to be at work early.” Pete ladled soup into a bowl. “Remember this, her condition is, for lack of a medical word, miraculous.
“Rachel and Christian are with her now. Everyone wants to stay tonight. Tuck and I are waiting for Jamie and Eric. We figure it’s best to have strength in numbers when we tell them no more than two in the room at a time. And, unless it’s an emergency, no one past nine. She needs to sleep.” He placed the bowl on a tray and headed to the stairs. Ian followed.
* * *
Cassie looked like a princess propped up on pillows, with a homemade afghan across her legs. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, and her long lashes contrasted with her alabaster skin. She wore nasal oxygen. Ian ignored the dark circles beneath her eyes and the fine lines around her lips.
“Sweet pea, it looks like you have dinner company. Ian is here with Pete,” Rachel said.
Cassie’s eyes brightened when Ian came into focus. She smiled when he shook his thick black hair, damp and tousled from the rain.
“How about we try some broth?” Pete set the bowl down on the tray table in front of her.
Ian sat on the bed beside her. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
“I’m okay,” Cassie rasped.
“Just okay? I was told you’re ready to run a marathon.” Ian’s voice was playful. “How about you try some dinner?”
Cassie looked at her bandaged fingers and her immobile right arm.
