As much as I want to run through the halls tossing out demands, I know things will go smoother if I let the actual doctor do the talking.
The hospital smells like antiseptic and burnt coffee.
Fluorescent lights buzz overhead as we move toward the nurses’ station.
“How’s my patient, nurse?” Patch asks a stout older woman behind the counter.
Her head snaps up.
“Dr. Adams,” she says with a warm smile. “Well, I’ll be damned. It’s good to see you. It’s been a while.”
“Indeed,” Patch replies. “You look well, Marsha.”
“Trying my best,” she chuckles. Then her eyes narrow slightly. “Are you back?”
“Just until my patient is released into my care,” Patch says easily. “Now, please give me the report on Abigail Turner.”
“Of course,” she says, clicking keys on her keyboard.
“Abigail Turner was brought in about thirty minutes ago with a gunshot wound to the leg,” she explains. “Dr. Langford already examined her. He said the wound had been cleaned and packed properly before arrival.”
She glances at Patch knowingly.
“Now that I know you were the one who treated her first, that makes sense.”
Patch just nods.
“Vitals?” he asks.
“Stable,” she says. “She lost a fair amount of blood, but nothing critical. We’ve started fluids and are prepping for a transfusion.”
My lungs finally remember how to work.
“She’s in room one-seventeen,” Marsha says, holding out the folder.
“Thank you,” Patch replies, taking the file from her hands.
He doesn’t slow down as he turns down the hallway.
I stay right on his heels.
When we reach the room, a man is standing outside the door with his arms crossed, hat tucked under one arm.
The sheriff.
“What are you doing here?” I ask immediately.
“Gunshot report,” he says simply.
“It has to legally be called in,” Patch explains. Then he nods toward the man. “Officer Cooper, would you be so kind as to wait in the hall while we check on my patient?”
Cooper? I know that name.
“You’re Maverick’s cop friend,” I say, remembering him from a couple years back when he helped us with Riley.
“Yes,” he nods. “And don’t worry. I’ve already handled the legal side of things. I questioned her earlier and determined it was a drive-by.”
My jaw tightens.
