“Cab’s here.” She looked up at Theo standing in the doorway. “Are you going to get that?” He nodded at the ringing phone in her hand.
She took one last look at the screen and sighed as she rejected the call. “No, let’s get going.”
She limped out into the hall and slipped her jacket on, grabbing her purse in one hand and keys in the other, before Theo swept her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing.
“You sure about this?” he asked.
She nodded slowly.
“Alright then.” Theo turned and stepped out of the door as she leaned down and pulled it closed behind them.
The police were so blatant it was almost laughable. Gazing out of the back window of the cab, Olivia could clearly see the squad car brazenly tailing them down the empty roads into town. Fortunately, the cab driver chose not to comment; in fact, he seemed to be uncharacteristically quiet for a cabbie, and wore an expression of extreme discomfort. When they finally pulled up outside the hospital, Theo once again lifted her into his arms and carried her through the main entrance.
Olivia watched quietly as the cab pulled away and the police car parked across the street. After a moment, Deputy Hanson emerged from the car and crossed the street.
“What the hell, Olivia?” Louisa slipped the chart she’d been signing back into the holder at the front desk and walked over.
“My ankle’s still acting up,” Olivia told her, her eyes widening a fraction in warning.
Louisa’s gaze swept suspiciously over her friend’s shoulder and noted the tall blond deputy walking in. Her eyes narrowed and her mouth tightened in disapproval. “Come with me,” Louisa led them toward a small cubicle.
Theo followed obediently, setting Olivia down on the edge of the bed as Louisa closed the curtain.
“What’s going on?” Louisa asked in a low voice.
“I need your help,” Olivia whispered back. “We need to lose Deputy Barbie out there.”
“Why? Where are you going?”
“I don’t have time to explain right now.” Olivia shook her head as she started unwinding the bandages. “I promise I’ll tell you everything later, but for now, I need a way out of here without the cops knowing, and I need to borrow your car.”
Louisa sighed and pulled her car keys out of the pocket of her white coat and handed them to Olivia.
“Leave the deputy to me. Once I distract her, slip into the next cubicle. There’s a door next to the bed that leads into a trauma room, which is not being used right now. Go straight through to the double doors at the other side of the room. You’ll find yourself in one of the main corridors. Take a left and head to the end of the corridor. Through the next set of double doors on your right is the stairwell that’ll take you down to the parking levels.” She grabbed a pen and scribbled on the palm of Olivia’s hand. “That code will get you out of the parking garage.”
“Thanks, Louisa, I really owe you.”
“Yeah, well, I expect a full explanation and dinner in return,” she replied.
“Done.” Olivia smiled and pulled her other sneaker out of her bag and pulled it on.
“Ready?” Louisa asked, picking up an empty chart tucked into a plastic holder at the foot of the bed.
Theo and Olivia both nodded.
“Just keep the weight off that ankle. We’re a bit backed up in x-ray today, so you may be here a while.” Louisa spoke loudly enough for the deputy to hear her as she stepped out of the cubicle.
Satisfied that she had Hanson’s attention, Louisa wandered out onto the main floor, her gaze firmly fixed on the chart in her hands. Heading straight for the deputy, she ran smack into her, and they both went down in a tangle of limbs.
“Oh my God, I am so sorry, Deputy.” Louisa moved, blocking her view of the cubicle. “I didn’t see you there.”
Deputy Hanson grunted as the wind was knocked out of her. Louisa clambered over her, trying to climb to her feet but elbowed the other woman in the stomach. Finally, Louisa stood as she held her hand out and helped the blonde to her feet.
“Are you alright, Deputy?”
“I’m fine.” Deputy Hanson brushed herself off as she stood.
“Sorry again. Jake always says I should come with turning signals.” Louisa gave a fake smile. “Anyway, what can we do for you? Are you sick, injured?”
