38
Robyn
Carla looks up from her screen as I approach. She has a Diet Coke next to her keyboard.
She smiles at me.
“Have you seen Ridge?” I ask her.
“Not in the last few hours. He was in the hangar earlier. He was asking me questions yesterday about restricted areas in the hangar. I think his interest was surrounding drug protocols.” She shrugs. “I’m not entirely sure. He asked me for a printout of who has access to the surgical storage facility that services both the hangar and the main wing. He headed back toward the hangar. He might still be there.”
“Okay, thanks. I’m going to head over there to check in on the patient. I’ll check if he needs anything else while I am there.”
“You do that, Doc.” She winks at me.
We both know full well that I’m going to check on Ridge. My patient is just an excuse. Dr. Jenkins will have everything under control.
I go to the hangar with Smoke following me.
The doors open at the lower level. The temperature drops a few degrees as I step through into the large space.
The chest-laceration shifter is in his bay at the far end, monitors beeping at a soft rhythm. He’s still in the induced coma, with Lena at his side, making notes on his chart.
I scan the rest of the bay as I walk over, but don’t see Ridge.
“Hey,” Lena says as I approach. “Did you come to look in on Screech?”
“I did, indeed. How are the stitches holding?”
“They’re healing nicely.”
I pick up his chart, scanning it quickly. “It’s looking good. Have you seen the commander?”
“Haven’t seen him in a while. Sorry.” She shakes her head.
I nod, even though my stomach has dipped a little.
“His vitals have been steady,” Lena says. “Dr. Jenkins is around if you need her. I think she said she was going to be in the back office.”
“Thanks, Lena.”
I put the chart down and head over to the office, doing my best to look like I had a reason for coming down here other than chasing a male.
Dr. Jenkins is at the small desk inside, eating a sandwich one-handed while she scrolls through something on her tablet. She looks up when I knock on the open door.
“Hi, Robyn. Come on in.” She pulls out the second chair with her foot.
“I won’t stay. I’m just doing a sweep of the floor.” I lean against the frame instead. “How’s our chest case?”
She smiles around her last bite and swallows. “Doing much better than I expected. Vitals are rock-solid. Drains are looking good. Honestly, I think Dr. Patel is going to want him to attempt a shift later when he gets here.”
“That’s great news.”
I let my eyes track the hangar again, but Ridge isn’t here.
“Have you seen the commander, by any chance?” I keep my tone light. “I had a quick question for him.”
Jenkins frowns and looks up at the ceiling for a second. “I saw him earlier. Around lunchtime. I haven’t seen him since. I’m not even sure if he’s still in the building.”
