Page 103 of Girl Betrayed

“Just finished up rounds about five minutes ago.”

“And Meredith was fine?”

“Yes, baby. What’s going on?”

“Can you check again for me?”

Avery exhaled deeply. “Give me a moment.”

The sound of jazz filled the car again, as Dana pictured Nurse Avery slowly waddling down the hall, her white Crocs squeaking on the linoleum.

A minute later, Avery’s voice came back on the line. “She’s there, baby. What’s this about?”

“I need you to put Meredith in a different room.”

“Swap rooms?”

“No. It’s imperative that no one is in room 241.”

“Dr. Gray, I’d love to help but we’re pretty full up here on two, besides, moving patients from one room to another even onthe same floor is considered a transfer, and I’m not authorized to do patient transfers.”

Shit!Dana caught Richter’s eye and he motioned for the phone.

“This is SSA Grant Richter, FBI; I’m authorizing this patient transfer. Meredith Kincaid needs to be moved out of room 241. It needs to be done ASAP. This is a matter of life and death.”

“Agent Richter, I’d love to help, but moving patients isn’t something we take lightly here. There’s a mountain of paperwork. And even then, it’s not that simple. We’re dealing with patients, not inmates. They have peculiar proclivities and superstitions we have to accommodate. Some hate the number 13 or have to face West. Life is hard enough for ‘em. It’s my job to do what I can to make it easier. Which means not disrupting them by playing musical rooms.”

“I understand,” Richter replied, “But we have reason to believe Meredith Kincaid is in imminent danger. Failure to facilitate this request may result in the end of life. Are you prepared to accept responsibility for that?”

“Sir, I already told you. I can’t move anyone without the proper authorization. Period.”

“What if you don’t have to move Meredith?” Dana interrupted.

Avery sucked her teeth, then said. “I’m listening.”

Dana laid out her plan step by step. When Avery begrudgingly agreed, she hung up.

“Think it’ll work?” Richter asked.

“It has to.”

89

Dana knewsomething was wrong before they even arrived at St. Elizabeth’s. The telltale glow of red and blue lights was visible in the distance, the sirens blaring her worst fears. “We’re too late.”

“You don’t know that,” Richter said, flashing his badge at the gate attendant when they finally reached St. Elizabeth’s.

“Sorry, restricted access only,” the man replied.

“I’m here on official FBI business,” Richter stated.

The guard stepped back into his hut and made a call. A moment later he returned, lifting the gate, and waving them through. But they were stopped again when they tried to enter the hospital.

“What’s going on?” Dana asked the grim-faced officer barring their entry.

“Lockdown protocol. No one in or out till we get the all clear.”

She and Richter stepped back, waiting with the crowd of confused onlookers filling the parking lot.

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