Page 24 of Nikoli

"I can help with that."

Dodge leans on the desk. Bernie makes a weird sort of chuckle before tapping a few keys on the slinky computer in front of her. How she hits the correct key is a mystery to me. Her nails are long and painted red.

"What's his name?"

"Gabriel Carter," I say.

"Hmm, that name doesn't sound familiar," Bernie says in a way that makes me believe her. There was no recognition in her voice or actions. Not a twitch. "Oh, I can't find him."

I move up next to Dodge and catch Bernie's eye. The woman is not happy that she doesn't have Dodge to herself. I smile at the man. "Dad, what if Uncle Marcus used a different name so the bad men can't find him?"

Dodge's eyebrows shoot up and his eyes narrow. "Well, daughter, that is something to consider."

I roll my eyes.

Dodge asks Bernie, "Are you able to check if you've had any new residents in the last, say, six months?"

Bernie grins. "I can do that. Give me a few minutes."

"That would be great, Bernie." Pause. "Is that short for Bernadette?"

"It is." Bernie's attention is no longer on the computer.

Having had enough of the flirting, I nudge Dodge in the side. He coughs. "So, any names come up?"

"Well, three people have been admitted in the last six months. One female, Alice Roberts, so it can't be her if you're looking for a male. The other two are men, a Brandon Zahir and a Damien Richardson." Pause. “I’m not sure I should have told you that.”

"Damien Richardson,” I interrupt.

"Are you sure?" Bernie says suspiciously. "It says he's sixty-three. How can he be your nephew?" She questions Dodge.

"Damien was Gabriel's father's name,” I say. “Had he lived, he'd be sixty-three. Richardson was Damien's wife's maiden name. So, you see why I think your patient is really Gabriel. My cousin." I smile. "Dad, why don't you keep Bernie company while I go and visit with Damien? After all, I'm the one who begged to visit him."

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea." Dodge says.

"I'll make you a cup of coffee while you wait with me for your daughter." Bernie buzzes at the door. "Your cousin is in room 206 on the second floor. Levi, would you like to wait with me in the office? Much more comfortable in here."

"I'd love to."

I giggle. "Don't get too comfortable, Dad."

Bernie buzzes us through the security door. She's fast. As soon as we're through, she grabs Dodge's arm and leads him into her office. I catch her finger pointing at the stairs. "Second floor." She tosses me a small plastic badge that says "visitor" in typed red ink.

I clip it to my shirt for all to see. The stairs begin in a large reception area from which three hallways branch off. The walls are a clean off-white color, but devoid of decoration. The stairs, as I make my way up them, are old tiled. At the top of the first set, there are markings on the wall indicating left for rooms 200-214 and right for rooms 215-230. I go up the second set of stairs to the left.

"Can I help you?" The voice comes at me out of the blue.

I look around and see a male nurse. "Hi. I'm here to visit my cousin. Bernie gave me the all clear and sent me up here." I chew my lip. A nervous habit of mine. "I've never been here before, so I'm nervous."

Nurse Brian—or so it says on his white shirt—steps forward. "I can escort you if you'd like." He smiles. "Which room?"

"206."

He stiffens slightly but waves me in front of him. "This way."

I was nervous before, but the way Brian stiffened when I said the room number, my stomach is full of nerves. Fear too. What if the nurse was paid by Marcus to keep an eye on my brother? It was too easy with Bernie downstairs. They don't just let visitors into patients' rooms. Wouldn't they meet in a common area or in the garden? My heart starts pounding in my chest. I turn my head and offer a weak smile to Brian, who is walking behind me. He smiles back and walks forward.

"I'll open the door for you."

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