Page 107 of Left Behind

“Will do,” Wiley said, and made a quick call off radio to give Chief Warren the details.

***

Linette was on duty in a patient’s room, administering a pain med via the shunt in the patient’s IV.

The patient, a twelve-year-old boy who was two days out of surgery for the repair of a compound fracture to his leg from a rollover on his ATV, was miserable. His leg was in a cast from the ankle to just above his knee. He couldn’t get comfortable, and when she’d entered the room with his meds, he was alone and in tears.

“I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time, Davey, but these pain meds will kick in very soon.”

He swiped at the tears on his face, embarrassed to be caught crying. “I know. Thank you, Miss Linnie.”

“You’re welcome, honey. Looks like someone moved your table too far away to reach the water. Are you thirsty?”

He nodded.

“We can fix that,” she said, and poured some cold water into his cup, held the straw up to his lips, and watched as he drank.

As soon as he’d had his fill, he sank back into the pillow and glanced at the clock.

She saw the frown on his face. “Where is your mother this morning?”

“She got a phone call from Dad. Said she had to run home for a bit, but she’d be right back. That was three hours ago.”

“Hmm, there are a dozen reasons why she might be delayed. I’ll bet she shows up soon. In the meantime, why don’t you just close your eyes and let those pain meds do their job?”

Davey was already getting sleepy and closed his eyes.

Linette straightened his covers, gently brushed her hand across his forehead, and then waited until she knew he was out. But as soon as she left the room, she went straight to the nurses’ desk.

“Anyone here know why Davey Andrews’s mother suddenly left this morning? He said she got a phone call. Said she’d be right back, but that was three hours ago. He’s worried. I administered his pain meds, so he’s asleep now, but this is unlike her. She has hardly left his side since they brought him in.”

Then a nurse behind the desk looked up and pointed. “There she comes now, Linnie, but I think something’s wrong.”

Linette turned around, saw the panicked look on Shelly Andrews’s face as she reached the station.

“I saw a man in the parking lot getting out of his truck with a gun in his hand. I don’t know who he is, but I saw him entering the lobby just as the elevator doors closed on me.”

Before any of the nurses could react, they began to hear gunshots, and then a lockdown alarm. Linette’s first thought was Wiley, and then she thought of their patients. Who the hell was this man and who’d he come after?”

“I’m shoving the recliner against the door to my son’s room,” Shelly said, and ran.

The RN jumped into action. “We have twelve patients on this floor and six nurses. Get anyone who’s mobile into a bathroom. Tell them to lock the door and stay in there. The rest of you, get in a room with a patient, bar the door as best you can, and wait for an all clear on the intercom.”

The nurses turned and ran.

***

The dispatch went out to every police car and to every handheld radio.

“Active shooter inside Jubilee Hospital. Proceed with caution. Hospital is on lockdown.”

Wiley was in the passenger seat of the patrol car, and Doug Leedy was driving when they received the dispatch. Doug hit the lights and sirens and made a U-turn in the street before speeding off toward the hospital with more than a dozen other police cars doing the same thing, coming from all over town.

Wiley tried to call Linette, but when the call went to voicemail, his heart sank. He told himself it was because she was likely involved in securing her area and patients, but that didn’t alleviate his fears.

They reached the hospital in less than two minutes and saw people pouring out of the front entrance on foot, trying to get to their vehicles. Wiley and Doug got out of the patrol car on the run.

A man came running toward Doug and Wiley, carrying a small child.

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