Page 31 of Drake Eternal

She was carrying her backpack and was accompanied by one of the security guards.

When she saw me, she turned and pointed at me. “You’ll pay.”

“Come on, let’s go,” the security guard said and motioned to the open elevator doors.

She went inside, giving me the darkest look.

Yes, I was hoping I didn’t regret my decision to tell Michael about her indiscretion with Paul. Something told me I might need security.

I got my cup of coffee and went back to my office. I sat back behind my desk and decided to call up the security office’s manager and see if he knew anyone with a security background who could work for me at least while I was in Nairobi.

“Hey, there,” I said when Daniel Uduike, the head of hospital security answered. “How are you?”

We spoke for a moment, exchanging pleasantries, and then I got down to business. I told him about what happened with Sam, and then broached the issue of hiring someone for temporary personal security services. He was understanding about the problem and gave me the name of a relative who had been an MP in the military but was now a security guard who worked as a backfill.

“He’d be more than happy to work for a few weeks full time. He probably knows someone else who’s looking for work and can be backup.”

“Thanks,” I said and took down the information. We said goodbye and I called up Daniel. Within half an hour, I had hired him and two friends to provide security detail for me for the next two weeks while I was in Nairobi.

Better safe than sorry.

Then, I leaned back in my chair and exhaled heavily. One problem taken care of.

Two, actually. I wouldn’t have to worry about having Sam around to give me dirty looks now that she had been fired, and I wouldn’t have to worry about security.

I spent the rest of the day examining CT scans of patients I would be treating and visiting with other surgeons to discuss upcoming cases. It kept me busy and took my mind off Sam and the trouble she had caused me. By the time I was ready for a late dinner, I was exhausted. All I could think about was getting back to my hotel and lying in bed to watch something on Netflix and wait for my nightly call from Kate and Sophie. But I had another couple of hours of work left before I could do that.

I grabbed a sandwich and a muffin from the cafeteria and sat behind my desk, sorting through patient files while I ate. I checked my watch and saw it was now after eight, and so I grabbed my phone and sent a text to Liam, wishing him a good night.

DRAKE: Hey, Son. How are you doing? Just a text to say I hope you are enjoying your time off. Looks like it’s bedtime in Indonesia. How was your week?

I didn’t expect to get a response right away, so instead, I gathered up my things and left the hospital, calling down to my driver so he’d be waiting at the entrance.

When I arrived at the exit, I was happy to see my driver waiting, standing beside the rear passenger door. When he saw me, he smiled and opened the door for me.

“Thanks,” I said and got inside the cool dim interior.

He drove me to my hotel, and I watched out the window as the streets of Nairobi passed by. My cell chimed and I glanced down and saw that Liam had responded to my text.

LIAM: I’m good. We’ve been spending a lot of time on the beach, and I have a tan now. I’m playing video games with some friends despite the time difference. Now that school’s out, it really doesn’t matter. Plus, I know guys from all over the world. We all play the same multiplayer games.

I smiled and texted him back.

DRAKE: Glad you aren’t too bored. Say hello to your mom and Chris for me. Kate and Sophie will be joining me in Nairobi, so I won’t be alone for too much longer. I miss you. Have a great summer. Love, Dad.

LIAM: Thanks. I will and I miss you and Kate and Sophie too. Love, Liam.

I smiled as I read his text, and exhaled. He’d be fine.

We arrived at the hotel, and I was so glad to be back and could take a nice warm shower and lie on the bed and watch news for a while before my nightly Skype with Sophie and Kate.

Once I was finished my shower and was in my robe, I laid on my bed as planned and had my laptop open, waiting for their call. On the television across from me was the news, with headlines scrolling across the bottom, the sound down. I was reading over my notes from the day when the call notice sounded, and the icon appeared on my laptop screen.

I opened it and the screen popped up with Sophie’s face taking up the entire image.

“Hey there, Sweetheart! How are you and Mommy doing? Do you miss me?”

Sophie smiled and leaned down to kiss the screen. “Hi, Daddy! We had fun today. We went to the boardwalk and had corn dogs.”

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