Page 52 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

“I wouldn’t call this an extended vacation,” he offered. “We’ll be gone the rest of this week and through the weekend, but I’ll be back at the hospital on Monday.” He studied her another moment. “What is it you need to speak with me about?”

Damn it, Abi. Come on.

“The nurse,” she said. “The one who triggered the false alarm. Johnson, I believe her name was.”

He nodded. “The hospital is working with the police in conducting an investigation. To my knowledge she hasn’t been found as of yet.”

“I think I saw her back at the hospital this morning and I didn’t know who to tell.” This obviously was a lie, but she was winging it. If she had to buy much more time, she wasn’t sure how that was going to go down. The doctor was clearly already suspicious, and she was basically holding her breath.

He reached into his pocket and withdrew his cell phone. “Did you inform security?” He tapped the screen and pressed the phone to his ear.

“I told the nurse on duty at the desk—the one near my uncle’s room.”

For a few seconds, Case was preoccupied discussing her assertion with whomever he had called. Then he thanked the person and ended the call.

“Security is keeping an eye on everyone who enters the building. There has been no sign of her coming through any of the entrances.”

Jamie made a face. Damn. Of course they were monitoring the comings and goings after the incident. “Well then, maybe she never left.”

This appeared to give him pause. He withdrew his phone and made a second call. He passed along this suggestion, then hung up.

“Thank you,” she said before he could start asking her questions. “I was just really worried about my uncle’s safety, and I wasn’t sure anyone would actually listen to me. You seemed so kind and so concerned. I felt the need to come straight to you. I’m so sorry for the intrusion.”

“Daddy! Daddy!”

Lillian rushed into the room. Her pink sweatshirt sported a popular cartoon character. The pockets of her jeans were trimmed in pink and then there were the furry pink boots. The kid liked pink for sure. She glanced at Jamie, then smiled.

If the kid recognized her...

“This must be your daughter,” Jamie said before the child could say a word.

Case smiled. “This is Lillian. She’s very excited about the trip.”

Jamie smiled. “Well, anyway, thank you, Dr. Case, for hearing me out and making sure my concerns are taken seriously.”

This was it.She was out of time and options.

“Have a nice holiday, Ms. Mason.”

“I thought your name was Jasmine.”

Jamie’s pulse reacted to the girl’s statement, but she kept her smile in place. “That’s right. Jasmine Mason. Most people call me Jamie.”

The child frowned as if she wasn’t sure that was correct.

“Have a lovely vacation,” Jamie offered before turning to the door.

“How do you know Ms. Mason?”

Jamie cringed at the question he’d asked his daughter. The doctor realized something was off.

“We talked about the books,” Jamie said, turning back to them and using a last-ditch effort to control the narrative.

Come on, Abi. Damn it.

“I told her about the ducks,” Lillian said, her cheeks turning pink again. “I think she liked the idea.”

“I absolutely did,” Jamie said.

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