Page 24 of Lake's Legacy

“Where are you doing your residency?”

“Tulane Hospital. I’m starting in obstetrics.”

“Really? That’s where I work. What a coincidence,” I say, glancing at Lake.

“What’s it like?”

“That’s a loaded question,” I reply slowly. “It’s a good hospital, but I’ve only worked there for a week. However, I haveto warn you. Someone tampered with my car in the parking lot and then tried to kidnap me, and this isn’t the first time it has happened.”

“Excuse me?” Annette’s eyes bug as Toff chokes on his sandwich. Lake slaps his brother on the back.

I tell her about the disappearance of the doctor and the nurse before giving her the details of my experience.

“If it wasn’t for Lake and the other guys, they would have grabbed me.”

“You don’t know who they are? Are they doctors?”

“We don’t know, but we’re looking into it,” Lake says. “Pirate is our tech guy. He’s searching the camera feed to see if he can find images of the asshole without the disguise. Abra has feelers out for a white van with bullet holes in the doors and hood.”

“Aren’t you scared to go back there?” Annette asks.

“Yes, and no. Lake’s making sure I don’t drive to or from work alone. Now that I know someone can enter the women’s locker room and get into my stuff, I’ll bring another lock. I’ll be extra careful not to find myself alone or vulnerable.”

“I don’t like the idea of you being there without protection,” Toff tells Annette.

“Are you staying in an apartment?” Lake asks.

Annette nods. “Signed the lease yesterday. It’s only two blocks from the hospital. I’d planned on walking…”

“No,” Toff and Lake say together.

“Maybe you should consider completing your residency at a different hospital,” Toff suggests.

Annette shakes her head. “I can’t. I already committed to Tulane. I’ll be careful. At least I know about the danger.”

“Shit, you have your hands full,” Toff says. “I shouldn’t have dragged you into the problems here.”

“No, I’m glad you did. We can handle it. Pieter mentioned seeing a bald eagle on the back of the biker’s denim kuttes,” Lake says.

“Like the men who attacked Francois?” I ask. “I don’t understand. Do you think the same men who are extorting money from Francois and the other business owners are also coming out here to harass your tribe members? Why?”

“I don’t know. Pieter mentioned seeing three men. The number of men we saw at Francois’ and the same number of bikers the kid at the convenience store between here and New Orleans mentioned were causing trouble at the gas station. The club could be small, which would explain why Abra hasn’t heard a thing about them from his contacts.”

“If there are only three of them, they’re busy,” Toff says. Lake nods.

We finish eating just in time for our next patient. Toff shoos us out of the breakroom when we hear someone calling out from the waiting room. Lake, Annette, and I go out to find a man standing with his arm around a woman who looks like she’s ready to go into labor at any second. From the grimace on her face, I think she might be.

“Celeste, you look uncomfortable,” Annette asks, going immediately to Celeste’s side after greeting Celeste and her husband Joseph. Joseph steps aside to speak with Lake while I introduce myself to Celeste.

I move to Celeste’s other side when she doubles over. “Are you having labor pains?” I ask her.

“I wish. He’s just very active. I’m so ready to be done. But I know Dr. Sinclair was worried because the baby hasn’t turned yet.”

“Let’s get you comfortable and take a look,” Annette says, wrapping her arm around Celeste’s waist and leading her towardthe exam room. I rush ahead and get ready for the second sonogram of the day.

“Let me help you,” I offer as Annette and I help Celeste onto the exam table. Grabbing the lubricant, I lift her shirt before applying the gel to her swollen stomach.

Celeste grunts as I watch the baby’s foot push up and out. “That’s a good sign,” I tell her. “Looks like the baby has turned.”

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