Page 25 of Not the Bodyguard's Baby
“Try to be discreet out there.” Adam held open the door.
September didn’t want to be discreet. She crossed to the place where the hallway turned to go to the nursery and stood about where she was in the photo. Dr. Brooks consulted Adam’s phone and moved a couple times before nodding her head. September did her best not to run to the nursery to get Harmony.
* * *
Dr. Brooks returned to the room first and handed Adam’s phone back. “I think someone took it from the reception-desk area, but I am not sure.”
“Right now, getting September and Harmony out of here without the paparazzi downstairs realizing it and squelching the rumor is the best we can do.”
“I want to find the person responsible. People are leery of mental-health hospitals, and this type of thing leaked is not helpful.” Dr. Brooks reached for her pager. “It’s security. I’ll be right back.”
September came into the room with a sleeping Harmony in her arms. “Please tell me everything.” She sat in the rocker in the corner.
Adam checked his phone. “So far it seems to be only the few disreputable websites. Alan hasn’t sent me any other alerts, and the software he uses to check threats is much more powerful than a year ago.” Colin Ogilvie’s latest software design had other uses than keeping the billionaire and his friends safe.
“Dr. Brooks spoke with me this morning about my leaving. I am not sure. Would we keep the same plan of me going to your parents’ house for a while, or does this change things?”
“It is one of the safer options. Nothing in the two-paragraph article links you to us.” His parents’ house looked like any other on the street but hid a security system designed by his father, as well as a safe room. It would be as safe as they could get her.
Dr. Brooks returned to the room. “Your mother is in my office. I didn’t want to bring her onto the floor in case it is the receptionist. I don’t need to give her another reason to wonder what is happening. Your mom has an idea for checking the receptionist’s story, but she needs to use your phone. I think if you take it to her and also take Harmony, I’ll tell the receptionist you came to pick Harmony up for a doctor’s appointment.”
September gasped.
Adam knelt in front of the rocker. “The idea is good. It lets me get Harmony out of here. I’ve kept her safe all week. I’ll keep her safe now.”
She pulled her daughter close and kissed her brow. “I know you will. I’m just—”
“Scared? I am a little too. I don’t like it when plans have to be composed on the fly.” He placed his hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her. It had been a calculated risk to tell her he felt scared. He hoped realizing she was not the only person with fears might help her accept the current situation.
“You’re scared? But you are always so strong.”
“I have emotions too. I just keep going until I get out of tough situations.” He added a reassuring smile to his arsenal and felt her shoulders relax.
She lifted Harmony and set her in his arms. “You will keep us both safe.”
Adam adjusted Harmony so he held her in one arm, then reached up with his free hand to trace the side of September’s face. “We’ll see you later. Mom is here, so everything will work out.” He left the room hoping his words would be true.
If he hadn’t known it was his mother in Dr. Brooks’ office, he might not have guessed. The person in the sweater could have been male or female. “Here is my phone. Why do you need it?”
“It is the same model as the receptionist’s. I will show her the photo on what she thinks is her phone and see how she reacts.” His mother pulled her hair out of her collar and made quick work of putting it in a bun. “Then I will go from there. Deidre has some of her team at the grocery store three blocks south. If you think you are being followed, go in and buy cornflakes. If not, continue on to the house. I’ll bring September with me. Dr. Brooks will get the discharge papers taken care of.” She gave him a side hug and beamed at the sleeping baby.
Adam returned to security. The older guard had Harmony’s seat, blanket, and diaper bag ready. “We got the photographers off the street. Reminded them about HIPAA laws and told them if there was someone of interest in the building, they could face a lawsuit. One of them left. I think there are only two still hanging around. The temperature is dropping, so I think they’ll give up soon.”
“Thanks”—Adam checked the guard’s name tag—“Dell. Have a good day.”
After putting Harmony in her car seat, Adam scanned the parking lot. No one seemed very interested in him.
There was no need to stop at the grocery store, which was a good thing as Harmony woke up and informed anyone in range that she wanted out of the car as soon as possible.
* * *
September stood near the door, listening as Melanie spoke to the receptionist. She could see the receptionist’s face blanch. The woman attempted to run, but Melanie had her before she made it to the door. Dr. Brooks opened the door to the outer hall, and Melanie escorted the woman out.
Dr. Brooks beckoned September over. “Why don’t you go gather your things and stay in your room. I need to get your paperwork done and deal with some things, like lifting the code yellow before too many of the patients realize we’ve closed down the hospital.”
“What will happen to her?”
“I am not sure if there can be criminal charges or not. But at least for now, security can hold her while administration figures out a course of action. They will deny you were here. I assume they will try to protect the reputation of the hospital, which should also help you.”
