Page 29 of Her Braun
"You want me to book her? I can handle the scheduling. I've done it before."
Kay lowered her chin a little, meeting Jane's gaze with her own. "I don't want to use you."
Jane dipped her chin as well and looked over the edge of her red-rimmed glasses. "Oh, I'm more than happy to do it. I'm used to it and Doctor Parker would think something was a little off if you contacted her on your own to schedule."
"Oh, good. Listen, I know what it's like for people to assume that you're there to be their doormat. I'm not one of those people. Please talk to me if I come anywhere near crossing that line."
Reaching out, Jane touched Kay's arm lightly. "I can already tell that you're one of those people who won't be like that. But if you do come close to that line? I'll let you know."
Kay smiled at the slightly snarky edge in Jane's voice. "I have a feeling that you would. Good." She lifted the packet of papers in her hand. "You are a godsend, Jane. Thanks."
"We're going to get along well, Kay. I know it."
Kay walked away with a little bit of a skip in her step, but that only lasted until she got back to the nurse's hub.
As soon as she got there, Thuy turned in her direction, with her phone pressed up against her ear and a look of clear concern in her eyes.
"One moment, Officer. She's right here."
Officer?
Immediately, Kay reached out a hand for the phone and Thuy didn't hesitate handing it over.
A quick look at the CALLER ID on the screen of the phone on the counter told her a little.
It was a local number.
Her parents were thousands of miles away living their lives. A local call from the police didn't make sense if it was about her parents.
"Hello?"
"Is this Kay Hata? Is your address 42 Abernathy Street?"
"Yes?" She needed answers. "What's going on?"
She thought she heard someone take an in-drawn breath through their teeth as if they weren't sure what to say or how.
Her normal patience was thinning rapidly. "Hello?"
"Miss Hata?"
"What's wrong?"
"Miss... Miss, uh, Hata, we were called by your neighbor to address a break in at your house."
"I'm sorry, did you say that someone broke into my house?"
"Yes, miss, I-"
"I can't... I don't know what to do." She turned her back to the nurse's hub hoping to keep others from seeing her expressions. She didn't want to struggle in front of them. "Do you need me to come to the house right now? I’m not sure if I can get away from the ER."
There was a moment of odd silence on the other side of the phone call. "No!"
She leaned back from the handset of the phone, but she could still hear what was going on.
"Sorry. Am I speaking to Doctor Kay Hata? This is Detective Rafferty. I’ve heard about you at Cole Medical.”
“Yes,” she nodded, hesitating slightly. “I’m a doctor at Cole Medical Center.”
