Page 16 of Guarding the Doctor
“Yes Doctor.”
“Zofran?” the patient asked.
Before I could look up from the tablet where I was entering the med order, Darla answered.
“It’s a medicine to take away the nausea,” she told the patient. “By putting it in your IV it will hit your system sooner and so you stop vomiting.”
The poor patient had thrown up twice since they’d arrived. The small exam room had an acrid smell that made me glad I was wearing a mask.
“Oh thank god. I swear I already threw up my stomach lining. Part of my colon too.”
Darla’s expression didn’t change, but when she looked at me I could see the flash of humor in her eyes. She wasn’t just a pretty face, although she was stunningly beautiful. She was also a skilled medical assistant – empathetic, intuitive, and able to explain things in plain English in a way that made patients comfortable with her. We worked together well.
“You should feel better in a little bit,” Darla reassured her, briefly touching the patient’s shoulder. “Just rest and let the medication take effect.”
I suppressed a sigh as I updated the chart. Every time I stopped I remembered that my condo was gone – everything I owned burned up in the explosion. My heart ached for everything I’d lost, but it had only strengthened my resolve. My possessions could be replaced, but my friend would never get his life back. I owed it to Seth to stay strong and stop whatever was happening here.
After giving final instructions to the patient, Stacy, Darla, and I headed out, ready to treat the next patient. Suddenly we heard a crash. Turning in that direction, I saw Yuri scrambling to pick up some supplies he’d knocked over.
“Wow, the new janitor is kind of clumsy,” Stacy noted. “That’s the second time I’ve seen him make a mess.”
“Yuri is a good guy,” Darla said immediately.
“Do you know him?” Stacy asked.
“Yeah, we used to work together, uh, at my last job. I can introduce you if you want. I know he’s single.”
I didn’t know why Darla was trying to be a matchmaker, but she was terrible at it. She was better off letting Yuri figure it out himself.
“No thanks, I’ve sworn off men after my last relationship,” Stacy said vehemently. “Maybe I’ll join your team instead. It seems to have less drama.”
“My team?” Darla asked in confusion.
“Team Lesbian,” Stacy said, walking off with a laugh.
“How does she know I’m a lesbian?” Darla asked curiously.
“You keep staring at me with smitten eyes,” I said, making air quotes at Stacy’s term.
Darla frowned. “No I don’t.”
I laughed at the offended tone. “Okay, you don’t.”
We both sobered at the sound of high heels clacking against the linoleum. I didn’t need supernatural senses to know it was Dr. Xi. I could feel the malevolence in the air. I’d never really liked the researcher, but now that I knew she’d killed my friend – and god knows how many others – I actively hated her.
“Dr. O’Brian,” she said with fake cheer. “How are you doing today?”
“Just fine,” I said, turning to walk away. “I’ve got to get back to my patients. Have a nice day.”
I felt her hand clamp around my forearm. For such a tiny woman, she had a surprisingly strong grip. It must be the fox shifter in her.
I rounded on her, glaring. “Remove your hand please, Dr. Xi.”
Behind me, Darla released a low growl that made my hair stand on end. She moved close enough that I could feel the heat of her body next to me. She was glaring at Xi.
“My apologies Dr. O’Brian,” Xi said, making a big show of releasing my arm. “I just wanted to express my condolences about your friend’s death.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, reminding myself to keep my face neutral.
