"Have you seen the doctor's car park?" Aidan asked.
Michael shrugged. "Maybe. I didn't really notice it…"
"It's the bit with the undercover bays. You need a security card to get in, which is why it's only for doctors. But occasionally, when the car park is full, security let the evening shift staff park in there. Now, we all have our favourite spots. And we all know whose is whose. So I can drive my car in every day and know exactly where to park." Aidan's expression looked eager.
Michael smothered a yawn. He hoped the coffee came quickly.
"So one afternoon, I arrived for my evening shift. I'd just stuck my security pass in the scanner and I saw a tiny little hatchback zoom into my space. I saw a little girl get out – she looked too young to be driving – grab a bag and run for the hospital entrance. I shouted after her, but she either didn't hear me or she was ignoring me. So I found another spot – one of the obstetricians was on his annual ski trip to Japan – and hurried inside. The ward clerk waylaid me to get me to sign some leave forms for staff. We got to talking about the parking issues, with the new hospital they're building behind us and I told her about the little thief who stole my parking spot. I was so annoyed I said I'd call security if I saw her again and have her escorted off the premises.
"I walked into my office, Michelle the ward clerk following me, telling me my handover notes were already in the office and how we had second year students on rotation this week. There the girl was, sitting calmly at my desk, reading my handover notes , a brand-new white stethoscope 'round her neck.
"I just exploded. First she stole my parking spot, then my desk, my office and my handover notes…who in hell was she and did she know what happened to people who stole doctors' parking spots?
"She calmly stood up, pleasant as you please, and introduced herself as the med student assigned to me for her ED rotation. Then she picked up my notepad and my pen and proceeded to ask what did happen to people who stole doctors' parking spots, as this wasn't covered by her university studies to date." Aidan burst out laughing.
Michael didn't see the punch line. "So did you call security?"
"Shit, no!" Aidan replied. "She turned out to be one of the best med students I've ever worked with. She knew all her theory back to front, never seemed to forget a thing, didn't flinch when she did her first IV…and the patients just loved her."
"Gentlemen…your coffee and cake," Allie announced, placing the tray on the table. Each brownie was crowned with a scoop of ice cream, steam wreathing it like mist. "Belle Brownies, as ordered, Dr Aidan." She gave the doctor a radiant smile before walking away.
Michael waited until Aidan had his mouth full of cake and ice cream. "That's all good and well, doctor, but I need to know why the girl was on the floor of the foyer of the Hell Corporation building. Not how you had her in your office before that."
Aidan choked. "Mr Dunn, I'd never do that. Hit on another staff member – or even do something so inappropriate in the hospital? What do you take me for?" He seemed genuinely shocked.
Michael thought back and realised what he'd said. "Ah, sorry. I meant…it doesn't matter. Why did you have her on the floor of the Hell Corporation building?"
"I didn't…" Aidan began, sounding hurt.
Michael tried not to swear. After all, he was recording this. "Just answer the question please, doctor."
YOU ARE READING
Going Down (Nightmares Prequel)
Mystery / Thriller“Find Al Himar. That’s one terrorist who’s going down!” After a dead terror suspect’s body is found, anti-terrorist operatives search her house. The only clue she left was a handwritten diary. Cryptic references to Al Himar and six people are all th...
