Unshakeable Pursuit (Christian Romantic Suspense)

Chapter 4b

The day had turned gray and hot, and as they pulled up to Kind Samaritan Hospital, Maylin thought that the slightly shabby building looked like it came out of Jane Eyre or some gothic novel.

Geoffrey frowned as he got out of the car. "Now I know why I didn't think it made sense, her working for Kind Samaritan."

"When did you think that?"

"When Felicity mentioned she'd flashed a KSN badge. I couldn't quite understand why, but I thought she would have worked for a more upscale hospital, maybe a private institution. Now I remember her watch. Rolex, and a higher-end one, too."

"Maybe a gift from family?"

"But if she had family that wealthy, they might have been able to get her a job at one of the private hospitals that caters to wealthier clients."

"Maybe she didn't want help from her wealthy family." Maylin realized how tart her voice was.

Geoffrey noticed, and shot her a curious look.

She felt heat rising from her neck. "My family wanted me to work for a private hospital, but I wanted to work for Merlyn Memorial, and eventually the Free Children's Clinic. I feel like I'm making more of a difference in the ER than in pampering wealthy patients."

Geoffrey surprised her by coloring under his tan. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to assume."

"Don't be. I'd probably assume the same thing if I'd seen the Rolex."

Kind Samaritan Napa was a large hospital, but it still retained its small-town feel. The lobby was large but still had sturdy wooden furniture from the seventies, shabby but carefully maintained. Toys scattered across the floor, upended from the large toy bin in the corner, and several children entertained themselves while their parents waited to be called. The walls had old black and white photographs of places around Napa from the turn of the century.

Geoffrey and Maylin went to the receptionist behind the glass-fronted counter and showed their badges. "I'm Dr. Geoffrey Whelan and this is Nurse Maylin Kinley from the Free Children's Clinic in Sonoma."

The receptionist straightened in her chair and her demeanor changed from "empathetic nurse" to a more professional expression as soon as she knew she wasn't speaking to patients. "How can I help you?"

"We had a visit from one of your nurses, but our triage nurse couldn't remember her last name, and we need to speak to her to clarify something. Her first name was Katie."

"Certainly." The receptionist typed into her computer, then said, "A nurse, you said? Not a doctor? We have a Dr. Kathleen Lance."

"No, she said she was a nurse."

Maylin felt a twinge of foreboding in her stomach. Katie had said she was a nurse, but what if she wasn't? What if she wasn't a KSN employee at all? This would be only a dead end. Where could they go from here to figure out what was going on?

"Here we go, Katherine Wilson. She's a nurse in cardiology, on the third floor." The receptionist pointed to the hallway to her left. "Go up the elevator and then turn right."

"Thanks."

Maylin followed Geoffrey to the elevator. Her fears had been for nothing. She was becoming too suspicious after everything that had happened.

In the cardiology department, Geoffrey went up to the nurses' station and showed his badge again. "I'm Dr. Geoffrey Whelan and this is Nurse Maylin Kinley from the Free Children's Clinic in Sonoma. Could we speak to Katie Wilson?"

"I just saw her." The nurse got up and peered around the corner. "There she is." She pointed to a young woman who had just come out of a patient's room.