ls, watching the numbers on the screen like a hawk. The reduced sedation made

is oxygen mask when

s head sn

ing the lower half of his face. He had a stethoscope draped around his neck

thing wa

scanning the man from head to toe. It was a habit she had nev

rs. Doctors usually had their coats tailored, or at least fitted. And the cuffs were frayed, the

looked at

that every doctor and nurse wore for twelve-hour shifts. They were d

a ster

ong. There was a stiffness in his wrist, a tension in his fingers that didn't belong. Experienced doctors were relaxed, their motions flui

aroline's head w

and professional. She stepped slightly away from t

ask. "Dr. Adler sent me," he said, his voice muff

ne said. She glanced at the chart at the foot

ied smoothly. "We were consul

the chart, pretending to check it. "I'll

s the silent alarm, a direct line to the secur

id, taking a step toward the bed

aid, her voice firm. "I have

is gaze hardened, turning flat and cold. He moved fast, faster

the man and tried to sit up, but t

dn't think.

. The cart crashed into the man's side, sending syringes and gauze pads flying. T

ing from his grasp. He spun toward

screamed at the top of her lun

e door burst open. The two MPs

ground!" one o

d around wildly, his eyes darting between the gun

unarmed, her chest heaving.

pping around her throat in a vice grip. She felt the cold steel o

ing from behind his mask. "Drop yo

uns still raised but their

ushing her windpipe. She could feel the scalpel trembling agains

Black spots danced at

a voice said f

calm, and abs

way, his gray eyes fixed on the man holding her. He didn't have a weapon drawn. He didn'

, pressing the blade deeper. A warm tr

loose at his sides. "You aren't leaving this room with her. That i

her! I sw

id, his voice dropping to a wh

gging Caroline backward, toward the door th

ancing. He stepped aside, clearing a path to the

e tried to dig her heels in, but the man was too strong

light from the ICU. The stairwell was dimly lit, the

her ear, pushing her towar

shaking. She could hear the door above them ba

der. He saw Romero descending the sta

r spun around, his back to the railing. H

e shov

a

steps rushed up to meet her. She threw her arms out, tryin

he stairs was sharper. She was going to hit

eyes, bracing

ever