Chapter 9
CHAPTER
NINE
Max slammed on the brakes as his truck skidded to a stop at the main entrance to the hospital. Following behind him were Craig and Rocco from his team, along with numerous city police officers and their SWAT Team.
He entered the hospital, flanked by Tink and the others. They were met in the lobby area by the hospital security staff.
A man stepped forward and shook Max’s hand.
“I’m Ian, the Director of the security here at the hospital.
My staff swept the parking garage and other parking lots, and we located both Dr. Ebers’s and Ms. Vaughn’s vehicles.
We’ve checked with most of the departments they are connected with, and there have been no sightings of either one since earlier in the day.
I had my IT tech take a look at the video footage from every camera.
However, it seems the security camera system was tampered with and we’re missing the last three hours of footage. ”
“How in the hell does that happen?” Max barked out, and even Tink looked perplexed and angry.
“We are assuming whoever hacked into the camera server put it on a loop, so everything looked fine. Well, until we really looked at it, and one of my guys noticed it.”
“What about Dr. Knox’s vehicle? Was that located?” Tink asked.
“Unfortunately, no. The vehicle he listed on his parking permit paperwork was a Nissan Pathfinder. My guys searched all hospital lots and even public lots near the hospital and could not locate it.”
“What about the hospital logs? Don’t employees need to check in somewhere or swipe their badges?”
Judging from the frustrated look on Ian’s face, Max knew he wasn’t going to like his answer.
“That’s another thing. The hospital badge system crashed.”
“How convenient,” Tink muttered with a roll of his eyes.
“Well, Casey and Tracy have to be here somewhere. Let’s split up.”
Where in the hell were they? Max wondered as they began their search, sweeping through the halls with military precision.
“This place gives me the creeps,” Tink muttered as they moved quickly through the corridors, his eyes scanning every shadow.
Max nodded, barely registering his words. His mind was racing, piecing together the puzzle. He then remembered something he saw in Michael’s background report.
“Michael has a medical examiner’s license. We can’t rule out that he could use that to his advantage.”
Ian suddenly spoke up. “There’s an ME’s office on the property. It’s down in the basement, near the morgue.”
A cold dread settled over Max. He turned to Tink, his expression grim. “Let’s move.”
The group made their way down the stairwell, the air growing colder and more oppressive with each step. When they reached the basement, Max pushed open the door. Ian motioned toward the right down a long hallway to the large imposing double doors. “This way.”
Max followed behind Ian, stopping at the double doors as Ian scanned his hospital badge to allow entrance. As soon as the keypad lit up green, Ian carefully and quietly pushed open the doors.
Max’s senses were on high alert. In the distance, a muffled voice could be heard, and Max signaled to the group to proceed with caution silently.
As they made their way around the corner, Max’s blood ran cold as he recognized Michael, the man who, along with his monster of a father, caused Casey so much grief, was dressed in scrubs and leaning over a cart filled with surgical tools.
But what made his stomach churn was the sight of Casey lying motionless on the examination table, her face pale and her eyes closed.
Time seemed to slow as Michael picked up a scalpel, his eyes shifting towards Casey’s naked upper body.
Fuck being cautious. Without a second thought, Max charged, his training taking over as he tackled Michael to the ground.
The room erupted in chaos as the sound of metal clattering and bodies crashing filled the air.
But Max only had one thing on his mind at that moment—subduing the man who had dared to threaten the woman he loved.
Michael was stronger than Max had anticipated and landed a couple of solid punches.
But Max had been through hell and back during his career as a SEAL.
He used a defensive move to twist Michael’s arm behind his back, slamming him onto the cold linoleum floor, and knocking the wind out of him.
Max didn’t let up, forcing Michael’s head to the ground as Tink and other officers moved in to help cuff him.
“Get him out of here,” Max growled, his voice thick with anger as the police hauled a screaming Michael away, his face bloodied and bruised.
Catching his breath, Max’s attention snapped back to Casey. She was still lying on the table. Thankfully, one of the guys found a sheet and covered her body.
Her breathing was shallow but steady, and relief washed over him like a tidal wave as he rushed to her side, his hands trembling as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. She was alive.
Tink came up beside him, his eyes narrowing as he noticed Casey’s state. “Your woman put up one hell of a good fight,” Tink told him.
Max gave him a strange look. “Why do you say that?”
Tink pointed to her uncovered hands. “Look at her knuckles. Those are defensive wounds. And it would explain the asshole’s broken nose and busted lip before you got a hold of him.”
Max felt a surge of pride. Casey was a Naval Officer. She had always been strong. But seeing the evidence of her struggle made his heart ache. “That’s my girl,” he whispered, more to himself than anyone else.
Hospital security was already on the radio, calling for medical personnel.
“Stay with me, Casey,” Max whispered, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand. He wasn’t sure if she could hear him, but he needed her to know he was there and wasn’t going anywhere.
A commotion to the side caught his attention, and Tink’s face turned white as he heard something from one of the police officers. “Max…Tracy’s in the body refrigerator, but she’s still alive. Barely, but alive.”
Max’s heart skipped a beat, torn between relief and horror. Both women had come so close to losing their lives. But there was no time to dwell on that now.
Seconds later, a full medical team rushed in, half going to Tracy and the others moving toward Casey. Max stood protectively by her side as the medical team took over, their voices calm but urgent as they assessed her condition.
Finally, he reluctantly stepped back, giving them the space they needed as they checked her vitals and prepared to transport her upstairs. However, he refused to let go of her hand.
As they lifted her onto a stretcher, he stayed close, his grip firm and steady, a lifeline between them.
As they wheeled both her and Tracy, Max stayed with her, his mind racing with everything that had happened, everything that could have gone wrong. But there was one thing he knew certain—he wasn’t going to let anything else happen to her. Not as long as he had breath in his body.
The medical team with Casey wheeled her into the elevator. Max stepped on, followed by Tink. Everyone was so quiet as the elevator traveled upward that you could hear a pin drop. Well, until Tink slapped Max on the back and grinned.
“Casey mentioned she was planning to resign her commission in December.”
Max raised one of his eyebrows. “She is. What brought that up?”
“Well, it just so happens the company needs an in-house doctor.”
“Is that so?” Max asked, with a slightly amused expression.
“Yep,” Tink replied, popping the “p” on his reply. “I think she’d fit in nicely. Intelligent, beautiful, and from the looks of it a feisty fighter with one hell of a swing.”
Max barked out a laugh. “I’ll leave that talk for you to handle.”
“Deal. I’m going to make her an offer she can’t refuse,” he said confidently. “Damn, I’ve got some amazing women on my team.” He tapped his chin as if he was thinking. Then, a grin took over his face. “I think I might look into forming an all-women’s team.”
Max just shook his head. He knew if Tink thought of something, he would see that it was followed through on. But Max had to agree it was a great idea. There were many places where women could infiltrate more easily and possibly more safely than men.
“I think you might be on to something,” Max told Tink, giving him a nod.