CHAPTER 55
NOT LONG AFTER LEAVING Lisa Phillips, I’m in the parking lot of the sprawling VA hospital on Broad Rock Boulevard in Richmond. The main brick building of the hospital campus is directly in front of me.
I’m close enough to get a good look at the entrance. I watch patients come and go, some in wheelchairs or hobbling on crutches. Visitors walk in with flowers or balloons. Medical workers pass one another on their way in and out. Some are in a rush. Others stop and chat under the entrance canopy.
I glance down at my phone and check out the photo of the RN I’m looking for. Gina Maine. Lisa Phillips remembered the name. She told me that Aiden had liked her, that Gina treated him kindly. After a quick LinkedIn search, I came up with her profile picture. Round, friendly face. Pleasant smile.
I spot Gina walking briskly toward the hospital entrance, looking both ways as she crosses the driveway.
She’s in white sneakers and light blue scrubs, has a bag over her left shoulder, and is carrying a Starbucks cup in her right hand.
Her brown hair is in a short bob and she’s wearing old-fashioned black-rimmed eyeglasses.
I get out of my rental car and walk at an angle to intercept her about ten feet from the door. “Excuse me. Gina Maine?”
Gina stops and turns around. I can tell she’s scoping me out to see if she recognizes me.
She doesn’t. “Yes?” she says warily. “Who are you?”
I pull out my ID and badge. “I’m John Sampson, a detective with Washington, DC, Metro Police. I just need a few minutes of your time.”
She starts backing toward the door. “Sorry. I don’t have any time to spare. I’m almost late for my shift.” She turns and walks off. I follow her.
“Ma’am, please. Just one minute. I’m conducting an investigation that involves one of your former patients.”
Gina stops and turns. She shakes her head. “Sorry, can’t talk to you about that. HIPAA regs. You should know that. You need to file the paperwork, get my supervisor’s approval, maybe talk to the hospital lawyers.”
I put my badge away and try a softer touch.
“I understand. It’s just that the patient’s wife said you were his favorite nurse, that you paid attention to him, listened to him when others didn’t.”
Flattery. But also the truth.
Gina looks around. Her eyes narrow a bit. She takes a step closer. I can tell she’s curious. She lowers her voice: “What’s the patient’s name?”
“Aiden Phillips.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Shit! Why didn’t you say that in the first place?”