CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Gloria was determined to do one last thing before leaving the country. Focused solely on the mission of finding Marnie, she headed toward New Orleans.
Alden had done her no favors in giving the name of the hospital or exact location, so she’d do what she always did, rely on her own wits and intelligence.
She started by stopping at every little regional medical center between Slidell and New Orleans. By backtracking Alden’s drive to Gulf Shores, it made sense. In the city, there were several major hospitals but he’d said that she was working at a small regional facility.
Deciding to drive further south, she stopped at the first clinic she saw and asked if Dr. Marnie St. John were available.
“I’m sorry, we don’t have a Dr. St. John here,” said the nurse.
“Oh, darn,” said Gloria smiling at the woman. “I’m a dear friend of her mother’s and I was in the area and thought I’d check on her. She’s such a lovely girl and I haven’t seen her in years.”
“Let me see if I can find a listing for her,” smiled the woman. “Oh, yes. Here she is. She’s working at the Robicheaux Medical Center.”
“Robicheaux? What an unusual name,” she smiled.
“Unusual and rich,” grinned the girl. “Got more money than God himself, I think.”
“Is that so?” smirked Gloria.
“Yes, ma’am. Oil, gas, stores, all kinds of things. Got a diner out front with the best food in the area. Motorcycle shop, spa, salon, custom gowns, they own it all or someone in the family does. But they’re the nicest people in the whole world.”
“Well, you’ve been very helpful. That sounds like the perfect place for Marnie to work,” she grinned.
“Yes, ma’am. You keep going south on River Road and you’ll see it.”
Gloria left and turned her car south, hoping to find her way to the medical center.
With any luck, this could be a two for one.
She’d find her next meal ticket. I mean, if all these Robicheaux people were rich as Midas, she could sweet talk her way into their little bubble.
Maybe expose something about Marnie that they couldn’t ignore.
It was still early when she arrived and decided to grab some breakfast in the famous café. The inside was very upscale to be called a diner but the desk clerk was right. The food was spectacular. The coffee hot and vibrant.
“Will there be anything else, ma’am?”
“Oh, no. No, but what time does the clinic open?”
“Oh, it opens at seven a.m. to see patients but the emergency room and hospital are twenty-four-seven,” she smiled.
“Really? That’s wonderful. Is Dr. Marnie St. John working today?” The young woman stared at her, then nodded.
“I believe she starts at ten today,” said the girl. “Would you like me to call ahead for an appointment? Are you hurt?”
“Oh, no, no. I’m just an old friend of her mother’s.” The young woman nodded again, then poured some more coffee for her.
“Well, since she’s not in yet, how about I bring you one of our famous cinnamon rolls. You’re so slender, it won’t hurt you a bit,” she giggled.
“Thank you,” said Gloria, smiling at the young girl. “I’d love that.”
The girl disappeared to the kitchen and the others were buzzing about, helping other guests. This was a lovely place, she thought to herself. Maybe she could hang out here for a while.
Taylor peeked through the order window and stepped back, sure that the woman was staying. Picking up the phone, she hit the red button.
“Hi, Taylor. All good, hun?” asked AJ.
“I’m good but I think we have that woman here. The mother of that doctor that tried to get to Marnie.”
“How can you be sure, sweetie?”
“She said she wanted to see Marnie and that she was a friend of her mother’s. Marnie said her mother left her when she was little. I don’t think this lady is any friend.”
“Good girl,” said AJ. “Can you keep her there?”
“I’m bringing her a cinnamon roll right now. I told her Marnie didn’t start until ten.”
“Excellent. We’ll take care of the rest. When she’s done, just point her to the main clinic door.”
Taylor brought the cinnamon roll out, hot, soft, and oozing with delicious icing.
“Oh, my!” said Gloria. “That’s made for three people.”
“Yes, ma’am. We tend to do things big here,” she smiled. “Let me know when you’re ready for the check and I’ll bring it over.”
Gloria nodded at her, taking a bite of the delicious concoction in front of her. She had to admit, the girl didn’t overestimate the dish. It was quite possibly the most delicious thing she’d ever eaten.
“I’ll just have a little bite,” she said to herself. Before she knew it, she’d eaten the entire thing and was staring at an empty plate.
“Would you like more coffee?” asked Taylor as she set the bill on the table.
“Oh, no. I believe I’m about to explode.” She looked at the bill, shocked at the low price. She placed a twenty down and pushed it toward her. “Keep the rest. How do I enter the clinic?”
“You can just take the sidewalk around and it will take you to the front doors,” said Taylor.
“Oh, it looks like it’s all fenced in,” she said frowning.
“Most of it is, for security reasons. Lots of crazy people out there,” smirked Taylor. “The front doors are purposely in front of the fencing. You can enter the main clinic and they’ll be able to page Dr. St. John for you.”
“Excellent. I cannot tell you how helpful you’ve been.” The woman stood, pushing her Chanel bag over her shoulder and walking outside.
“You did good, hun,” said Christopher standing behind Taylor.
“She’s creepy,” said the young girl. “Like she knows something we don’t.”
“That’s because she thinks she knows something we don’t. She’s about to get a very big surprise.”