Page 46 of SEAL's Temptation
Chapter 22
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THE WOMEN HEADED TOthe tents together after breakfast, the other nurses on shift already in the second tent with Dr.Brennan.Avery and Luciana went in to say hello, leaving Ada there, then started their usual routine.
Dr.Walters shot Avery an annoyed look as she walked inside but didn’t say hello to either her or Luciana.Her roommate shrugged, and then the women went about getting ready for the day.Avery noticed that Walters was watching her carefully.He didn’t make any more inappropriate comments, but his careful scrutiny of her was making her self-conscious.Did he suspect something?
Walters paced around the tent, making a show of carefully counting various items.Was something amiss?She’d poked around earlier but had made sure to put everything back.Avery grabbed her clipboard and followed him around, making notes of supplies they’d need to order.She flipped to another page, checking on the staffing for the day and giving him a quick update.
A line of patients was already forming outside, and Avery heard the sounds of young children crying.Many of them had traveled for days and were tired, dirty, and completely exhausted.Luciana ushered in the first group.A family came toward them with several small children, and their team got to work.Avery spoke to them in Spanish, explaining the importance of vaccines for the young kids.Luciana was already gathering the supplies and having them take seats, while Walters took out his stethoscope to begin a quick exam.
The morning continued in much the same way, with Dr.Walters not saying much to them in conversation and examining patients with his usual brusque manner.
When it was finally time to break for lunch, the tension in the tent felt palpable.Walters was still slightly agitated, and Avery was growing concerned that he suspected she’d been poking around in here earlier.
Luciana gestured to him, mouthing something to Avery.
Avery didn’t catch what she said, and before she could ask, he was moving toward her.“Nurse Nielsen,” Walters said cooly.“I’d like for you to look through the supply room in the building,” he said.
Icy cold dread washed over her.Had he somehow learned they were discussing exactly that earlier?Avery cleared her throat.“Right now?I’ve got a list of what is needed here in the tents.I’ll stop by the storage room later if you want me to check on something else.If it’s not there, we’ll put in an order.”
He studied her, those cool blue eyes unreadable.“Yes, that would work.Best take your lunch break first.I’ve made some notes of a few items we could use,” he added, handing her a piece of paper.Avery scanned it over, blinking in astonishment.He’d written down multiple random quantities of various supplies, things they certainly didn’t have on hand.
She raised her eyebrows.
“Best check the supply room thoroughly to find it all.I’m sure they’re tucked away somewhere.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” she said dryly, watching as he strode away.
“That was creepy,” Luciana said in a hushed tone after he was gone.
“No kidding.Look at this random stuff.I think he knows I was looking around the tents earlier.”
The two of them hurried to lunch, heading down the same path they’d walked that morning.The other nursing staff had stayed behind to see patients, as they did every day, trading off lunch shifts.
“I don’t know,” Luciana said, glancing at Avery.“I don’t think you should go there alone.Let’s eat lunch and head there together.We can look for the stuff he wants and snoop around for any hidden boxes.He’ll have to handle patients himself for a while, but then again, he’s the one who sent you on a fool’s errand.”
Avery bit her lip, frowning.He’d be angry if they both returned late, but Luciana was right.It seemed fishy.“Okay.I’ll meet you in the dining hall in a few minutes.I want to run up to the room first.”
***
AVERY’S HEART FELLas she clicked on the message on her laptop, seeing that Ryan was likely getting sent out this coming weekend.She’d hoped to chat on the phone again, and that would never happen if he was deployed.
Glancing at the time, she shot off a quick email back to him.She had a bad feeling about Walters and wanted to give Ryan an update before the women searched the storage area.Something was definitely off with all the unlabeled boxes, and none of it made any sense to her.Quickly hitting send, she hurried down to the dining area.“I think we should go to the supply room first,” she told Luciana.“Something seems off about this entire thing.”
Her roommate studied her.“You think it’s some kind of set up?”
