Page 26 of Defending Love
As we turned the corner near Marsha’s room, my pulse quickened. Her door was open. A quick glance at Dani and we both took off running.
“Mom,” she called.
Marsha’s bed was empty.
Chapter
Ten
Dani
* * *
I rushed to the attached bathroom, calling for my mother. The room was empty. With my body quaking, I made a mental inventory of what I’d seen during my earlier visit. “Her walker is gone.” I turned to Jack. “Was she in here when you came to us?”
“Yes,” he said as he rushed from the room.
Eli and I followed as Jack made his way to the nurses’ station. While we couldn’t hear his words, as his body visibly relaxed, our steps slowed.
Jack turned to us. “A nurse’s aide came and took her to physical therapy.”
Eli and I were now close to the desk. I turned to the woman in scrubs. My heart sank as I read her name tag for the second time in the same day.
Becky feigned a smile. “It’s you.”
I tried for my nicest tone. “Where is physical therapy?”
“I’m sorry, miss. Only patients are allowed to access the therapy room. You see there can be multiple patients receiving treatment at the same time. It’s for our patients’ privacy.”
Inhaling, I straightened my shoulders. “Becky, my father was murdered. My mother was also shot. At no time is she to be without a member of her security team.”
“We have rules.”
“Mr. Webb stepped away for only a moment. The three of us will go to where she is. Once we’re certain of her safety, Mr. Webb will remain outside the room. If that isn’t in her chart, put it in there. My mother’s life could be in danger.” I didn’t let her reply. “I will ask you once again. Where is physical therapy?”
“Ms. Sinclair?—”
“Doctor,” I said, correcting her. “My name is Dr. Sinclair. If you don’t understand a matter of security, we will have my mother transferred to a more competent facility.”
Becky picked up a telephone from the desk and pushed a few buttons. I imagined that she was calling security to have us thrown out.
“Todd,” she said, still giving me the side-eye. “This is Becky on two. Did Gina retrieve the patient from 215 down to you for her physical therapy evaluation?” She nodded. “Yes, Marsha Sinclair. Thank you.” Her eyes met mine. “Mrs. Sinclair’s security will be down in a few minutes. I explained that they are to remain outside the treatment room. A Mr. Webb will wait at the door.” She nodded again. “Thank you.” As she hung up the phone receiver, she stood straighter. “First floor, west wing. There are signs to the physical therapy department. Todd, one of our therapists, is expecting you.”
I managed to thank her as the three of us made our way toward the elevators.
Once we were inside, Eli whispered, “There’s the feisty assignment I remember.”
His comment released a bit of the tension growing between my shoulder blades. “I should have reached for the pepper spray.”
On the first floor, we made our way down a long hallway, past the entry, and past the dining area. Signs pointed to the direction of physical therapy. There was a man in scrubs waiting for us at the door.
“I’m Todd. Mr. Webb?” he asked.
“I’m Mr. Webb,” Jack said, “Mrs. Sinclair’s security.”
I stepped forward. “Todd, I’d like to see my mother.”
He reached for the door handle. “No other patients are in therapy right now. You may all come in.”
