“Hold up.” Embray raised his voice and waited for the lead bodyguard to acknowledge him. “You’re with Clark’s security detail, aren’t you?” He didn’t wait for a reply. “How is he?”
“Not here.” The bodyguard snarled as he brushed past.
“Where is he?” Embray turned as the lead bodyguard kept walking.
“That’s what we’re trying to find out. We’re headed to Berkeley Medical, see if they took him there.”
“The paramedic said they were taking him here. When you mentioned Berkeley Medical, they said they weren’t taking him there.”
“Right. That’s what the block said.” The bodyguard’s voice was one long snarl. “But the boss isn’t here, and according to the 999 dispatcher who took my call, the ambulance she dispatched never treated the boss. We were gone by the time her ambulance arrived. She’s trying to track down the crew who treated him. In the meantime, we’ll check out surrounding A&Es in case he was taken there.” His pace picked up as he followed his team out the glass doors.
Embray wavered, took a few small steps into the lobby, and hesitated before turning around and staring at the departing guards. The ER had to be rigged with cameras. No doubt Embray was playing to the lens. The cops would pull the camera footage once they realized Nantz was missing.
“Perhaps they misunderstood the clinic staff,” he finally mumbled. With that, he headed for the line of Plexiglass-shielded cubicles across the room.
Like the professionals they were, O’Neill, Simcosky, and Capland followed him. Cosky was the first to notice the blonde woman in the rose-colored skirt and jacket sitting against the wall to their right. He nudged Embray’s shoulder and nodded toward the woman. O’Neill followed his gaze. He recognized the woman instantly. Nantz’s secretary. She was sitting with hershoulders back and hands neatly folded in her lap. Embray, with Cosky and O’Neill in tow, headed toward her.
“Ms.…ah...” Embray stumbled to a halt before saying uncomfortably, “I’m terribly sorry. But I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Please, just call me Bernice,” the woman said, her voice thick and phlegmy, like she’d been crying. Her eyes were a bit red too. “Mr. Nantz will appreciate you checking up on him.”
“It’s my pleasure, but I ran into his security detail, and they claim he isn’t here.” Embray’s face and eyes screamed confusion. He really was a terrific actor. “Isn’t this where the paramedics said they were taking him?”
“Yes, they said they were bringing him here. But the staff can’t find him. The ambulance attendants must have taken him elsewhere.” Her lips trembled. “It’s so strange though. I got hold of the original dispatcher to find out where he was taken. She claims that when the ambulance she dispatched showed up at Clark’s office, nobody was there. She didn’t know which ambulance crew picked him up, or where they took him.” She took a deep breath, then let it out in a rush. When she continued, her voice sounded shaky. “Clark’s security team left to check the other emergency rooms. I’m waiting here in case he arrives, or additional information emerges.”
The worry in the woman’s voice was clear. She seemed to care about the bastard. O’Neill grimaced. Apparently, even monsters had people who cared about them.
Embray shook his head, managing to look shocked. “I’m certain it’s all a misunderstanding.” He leaned over to pat her folded hands. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, I promise. I’ll check with the nurses. Perhaps he arrived since the last time you checked.”
When Embray made a beeline for the first Plexiglass-wrapped cubicle, he, Cosky, and Cap followed. The receptionist behind the shield looked up with a polite smile.
“A good friend was supposed to be brought here by ambulance,” Embray lifted his arm and consulted his watch. “Thirty minutes or so ago.” He dropped his arm and leaned into the Plexiglass. “His name is Nantz. Clark Nantz. Would you be kind enough to see if he’s arrived.”
“Clark Nantz…” the receptionist repeated before swiveling her chair until it faced the brown-haired guy in the next cubicle. “Hey, Robbie, wasn’t Clark Nantz the name of the patient those men at your desk were looking for?”
Robbie cast her a quick look before turning back to his computer. “Yeah. Why?”
“Cause this guy is looking for him too.” The brunette motioned toward Embray.
Robbie shrugged and continued typing. “He’s not here. Nobody seems to know who picked him up, or where they took him.”
Embray abandoned the nurse in front of him and walked to the next cubicle.
“You seem familiar with the situation,” Embray said quietly. “Could you check the ER again?”
“It will be a few minutes. I’m in the middle of something.” A hint of annoyance sharpened Robbie’s voice.
“I’ll wait.” Embray’s tone hardened.
From the annoyed expression that flitted across the dude’s face, he didn’t want them to wait. He wanted them to go away. But at least he didn’t run them off.
A minute later, Robbie slammed his hands down on his keyboard and pushed himself to his feet. “Fine. I’ll see if his ambulance ever showed up.”
“Thank you.” Now that Embray had gotten his way, his tone softened.
The annoyed receptionist was back quickly. So swiftly, O’Neill doubted he’d made any real effort to find Nantz.
“No sign of a Clark Nantz,” he said flatly. “Or the ambulance drivers your friends from earlier described.” He glanced across the lobby and nodded toward Bernice. “Looks like the bobbies are involved. Maybe they have more information on your friend.” He sat back down at his desk and motioned a young woman with a limp forward.
