Redeeming Dr. Riccardi by Leah Martyn

Author:Leah Martyn [Martyn, Leah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460377154
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

TONI’S heart was all but leaping against her chest wall as she drove to work next morning. She’d spent half the night trying to get Rafe out of her head but he wouldn’t go. She just hoped he hadn’t had second thoughts about confiding in her. But if he turned all awkward with her, well, she wasn’t having it. Not for a second.

But she need not have worried. Rafe was brisk and professional, whisking her into his office the moment she’d arrived in the department. ‘We have a problem,’ he said, pointing her to a chair and dropping into his own. Having gained Toni’s attention, he went on, ‘Three more toddlers have presented with vomiting and diarrhoea, one had to be admitted. All from the caravan park.’

Toni went still. ‘That’s very serious. We’ll obviously have to move fast before we have a full-scale epidemic on our hands.’ Or a tragedy, she added silently, a sick feeling beginning to shred the nerves in her stomach.

‘I’ve already been on to Bernie Maguire,’ Rafe said. ‘He’s had someone making discreet enquiries on general conditions at the caravan park.’ His mouth drew in. ‘It’s not looking good.’

‘Joanne Carter mentioned the manager was the pits, do you recall?’

Rafe nodded. ‘At this stage we can only assume the infection is coming from the water. But it’s tank water,’ he emphasised. ‘Apparently, the manager, Tyler Bendix, decided the council water rates were too high and cutting into his profits, so he installed tanks. God alone knows where the water has come from.’

‘That’s appalling, Rafe. Let’s get cracking and get over there, demand he give us a sample of water for testing—’

‘Steady on, Antonia.’ He raised a staying hand. ‘We have to follow protocol.’

‘Meanwhile toddlers are falling ill all over the place!’ Toni was outraged. ‘It’s not good enough, Rafe!’

‘I know that.’ He was patient. ‘As acting health officer for the place, I’m about to go over to the council offices now. They have ultimate jurisdiction for the regulations at the caravan park so it’ll have to be someone from their community health team who has the authority to get the sample.’

Toni half rose. ‘I’ll come with you.’

‘Good.’ Rafe swung to his feet. ‘I’d hoped you’d want to.’

As they drove uptown to the council offices, Rafe asked, ‘You seem to know everyone in the place. Do you know this Mary Gilchrist we have to see?’

‘Mmm. She’s been an alderman for a couple of years, former nurse. She’ll know how to get things moving.’

Mary Gilchrist came out of her office to greet them. She was in her early fifties, her blonde-grey hair smartly styled into a sharp bob, her manner professional but friendly. ‘Toni, hello.’ Her smile was warm.

Toni returned her greeting. ‘Mary, this is Dr Rafe Riccardi. He’s acting health officer while Dr Lyons is away.’

‘Dr Riccardi.’ Mary held out her hand. ‘I believe this a matter of some urgency you’ve come about?’

‘It is, Mrs Gilchrist,’ Rafe said. ‘We’d appreciate your help.’

Mary ushered them into her office. When they were seated, Rafe gave brief, succinct facts as they knew them.

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