Double Dose by F. Paul Wilson

Author:F. Paul Wilson [Wilson, F. Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, supernatural
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Published: 2023-04-27T00:00:00+00:00

TUESDAY—March 17

55

“I’ve got to admit I’m a little scared,” Daley said as Rhys parked the Highlander in the visitor lot.

“I can see that,” he said. “I mean, who wants to be suspected of fraud? But it’s pure guilt by association. You can’t choose your relatives. You’ve got nothing to hide.”

That’s what you think, she thought. If only that were true.

She wished Pard were here. They had no secrets between them.

Rhys unplugged his phone from the in-car charger and checked the screen.

“Fully juiced. Let’s go.”

She’d left the black Healerina getup back at the apartment and dressed in the jeans, peasant blouse, and floppy sun hat she’d worn on her first trip to the hospital, hoping that would send a message that she had nothing to hide. She’d skipped the big sunglasses, however.

As they headed toward the front entrance, Daley noticed a crowd of about twenty people—men and women of all ages and shades, and even a few kids—grouped under the portico leading to the front entrance. Someone spotted her and pointed and whatever conversations they were having stopped as they stood and stared.

“That’s her,” she heard someone say in a hushed tone. “That’s the healer.”

They moved aside, leaving a path for her. Daley couldn’t meet their needy gazes, so she kept her head down and quickened her pace.

“Can you help us?” a woman said. “Please, help us?”

No, she thought, not looking up as the glass door opened automatically ahead of her. I can’t help anyone.

In the lobby she noticed bright green shamrocks on the walls. St. Patrick’s Day—she’d totally forgotten. She’d have to give Gram and Seamus a call when she got back home.

Rhys left her side and strode to the security desk.

“Ms. Daley is here for a meeting with Doctor Milton. He’s expecting her.”

The security man checked a list in front of him, nodded and picked up a phone. After speaking a few words he hung up and said, “Someone will be right out to see you in.”

Sure enough, a middle-aged woman with very short black hair and a neutral expression appeared and came straight toward them.

“Ms. Daley? I’m Doctor Sandoval’s assistant. Follow me, please.”

“Who’s Doctor Sandoval?” Daley said as they fell in step behind her.

“She’s the medical center’s CEO. She’ll be at the meeting.”

Daley glanced at Rhys who shrugged, but looked concerned.

She led them down a hall past a door labeled Alfred Milton, MD—Chief of Medicine.

“Aren’t we going in?” Daley said.

The assistant nodded. “Doctor Milton is in the conference room.”

She opened another door and led them into a crowded meeting space. The buzz quickly died upon Daley’s entrance.

“Where’s Doctor Milton?” Rhys said into the quiet.

A man in a white coat rose from a seat halfway along a large oblong table. “Right here.”

“Ms. Daley was under the impression she was meeting with you.”

“She is. That’s why I’m here.”

Rhys gestured to the rest of the dozen or so people present. “Then who are these folks and why are they here?”

“I’m not sure,” he said.

A short, red-haired woman in a dark suit two chairs farther down rose.

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