Page 59 of Facing the Enemy

On the way home, I stopped at the hospital to check on Jack. Visiting hours were long over, but the nurses might give me an update, especially if I flashed my FBI creds and informed them Jack and I were partners.

I learned, which I expected, that Jack’s name had been omitted from the hospital’s patient list. SAC Dunkin had given me the floor number. As soon as I stepped off the elevator, a nurse twice my size stopped me and asked who I wanted to see.

“I’m checking on Jack Bradford.” I pulled out my FBI ID. “He’s a good friend, and I’d like to see him if possible.”

She eyed me like I carried the latest virus. “You can flash your fancy badge until you’re blue in the face, but you aren’t seeing my patient. Besides, we don’t have anyone here by that name.”

The police officers outside Jack’s room weren’t familiar. “I understand, ma’am. The precautions and police protection are to keep him safe. He’s my partner, and all I want to know is how he’s recovering.”

“Your stormy eyes might work on another nurse, but not me.”

I’d met the hospital’s guard-nurse. “Would you confirm my ID?” I held it out to her again, and she moved behind the desk, my ID in hand. With her back to me, she made a call. The woman must be six feet three inches tall. Muscles bulged from her uniform’s shoulders. She’d make a great bouncer.

She faced me and handed me my creds. “You checked out. The patient is in critical condition, and even if it were visiting hours, the guards have been told no one enters his room without my approval. We all have instructions that any visitor must have security clearance,which you have. Even the doctors and nurses must be cleared. Currently the patient is sedated.”

“Is he improving?”

“I’ll tell you the same thing I told the other man who asked to see Mr. Bradford. Absolutely—”

“What other man? Did he have an ID? Jack has a brother.”

“Anxious, aren’t you? The patient’s brother left around five thirty to go home and shower, then this other man requested to see a friend—Jack Bradford. I had to call hospital guards to escort him out of here.”

“When was this?” The man knew Jack by name.

“After the patient’s brother left. About six thirty.”

“Can you describe him?”

Her frown deepened, and I thought she might call hospital security on me. “Bald head. Medium height, like you. White skin. Expensive suit. Probably spent every day in the gym. Midforties. I suggest having the FBI view the security cam.”

Sounded like the description Carson gave of the man who hit Trenton. “I will before I leave here. Do you remember anything else about the man? Or did he give a reason to see Jack?”

She shook her head. “He said they were neighbors. Shared a common fence.”

I huffed. “Doubt that. Jack lives in an apartment. Thank you, ma’am. I’m heading to check the hospital cameras.” I nodded my goodbye.

Midway to the elevator, she called to me. “Agent Patterson, your partner is in life-threatening shape. I’m sorry.” Compassion filled her eyes.

“Thank you. I appreciate your tenacity to keep him safe.”

“You mean my charming personality?”

“Worked on me.” I smiled. “I’m going to find out who’s behind his attack.”

While I waited for the hospital’s security to approve my viewing of the video and audio footage, my phone alerted me to a text. The .22 used to kill the Phan sisters belonged to Duong Tuan, one of the men who’d met us outside the Saigon Sampler. I checked on hisknown affiliations and recognized a man by the name of Vinh Bui, another gang member. A text to SAC Dunkin started the proceedings for their arrest.

The hospital’s security had my information from the guard-nurse and cleared me, so I could view the video and audio footage. I studied the well-dressed man who’d attempted to see Jack. Could have passed for a doctor. He entered the hospital and walked onto the elevator without checking in at the visitor desk. He obviously had Jack’s floor number beforehand. How did he get it?

The encounter with the guard-nurse played out just as she’d relayed to me. I sent the footage to the office for the techs to evaluate.

Every muscle in my body felt like I’d been beaten and left for dead. My head had a jackhammer pushing against both temples. Sleep called to sleep. Nothing more I could do at the hospital anyway.

No surprise to find a note under the driver’s-side windshield wiper of Carson’s Jeep. I presumed a love note from the killer. I opened it.

You’ll always be a step behind us.

Us.They had me in their sights too.