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There’s something about hospitals that gets under my skin. It’s not the antiseptic smell or the hum of fluorescent lights, but the weight in the air, like a cocktail of hope, fear, and desperation. It feels like it’s pressing in on you from all sides. I’ve hated hospitals for as long as I can remember; I have only bad memories of places like this.

I’ve spent the morning doing my best to blend in, asking questions, watching, and listening.

During that time, I’ve learned a few things. First, what a mistake it is to wear five-inch heels on my first day. Second, how fiercely loyal everyone seems to be to the chief of surgery. It doesn’t make any sense to me because I’ve met the guy.

That’s not to say he doesn’t have appeal. The man is hotter than sin; his hands are so thick and veiny that they inspire thoughts in me that are anything but professional.

His eyes? They’re the most intense shade of gray I have ever seen but only seem able to glare at me.

Doctor Lockhart does not like me.

Which is ridiculous because he seemed to have concluded that before he even met me. I mean, I’m not the chirpiest but I’m pretty nice.

It probably didn’t help that I sassed him. A trick of the trade that has bled into my personal life; be mean to them before they can be mean to you. Stand your ground, know your worth, or someone else will define it for you. Things I learned from the academy.

Anyway, the feeling’s mutual. He’s my assignment. End of.

Today, I’ve been trying to gather as much information as possible. There’s no time to waste. People are dying, drugs are ravaging the streets of New York, and the fate of the city is resting on my shoulders.

This isn’t my first undercover job, but a hospital is a different beast entirely. People here are focused, overworked, and emotionally wrung out. If I don’t play it just right, I’ll stick out like a sore thumb.

I walk towards a group of nurses dressed in light grey scrubs, and a tall redhead with a quick smile catches my attention. Her badge reads, Jenna. She’s chatting with another nurse at the supply cart, and I slide into the conversation with the ease of someone used to eavesdropping.

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