Chapter 7 - Someone on the Night Shift
Security doubled outside Raymond’s room.
It wasn't enough.
At 3:12 a.m., a nurse entered carrying medication.
I was asleep in the chair.
Theodore was beside me.
Something woke me.
Not sound.
Silence.
I opened my eyes.
The nurse was standing over Raymond’s IV.
“Who are you?”
She jumped.
“Night medication.”
“I haven't seen you before.”
“I’m covering.”
I reached for the call button.
She grabbed my wrist.
That was enough.
I screamed.
Security entered seconds later.
The woman ran.
She made it as far as the stairwell before officers stopped her.
The syringe she carried did not match any medication ordered for Raymond.
Christopher was arrested the following morning.
But he didn't stay in custody long.
His attorneys argued there was no direct evidence connecting him to the woman.
She refused to speak.
The ledger used initials.
The recording was ambiguous.
Christopher walked out before sunset.
He looked directly at the cameras.
Then directly at me.
And smiled.
That night, Raymond spoke more clearly than he had since waking.
“He won't stop.”
“Neither will we.”
Raymond looked at Theodore.
“He shouldn't be in danger.”
I knew what he meant.
“You want me to leave.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Nora.”
“You spent two months unable to move while people planned your death in front of you. I'm not walking away now.”
His eyes filled.
“Why?”
I didn't have an easy answer.
Maybe because nobody had saved me when my life collapsed.
Maybe because Theodore had accidentally given Raymond the first peaceful moment his body had experienced in months.
Or maybe because sometimes a stranger's life becomes connected to yours before you have time to decide whether you're ready.
“I made you a promise.”
Raymond remembered.
I won't let them kill you.
He closed his eyes.
Then nodded.
The next morning, investigators received a phone call.
Dr. Wallace wanted to surrender.
May you like
But he had one condition.
He would speak only to Nora Bennett.
