Mine at Last Read Online Free Page B

think that?”
    “It’s a long story and not important.”
    “Fine, don’t tell me. So, who threw you out? Security?”
    “Yeah, with the insistence of one of the doctors here,” she said.
    Pearl chuckled again. “Oh, my God, this is so much better than daytime TV. So, which doctor?”
    “Does it matter?”
    “Hell, yeah, it matters. Come on. I’m bored, I need details.”
    Shauna sighed again. “Dr. Dominik Coles.”
    “I know Dr. Coles. He works at the doctors’ clinic—tall and gorgeous, right?”
    “Yeah, something like that,” Shauna said.
    “Exactly like that. So, what made him think you were a reporter?”
    “If I had to guess, I’d say that some busybody told him I was asking her questions about the staff. They’re pretty paranoid around here.”
    “Oh, yeah, right, because of the malpractice lawsuits.”
    “Yeah, that would be my guess.”
    “Well, anyway, you’re back. When are you going to officially start the auditing process?”
    “I’m going to meet with the hospital administrator, Dr. Gilman, today, as soon as I leave here.”
    “I thought the appointment was for next week.”
    “It is, but because I got the go-ahead email report early this morning, I figured I might as well get started. Cura Medical is anxious to get this one finalized one way or another.”
    “Yeah, I read in the newspaper that they’re really interested in buying Key West Medical Center. The paper said that an inside source was quoted saying that the accounting department’s report went through and the numbers checked out. To tell you the truth, after everything with the E.R., I expected worse.”
    “You can’t always trust the accounting numbers,” Shauna said skeptically. “Besides, that’s just surface numbers reporting. The books never give an accurate depiction of feasibility. And I know how easily the books can be manipulated. I’ve seen it done a hundred times.”
    “True,” Pearl said.
    “Cura Medical could be buying a ship sinking into a bottomless pit.”
    “Or they could be buying a gold mine,” Pearl countered.
    “True, but in the meantime, turn off the TV and read a book.”
    “I’ve read everything in the house.”
    “What about downloaded books on the ereader?” Shauna asked.
    “Yeah, I guess I could do that,” Pearl said.
    “Download a book and I’ll be there this evening. I’ll take you to dinner.”
    “No, I’ll cook dinner here. Seven o’clock okay?”
    “Yes, it sounds perfect. I’ll pick up dessert. Is there anything in particular you’d like?”
    “Go to Nikita’s Café on Main Street. Everything there is delicious.”
    “Okay, sounds good. I’ll see you at...”
    “Help me! Help me! Please, somebody help me!”
    Shauna, hearing the pleas for help, stopped speaking and looked up, as did everyone in the immediate area. A man had rushed in with a woman barely in his arms. He struggled carrying her and then crumbled to his feet as he approached the desk. Shauna stood and watched. “Pearl, I’ll see you at seven. Bye.”
    “Please, somebody help her. It’s my wife—she needs help now.”
    Instantly, the nurse at the check-in desk rushed from behind the counter. As she approached, the man fell to the floor with the woman on top of him. Seconds later the doors from the triage area burst open and security appeared, followed by two nurses. A doctor in a white coat quickly followed on their heels.
    Shauna grabbed her things and stepped up to watch, along with a few other people. The doctor and nurses began helping the woman while asking the man questions about what happened. A few seconds later, Shauna looked up and saw Dominik come out and push through those standing around. “Get these people back,” he ordered to security, “and get a gurney out here now. What’s the status?” He knelt down beside the other doctor as he quickly examined the woman, assessing her symptoms.
    Security began moving people back to the main waiting area. Shauna managed to avoid