Going Under_ A Bill Roberts Thriller - Silas Payton Page 0,41

it a pleasure. Hey, are you being serious or am I sensing some sarcasm, Doctor Perry?"

"Think of it as a police mystery, Inspector. If I gave too much away, I'd ruin the suspense." She came towards him with the hypodermic needle. "I'm going to give you a shot for the pain and then we'll stitch you back together."

As she was inserting the needle, Cliff and Evans opened the door and came in.

"Nice to see someone sticking it to ya," Cliff said.

The nurse turned and told them they shouldn't be in there.

"We're here on official police business."

"I'm in the middle of stitching his wounds! Can't it wait?"

"It's okay. Our official police business was investigating the whereabouts of the Inspector, but we see he's in good hands. We can leave you to it, if you'd like," said Cliff.

"They can stay if it's all right with you," Bill said, as she stuck what looked like a hooked sewing needle into his shoulder.

"You've lost a lot of blood. I don't want any discussions about work, and you're also spending the night."

"Doctor. Again, you're being rather forward. I'm not saying I mind -- it is the new millennium and all."

"Do you want me rolling my eyes or should I watch what I'm doing?" she said.

"Talking about me causing your eyes to roll up -- come on, there are people around. You really must stop."

"I'm not saying another thing -- other than, I think the adrenaline rush must be messing with your head."

Cliff and Evans were enjoying the banter, with the occasional chuckle coming from their direction.

Once the doctor finished with Bill's shoulder, she said, "Not quite good as new, but in time it'll be pretty close. You'll have to take it easy for a month or two, so the muscles inside can heal. I'll have someone take you to recovery, where you'll spend the night. I'll also schedule someone to stop by your room tomorrow with some post-op restrictions."

"He's not so good with restrictions," said Evans.

The nurse and doctor left the room. The door closed and Bill asked to be filled in on the details of what had happened and what, if anything, he missed. He was getting the recap, when an orderly came in and wheeled him away in a wheelchair. He waved the other two along with him, so the update could continue on the way.

By the time Bill was introduced to his room, they had him up to speed. He had a private room with a TV, a phone and a couple of chairs.

Not much of a makeshift office, but it'll do.

"Can one of you call Cathy. She was working on a warrant for the accounting books for the Toronto Port Authority and the Mayor's office. I hope to have it in front of a judge first thing in the morning. I want to know how it's coming. I also want to know if Mrs. Elliott's lawyer has shown up yet, and if she's said anything else. I also want to know..."

"Whoa. Slow down, sir," said Evans. "You're supposed to be resting. Let me see if she's still in the office first. It is almost three in the morning. She may have gone home by now."

Cliff and Bill both shook their heads.

"She'll still be there," said Cliff.

Chapter 44

The Doctor

The doctor had made it back to his hotel room and was unwinding from a surprisingly exciting night. He had no idea Bethany's little test of a phone call, would turn out to be so much fun. He was brushing his teeth when his cell rang.

His phone was on the counter in the bathroom, beside him. He looked at the call display. When he saw the number, he immediately spit out the toothpaste and answered.

"Hello."

"How did your little exercise work out, tonight?" the man asked.

"It worked perfectly. She's ready."

"Change of plans," he said. The man went on to explain the changes.

"But that's not what I've been working toward, sir."

"It's what the boss wants," he was told.

He shook his head and responded, "It doesn't work that way. I can't just change gears. I've been working on her for months now."

"We're not asking for your opinion on this one," the man said.

"I understand, but it may not work. Are you willing to risk it not working properly?"

"The boss has complete faith that you will succeed."

"It's your call. You're the boss."

The phone went dead.

Like this is a bloody store -- you call in and change your order part way through. No damn appreciation for the work going