Deadly Mountain Refuge: Mountain Ambush ; Mountain Hideaway

by Christy Barritt

  Spending time with Maddie made Spence realize what he’d been missing. They shared a kind of closeness he could honestly say he’d never experienced with another person. He’d loved Andrea, but she’d never understood his work, what made him so dedicated to helping patients. After their breakup, he suspected she’d been more enamored with the title of Doctor’s Wife than with Spence himself.

  Maddie McBride had never seemed impressed by Spence or anyone else, for that matter. She was a grounded, down-to-earth woman with a strong sense of spirituality. And being around her, feeling her trust in God, made him want to give it a try.

  They spent the morning going through his files, ate lunch and then Maddie rested. Ryan and Adam took turns keeping watch, although Nate felt confident their location was secure. He said as much when he’d dropped off Maddie’s clothes while she was napping.

  Later that afternoon the bedroom door opened and Maddie marched out. She approached Spence, who was checking work email, trying to keep up with activity at the hospital.

  “Something’s bothering me.” She sat down at the table and motioned to the laptop. He shifted it in front of her. “The financial discrepancy you forwarded to Ruth. What was the problem?”

  “Heather said she was double-billed, both from Urgent Care and the hospital ER for the same treatments. Ruth said it was a computer glitch, that Theresa resolved the issue.”

  Maddie opened another email. “You didn’t see this one because it went right into spam. This patient is emailing you with a question about drug charges.”

  Ryan wandered up behind them as Spence read the email.

  “I remember,” Spence said. “The patient was admitted complaining of chest pains. We ran tests and determined he was having an anxiety attack. Stress can cause those symptoms.”

  “His wife is asking about two medications that showed up on her bill. Did you order these?”

  “I don’t remember.” Spence glanced at Maddie. “I’m not sure I like where this is going.”

  “Well, there’s either a glitch in the billing system at Echo Mountain Hospital, or—”

  “Someone’s committing fraud,” Ryan offered.

  Spence’s phone vibrated and he glanced at it. “It’s Dr. Carver.”

  Maddie nodded that he should take the call.

  “Hi, Ruth, what’s—?”

  “Spence, I’m so sorry,” she said.

  He sat straight. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s the board—I tried talking them out of it but they’re letting you go.”

  TWELVE

  “I don’t understand,” he said, as the room seemed to tip sideways.

  “They feel that considering your condition—”

  “My condition?”

  “Spence—”

  “I was attacked. I deserve time to recover.”

  “They’ve lost confidence. Someone sent the board president a list of your odd behaviors recently, like running into a burning building at the resort, and trying to scale down a mountain screaming your brother’s name.”

  “How could anyone know—”

  “It doesn’t matter. They won’t risk keeping you on staff and using bad judgment, like you did with Gwen the other day.”

  “With Gwen? What are you talking about?”

  “You were off rotation, Spence. You had no business prescribing a pain medication.”

  “Wait, I didn’t—”

  “You initialed the order. She had a reaction and her blood pressure dropped dangerously low.”

  “Ruth, you’ve got to believe me, I gave no such order.”

  “I have to go. The meeting is still in session. They’ve agreed to buy out your contract, but you’re no longer welcome at Echo Mountain Hospital or Urgent Care. I am so sorry.”

  The call ended. As did his career, his life. His odd behavior these past few days, thanks to his head injury, could mean he’d never practice medicine again.

  Never make things right.

  “Spence?” Maddie said, touching his arm.

  “The hospital is releasing me.”

  “That’s insane,” Ryan said. “They can’t fire you for being injured.”

  Spence stood and went to the window, gazing across the vast expanse of green.

  “Ryan’s right,” Maddie said. “They can’t let you go.”

  “They just did.”

  Sudden clarity struck him head-on. He turned to Maddie. “It makes sense.”

  “Spence, no.”

  “What better way to shut me down than to question my mental state and ban me from the hospital?” he interrupted her. “They’ve repeatedly failed to kill me, so they dream up another way to destroy me. No one will believe anything I say if my mental ability is questioned. Ruth said I prescribed a pain medication for Gwen, but I didn’t. So obviously I’m being set up.”

  “But you’re a brilliant and kind doctor. And you’re back to your old self,” Maddie said with a lift of her chin.

  The confidence and defiance reflecting in her eyes gave him strength in the midst of chaos. “You’re right. I’m putting an end to this.”

  “Doc?” Ryan said.

  “I’m going to the hospital to speak with the board.”

  “You’re not supposed to leave this cabin,” Ryan said.

  “I’ve been hiding long enough, being shuffled around and putting people I care about in danger,” he said glancing at Maddie. “I need to speak with Nate. I’ve got an idea that could turn this whole thing around and draw them out in the open.”

  “I’ll call the chief.” Ryan pulled out his phone.

  Spence went to Maddie and searched her eyes. “Your belief in me has given me the strength to do what is necessary. It will be over soon, but this,” he said as he took her hand, “will not.”

  She smiled and he pulled her against his chest.

  “It’s the chief,” Ryan said, handing Spence the phone.

  Maddie stepped back and studied Spence’s expression.

  “Hey, Nate,” Spence said.

  “Ryan just told me. I can’t believe they’re letting you go.”

  “It’s a strategic move on their part. Maddie and I have a theory that someone at the hospital might be committing fraud, but that’s not why I had Ryan call. I’m going to the hospital to appeal my termination.”

  “Spence, I’m sorry about the job, but I’m not sure that’s wise. I mean, do you really think you can persuade them to reinstate you?”

  “That’s not the goal.”

  “Wait, you don’t want your job back?”

  “Right now I want to be free from this violence and feel safe again. I’ll interrupt the board meeting, make an impassioned appeal, draw attention to myself and probably get kicked out of the building. Actually, Officer McBride shouldn’t accompany me because I don’t want to put him in an uncomfortable position.”

  “Your goal is to get arrested?”

  “No, to draw out my enemy. While I’m shouting about being unjustly fired, I’ll threaten the hospital. I’ll make it clear that I’ve got evidence that could shut them down. I’ll fire my bodyguard, flag a taxi and very publicly tell him to drive me to my cabin. You will be waiting, ready to arrest whoever comes after me for the supposed evidence. We’ll get ahead of him, Nate. We’ll finally put an end to this thing.”

  “You sure you want to do this? People tend to gossip and if word gets out you had a full-blown meltdown at the hospital it could ruin your reputation.”

  “Can’t worry about that. This is our chance to outmaneuver these guys. Board meetings usually last four hours. It’s already in session, so I’ve gotta act now.”

  “Okay, I’m in. It’s three o’clock. Let’s say you get to the hospital by four, speak to the board and then get a cab. That puts you at the cabin between five and five thirty. D
etective Vaughn and I will be waiting inside. I’ve still got your spare key.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “I’ll have Officer McBride take Maddie someplace safe.”

  “Actually, it would lend credibility to the situation if she’s there to witness the fallout. We’ve been inseparable for days so it would look suspicious if I showed up without her.”

  “If this whole doctor thing doesn’t work out, you could be a detective,” he joked.

  “I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.”

  “Put Officer McBride back on the phone.”

  Spence handed the phone to Ryan, who received instructions from Nate.

  “You thought all that up in the last five minutes?” Maddie said. “I’m impressed.”

  “Thanks. Do you want to go with me or would you prefer to sit this part out? It might get tense.”

  “Oh right, because things haven’t been tense these past few days.” She smiled.

  “You’ve got a comeback for everything, don’t you?”

  “Well, make sure you come back to me after you lure that creep to your cabin.”

  “I promise.” He brushed a soft kiss against her lips.

  * * *

  Spence stood before the hospital board and pleaded his case in the most intelligent and calm way possible. He truly was fighting for his job, but on a deeper level he was fighting for something even more important: the safety of those he cared about.

  His friends, his Echo Mountain family and, most important, Maddie.

  If pretending to lose his temper meant he’d seal the deal on his termination and be ostracized from the community, he’d accept the outcome.

  He’d learned he was more than just a doctor.

  Spence was a man who’d fallen in love with a remarkable woman, a man who’d grown curious about her faith, and considered the possibility of embracing the Lord.

  But for the moment, he wasn’t done speaking his truth to the board.

  “I’ve grown to appreciate the tight-knit community here in Echo Mountain and would never do anything to jeopardize any of these fine people,” he said.

  “We understand your intentions are good,” Barbara Tune said. “But you have to see it from our point of view. You’re suffering from a head injury that has caused lapses in judgment personally, and professionally you prescribed a medication that harmed a patient.”

  “I challenge the fact that I prescribed that medication,” he said.

  “It has your initials,” Barbara said.

  “Someone must have forged them.”

  “Dr. Spencer,” Vince Brunson, board president started, “Crying conspiracy does not help your case. If you’re not of sound mind, you wouldn’t know you’re putting patients at risk. You’ll have to trust us to do our job and weigh the facts.”

  “I’d like to know who brought you that information, personal information, about what’s been going on the past few days.”

  “Do you deny these events happened?” Vince said.

  “I do not. But there were extenuating circumstances.”

  “We know you were attacked and almost killed in the mountains, and we’re truly sorry,” Anna Estes said. “This isn’t personal.”

  “Yet you’re using personal experiences, traumatic experiences, as just cause to release me. I’ve been under a lot of pressure these past few days. I’ve been assaulted multiple times—”

  “Yet you requested to get back on the rotation,” Vince said.

  “I didn’t want to abandon the hospital.”

  “So you’d chance your enemies following you into the hospital, thereby putting patients at risk?” Vince leaned back in his chair. “What are you into, Dr. Spencer? I’m curious what you do in your off hours that led to this violence.”

  Heat rushed to Spence’s cheeks. No, none of this was his fault and thanks to Maddie he finally felt that truth in his heart.

  “Sir, I was lured into the mountains where I was assaulted. I’ve been threatened ever since, and I have no idea who’s after me or why.”

  “Which is exactly why you should stay away from Echo Mountain Hospital.”

  “But to be fired? Is that really necessary?”

  “The decision’s been made,” Vince said. “Dr. Carver shouldn’t have let you in here. You’re dismissed.”

  “I’m not done.”

  Vince glanced at Spence, and then motioned to Ruth. “Call security.”

  This was it. The drama was about to unfold.

  “Sir,” Spence said.

  A few board members glanced down at their papers in uncomfortable silence. Board president Brunson narrowed his eyes at Spence and muttered, “Shoulda known you were too good to be true.”

  The door opened and a security officer entered the room.

  “Escort Dr. Spencer out of the hospital,” Vince said.

  Ruth shot a helpless glance in Spence’s direction.

  The officer reached for Spence’s arm.

  “I know the way.” Spence went to the door, stopped, and turned to the board. “You’re making a mistake.”

  With a grip of Spence’s arm, the officer pulled him out of the boardroom.

  “This is ludicrous,” Spence said as the guard escorted him to the exit. He spotted Maddie and Adam at the end of the hall near the doors.

  “They have no right to dismiss me!” Spence shouted. “This isn’t over!”

  “Spence, calm down,” Maddie said.

  The guard marched him outside where people passed by glancing his way with interest. Spence yanked his arm free. “Enough!”

  His friends stepped up beside him. The security guard waited near the door to make sure Spence didn’t reenter the hospital.

  “Hey, it’ll be okay,” Maddie said.

  “Stay away from me. Everyone stay away.”

  “I’ll get the car, sir,” Adam said.

  “Don’t bother. I’m done with all of you, this hospital, this ridiculous town.”

  “Don’t talk like that,” Maddie said.

  “They think they’ve got stuff on me to justify my release?” Spence said. “I’ve got even more on them.” He motioned to a nearby cab, hired by Nate in advance.

  “Dr. Spencer, let us help you,” Adam said.

  “What, you think I’m crazy, too? You won’t after you see what I’ve got on these brainless bobbleheads.” He yanked open the cab door and clearly gave his address to the driver before climbing into the backseat.

  As the cab pulled away, Spence glanced back only once, in time to see Maddie’s genuine frown.

  Well played, he thought.

  Now he hoped it was worth it and the attacker followed him home.

  * * *

  Adam dropped Maddie off at the Echo Mountain rental house where Ryan was waiting. Since Spence was under Nate’s protection, and Maddie under her brother’s, the bodyguard was released from duty for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.

  Maddie ached to go home to her apartment for a little alone time, maybe to soak in a hot bath or read book as a distraction from what was going on at Spence’s cabin.

  He put himself in the line of fire to finally end the threat against his life. Some might think it crazy, but Maddie felt Spence made a good call, an offensive decision to throw the perpetrator off his game and draw him out for a change.

  Spence was taking control and it felt right.

  So much had happened this week. The attack on Gwen, multiple attacks on Spence, and... Rocky. She decided to check in and sent him a text. Instead of responding to her text, he called her.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to bother you, but I wanted to see how you’re doing,” she said.

  “I’m good, ya know, healing.”

  “I’d like to bring something over like—”

  “Aren’t y
ou on the run with Dr. Dreamboat?”

  “I meant when this was over. I’m hoping it will be sooner than later.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Got a hunch,” she said.

  “Well, I appreciate the offer, but I’m good. Vivian stopped by on her break and brought soup and a casserole, and some kind of crazy tea.”

  “It’s healing tea from Healthy Eats!” Vivian called from the background.

  Thank You, Lord, Maddie said to herself. She was grateful that Rocky’s heart hadn’t been so broken by Maddie’s rejection that he wouldn’t find comfort in another woman’s arms.

  “I’m glad Vivian’s there,” Maddie said.

  “She’s bossy,” Rocky said.

  “You like bossy.”

  “Yeah, I guess. So I heard the doc was fired.”

  “How did you hear about that already?”

  “Someone at the hospital told Vivian there was a big blowout. The doc had a complete meltdown.”

  “Hey, I called to talk about you, not Spence.”

  “I’m good. I’ve got everything I need, plus the boss has approved paid time off for my recovery since it happened on duty.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Yeah.”

  Silence stretched between them. It was as if Rocky had something more to say, but couldn’t with Vivian in the room.

  “I’m sorry you got hurt by all this,” Maddie said.

  “Make sure you don’t get hurt,” he warned.

  “I won’t.”

  “Really? Even when he leaves town? Because we both know you’re not going anywhere.”

  That stung, not only because Rocky brought up the possibility of abandonment, but also because it felt like he was judging her again for needing to stay in Echo Mountain. Had he been right? Was she still in town out of some warped hope that her loved ones would return?

  “Maddie?”

  “I’m glad you’re okay, Rocky. Take care.”

  “I didn’t mean to—”

  “Talk to you later.” She ended the call rather abruptly, but couldn’t stop herself.

  His comment stirred up all kinds of fear and pain she’d kept safely tucked away. Sure, he’d commented on her motivation for staying in town before, but hearing it again made her wonder if she’d been fooling herself all these years. She thought she’d moved on, that she’d processed the grief of abandonment, but perhaps it was still driving her every decision.