The Cliff-Top Killer (The Sydney Harbour Hospital Series Book 8)

by Chris Taylor

  Shelby recalled her conversation with Ian and frowned. Samuel noticed.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  She bit her lip. This wasn’t really the time. She was at work. Someone could come by any minute. Still, if she didn’t say anything now, she’d spend the rest of the night worrying about it. She’d never get any sleep.

  “I met your friend, Ian, this morning.”

  Samuel nodded. “Ah, Ian Broderick. Yes, we went to med school together.”

  “So he said. He seemed to know a lot about you—a lot about both of us.”

  Samuel’s gaze remained steady. “I’ve mentioned you to him, of course. He and I often catch up after work. I’ve barely seen him since I met you. He was curious. Wanted to know what was keeping me so occupied.”

  She held his gaze, unwilling to stop until she had the answers she needed. “He seemed to insinuate he knew a whole lot more about me than I was comfortable with. What did you tell him?”

  Samuel’s expression grew somber. “What are you saying, Shelby?”

  “I don’t know, Samuel. What did you tell him?”

  “Nothing personal, I assure you. I’m not the kind of guy who gets off on sharing that kind of thing with his mates. I told him how we’d met, that I liked you a lot and that I’d been spending time with you. Nothing more than that.”

  Shelby probed his gaze, seeking the truth. His expression remained serious. She wanted to believe him. But there was more.

  “There’s something else,” she said and saw him tense.

  “What is it?”

  “He… He told me you were gay. That you have been since your college days. Is it true? Are you? Is that the reason you don’t want to sleep with me?”

  Shelby was sure the look of shock and disbelief that flooded Samuel’s expression couldn’t possibly be fake. He shook his head back and forth.

  “What the hell? Of course I’m not! Why would Ian say something like that?”

  A little of Shelby’s tension eased. She shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s supposed to be your friend. Why do you think he’d say something like that?”

  “Bloody hell,” Samuel muttered. “I don’t believe it. I thought we were mates. What the hell’s he thinking?”

  Shelby relaxed her stance and moved a little closer. “So, you’re not gay?”

  “Of course I’m not gay! I thought I made that clear to your father.”

  “You did and I believed you. It’s just that…Ian seemed so certain, and he is your college friend. I… I didn’t want to believe him. I didn’t know what to think.”

  Samuel blew out his breath on a sigh. “I don’t know what the hell got into him or why he’d say such a thing. The only thing I can think of is that he’s jealous of all the time I’m spending with you—time I used to spend with him. Why he’d come out and tell a lie like that though… I’ll talk to him. Don’t worry, he won’t bother you again.”

  Relief rushed through her and she offered him a smile. “Good. I’m glad.”

  Samuel quirked an eyebrow. “What, that I’m not gay, or that Ian won’t annoy you with stupid stories again?”

  “Both.” She laughed. “But mostly that you’re not gay.”

  Samuel leaned over the counter and with the back of his hand, stroked her gently on the cheek. “I like women more than you could ever know. The only reason I haven’t made love to you is because I want to wait and make it the best it can be. It’s not that I don’t want to or that I don’t think about it all the time. If making love to you is what it takes to convince you of my heterosexuality, than I’m more than willing to oblige.”

  Shelby’s breathing hitched and her heart skipped a beat. The blue of Samuel’s eyes turned cobalt.

  “I’ll meet you in the treatment room,” he growled huskily and turned on his heel.

  Her pulse rate spiked and then took off at a gallop. Heat flooded her veins. With a casual air she walked around the end of the nurses’ station and headed in the direction Samuel had taken. Checking the way was clear, she opened the door to the treatment room.

  She’d barely cleared the entryway before Samuel dragged her inside. With a deft twist of his wrist, he locked the door and then pressed her back against it. Her lips parted on a gasp and he captured it in his mouth, stealing her breath.

  Her world narrowed to the planes and valleys of his face. Soft and warm and tender, he kissed her gently on the mouth. She closed her eyes and relished the feel of it, tasting coffee on his lips.

  His hand moved to cup the back of her head and his fingers buried themselves in her hair. Holding her head still, he kissed her again and this time, increased the pressure. Desire burned through her. She yearned to touch his skin. Moving closer, she pressed herself against him, mindless of the fact they were at work, albeit locked inside the treatment room. The sound of someone knocking on the door brought her back to reality with a jolt.

  “Samuel!” she gasped in a panic.

  He lifted his head and stared at her, his expression dazed. The knock came a second time and this time it was accompanied by an impatient twist of the door handle. Samuel blinked and finally the noise appeared to register somewhere in his brain.

  “Just a minute,” he called out and Shelby was amazed he could sound so calm. He looked anything but.

  Straightening his coat, he patted down his hair and Shelby did the same. They looked at each other and grinned, feeling like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

  “Ready?” Samuel mouthed.

  Shelby nodded. Stepping out of the way, she watched him unlock the door and turn the knob. Geraldine Walker stood on the other side of the doorway, her face as dark as the sky right before a storm hit.

  Shelby pulled away and stared guiltily at her boss. Of all the people to catch her kissing on the job, it had to be her. Geraldine’s eyes shot fire and when she spoke, her voice was colder than ice.

  “Doctor Munro, if you’re done in here, we’re ready to start the handover. Nurse Gianopoulos, I’ll see you in my office.”

  Shelby’s cheeks flamed and her heart thumped with something that had nothing to do with passion. She couldn’t bring herself to look in Samuel’s direction.

  “Yes, of course, Geraldine. I was… I was just telling Doctor Munro about Lily Bradman and Jacquie Nolan and the other women expected to come in tonight.”

  Geraldine’s hard expression didn’t change. “Don’t take me for a fool, Nurse Gianopoulos. I suggest you stop talking before you’re in even more trouble.”

  With nerves weighing down her every step, Shelby threw Samuel a quick, desperate look and headed for her boss’ office as quickly as her rubber-soled shoes would allow. All the while, her heart filled with dread.

  It seemed an eon before Geraldine entered her office and closed the door behind her. For every minute Shelby waited, her anxiety rose another notch. The Nursing Unit Manager’s expression hadn’t softened since their confrontation in the treatment room. Shelby swallowed another surge of nerves.

  “Nurse Gianopoulos, not only are you stupid, you’re also incredibly ill-advised. Samuel Munro is a charming, good-looking womanizer. Make no mistake, you’re one in a very long line of women. I can only put your actions down to the fact you haven’t been here very long. You haven’t had time to listen to the rumor mill. Even so, fraternizing with a member of staff whilst on duty is severely frowned upon. You’ll be lucky to retain your job.”

  Shelby froze. Geraldine’s disclosure about Samuel’s dating habits shocked her. She’d never imagined he’d been celibate all his adult life, but she didn’t expect to discover he had that kind of reputation. Even more shocking, it hadn’t occurred to her that her harmless tryst could jeopardize her much-coveted position at the Sydney Harbour Hospital. What had she done?

  “I’m so sorry, Geraldine. I… I had no idea.”

  “Come, Nurse Gianopolous, you’re not a silly teenager, although you’re acting like one. What did you think would happen? Imagine if a pati
ent or one of their relatives had walked past that door and seen you?”

  “We-we had the door locked,” she stammered, flushing. Geraldine’s frown deepened. She glared at her and Shelby wished she’d kept her mouth shut.

  “As this is a first offense, I’m not going to report it to my superior, but be warned, this sort of behavior won’t be tolerated. I’ll be putting a notation in your file. Any more missteps and your employment at this hospital will cease immediately.” Her gaze narrowed. “Do you understand?”

  “Y-yes, Geraldine. I’m-I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again.”

  “See that it doesn’t.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Samuel climbed the stairs to his third-floor condominium. It would have been easier to take the elevator, and after the night he’d had birthing one baby after another, it would have been wiser. But he worked hard to stay fit and healthy and taking the stairs was an easy way to do it when he didn’t have time for the gym. Still, he was bone tired and couldn’t wait to crash.

  Sliding the key into his door, he tossed his white coat and briefcase on his couch and headed straight for the shower. Standing beneath the hot spray, he let the heat and pressure work its magic on his sore muscles.

  All five women who’d been expected to go into labor had done so and he’d been kept busy throughout the night. Two of the deliveries had turned into emergency C-sections, which had made the night even more eventful. Fortunately, all of the new mothers were resting comfortably and their babies were tucked up tight. It had been a good and satisfying night.

  Lathering the soap across his chest, he scrubbed the night away. His thoughts wandered to Shelby and their tryst in the treatment room. He recalled the conversation that had triggered it. He still couldn’t believe Ian had told her he was gay.

  He’d left a message on Ian’s voicemail, demanding to know what the hell he’d been thinking, but he hadn’t heard back. Not that he expected to. They both knew Ian’s little stunt was no more than a jealous prank. Samuel vowed to make it clear to his friend that Shelby was going to remain an important part of his life and Ian best get used to it. Samuel wouldn’t tolerate any such nonsense again.

  Despite the fact it was one-thirty in the morning, at the thought of Shelby, blood rushed to his groin. His cock hardened. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told her he wanted her. The thought of burying his face between her breasts and loving her with his body had kept him sleepless on more nights than one. He couldn’t believe she doubted his attraction and he was determined to make up for it. By the time he finished making love to her, she’d have no doubts about his sexuality.

  Sliding his hand along his shaft, he worked it up and down. He imagined her naked and spread out before him. He’d kiss every inch of her, driving her wild and then the real fun would begin.

  He’d tease her with his cock, rubbing it up and down her slit. She’d beg him for more, but he’d make her wait until he’d driven her mindless with need. He imagined all the different positions he’d take her. He saw her bending over, taking him in her mouth. From behind, on top, underneath. He didn’t care which way. All he wanted was to have her, to claim her for his own.

  He could even take her in the shower, slick and soapy and wet. He’d turn her around so she faced the tiles. He’d spread her cheeks and ease himself inside. It was good that they were about the same height. Things were easier, then. She wouldn’t have to stand on tiptoe and he wouldn’t have to bend his knees. They’d fit together beautifully and he’d fuck her all night long. She’d press back against him and he’d pump her hard and together, they would come.

  The warm fluid spurted out of his cock and he couldn’t suppress a groan. Despite his fatigue, he was now wide awake. He wished he could call her, but she’d be well and truly asleep and it wasn’t fair to wake her. She was rostered to work in a few hours. Besides, she lived on the other side of the city. It wasn’t like she could hop in her car and come over.

  He wondered briefly about her confrontation with Geraldine. What they’d done was unprofessional, but it wasn’t like any of the patients had caught wind of it. A little indiscretion behind closed doors wasn’t exactly a sacking offense. He was sure she’d be back on the ward, where she belonged.

  With a sigh, he turned off the water and stepped out and toweled himself dry. Padding naked down the hallway, he collapsed back on his bed. Within moments, he was asleep.

  * * *

  Shelby entered the room of one of her patients and greeted the expectant mother with a smile.

  “Good morning, Vivian. How are you doing?”

  The thirty-five-year-old, about-to-be fourth-time mother grinned ruefully and indicated her swollen stomach. “I’ll be better after I get this one out.”

  “Yes. I’ll do my best to help you there. Let’s hope your baby’s going to cooperate.” Shelby picked up the chart that hung on the end of the bed and checked her patient’s vital signs that had been recorded by the night staff the evening before. All were within normal limits.

  “Will the doctor induce me this morning?” Vivian asked, a hopeful expression on her face.

  “Yes. As soon as you’ve finished breakfast, I’m going to put up the drip. The IV will contain oxytocin and it will hopefully give things a kick start. Given this is baby number four, with a bit of luck, you might even have your little one by the end of the day.”

  “It can’t come too soon for me.” Vivian laughed.

  Shelby returned the chart to the end of the bed. “Everything looks good, Vivian. I’ll leave you to enjoy your breakfast and I’ll be back soon.”

  Vivian smiled. “Bring it on.”

  Shelby left the room and headed toward the next patient on her list. It was another one of Samuel’s patients. At the thought of him, she recalled Geraldine’s words of wisdom and frowned.

  What was this thing between her and the sexy doctor? Was it even real? She was neither blind nor stupid. Most of the female nurses flirted madly with him at every turn. He didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he often responded in kind. Secure in her knowledge they had something special, his behavior hadn’t fazed her, but perhaps she was too trusting, too naïve? Was it like her boss had warned her? Had she failed to see what was right before her eyes?

  She didn’t think of herself as gullible and she was far from a clueless teenager. She’d been around long enough to gain experience in not only men, but in the world in which they operated. She’d taken Samuel at his word when he’d told her they had something special, but was that just his charm talking or could she trust what he said?

  The buzz of her phone indicating a new text message broke into her troubled thoughts. Tugging it out of her pocket, she checked the screen.

  Samuel.

  Her heart skipped a beat. It was like he knew she was thinking about him. Eagerly, she read the text.

  R u free 2 night?

  Despite her thoughts of a few moments ago, anticipation surged through her. She shot off a reply.

  Yes.

  A moment later, his response zinged into her phone.

  Pick u up at 7. Wear something nice.

  Shelby’s heart took off at a gallop. Would this be the night she and Samuel would make love? What was she going to do about Geraldine’s warnings? Ignore them? No, that would never work. She’d always believed in being upfront and honest and dealing with problems head-on. Like she had with Ian’s accusations, she’d discuss them with Samuel and give him the benefit of the doubt.

  Even though it hadn’t been quite a fortnight since their first date, they’d already shared so much personal information. He knew she was allergic to peanuts. She knew he’d been bullied as a kid. He told her about his nightmarish school days when he’d worn glasses from the time he was in kindergarten until he was halfway through his teens. But still, there was a lot she didn’t know about him and his family. He was easy to talk to. She just had to open her mouth.

  She’d tell him about Geraldine’s comments tonight, after dinner. That wa
y, they could clear the air and focus on what was really important: Making love for the very first time. Her phone buzzed again and she smiled in anticipation before glancing at the screen

  Where r u? I need 2 talk 2 u. Call me. Dimitri.

  Her smile faded and was replaced with a frown. Dimitri’s text sounded urgent. A sudden shiver of foreboding ran down her spine. She sent a silent prayer heavenwards that everyone in her family was all right and then sent off a reply.

  At work. What’s the matter?

  Before she could return the phone to her pocket, another message came in.

  Not over the phone. What time will u b home?

  She forced herself to type the words.

  Is it about Mom and Dad?

  She breathed a sigh of relief when he replied.

  No, nothing like that. I just need 2 talk.

  Out of all of her siblings, she was probably the closest to Dimitri. He was only a couple of years older than her and they’d always had a lot in common. They shared a similar sense of humor and both of them were mad about football. She sent off another reply.

  Would love 2 Dimi, but I’m going out 2 night. Can we do it tomorrow?

  A moment later, she received a reply.

  I really need 2 talk 2 u.

  She stared at the words and her heart sank. No matter how much she wanted to see Samuel, her brother needed her more. She slowly typed her reply.

  OK. C u 2 night.

  Dimitri sent her an emoji of two smiley faces and a thumbs-up. Shelby grinned. With a deep breath, she composed another text. This one was to Samuel.

  Something’s come up. Can we make it 4 later?

  Her phone buzzed a few moments later and she read his response.

  Sure. How about 9? Is that too late?

  A fresh surge of anticipation went through her and she hurriedly typed her reply.

  Sounds great. I don’t have 2 work tomorrow.

  His final response made her smile.

  Neither do I.

  * * *

  Jared Buchanan stared at the crime scene photos displayed on his desk and looked for something he might have missed. Three weeks had passed since the first murder on the cliffs of North Bondi and he was no closer to solving either of them.