The Secret Patient

by Vaughan W. Smith

  “Don’t worry, it’s the night shift. We’ll get a few minutes lead time, and that’s all we need,” Frank said. He walked over and opened up his backpack, throwing some clothes on the bed.

  “Got a fresh shirt for you, some pants and a coat. Do you need help?”

  “Yeah, definitely,” Nathan said. Frank walked over and watched Nathan carefully adjust his hospital gown to avoid tampering with the probes.

  “Want to buy us a few extra minutes,” he said, explaining his actions.

  “Sure, but we can’t be too delayed. Everything is really time sensitive,” Frank said. He helped Nathan remove his gown, and handed him the shirt. He helped stabilise Nathan while he pulled the pants on.

  “Ok try standing up,” Frank said.

  “Alright, but last time was a disaster.”

  “I’m here, lean on me,” Frank said. He helped Nathan up and supported the frail man’s weight. Nathan’s weight shifted suddenly, but Frank handled it. After a few wobbles, Nathan grew steadier.

  “Not too bad,” Nathan said. He paused and then started removing his probes.

  “Clock starts now,” he said.

  “Yeah, but you seem steady enough, we can work with that. Throw this on,” Frank said, handing Nathan a brown coat. Nathan kept one arm leaning on Frank and slipped the other through the coat. They shuffled around so he could put the other arm in, all while keeping a grasp on Frank.

  “That will do,” Frank said.

  “Let’s hope so.”

  “We need to keep moving. Let’s take a step, easy does it,” Frank said. Nathan took a step, wobbling a little but remaining firm. He took another, slowly but surely.

  “Good, we just need to make it out of the door, and you can graduate to something more dignified,” Frank said. Nathan laughed and took another step. He gained a little more confidence and strength with each step. Frank slung the backpack on and guided him to the door. Frank opened the door and stepped out first, holding it open for Nathan. The corridor was exactly as he remembered, and it still had that strange empty cold feeling. But there was one new thing: a walking stick.

  “Very dignified. I can channel old geezer,” Nathan said.

  “Yeah, you would kill it,” Frank said. He handed Nathan a blue baseball cap as well. Nathan put it on and also accepted the walking stick. He kept a hand on Frank’s shoulder and started leaning on the stick too. Then he gradually let go, and put all his weight on the stick.

  “So far so good,” he said.

  “Yeah, this is promising. But I’m going to have to point out that we need to keep moving. Time is not our friend.”

  “Yeah, I get it. Let’s take a few steps,” Nathan said. He took the first step, keeping his weight on the stick. He felt a bit unsteady, but he didn’t fall or stumble. He took another step, and it felt better.

  “Well, I won’t be doing any hurdles, but I can do this.”

  “Good, let’s make a start,” Frank said. He stayed next to Nathan, but walked slightly ahead, looking for any signs of entry. He needed to act quickly if anyone came through the doors as there was nowhere to hide.

  Frank opened the door and quickly glanced around the corridor. It was empty, so he waved Nathan through. Nathan stepped through as quickly as he could, which wasn’t too bad. He was improving with the walking stick.

  “This way,” Frank said, turning right down the corridor. He had memorised the route they needed, which would lead them to a less popular exit. There shouldn’t be anything to worry about, since Elizabeth was acting as bait. But he didn’t want to push his luck, so kept Nathan moving as swiftly as possible. They made slow but steady progress down the corridor. Frank just hoped that anybody who saw them thought nothing of it. A close examination would reveal flaws however. For example, Nathan’s bare feet. But they didn’t have time for that, and it was a hassle they couldn’t afford.

  There were two possible scenarios that Frank worried about. One was that the hospital staff were really remotely monitoring all of Nathan’s vitals. They could mount a response immediately if that was the case, and once they found the room empty the hospital would go into lockdown.

  The other was that the goons that Elizabeth described came to the hospital instead to secure Nathan. Similar scenario, although he hoped that it was less likely. If the plan worked properly.

  “What do they say about plans? Even the best plan only lasts until the first arrow is fired?” Frank thought. He let it linger a moment, and then pushed it aside. He had to focus on the task at hand.

  Nathan stopped, and leaned against the wall.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Just need a short break, my legs are on fire.”

  “We’re still in the first corridor. We’re sitting ducks, we need to keep moving.”

  “Alright, I’ll push on,” Nathan said. He stretched his legs tenderly, and then started walking again. Frank thought about the path ahead, and wondered whether he should alter it. But he didn’t think it would add much safety and would only delay their trip. Nathan didn’t seem to be in a state to take on any extra distance. And they already had a long walk ahead of them. The hospital was just the first part. But at least it was the riskiest. Their chances improved vastly if they could get out of the hospital grounds.

  Nathan put one foot in front of the other. He wasn’t as fast as he had been, but he worked up a steady rhythm.

  “This is crazy. Walking should be something I take for granted,” he thought. Yet here he was, struggling with each step. But they were the best steps he had ever taken. Each one was taking him closer to freedom. A future where walking would be frequent and easy.

  “I never thought I would long for that,” Nathan thought. He almost laughed. Their course took them around a corner and into another corridor. Nathan looked over at Frank, and saw the concern on his face relax a little.

  “What does he know that he’s not letting on?” Nathan wondered. But he bit his tongue and kept walking. That was his only job, and it was very important for both their sakes.

  They continued on in silence. They only passed a few visitors or patients on their walk, no hospital staff. Nathan felt self-conscious, but they didn’t even give him a second look.

  “The clothes must be enough to blend in,” Nathan decided. It certainly would have been odd to have a man in his hospital gown stumbling around. And he didn’t want people to think to ask any questions or take it upon themselves to get help. He would rather that they just kept on without paying him any mind.

  Frank did relax a bit more with each turn they made. Although they weren’t on a secret path, each step and each turn took them further from the likely search area and closer to escaping the hospital grounds. He had been watching and listening out for any rapid response from the hospital but hadn’t noticed anything.

  “If they are remotely monitoring him, it’s not something they are doing constantly. Otherwise we would have been swarmed by now,” Frank thought. But he didn’t know for sure. So he kept his eyes and ears open.

  As they rounded another corner they could see an exit at the end of it. An automatic door separated them from the outside.

  “So close,” Nathan said.

  “Don’t falter now,” Frank said. Nathan nodded and picked up the pace a little. Frank noticed some movement up ahead, so he motioned for Nathan to move closer to the wall.

  “Make some space,” Frank said, and he walked in front of Nathan to make them single file. Two men jogged through the entrance. One was slim and tall, the other one was stockier. The way they moved had purpose and a hint of aggression. He didn’t want to draw attention by looking too closely, but he thought they matched the description provided by Elizabeth. He had considered this a possibility, but was still a bit surprised.

  “I don’t like it, this could be trouble,” Frank thought. He considered getting the jump on them. With the element of surprise he could probably take them down, or at least injure them significantly. But it would give the game away, a
nd there was a chance he was wrong.

  “Too risky,” he decided and kept going, keeping them in his vision but not looking at them directly.

  Nathan also noticed the movement up ahead, but didn’t pay much attention. He was completely absorbed in walking as normally as possible. It was imperative that he not look like a man who had been bed-ridden for months. He wasn’t sure who would be looking for him and when, but didn’t want to provide them an easy target. He noticed the speed with which the men ran past, and turned to look at them with curiosity.

  Frank noticed Nathan slowing and watching the two men run past.

  “Keep moving,” Frank whispered and Nathan stopped looking. Frank snuck a last glance at them and followed his own advice. If the two men hadn’t stopped, then they weren’t sure of Nathan’s whereabouts. Which bought him a few minutes. If he was lucky they would be stumped. If he was unlucky, they would remember passing a man with a cane and go on the hunt.

  Frank increased his speed without thinking, and looked back to see how Nathan was faring.

  “We’re almost there,” he said, offering some encouragement.

  “Oh, did you park close?”

  “We’re almost outside. Car isn’t far,” Frank said, stretching the truth a little. He didn’t want Nathan to be distracted or lose his momentum. Nathan continued at the same pace, only pausing to make sure he gave the doors enough space to walk through safely.

  There was a slight breeze, and it hit Nathan in the face. He had missed the sensation so much and stopped to savour it. He hadn’t been outside for months, and had missed it. He knew it probably wasn’t a particularly fresh breeze, but it felt so light, cool and delightful. He breathed deeply, for the first time in a long time. The air just felt lighter, and full of promise.

  “Plenty of time for deep breathing if we can make it clear of the hospital,” Frank said.

  “Alright, fair enough,” Nathan said. He knew it was too early to celebrate, so started walking again. Frank looked behind them again, but couldn’t see anything. Perhaps they would make it clear without any incident.

  29

  A Change of Plans

  Don and Nod sat in the van. Nod was looking at traffic, staring aimlessly while Don was staring at his phone intently.

  “So what’s the plan?” Nod said.

  “The doc is meeting with her any minute now. He’s supposed to call once he’s found out what she knows. We can go pick her up if he gives the signal.”

  “Shouldn’t we be there then?”

  “He doesn’t need our help with her, and I’ve got a bad feeling. Something isn’t right.”

  “You reckon it’s a setup?”

  “It could be, my gut doesn’t like it and I’m never wrong.”

  “Well, you said she would give up. If she hasn’t there could be something funny going on.”

  “Yeah, well she should have. Something must have happened, that changed things. Hmm I can’t just sit here. Let’s go back to the hospital and scope it out.”

  “Sure thing boss,” Nod said, starting up the engine. He didn’t care as long as they were going somewhere, he was bored just waiting around. He had a quiet respect for the journalist, and he hoped she had kept things interesting.

  Nod parked the van and Don jumped out.

  “We better scope things out here, just in case,” Don said.

  “Wait a second,” Nod said, making sure the van was parked and secure. Don was on the phone, calling Dr Malberg.

  “No answer?” Nod asked.

  “Nope, keeps ringing out. He should at least be responding. Something is up, we better check on our guy,” Don said. He started walking, but soon upped it to a jog. Nod ran after him, surprised at the rush.

  “Wow he’s really worried,” Nod thought. The two of them ran towards a smaller entry for the hospital. It was less used, and a great direct route through to the area reserved for Nathan. They hadn’t visited in a while, but Don still remembered the layout. As they rushed in they noticed a pair of people walking out of the hospital. An older man leading a young man with a cane.

  “Probably a sports injury,” Don thought as they ran. He didn’t give them another thought, his concern was ensuring that the patient was still secure. Nod didn’t even notice the pair, he was concerned with keeping up with Don. There generally wasn’t running in his line of work, he saw to that.

  The two of them continued down the corridor, winding their way through the hospital. They didn’t see anyone else on their way, and reached the door within a few minutes. Don pulled out his key ring, and jiggled the keys until he found the right one. He opened the door, pushed it open and started running again. Nod stopped it from slamming him in the face and then followed. They rounded the corner, passed a few doors and then stopped in front of the door labelled ‘CM’.

  “Never seen the guy before, this will be interesting,” Nod thought. He waited for Don to push the door open and followed after.

  The bed was empty, a pile of wires laying on the bed. Something was not right.

  “Shit, how’d he do it?” Don said.

  “He must have had help, it can’t have been long,” Nod said. Don thought it over quickly.

  “Hey did you notice that pair of people leaving?”

  “No, not really.”

  “Seemed innocent enough, but it’s too late to be discharging people. It could be him. You backtrack and find those two. I need to check something else,” Don said.

  “Sure thing boss,” Nod said, but he wasn’t enthused with running back. He was definitely surprised by what had happened. Things were getting interesting. He started jogging to make a show for Don, and after a few turns slowed to a fast walk. He didn’t really know who he was looking for, but there wouldn’t be many people around at this time. Two people together would be enough. He navigated the corridors, working his way back to the exit. He didn’t see anyone inside, but chances were the people he was after would be outside.

  He picked up the pace as he reached the doors and jogged outside. He saw the odd person in the distance, but not two people together. He decided to do a lap of the grounds to make sure he was thorough. But he didn’t have a good feeling.

  Don was stunned by the hospital bed. Part of him was glad that he was right, that something was up. But he started to worry. If the reporter had gotten him out, then all was lost. They had to find Nathan. But there was also one other thing weighing on his mind.

  She had shown her hand by contacting Dr Malberg. Clearly it had been part of a plan to distract them. But Don worried about the potential for one other problem. He left the room quickly, and ran down the corridor. He burst through the door and continued on his way.

  Don tried to keep quiet, but speed was his goal. He almost bumped into corners as he skirted around them. He had to know how bad it was. He saw the sign for the Research Department and increased his speed even further. As he was about to enter he saw a janitor leaving.

  “Stop. What are you doing?”

  “Just vacuuming the floor sir. Is there a problem.”

  “Just wait here, don’t go anywhere.”

  “Sure, what’s this about?”

  “Just wait, I’ll be back in a minute,” Don said. He rushed through the doors and along the corridor. He entered Dr Malberg’s office and walked over to the single height filing cabinet. The lock appeared intact. Don allowed himself to relax a little, but still wasn’t convinced. He removed some tools from his pocket and started picking the lock. It didn’t take long, and he shoved the drawer open. It was completely empty. There wasn’t a single thing left.

  “Shit!” he said, staring at the empty cabinet. He slammed it shut and ran out to confront the janitor.

  “Did you touch anything in there?” he asked, looking over the janitor. The Asian man was carrying nothing except the vacuum cleaner.

  “No, I heard the other cleaner in there and went to check on him. He was doing a terrible job with the cleaning, so I took over and did the rest of
the offices for good measure.”

  “Who was the other janitor?”

  “Not sure, never seen him before. Had all the right kit, even had the right vacuum but didn’t seem to be doing a proper job. I sent him away probably twenty minutes ago.”

  “Ok, thanks. Don’t speak a word of this to anyone else. What’s your name?”

  “Chew.”

  “Ok Chew, here’s my card. Call me if you remember anything else,” Don said. He walked off in a fury. They had been played. They let their guard down, and got fooled by a reporter. He called Dr Malberg and it rung out. As he walked out of the hospital he kept ringing.

  “Answer the damn phone!” Don said in frustration. If they couldn’t recover Nathan they had to get the reporter. Elizabeth was the key now. If Dr Malberg let her go, then they had nothing.

  Nod finished his lap of the building, and didn’t find the two men that Don had mentioned. To be fair, he didn’t get a good look at them himself. But he didn’t see anyone that he recognised, and there certainly weren’t two people together. So he decided to wait outside the exit, preparing himself for Don’s wrath.

  * * *

  After they had properly cleared the hospital exit doors Frank pushed forward a bit further and then stopped. Nathan stopped right behind him.

  “Why are we stopping?”

  “I think those two men that rushed in are looking for us. I need you to head in that direction. It’s the most direct way to the main street. Once you reach the street turn left and keep walking. I’ll go another way and meet you there.”

  “Why? I’ll be a sitting duck without you.”

  “They’ll be looking for two of us, and it’s dark. Get moving and keep moving. Trust me, you’ll make it,” Frank said. He didn’t even give Nathan a chance to argue, running off in a different direction. Nathan watched Frank go and decided he had to keep going too.

  “I hope he knows what he’s doing,” Nathan said to himself. It sounded like a decent plan, but he was sceptical. He also felt incredibly exposed. But he had no other ideas, so started off again.