5
Robyn
Six months later…
The turnoff to my house is less than a mile ahead. I yawn. It’s been a long day. I can’t wait to take a hot bubble bath and to sip on a glass of cold pinot noir. I recently started a new romance novel, and it’s waiting for me where I left it next to my bed. I haven’t had nearly enough time for reading in the last couple of months. It’s been a whirlwind.
My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven’t eaten since shoving down half a sandwich right before lunch.
I think I’ll put a mac and cheese into the microwave when I’m done with that bubble bath. Not exactly gourmet, but it’s what I feel like, so I’m doing it. I might even add extra cheese because I’m feeling particularly indulgent this evening.
Everyone’s nerves are completely rattled, my own included. I plan on doing my best not to think about what’s happening on the island right now.
I’ve just activated my turning signal when my phone lights up on the dash, and a ringtone sounds over my speakers instead of the radio.
It’s the Shifter Care Emergency Line.
I groan because it can’t be good.
I tap the screen. “This is Dr. Keller.”
“Hi, Dr. Keller, it’s Tim from dispatch.” His voice is clipped. “We’ve got a Code Red inbound, ETA nine minutes. It’s a severe blunt force trauma, with suspected internal bleeding. The individual is unable to shift back into human form. They’re bringing him in by flatbed because he’s too injured to airlift.”
Shit!
I take my turnoff, but only so that I can head back to work.
“Who’s the attending?”
“Dr. Patel will be closing up another patient shortly. He will assist, but needs you in here right away. It’s a severe case. A male was caught in a rockslide on the north cliffs during a training flight. It looks like he may have broken both of his wings, there’s possible spinal involvement, and he’s more than likely bleeding internally. They’re pushing fluids.”
I put my foot down on the gas. I’m a good ten minutes from the hospital, if I stick to the speed limit, which I won’t.
“Who’s in the OR?”
“Brody is prepping. Hannah is the anesthesiologist. We’ve paged Lena to scrub in with you.”
“Good. Tell Hannah I want a full dose of etorphine drawn up and a second one ready on the tray. If he’s been down this long and he’s still fighting the shift, his adrenal load is going to burn through sedation fast. I don’t want surprises.”
“Copy that.”
“And Tim, get imaging warmed up. I want a CT the second he’s stable enough, and I want the ultrasound in the theater withus from the start. If he’s bleeding internally, I’m not waiting for a scan.”
“Already on it.”
I end the call and reach for the hands-free earpiece.
Carla picks up on the first ring, which is one of the many reasons I poached her from the front office the day I got promoted.
“Hey, Dr. Keller, is there something you needed? I thought you left already.” She sounds unsure.
Although Carla and I are friends outside of work, at the office, it’s always formal titles and strictly business.
“I have a Code Red incoming.”
“Oh no!”
“I know. I need you to push out my eight a.m. and cancel the morning staff meeting. Looks like I’m going to have my hands full for a good, long while. I might even have to pull an all-nighter. At best, I will be in late tomorrow, at worst, I won’t make it in until lunchtime.”
