Page 71 of I’ll Be Watching You

I frowned, feigning surprise. I took out my phone. Out of the corner of my eye I watched the security guard who was standing at the door monitoring those who entered as well as the security screens at his desk. I had to get him to turn away so that Luisa could slip into the secured area.

I showed her the appointment on my phone. “See? Right here. Three p.m. Dr. Levinson. I had this scheduled, like, forever. Did it get canceled on me?”

“She’s in today, but you are not on her schedule.”

“This is important. I have shrapnel in my ass and it’s been bugging me.”

I made a move to turn around and show her my scar—yes, I had been hit with shrapnel in my ass when I was deployed overseas. Long story that I hadn’t told anyone because it was neither heroic nor interesting. And the last thing I needed was for my brothers to tease me endlessly.

“Do not pull down your pants, Ms. Angelhart!” the clerk exclaimed loud enough to draw attention from the guard.

When I looked back toward the elevators, Luisa had disappeared.

Part one, success.

I turned to face her. “Can you check again? Please?”

“You don’t have an appointment. Go to the online portal to schedule it.”

“Can I just go up to her office and schedule it? Maybe she can fit me in.”

“No. All scheduling must be done online.”

I knew that was bullshit, but it was convenient for this woman to try and get rid of me.

She made a motion to the guard to approach. Wow. This woman was a bitch.

“Just give me a visitor’s pass and I’ll talk to Dr. Levinson’s nurse, get this all straightened out.”

“Ma’am,” the security guard said, “you need to leave. There is a line and you’re causing a disturbance.”

I frowned and tried to cry. I failed. I’ve never been able to cry on cue, so instead I pouted deeply and blinked rapidly. “I have to see the doctor. I have an issue and it’s not going away.”

“The emergency entrance is on the other side of the building,” he said.

“She said I had to make an appointment!” I glared at Roz accusatorially.

The clerk harrumphed and shook her head. She pressed a button and the doors behind her swung open. “Go down that hall and turn right when you get to the end. If it’s an emergency, they will assist you.”

“Thank you,” I said. “That’s all I needed.”

She gave me a look as if maybe I needed to turn left and head to the mental health ward.

I went through the doors; they swung closed behind me.

Bingo.

Luisa met me halfway down the hall. We turned before we hit the corridor that led to the emergency wing. Phase two, success.

“How did you get here?” I asked, keeping my eye out for security.

She slapped a visitor sticker on me. She had one on herself. She pressed the button to the staff elevator and smiled. “Oh, I have my ways. Do you really have shrapnel in your ass?”

“Not anymore,” I told her. “Do not say a word to Jack or Nico.”

She grinned as we stepped into the elevator.

“Did you get what you needed?” I asked.