The Silence That Speaks (Forensic Instincts 4)

She nodded. “The circulating nurse is the first one in the O.R. and the last one out. I make sure the O.R. is fully ready for the incoming surgery—from the operating table to the surgical instruments. I assist the anesthesiologist in positioning the patients. I monitor lights, adjust equipment and assist with the final sponge and instrument count. I could go on and on, but I don’t want to bore you.”

“I’m not bored. I find medicine fascinating.” Casey ate some of her salad, reestablishing the calm that had been lost. “I’m sorry you had to go through such a trauma. But I’m also impressed. I’m sure Conrad used the A-team for that surgery. He must think a lot of you.”

“Thank you,” Diana said sincerely. “I respect him tremendously. Watching him operate is seeing a natural gift unfold. He’s a genius.”

“I believe you.” Casey picked up her napkin and dabbed at her mouth. It was time to leave. Too many more questions and her interest in all this would become suspicious. There’d be other occasions—like dinner with Janet—to dig some more.

“I’m so sorry, Diana, but I have to get going.” Casey placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder.

It was rigid.

“Have your mother send me your cell number,” she said. “We’ll make an appointment for you to come by the office and meet Hero.”

Diana relaxed, a smile spreading across her face. “I would love that.”

“So will he.”

* * *

Casey whipped out her cell phone the minute she got in the car, and punched the Ryan button.

“Yes, chief,” he answered.

“Anything on Nancy or her kids?”

“Nope. Just the usual bullshit. Nothing incriminating—at least not yet.”

“Damn,” Casey muttered. “I know you’re getting ready for your excursion with Emma, but later on, would you get me the full list of names of the staff that was present during Ronald Lexington’s surgery? All friggin’ roads seem to lead back to him.”

She paused. “I have a funny feeling. As the operating surgeon, Conrad picked his team. Which is fine, except that everyone I talk to, including our client, seems to have been around when Lexington died.”

“I’ll be able to get you any information your heart desires in a few hours,” Ryan assured her. “Just hang in there while I work my magic.”

17

EMMA FOUND HER guy without much trouble.

Roger Lewis—or Loser, as Emma called him—was either locked in the IT section of the hospital or glued to her side, looking like a lovesick teenager.

This time he was on his way back to work, but taking a route that was out of his way to find her.

Perfect, she thought as she saw him coming. It was time for their tête-à-tête.

She’d already scouted out every floor of the hospital so she was ready when the opportunity presented itself. The third-floor bathrooms were right around the bend in a tiny, isolated alcove—ideal for what she had in mind. It was dead quiet.

Score.

Waiting until she was sure Roger had spotted her, Emma yanked on a pair of latex hospital gloves—as if she’d just come from seeing a patient—and strode across the hospital floor. She paused as she turned toward the bathroom.

“Hi.” There was that puppy-dog voice, coming up behind her. She couldn’t wait to never hear it again.

She turned around. “Roger.” She gave him a brilliant smile. “I haven’t seen you all day.”

He scowled. “I’ve been tied up working on this new database to help the data integration of both hospitals.” He proceeded to ramble on in computer-ese until Emma could barely keep her eyes open.

“I can’t get over how brilliant you are,” she said, choking back a gag. “It’s so cool how you handle software and computer programs I’ve never even heard of.”

Roger puffed up. “That’s my job.”