Chapter 14
"Epiphany, could you file Mr. Halstead's chart and mark it for transfer – he is being moved to a rehab facility in Manhattan in the morning. All the notes are there." Robin handed the chart over to Epiphany and smiled. Despite her short stay as a patient, she felt great. "I am getting ready to sign out but I just want to make sure there weren't any messages for me before I left."
"No messages doctor…" Epiphany started answering her but another voice cut her off.
"Yes, your husband misses you and wants to know why you are leaving work early." Patrick walked up behind Robin and swiftly turned her around so he could give her a quick kiss. "I was hoping to meet up with you for a consult later."
"Well, someone has to get dinner ready for tonight and since we are not having pancakes – it's up to me." Robin turned back around and reached for her chart to make one last note. "Bring the chart home with you and we can discuss it later."
Patrick leaned over and whispered in her ear. "It's not that kind of consult."
Robin giggled. "Oh, well we can still discuss it later. Right now I need to go to the store and get enough spaghetti to feed 15 people."
"Are we really having that many people over?" Patrick had thought it was just going to be a small family dinner.
"Yes – there's us, Jason, Matt, RJ, Uncle Mac and Felicia, John, Emma, Cam and Aiden, Maxie, Nathan, Steph and Jack. 15 of us."
"Who's Jack?" Patrick was genuinely perplexed by the last name.
Robin rolled her eyes. "Stephanie's lab partner? She's talked about him all semester – he's pre-med and she thought he would like to hang out with some real doctors."
Patrick thought about it for a second. "So Stephanie invited him instead of Aiden?" Robin nodded. "Why?"
"Well Aiden decided to play the whole no-strings, we're not a couple card on Stephanie in front of Jack and, you know our daughter." Robin smiled at her husband.
"Speaking from experience – he's an idiot." Patrick shook his head, remembering when he and Robin were first together. "Let me guess, Stephanie called his bluff."
"Yes she did and not much later Aiden was calling his brother begging to be included tonight." Robin handed the chart back to Epiphany. "Dinner will be interesting."
"That's my girl." Patrick wrapped his arms around Robin's waist and pulled her close. "Are you sure there is nothing I can do to change your mind about leaving right now?"
"No but we definitely have something to look forward to after dinner." Robin kissed him. "Maybe a little dessert in bed."
"Now that thought is enough to get me through the day." He kissed Robin one last time before reluctantly releasing her. "I guess you have to go now."
A voice called to them from down the hall before she could answer. Tom approached the couple. "Robin, Patrick – I need to talk to you. Have either one of you seen Dr. King? He missed his rounds this morning."
Robin looked at Patrick and then shook her head. "Not since the other night."
Before the conversation could go any further, Dante and Nathan walked up to the hub. Dante looked at the three doctors for a moment before he spoke. "That's because he's dead. Dr. King was found floating in the Port Charles River early this morning."
Patrick wrapped his arms around Robin as she fell back against him in shock. "What happened?"
"He was stabbed in the back – it appears to be a robbery gone wrong. His wallet was missing." Dante stepped closer to Robin. "Robin, what was your relationship with Dr. King?"
"A professional colleague – I was helping him with some research on a paper. Patrick and I met with him a couple of weeks ago to go over his paper with him."
"When was the last time you saw him?"
Robin looked at Patrick and then back at Dante. "Two days ago – he brought some champagne to my office to celebrate his paper being published. I had a glass with him and he left – I haven't seen him since."
Dante took a deep breath and looked at Nathan. The two men had known the couple for years and this conversation wasn't an easy one to have with them. "Anything else Robin?"
"No, absolutely not. Where is this coming from Dante?" Robin felt Patrick's arms tighten around her in an attempt to comfort her.
"Robin, we found pictures of you on his phone. Some were of you," Dante paused, "not exactly fully dressed."
Robin's knees gave out and Patrick half carried her to a chair not far away from where they were standing. He helped her into the chair, sat down next to her and glared at Dante. "How dare you come in here throwing accusations at her."
"I'm sorry Patrick but I have to ask. My first impression was that Robin wasn't aware that these pictures were being taken but I need to make sure. This is a murder investigation and I have to cover all possible angles." Dante sat down next to Robin and smiled at her. "I didn't think so but I hope you understand why I had to ask."
Robin nodded her head, still trying to wrap her thoughts around what she was told. "How many people have seen these pictures?"
"Just me and the forensics guy who pulled them off the phone – I promise." Dante looked at Patrick. "The ME is estimating time of death as a little over 48 hours ago. Do you two have an alibi for Wednesday morning between the hours of 9-11?"
Tom spoke up. "Robin was a patient here at GH. Patrick was by her side the whole morning. She didn't get released until 10:45 that morning and I will provide you with all the paperwork needed to verify that."
Dante nodded. "A copy of the discharge papers and the security footage should suffice." Dante stood up and was going to leave but stopped. "By the way – was the doctor diabetic or doing research on diabetes?"
"Not that I know of – I review all my doctor's medical records to make sure there isn't a possible liability to the hospital. There was no mention of diabetes and his research had nothing to do with it either. Why?"
"We found a couple of bottles of insulin in a zippered pocket of his jacket. One of the vials was nearly empty but the other…" Dante was cut off by Patrick's outburst.
"That son of a bitch!" Patrick pulled Robin off the chair and onto his lap, gently rubbing her back.
Dante noticed that Robin was suddenly very pale. "What is going on?"
"Robin was in the ER because her insulin levels spiked." Tom sighed and shook her head. "She had a glass of champagne with Dr. King to celebrate his paper being published and went unresponsive right after she finished it."
"Why?" Robin's voice was small but strong. "Why would he do that to me?"
She shuddered and Patrick tightened his hold on her. Unfortunately, he some ideas about what Richard had planned for Robin and none of them were good. "Robin, don't even think about it. Whatever he was planning didn't happen and you are safe now – he can't hurt you." Patrick looked at Tom and Dante. "I would like to take my wife home now."
Tom nodded. "Of course. Robin, I still want to monitor your blood sugar, at least for a couple more weeks. I just want to be on the safe side."
"Of course." Patrick helped her stand up and the couple walked to the elevator.
Robin suddenly stopped. "Oh my God Patrick – your test!"
"What test?" Dante and Nathan were truly confused.
"This goes no further than us – it is strictly off the record." Patrick looked at both men who nodded their assent. "I mean it Nathan, no telling Maxie."
"I understand – just tell us Patrick."
Patrick sighed. "A few weeks ago I tested HIV positive. Dr. King was the one who administered the test and oversaw my results. Two days ago I had another test run and it was negative."
"You're saying that this guy wanted you to believe that you were HIV positive? Why?" Dante couldn't understand the point. Yes, it was a terrible disease but Patrick would always have Robin to help him through the diagnosis. If what the couple was saying was true, that was the exact opposite of what Dr. King had wanted.
"To take away something he loves – being a surgeon." Robin wrapped her arms around Patrick and held him close. "He was targeting you. Why?"
"There is only one reason I can think of – he wanted you and wanted me out of the way." Patrick turned to Dante. "I want to know if you find out anything else about him. This man was after my wife and I want to know why."
Dante nodded his head. "Of course Patrick – I will let you know if I find out anything."
The couple left and Dante turned to Tom. "Please show me to Dr. King's office."