Chapter 22

Patrick stood at the nurse's desk tapping his pen. "Do you have those labs back yet Epiphany?"

The nurse rolled her eyes at him. "Not yet but I will be sure to tell the lab that everyone else's labs need to stopped so that you can get yours done first."

He ignored the sarcasm in the nurse's voice. "That would be great."

"Help!" Both of them looked up to see Dante running up to the desk carrying his wife in his arms. "I was meeting her here and found her in her car."

Patrick grabbed a cot and pulled it over to the man. "Here." He began doing a quick exam and noticed that the young woman was burning up. "Has she been sick at all?"

"No – she was just fine this morning." Dante had been shocked to find his wife passed out in her car. "I knew she was coming here to see Robin…"

Patrick's heart stopped. "Wait – she was coming to see Robin?"

"Yes."

Patrick looked at the nurse's hub. "Epiphany..."

Before he could say another word, an orderly pushed another cot down the hall. "Dr. Drake – overflow from the ER."

He reviewed the chart - it was an elderly man with a high fever, body aches and a sore throat. "What do you mean overflow?"

"We have had eight patients come in over the last two hours with the same high fever, complaining of sore throats and body aches." The orderly quickly made his way to the elevator. "Dr. Quartermaine said that a representative from the Medical Rescue Agency is on his way but all patients with these symptoms are being brought to your floor."

"Dr. Drake?" Epiphany had been on the phone while he was examining the patient. "Dr. Quartermaine is requesting hazmat suits, gloves and masks for all hospital personnel. He is on his way in and has requested your brother and Nurse Webber join us. I told him about Dr. Soltini so he has requested another doctor from Mercy."

"Who?" Patrick was pretty sure he knew the answer.

"A Dr. Gwen Miller." Epiphany saw him cringe. "Another one of your playthings?"

Patrick shook off her question. "Make sure she is up to date on all the patients but Dr. Solitini – I am her doctor and that is not negotiable."

Epiphany could see he meant business. "Yes doctor. Speaking of, Dr. Soltini is being moved to a room in just a few minutes – do you want to tell her what is going on?"

Patrick nodded his head and made his way to her room. He needed to speak to Robin before the next wave of patients made their way to his floor.

"Epiphany is getting you a room." Patrick was holding Robin's hand while he spoke with her. "Lucky picked up Ry from the daycare and Michelle is headed home as we speak."

"This is silly." Robin attempted to sit up in the bed but Patrick gently pushed her back down. "I just need an antibiotic, fever reducers and I can go home to rest."

Patrick shook his head. "I need to ask you a question – did you see any patients today?"

"No, I was in my office all day. The only people I saw besides you were Keith and Lulu." Robin reached for the cup by her bed.

Patrick handed it to her. "Lulu Falconeri?"

She took a drink. "Thank you. Yes, she wanted to talk to me about a fundraiser they are doing at the bar – why?"

"When did you see Lulu?" He took her cup from her. "It is very important that you remember when it was?"

"A little before noon."

"And did you see anyone after that? Go to the cafeteria for lunch?" Patrick prayed she hadn't gone to visit Rylee at the daycare center.

"No, I stayed in my office. The only person I saw was Keith and he, uh, he didn't stay very long." Robin closed her eyes. She was getting tired again.

Patrick relaxed. "Thank God."

"Patrick…" Robin could see that something was wrong.

"Lulu was just admitted with a 103 fever. She is one of 10 patients, including yourself, who have been admitted to the hospital with the same symptoms, high fever, sore throat and body aches." He sighed. "Alan is considering that this may be an epidemic."

"Rylee and Michelle are safe?" Tears filled her eyes as she asked the question.

"I promise you, on my life, they are safe." The door to the exam room opened up and the orderly came in to take her to her room. "Now this nice man is going to get you all settled in and I will be in to check on you in a few minutes."

"Patrick?" Robin squeezed his hand tight. "Thank you."

"We'll figure this out and get you back home to your girls Robin." He reluctantly stepped away from her bed to allow the orderly in. "I'll see you soon short stuff."

She managed a weak smile and nodded her head before allowing herself to be moved to the cot and then to her room.