AN: Many thanks to all those continuing to read and follow this story. I had a busy weekend so just a short update today. Thank you "honu59" for your suggestion on the previous chapter - I will make the amendment. It was a good pick up!

Tanith


Chapter 48

Mike ended the discussion with explicit instructions to Steve to not do anything rash then he and Irene left his room, promising they would keep him updated on their quest for the truth.

Turning to face the officer standing guard at the door, Mike said quietly, "Harry, what time do you get off?"

"I just started my shift before you got here, Lieutenant. I'll be here until seven o-clock," the officer answered.

"Okay. I need you to listen to me. No one except for the doctor and nurses goes in without the Chief knowing about it first, you got that?" Mike instructed. "And I want any medical staff to be checked for identification before going into that room."

"I hear you, Lieutenant. You can count on me," Harry nodded.

"Good. Inspector Martin or myself will return before you clock off," Mike bade the man a good night and walked away with Irene.

Once the two detectives were out in the hall, Mike caught sight of the young nurse who had delivered the water, disappearing around the next corner. The Lieutenant's demeanour visibly changed and Irene had trouble keeping up with his fast pace as he hurried toward the pay phone.

"Mike?" Irene called out then lowered her voice to an urgent whisper, "Steve's right. We should go to that cabin. Jeannie could be in serious trouble."

Mike stopped in his tracks and pulled Irene into a hug, whispering in her ear, "Remember, there are eyes and ears. We'll talk in the car." He drew away, holding her at arm's length and said in a louder voice, "Thank you, Irene, for being here for me and for Steve. I'm sure Jeannie's fine. Steve's been through a lot today. He could be reading things wrong. If you can get that telephone number, I'll give her a call."

Irene nodded, playing along. "Alright. I'll do that."

"Good," Mike said, looking past Irene's shoulder at Dr. Andrews who had just finished speaking with an orderly. "I'll be right back."

Irene watched Mike head over toward the physician as she dialled the number to her partner's direct line. He owed her a favor or two and though she trusted him with her life, she left out the specifics of why she needed the information in order to protect him.

"Excuse me, Dr. Andrews?" Mike called out when he was a couple of feet away.

Andrews gave Mike a friendly smile and stepped over to him. "What can I do for you, Lieutenant?"

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind I take another look at Steve's medical files?" Mike requested.

"Sure, I still have it right here," said Dr. Andrews as he handed the file over to the detective.

Mike opened the folder and perused through the contents. He made a mental note of certain details before closing it again with a satisfied nod then returned it to the doctor. "Thank you."

"No problem. If there's anything further I can do to help, please don't hesitate to contact me. Here's my card with my direct number. I'll be taking care of your partner until his release," Dr. Andrews said handing over his business card.

"Thank you. You've been a great help already. Oh and Doc, would you be able to tell me how long my partner will have to stay here?" Mike asked.

"Depending on if we're required to run any more tests, he should be released in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. I'm sorry but I have another patient to attend to. If you'll excuse me, Lieutenant?"

"Of course, I better go home and get some rest. It's been quite a day," Mike sighed heavily and wished the doctor a good night then once Andrews disappeared in the elevator, he made his way back to Irene who had just got off the pay phone with a piece of paper in her hand. "How did you go?"

"I have an address and a number."

"Good. Let's get out of here," Mike took Irene by the elbow and quickly led her down to the front desk where Bill Tanner's admirer sat. "Excuse me, Miss?"

"Oh, Lieutenant Mike, right?" the receptionist greeted.

"Yes, that's right and you're…?" Mike said.

"Kelly O'Brien!" exclaimed the receptionist.

"Say, Miss O'Brien, would you be able to give me Dr. Edwards' personal telephone number? It's really important."

"Sure, let me get that for you," the receptionist flicked through the staff contact listing and wrote down Dr. Edwards phone number on a piece of note paper. "Here you go! Oh and uh, here's another number Mr. Tanner might need." The receptionist handed another piece of paper to the Lieutenant with a blush colouring her cheeks and a grin spreading across her face.

Mike took the paper from the young woman and looked down at the number written on it. He cleared his throat and said awkwardly, "Thank you, Miss O'Brien. I'll be sure to, uh, pass this along."

"Please, call me Kelly!" The receptionist called after Mike as he grabbed Irene's arm and hurried out of the hospital. When they got in the car, he locked the doors, started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot without a word until they were on the main road.

"What now?" Irene asked, breaking the silence.

"We're going over to that cabin and Jeannie is coming home tonight!" Mike declared. "Then I'm going to call Dr. Edwards first thing in the morning and get him to take another look at Steve's medical files as well as check on Steve himself."

"You think Dr. Andrews in on the take and those test results were…"

"A phoney? You bet I do! And that little nurse is in on it too. She'd been eaves dropping the whole time we were talking in Steve's room," Mike continued.

"But Harry's been outside the room the whole time. How would she manage that?"

"She could easily have gone into the room next door and listened through the wall."

"Well, I just hope Steve caught on to your act. He was pretty upset," said Irene worriedly.

"He knows that Jeannie will always be my little girl to me," Mike asserted confidently. He had deliberately dropped clues when he had seen Steve and trusted his partner to pick up on them. He just hoped that the young man will hang in there and not try to do anything on impulse.