“Yes, but the building was in desperate need of repairs as it was, and the people stayed when they were asked to leave. When you have no place else to go, what choice is there, really? Around 2am, the stress had become too great and the dwelling fell. Many are still missing.” He walked inside. “Here we are. Dr. Rami, this is Dr. Parnell. He is at your disposal.”
“Dr. Parnell. Good. We’re shorthanded.”
“I’ll leave you to it.” The doctor left.
The tent teemed with injured people and as Bishop gazed around, he spotted only three doctors. It was exactly as he needed it to be. “Where should I start?”
The door of the tent flew open with two men carrying a middle-aged woman on a stretcher. “We need help!” one of the men shouted.
Dr. Rami pointed to them. “Dr. Parnell, you should start there.”
Bishop hustled toward the men. “Let’s bring her over here.” He led the way to an empty gurney and examined her. “Lacerations to the extremities, facial contusions.” He used scissors to cut open her right pant leg. “Crushed femur.” He looked at the men. “I got it from here. Thank you.”
When they left, Bishop watched the other doctors tend to several other patients in the tent. He was free to do as he wished and cast his sights to the injured woman.
Her eyes captured his. They welled with tears that fell and stained her grimy cheeks. “Please help me.”
Bishop smiled warmly and placed his hand on her head, smoothing down her hair. “Of course, I will. What’s your name?”
“Jacinda Wells.”
“Jacinda, I’m going to have to run some tests first. Okay? How about I start you on some pain medicine to ease your suffering?”
She smiled and nodded. “Thank you. Thank you, Doctor.”
“That’s why I’m here, Jacinda. I’m always here to help.” Bishop placed latex gloves on his hands and prepared her for an IV mainline. A small metal table lay next to the gurney and contained the necessary equipment to start the fluids. “You’re going to feel a pinch.” He slid the needle into the back of her hand and watched her wince in pain. A tingle shot up his spine as he peered at her. “There you go. All set.”
Bishop kept an eye on the doctors around him before he looked at Jacinda again. “I’m going to give you something for the pain now.”
“Yes, please. I need something now,” she replied.
He leaned in to within inches of her face. “I’m sorry. What was that you said?”
“Medicine for the pain. Please, Doctor.” Tears shed down her face as she winced once again.
“Of course. I’m here to help you. I can see how much you’re suffering, and I want to end that suffering for you.” He wiped away the tears from her cheeks. “Do you want me to help you, Jacinda?”
She creased her brow in confusion. “Yes, doctor. Please.” She moaned. “Please give me the medicine. I beg you. I am in such pain.”
Bishop studied her. “I know. I know it hurts. I can make it stop.”
Dr. Rami approached from behind. “What is the status of your patient, Dr. Parnell?”
Bishop spun around. “I was just about to administer pain medication, then draw blood for testing before I dress the superficial wounds.”
“Good. I want you to get her on a truck to transport to the nearest hospital. I can see she will need x-rays at the very least.” Dr. Rami continued making the rounds to the other doctors.
Bishop had gotten lucky and couldn’t afford to waste any more time. “Well, that was close, wasn’t it, Jacinda?”
Her eyes widened with fear. “Wait. Wait. Please…” She turned her head in search of the other doctor and as she was about to speak, she shot back at Bishop as he squeezed her hand.
“Shhh… They’re all very busy. It’s best not to disturb them while they’re helping other patients. You’re my patient, Jacinda and I’m here to help.” Bishop inserted a needle into the mainline IV drip. “There you go. You’ll be all better in just a minute. I promise.”
The woman began to convulse, and Bishop held her down. It wouldn’t last long but he scanned the area for anyone who might take notice. No one had. “Relax, Jacinda. I know what’s best for you. I’m your doctor.” He placed his fingers on her carotid artery to check her pulse. He knew that if he pressed hard enough, he could induce a blackout, which would silence her more quickly, yet look as though he had done nothing wrong.
He kept his fingers in her neck, pressing hard, and watched her eyes widen with the knowledge that she knew he was about to kill her. She continued to twitch. He smiled and waited. The only part that mattered was when they understood what was happening. That he had complete control of their lives and he could extinguish them in a heartbeat.
Jacinda stopped twitching. Her pulse slowed, her eyes fluttered closed and she lost consciousness.
Bishop waited until the last beat. Ten seconds passed, twenty. One minute. Nothing. He turned back and wore fear on his face. “No pulse! I’m losing her! Dr. Rami, please help!”
The doctor rushed to his side. “What happened?” He grabbed Jacinda’s wrist to check for a pulse.
“She must’ve had internal bleeding. I don’t know. I did everything by the book.”
“Damn it.” Rami looked back. “I need a crash cart over here!”
Bishop knew it was too late. The poison had done its job and no resuscitation efforts would work. He would stand back and allow Rami to take the appropriate measures. But his job was done.
12
Noah Quinn’s office had remained exactly as it was the day he left. There were no family pictures on his desk. Quinn wasn’t married and didn’t have any children. Kate never even knew if he had brothers or sisters. Maybe he had been an uncle. She would never know because she would do everything in her power to stay as far away from him as possible,
