Chapter 6
Christian sighed as he watched Tiffany storm off. What the heck was he going to do about her?
Christian knew good and well Tiffany was attracted to him. He’d been in her mind, her soul, witnessed her every lustful thought, emotion, her fantasies and the joy she’d felt those moments when they’d finally becoming reality. Her passion and desire had been as starkly real as his own. Did she really think he was buying that crap about last night being a one time thing?
Maybe the better question was she buying it herself?
Let her try and shut him down. He’d be damned if he ever backed off. She was his life mate and one day she would accept him. He knew she had no idea he’d discovered that fact. The physic connection had been broken at that point. Good thing it had been. If the experience itself had been too much for her, the reality of what it meant would surely send her over the edge. He knew he needed to exercise some patience, but he was a vampire who had just discovered his life mate. The nature of a male vampire once discovering his life mate was an animalistic, full steam ahead approach, which usually wasn’t a problem because the female vampire recognized and eagerly accepted the experience. She too had been looking for her one and only.
He saw now that Tiffany had only wanted the sexual experience. He’d been in her mind and no man had popped to the forefront except for him. That would seem like a good thing, but it could also mean she’d felt sexually deprived, in desperate need of release and he’d been handy.
Truth be told, he’d been desperate in that regard too. He couldn’t judge her too harshly there.
He retreated to his own office, shut the door and settled in behind his desk. He placed the chart from his last patient in front of him, opened and stared at it, but his mind was miles away from his last appointment.
The scent of her perfume still lingered in the room from her inhabiting it all of yesterday, which fueled his discouragement. Christian was thrilled Tiffany was his life mate, but he couldn’t fathom why she’d become so skittish. The most logical explanation seemed to be she was afraid of messing up their friendship. That he could understand, maybe even work with if he could convince her nothing could change his respect and admiration for her, the enjoyment he experienced spending time with her. All those things had been a given between them for years, or so he’d thought.
Thinking back, she’d also been adamant that she didn’t want to turn. He understood that too, but it hurt him to think she’d expect him to push her toward such a life altering decision. There might be many things she’d yet to discover about him, but how could she not know his character?
The decision had to be hers. Despite what it would mean for their relationship, as a doctor he would advise against that decision if she were to make it. Great health risks were involved in the procedure. He’d conducted many over the years. Both life mates and doctor never breathed easy until it was over and successful. Of course he wanted his life mate to be of his own species, but not enough to put Tiffany at risk. If she ever volunteered to turn one day, he’d never allow it until he ran extensive tests to make sure she was a healthy, viable candidate.
He’d just told her he’d never force her to make that decision. He’d also assured her a romance wouldn’t change their friendship. So, what was the real root of her fears? He’d never known the girl to fear anything. But something had her scared. Maybe something to do with her past? An ex?
“Man, what I wouldn’t give to get inside that head of hers,” he muttered then pushed out of his chair and began pacing. “Maybe there’s a way.” He pulled his cell from the pocket of his lab coat and stared at it for a few seconds then dropped it on his desk with a disgusted grunt.
He considered calling Mia, but she’d see through him instantly if he started asking questions about Tiffany’s past. Hell! Should Tiffany discover he’d been quizzing her mother—well he’d be a dead man walking.
Still he had promised to call Mia. He hadn’t because Tiffany reached her before he’d arrived. He tapped a finger on the screen of the phone then snatched it up and made the call before good sense talked him out of the notion.
Mia’s hologram popped up on the first ring. There were a few specks of flour on her right cheek and she wore a black chef’s jacket, also dotted with flour.
In the kitchen as usual.
“Ah ha. Something told me I’d be hearing from you today.”
Christian rolled his eyes. “You’ve got the most honed physic abilities of any vampire I’ve ever met.”
A soft, little wicked giggle followed as reply, then, “Physic abilities have nothing to do with why I thought you would call today, rather mother abilities. I called Tiffany earlier this morning and she became a bit cranky with me when I asked about last night.”
“Really? I can’t imagine why. I told her you were just worried. She seemed to get over me checking on her quickly enough.” The tone of that reply didn’t even sound convincing to his own ears. What did the woman know?
“I’m not entirely sure either. She said the two of you had a late dinner. She didn’t go into details, just said it was nice, but quite frankly she seemed troubled.” She paused there to clear her throat. “What happened?”
Shit! He was in trouble. Bad idea calling Mia. Abort! Abort!
Christian began to pace again. “It’s like she said. We had a late dinner at a club I’m partial to. Then I took her home.”
“I see. Obviously, something has her in a snit. Do you know if her first day went well?”
“I think so. I’m sure she was a little nervous. Who wouldn’t be?” He tried for a convincing smile.
“True, but I guarantee you she’s more than just a little nervous about working at the V clinic. It’s been years since she’s worked in an office environment.”
“Why would that upset her?”
“A number of reasons. Namely building new relationships with strangers. I know you think you know Tiffany well, Christian, but you really don’t. In fact I’ll go so far as to say I think she missed her calling in life. She should have become an actress. She hides more fears and insecurities than you could possibly imagine and brilliantly. Sometimes even I miss the signs she’s so good at making everyone think she’s tough as nails and hasn’t a trouble in the world.”
Christian felt his brow crease as he sank into his chair. “What sort of troubles? Her father again?” Many years ago Mia had told him the details of her divorce and the pain her ex’s cheating had caused her girls.
Mia sighed heavily. “Always, but trust in general. Do you know in all the years she’s lived in New Orleans, to my knowledge, she’s never made one friend? She speaks of clients, work, hobbies and some altruistic, philanthropic activities, but never once has she mentioned getting a cup of coffee or going to a movie with a friend. Let alone a date. Of course she’s very close to me and her sisters, but I think you know what I’m driving at.”
Christian did and it saddened him greatly. “But if her trust issues stem from what happened to your family all those years ago, why hasn’t she sought help?”
“Pride, but mostly anger. She’s not ready to give it up. No one can help her until she is. I have to say this too. I worry about her working in an office situation where she will be thrust into the lives of co-workers. She does not play well with others, Christian. As an entrepreneur she always ruled her own world. Please keep that in mind if she should do or say something that could get her into trouble.”
He could help himself, he started laughing. Mia was right. Tiffany definitely didn’t play well with others. Noah had only briefly spoken to her and had already commented on her unprofessional dress and speech. Christian was used to her ways, her sometimes sharp tongue and wit. Others might take offense which meant he’d probably be doing some fence mending on her behalf in the future. “There’s no need to worry, Mia. It’s as I said last night, her job is secure. She’s going nowhere unless she chooses to.”
“Thank you and thank you for caring about her. I know you do and have for a long time. Just be patient with her.”
“That may be a rock and a hard place position. I’ve seen her angry,” he muttered, recalling the incident in the hall. The girl was driving him nuts.
“It can be, but you’ll see in time she’s worth it.”
What did she mean by that? Before he could question her, his land line rang with an in-house call. Most likely Katie reminding him of his next appointment. “I have to go. I have patients waiting. It’s been good talking to you. Rest assured Tiffany is fine and seems to be taking well to her new position.”
“That’s great news. Have a wonderful day, Christian.”
“You too.” He disconnected then answered his other phone, which had been Katie.
Mia had given him much food for thought. Christian couldn’t help wonder what she suspected, but he had no time to think about that now. His patient load had been wearing him thin for weeks due to Asa’s absence.
By the time he had five spare minutes, it was well after lunch and his stomach reminded him loudly he’d missed his mid day meal. As he headed to his office, he pulled his cell from the pocket of his lab coat to check the time. Four thirty? No wonder he was so hungry.
He diverted his destination and went to Tiffany’s office instead intending to hold her to their dinner date—rather engagement. Or ‘get together’—whatever she wanted to call it.
Her door was open and she was sitting behind her desk staring intently at a holotop as she spoke commands into the weird looking thing. He’d seen them advertised on T.V., but had never viewed one up close before. At first, the thing seemed like a large version of a cell phone hologram, but as he watched her speak and move pictures with her hands, he realized it was a far more complicated device. One she would expect him to learn to master one day soon. He cringed at the thought.
“Hey, Darlin’. What are you working on?”
She gave a little start, then glanced his way and smiled. “You’re server and IP address. I’m working on setting it up using my phone as a hot spot so I can get service. We’ll have wifi on Monday. It won’t be long from there until I have this leg of the journey complete.”
He blinked at her, having no idea what the hell she’d just said, nor did he care. His work day was done and he wanted to spend the remainder of it with her.
He crossed the room and rounded her desk, giving the colorful hologram hovering over her computer a cursory glance. “Are you at a stopping point?”
She quickly spoke a few shut down commands, then closed the lid on the thing and looked up at him. “I suppose so. Why?”
“I’m ready to call it a day. I was thinking we could go to my place, grill some burgers. Maybe watch a movie afterward.”
She looked up at him and affected a nonchalant shrug. “Sure. Just let me pack my stuff.”
He watched while she loaded her computer and some other things into her backpack. Her heart rate and breathing were a little a higher than normal for such a simple task and he had a pretty good idea why. He considered assuring her nothing would ever happen between them she didn’t want to happen, that he would honor this friends thing for now, then thought better of the notion. Verbalizing this attraction between them might spook her. Best to let sleeping dogs lie.
A short time later they arrived in their separate trucks at his city home, a nineteen sixties ranch style he’d purchased and refurbished a few years back, which now looked more like a hunting cabin. He resided here primarily because it was located a mere ten minutes from the V clinic.
As he ushered her into the living room, he said, “Excuse the mess, Darlin’. I have a housekeeper, but she won’t be back until Monday.” He winced at his coffee table, littered with to-go boxes, dishes and beer bottles.
She chuckled. “No worries. Your place is all you, Christian. I like it.” She walked over to his fireplace and gazed up at the full turkey mount above the mantel. “Nice bird. Looks like about a ten inch beard.” She reached up and lightly fingered the long, coarse strands protruding from the gobbler’s chest.
“Eleven and a quarter actually. The spurs were just shy of three inches.”
She turned and quirked her brows, her expression impressed. “Where in the heck did you shoot it? A nuclear waste facility?”
He burst out laughing. “No, silly. My place in the bayou where the mothers’ retreat is located.”
She nodded then glanced about. “So burgers, huh? Where’s your kitchen?”
“Right this way.” He led her there and winced again when her gaze settled on the massive pile of dirty dishes in his sink, then slid toward the trash can which overflowed with more to go containers, water and beer bottles. He hadn’t thought this through very well. The last few days had left him little time for domestic chores. His maid was regular, but regularly spent most of her day watching daytime talk shows. The place looked like a frat house. “Again, sorry for the mess.”
“Well, it appears to be a lived in kitchen. Nothing wrong with that.”
“You’re being way too kind.”
She harrumphed. “I’d be a hypocrite to judge. When I get involved in a job project my place goes to hell in a hand basket real fast.” She walked over to his refrigerator, opened the door and peeked inside. “Hum. I see you have some nice science projects developing in here, much like my own fridge, but where’s the hamburger meat?” She gave him a saucy wink.
Christian stifled a groan. “It’s in the freezer.” He really hadn’t thought out the details of this date—get together. “Why don’t we just order out? I skipped lunch and honestly I’m starved.”
“Fine by me. What are you in the mood for?” She closed the door to the fridge, crossed her arms and leaned a hip against the counter.
Christian stared at her standing there between his sink and fridge and could so easily imagine seeing her there often. Not in a domestic sense because he knew Tiffany avoided a kitchen like the plague. At family functions she always hung out with the men and did whatever they were doing, watching sports, hunting, playing poker. No, what he envisioned now was her standing there in some sexy, see-through lacy thing holding a cup of coffee, waiting on him to fix her breakfast. A grin spread across his face, thinking he might need Mia to give him a few cooking lessons.
“What’s that cat ate the canary smile about or do I want to know?”
“You probably wouldn’t, but I’m sure you can guess.” He licked his lips, unable to get the picture of her he’d just created out of his mind.
She made a little groaning noise then clasped a hand across her forehead. “I can’t do this if you’re gonna do that.” She spun and headed for the door.
Christian took a giant step, grabbed her wrist, halting her. “Hey. Stop that. I’m sorry. I’ll behave. I made you a promise and you know I always honor my word. This is just dinner with a friend.”
She sniffed, then asked tentatively, “Are we still?”
Her expression, tone—well was as if she’d lost her best friend. That was his doing because he’d wanted to prove a point this morning—that she felt as much passion, longing and desire for him as he did her. The only point he’d proved was he’d been behaving like a selfish ass.
He walked over to the kitchen table, took a seat and rested his elbows on the table edge.
“What?”
He heard her approach then settle into the chair beside him. He didn’t look up. “What happened was unexpected for us both. It was unfair of me to make assumptions or to push you toward something you don’t feel comfortable with.” He paused there to glance her way and take her hand. “We’ll always be friends. Nothing can change that and I won’t let anything destroy what we’ve always had.”
The speech was real and from his heart, but nothing would prevent him from seeking a future with Tiffany. When the time was right he’d revisit the issue with her. For now he’d give her the berth she wanted.
A wisp of a smile bloomed across her pretty face. “Thanks.”
“Forgiven?” He squeezed her hand.
She squeezed back. “Of course.
An awkward silence ensued for several moments, then she let out a sharp huff. “Christian, I’m hungry. Either defrost that hamburger meat or let’s order some take out.”
He laughed. “Okay. Let me get the phone book. Take out will be faster. What would you like?”
She hunched a shoulder. “How about Mexican. Can you work with that?”
“Whatever you want, Darlin.”
“Forget the phone book.” She took her cell from the back pocket of her jeans and began to tap on the screen.
“Here we go. Pedro’s Taqueria. Trust me the food rocks.”
“I trust you.”
“Cool.” She waved a hand over the screen, brought up hologram mode and made the call.
He did trust her. Yes, they had issues, and not just from a vampire/human standpoint. They could work through that easily enough. Mixed couples had been making it work since the dawn of time. He believed in her strength, resiliency. He believed in them. Enough so, he refused to let himself think he might be setting himself up for a broken heart because she still suffered from one that might never heal.
* * *
After dinner, they settled on his couch and cruised pay per view options, on his rather outdated 52” flat screen, which he needed to replace. He was just too busy to give much thought to his home needs and decor these days.
They chose a movie, oddly enough involving vampires. Generally, he found the Hollywood stuff about his kind foolish, but this one had a been highly touted by critics. Tiffany had made the same comment when they’d been deciding between it and several other recent releases. In the end he’d enjoyed the movie because it had been an intense, on the edge of your seat drama with a nice little romantic twist. It seemed she had too, judging from the way her face lit up during happy scenes and the cute way she chewed at her lower lip when the villain seemed to be getting the better of the good guys. In the end fatigue got the better of her. During the climax scene she passed out.
Christian looked over at her, snuggled into the corner of his couch, with her knees pulled into her chest and her head resting on the sofa arm. Her luscious lips were parted and her breathing was slow and deep reflecting REM sleep. “Breathtaking,” he muttered, then picked up the remote and punched the off button. And mine. One day she’d realize that. He hoped.
A few more minutes of the movie remained, but he didn’t care how it ended. Honestly, he could sit here all night and watch her because sleep shucked off a person’s emotions and defenses, exposing one’s real spirit. Hers was beautiful, passionate and driven which he knew from experience. She loved ferociously and had no problem placing her life on the line for someone she cared about. He’d seen her in action and wanted to be in that inner circle of her heart more than anything he’d ever wanted in his life.
He scratched his temple and stared at her. Her head rested at an awkward angle and he knew if he left her in that position, her neck would be aching by morning. Taking a risk he stood, leaned down and eased his arms around her legs and shoulders, then very gently picked her up, praying he didn’t wake her. Knowing Tiffany, she’d come alive like a wildcat in his arms.
She made a few fussy sounds, but luck was with him and he was able to get her into bed and under the sheet and comforter without waking her. He laughed softly when she let out a loud snore, then rolled onto her side and burrowed her way deeper beneath the covers.
Damn. He was so tempted to crawl in beside her and snuggle up against all that feminine cuteness. Yeah, not a good idea. It would be the couch for him tonight. He grabbed a pillow then headed for the living room. He’d just laid down and worked himself into a comfortable position when his cell began to ring.
He sat up, grabbed the device off the coffee table noticing both the time and caller. Ten forty four p.m. and Noah? This could not be good. Noah was on call tonight and would never bother him unless there was a problem.
He answered quickly. “What’s up?”
“A crisis, I’m afraid. I’ve had two deliveries this evening. Both infants were stillborn.”
* * *
Tiffany rolled over with a grunt, then reached toward her bedside table for her phone to check the time. It was the first thing she did when she woke, an ingrained habit she’d had for years. When she felt neither the wood surface of her bedside table or her device, her eyes popped open.
“What the hell?” she muttered then scrambled upright in a kingsized bed which was not hers. Her gaze sliced across the unfamiliar surroundings of a bedroom which was also not hers, but it only took seconds to figure out to whom it belonged. Jeans, shirts, lab coats, male skivvies and cowboy boots were strung everywhere, across the masculine furnishings, the end of the bed and the plush tan carpeted floor.
Apparently, Christian’s housekeeper needed to be working a few more days a week. That or he needed to hire a team of them. The guy was a slob, but an awful cute one.
She remembered last night, put two and two together, then grinned. She’d crashed during the movie and obviously Christian had taken her to his bed. Despite common sense, she was a little disappointed he wasn’t with her.
“Sweet,” she muttered, meaning his consideration of her comfort and the fact he’d been totally sweet. Tiffany really enjoyed last night which had been light and fun. No pressure. He hadn’t once attempted to push things romantically. It had been like old times. Oddly that thought didn’t give comfort, but left her feeling a bit empty and sad. Be that as it may, things had to be this way. For her job. Their friendship. Her sanity.
So where was he? The couch seemed the most likely answer, or perhaps a spare bedroom. His location wasn’t her primary concern at the moment, locating his bathroom was. She found it two doors down the hall on the right.
“Dear God,” she muttered as she made her way to the toilet, gingerly stepping across piles of towels and more discarded clothing. The vanity was littered with all sorts of shaving crap, wadded up wash clothes and hand towels. Whatever he paid this housekeeper of his--it was too much.
Once relieved, she splashed some water on her face, pulled out her hair tie and refastened her pony tail. As freshened as she could be, she made her way to the living room, but found it empty. She spotted her cell on the coffee table and retrieved it, checking the time. Six forty six. About right. Her internal alarm clock had been set for six thirty for years.
Next she checked messages a bit surprised to find one from Christian. The message read: An emergency has arisen at the clinic. If I’m not there when you wake up, please make yourself at home, Darling. I’ll see you soon.
Tiffany blinked at the device, confused and a bit worried. The emergency was probably just a patient who had gone into labor. She checked the time of the message which was twelve thirty seven a.m.. That seemed odd. Surely, he’d have returned by now, but then she remembered her mother telling her she’d been in labor with her for sixteen hours.
“Well, whatever,” she muttered as she grabbed her Ropers off the floor next to the couch. She’d see Christian at some point today so she could thank him for last night, but in the meantime, she needed go home and get cleaned up for work.
She’d just finished tying a bow on her right boot when she heard the front door open. Her gaze slashed that direction. Christian walked inside, quietly shut the door, then stood there staring across the room at some arbitrary point. Tiffany knew immediately something was wrong because his features were wreathed in exhaustion. She could sense anger percolating in him too. There was a slight tick in his right jaw. He started to scare her.
She bolted to her feet and went to him. “What happened?”
He strode past her, then plopped down on the couch, leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees.
Oh, this was not good, Tiffany thought. She’d never seen Christian like this. He was always Johnny on the spot with a happy smile or teasing comment.
Something really bad had messed with his world last night.
Tiffany wanted to comfort him, but had no idea how to proceed. She sucked at patting hands and offering ‘it will be all rights’.
Well, she’d just have to figure it out as she went. No way would she bail on him. She crossed the room and took a seat beside him, clueless as to what to say or do. Operating on blind instinct, she took hold of his right hand and squeezed. “You can talk about it if you want. If not, I’m just going to sit here quietly until you tell me to get the hell out.”
His gaze slid her way and a ghost of a smile tipped the corners of his mouth. “Thanks.”
With a heavy sigh he reclined into the couch. “Noah was on call last night. He had two deliveries. Both of the babies were stillborn.”
Tiffany gasped. Oh God! No wonder he was such a hot mess. “I’m so sorry, Christian. That’s outrageous. Do you know what happened?”
He shook his head. “Noah and I ran tests. Most are still pending. We’ve had three stillborns in the last two days. That’s just too coincidental for my head to wrap around.”
Fear and understanding began to mount inside her gut, twisting it into a tight, heavy knot. She didn’t even want to fathom what she suspected he meant. “If this isn’t coincidence, what could it be?”
He shook his head again. “I have no idea. It might be coincidence or something else entirely.” He broke off and glanced away.
“Like what?”
“Never mind. Hopefully it’s just a series of horrible events.”
“But if it isn’t?”
He swallowed hard and pinned her with a hard look. “Then our practice and patients could be in grave danger.”
* * *
After a quick shower, Christian returned to the V clinic lab to see if the results were back from the tests he’d ordered on Asa’s patient, Mrs. Taylor and her deceased child, or the ones Noah had ordered on his own patient and stillborn. When he walked in, he found Noah bent over a microscope and went to where he worked. “Anything?”
Noah glanced up at him with a sick, tight expression and Christian felt another pang of dread. The emotion had been eating a hole in his stomach all night. “What is it?”
Noah nodded. “I’ve isolated something very strange in both the mothers’ and babies’ blood work, something I’ve never witnessed before with the blood of our kind. It appears to be hemolysis. Look and see if you agree. Many of the red blood cells have ruptured from fluid. There’s also strange clumping. The symptoms are very indicative of the disease from a vivo source.”
Christian rushed over to look. “How can that be?” he muttered, then blinked and studied the slide more carefully. “It does look like hemolysis.” He straightened and glared at Noah. “This makes no sense. Hemolysis is a human disorder. Vampires are naturally immune even in cases of poisoning.”
“This is the case.”
“What do you mean this is the case?”
“Poison. Arsenic and cyanide.”
“What? How?” Christian couldn’t believe that. He just couldn’t believe it.
Noah lifted his hands, conveying confusion. “I don’t know. Right now I’m concerned with their health. As you said our kind are immune to those poisons. An evolutionary blessing as you know. In this case they weren’t and now they present for hemolysis. Why?”
Christian’s thoughts honed on what he knew of the diseased. “Well, hemolysis is the rupture of erythrocytes with release of hemoglobin into the plasma, right?”
“Yes.”
“And some microbes form substances called hemolysins with the specific action of destroying red blood cells. Intravenous administration of a hypotonic solution or plain distilled water could also destroy red blood cells by causing them to fill with fluid until their membranes rupture, which we can rule out since we know what caused this.”
“Yes, all the clues point to what would appear not only an intentional poisoning, but one that would leave no room for error. At least in a human or vampire fetus. The tox screen was positive for extremely high levels of arsenic and potassium chlorate.”
“Son of a bitch! The only reason we don’t have dead mothers on our hands is because they’re vampire, but it explains why they each miscarried.”
“I believe I know where you’re going with this.”
“I’m certain you do. Our kind has special blood anti-bodies that attack such poisons.” Scientist of their kind believed that fact was due to millenniums of ingesting tainted human blood, thus the reason their species had developed such anti-bodies against both substances poisonous to humans and human born virus and all their other communicable illnesses.
Noah picked up on his line of thinking. “Exactly. Unfortunately, vampire fetuses and infants do not possess their own antibodies to combat most poisons, deadly drugs and viruses. They receive some antibodies from the mother, but in some cases when a mother is an older vampire, her antibodies fail either herself, the fetus or both.”
“Which explains these three spontaneous abortions, Noah. Both Candice Corrigan, and these two other patients who aborted, were well over two hundred years of age. Tell me if I’m not right.”
Noah scratched his chin. “It would appear you are correct. Sadly.”
Sad didn’t even begin to describe Christian’s mood or the situation.
Prior to modern medicine and transfusions, far more miscarriages occurred in their women due to the fetus’s inability to combat deadly toxins or diseases. The primary reason OB’s discouraged older pregnant females from feeding directly from humans was tainted blood and the effects on the fetus.
“Did you ask the patients if they’d fed naturally at some point recently?” Christian asked Noah since he’d been studying their charts.
“Yes and each responded negative for natural feeding. They all drink units or take daily transfusions from reputable vampire blood banks, who we know do thorough testing on each and every unit. They each took one here the day of their check up and were all administered a vitamin booster too, which leads to the natural conclusion, something they ingested or received here is how they came in contact with those deadly poisons.”
That possibility made his stomach sour. “If this is intentional, who would do such a thing? And why?”
“I couldn’t imagine.”
Christian shot him a hard look. “Yeah, it’s too chilling to imagine.”
Noah slipped his hands into the pockets of his lab coat and sighed. “Indeed. You were just viewing the mother’s sample. Asa’s patient. The fetuses’ samples are at deadly levels obviously. I took the liberty of running tox screens on Mrs. Corrigan and her stillborn. I’m afraid the results were the same on mother and child.”
He’d assumed that already based on Noah’s findings. This situation was catastrophic. Christian felt numb, unable to wrap his mind around the possibility someone did this on purpose. Try as he might he couldn’t fathom how it could have been accidental. “How are the mothers?”
“Despondent of course. All three complained of feeling depressed, exhausted and nauseous, lack of appetite, some joint pain. They each seem to be experiencing depression of senses, smell, hearing and taste, which obviously must be a result of the toxin cocktail. Add to that their postpartum state. Mrs. Corrigan seems to be suffering the worst. Her eye color is dull and skin tone a bit ashen. All of these symptoms point to the poisons.”
“I’d venture to say there isn’t a vampire on the planet who feeds naturally that hasn’t at some point ingested blood with substances which could cause hemolysis, but it’s not a vampire abnormality. Did anything else pop up as odd in their blood work?” And can you think of any way they could have come in contact with all of those substances accidentally?”
Noah shook his head. “Nothing else in their blood work raises a brow. And I’ve tried to imagine an accidental method of ingestion but I can think of nothing logical with poisons such as arsenic and potassium chloride in their blood. I did however consider blood as a source.”
“Impossible. Units are tested thoroughly prior to sale.”
He nodded. “I know, but we have plenty here which could have been tampered with or the vitamin regime for that matter. I plan to test both supplies we have on hand. My feeling is these three patients were singled out for some reason. Then again I could be wrong. This could be far more widespread than our V clinic.”
Christian studied his partner’s tired, worry-worn features and offered a single nod. Noah knew as well as he they would have to send the samples to the Vampire Center of Disease Control located in Brunswick.
The Brunswick VCDC was one of only three vampire research facilities in the world which could provide them answers if they were dealing with, God forbid, an attempted vampire genocide. It wouldn’t be the first or last time humans sought to destroy their kind. But to use pregnant women was an absolute unthinkable evil.
Finally, Christian said, “I guess we send off the samples with a STAT request.”
Noah snorted. “Every request to the VCDC is a rush request. We will get no preference. In the meantime, I’m afraid we’re on our own. We might not be able to solve this mystery overnight, but at least we’re armed with knowledge. My suggestion would be to draw blood from every patient from this point on and monitor them closely so we can discover a common denominator.”
That seemed like sound advice. “Alright, we’ll do that. To your other point though, we already know the common denominator, Noah. Our clinic. All three of these infected patients live thousands of miles apart.”
“Possibly we are the source but not necessarily. We can’t be rash in our assumptions either way, rather pragmatic.”
Being pragmatic was Noah’s strong suit. The man was a hundred and fifty some years older than he and very good at thinking logically when rubber met the road. Generally, Christian was too, but answers were needed. Too many babies had died and too many mothers and fathers were grieving the losses of precious children.
He’d chosen obstetrics because it was generally a happy field of medicine. The fertility drug he and Asa discovered had been a life altering blessing for so many couples desiring children. Christian felt he’d been making a difference in people’s lives. Now, he felt as if the life of every patient who entered this place was at risk and he had no idea how to protect them.
“Fair enough, Noah. We’ll draw blood on every patient and newborn, but we test the samples ourselves and we keep this information to ourselves. Nothing about this goes into the patients’ charts.”
Noah’s piercing blue eyes widened. “I suspect I know your thoughts. I don’t want to even conceive of the notion, but under the circumstances, I agree, extreme caution is warranted.”
Christian just nodded because he didn’t want to verbalize what they were both thinking--that someone working inside the clinic could have intentionally poisoned these women. It was a heinous notion, but by far the most logical one.
The next part of the nightmare facing them would be providing answers to their patients. “Have you spoken with either patient yet this morning?” Both mothers had been so distraught last night Noah had ordered a sleep med. A sensible call for both their mental and physical health. He’d done the same for Mrs. Corrigan.
“Yes. I simply conveyed their losses as an act of God. Christian, we can’t tell anyone what we’ve discovered just yet.”
“I agree all lab results remains between us and Asa. But I don’t like keeping patients waiting for answers, Noah. It’s unethical.”
Noah’s brows furrowed. “You’re right, they deserve to know the truth. We might even be able to figure out a common denominator we haven’t considered by questioning them. I just wanted to wait until I spoke with you before I told them our findings. I suggest we do this together given the gravity of what we believe befell them. However, since we don’t know how they each ended up with those toxins in their system I suggest we keep our hypotheses to ourselves until we discover something solid.”
Christian’s cell began to chime. He pulled it out of his lab coat and frowned. “It’s Katie. I’m sure she’s calling to remind me of my first appointment.” He answered it. Indeed she was and he was late. “I have to go. We’ll speak to the patients this afternoon when we do rounds if that’s alright with you.”
“That will be fine.” Noah’s features clouded with a concern. “Then we are agreed this remains between us and Asa?”
“Of course.” Christian’s brows furrowed because there should be no need for him to question his loyalty to the V clinic. “What are you driving at?”
He cleared his throat, then fixed Christian with a pointed look. “It’s not uncommon to want to share professional difficulties with family or friends. In this instance, it would not be wise.”
That caused the light bulb over his head to glow. He referred to Tiffany and he didn’t like what he inferred. “As I said, this remains between us.” It hadn’t, but what went on between him and Tiffany was personal and none of Noah’s business.
“Good. I know you have some sort of affinity for the human woman you hired to update our patient filing system. Females, especially humans, can be very loose tongued. You told me she was a daughter of a close friend, but I suspect she is more than that based on the fact her scent has clung to you since the day she arrived here.”
Shit, but the man was tromping on some frayed nerves. “So?”
Noah’s lips thinned, then he exhaled sharply. “I know this isn’t any of my business, but she doesn’t seem the caliber of female someone of your station should consort with romantically. Of course we all consort with human females if we are not life mated. But she is an employee, Christian and you’ve never been one to breech ethics.”
The bastard could be so tediously judgmental and such a stickler for rules. He shot him a fierce look, then said, “You’re right. My relationship with Tiffany isn’t any of your business, Noah.”
He lifted his hands in a defensive gesture. “I know that and I’m not telling you what to do, but we have enough troubles without the wagging tongues of staff members.”
Tongues were just going to have to wag. Tiffany was his and Christian was no actor. He couldn’t pretend she meant nothing to him. However, Noah had a point. “Tiffany is special to me and that’s all I’m going to say. And for your information, she is precisely the sort of woman I choose to consort with and will in the future. This is your first and last warning. If you ever say anything derogatory about her character again, you’ll be visiting a vampire dentist for a new set of fangs.” With that he stormed out of the lab.
No one talked disrespectfully about his woman! He didn’t care how rude or ordinary she came across to other people. He knew the real her and she was brilliant. She just happened to possess a tongue that only a mother or a life mate could love.