Chapter 5 - The Sabotage
Before Nora could write another word, the door to the private room opened. Carla Mintz, one of Britt’s close friends from the senior nursing staff, walked in carrying a pre-filled syringe.
"Morning, Nora. Morning, Admiral," Carla said, her voice high and forced. "Time for his scheduled post-op antibiotic. I brought it up from central pharmacy to save you a trip."
Nora looked at the syringe. It was labeled as a standard dose of Ancef, a common broad-spectrum antibiotic. But the fluid inside had a faint, milky-yellow tint. Ancef was supposed to be completely clear.
"Thanks, Carla," Nora said, stepping between Carla and the Admiral’s IV line. "I'll administer it. I just need to double-check his chart for any drug-drug interactions first."
"It's already approved, Nora," Carla said, her tone sharpening as she tried to reach past her. "The doctor signed off on it. Let's not keep the Admiral waiting."
"I'll handle it," Nora repeated, her voice solidifying into iron. She reached out and took the syringe from Carla’s hand, placing it firmly in her own pocket. "I just want to be thorough."
Carla’s eyes flared with a sudden, panicked anger. She looked at the Admiral, who was watching her with a terrifyingly focused intensity, then back at Nora.
"Fine," Carla snapped. "Have it your way. But if his fever spikes because you delayed his dose, it’s on your head."
As soon as Carla left, Nora turned back to the Admiral. She wrote:
May you like
I AM SENDING THIS TO THE LAB. I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO FINISH WHAT THE 'ACCIDENT' STARTED.
Arthur Vance looked at the board, then gave her a look of profound, silent respect. He grabbed her hand, squeezing it with his good left hand, his grip warm and protective.
