Call it intuition. Call it karma but I had a bad feeling that the situation was going to explode. Another morning with no basic news on the disappearance of Francesca, which told me that the Saltoris believed they had the upper hand somehow.
They were dead wrong.
I'd been advised by almost everyone to stay clear of the hospital, but I was determined to put various pieces of the puzzle together, flushing out the true enemy. First things first, ridding myself of guilt from all the previous years of not giving a shit.
I drove through the parking lot twice, eyeing every car in the various locations before securing a spot and going inside. I moved straight to the stairwell, taking the stairs two at a time. The hallway seemed unusually quiet with little activity, raising red flags. The second I rounded the corner, able to see my father's room, my hackles were completely off the charts.
There was no Carlo, no soldier of any kind guarding my father. "What the fuck is going on?" I kept my hand on my weapon as I moved toward the room, bristling the second I noticed what appeared to be a doctor leaving with quick steps. No, this wasn't right.
"Hey, Doctor. Stop."
There was no response and certainly the doctor wasn't interested in following my orders.
"Stop right there!" My bellow had to attract a certain amount of attention. I skidded to the oversized glass window, peering inside. There was no doubt my father was having difficulty breathing. The assailant would have to wait. "I need help in here!" I kicked open the door, but not before taking one last look at the assassin.
And the cunning smile that was offered. The same person as in the picture outside the nightclub. I'd bet my life on it.
A split second before I bolted into the room, I noticed Carlo rounding the corner, a cup of something in his hand, an instant look of horror crossing his face. He dumped the container and rushed in my direction.
Anger swelled inside, bursting through every seam as I rushed by my father's side. Saliva dripped from both corners of his mouth, his body convulsing violently. The man was choking.
"What the hell happened?" Carlo asked after racing into the room.
"Get some help. Just fucking get some help!" I reacted, turning my father onto his side, praying to God the airways would clear.
Carlo remained in a frozen state.
"Get me some goddamn help!" I snapped, snarling as the rage continued to increase.
"Yes, boss. Yes. Yes." Before Carlo could react, a team of doctors and nurses came running into the room.
"Sir. Sir! Please step out of the way." The nurse pushed gently, trying to garner my attention.
I shoved her aside, my mind reeling. "There was a doctor in here. What was done? Where the hell is your security?" I noticed the odd looks on several of the hospital staff's faces.
Fear.
"Just let us do our work. Okay? Please wait outside." The same nurse shifted her tone, smiling as she attempted to guide me closer to the door.
I realized I was shaking, adrenaline pouring through every vein. "Fine. Let me know his condition immediately."
The nurse turned away, rushing back toward my father's bed. While I knew little about medical conditions, the heart monitor was easy to read. His heart was barely beating. I threw open the door, taking long strides into the hallway. As soon as Carlo was within two feet, I slammed him against the wall, the force creating a solid thud. Suddenly, the entire hallway seemed to be filled with people, all gawking as I kept my arm pinned under his throat, cutting off his air supply.
"You stupid fuck! You were required to stay by my father's side!" I'd never been this angry.
Carlo held up his arms, his eyes darting back and forth as he coughed and wheezed.
"I should kill you right here for what you did," I hissed through clenched teeth.
"Sor-ry," Carlo managed.
I pushed harder, trying to control my breathing as well as my anger, even enjoying the way his face turned colors. After a few seconds, some rational side of me kicked in. What the hell was I doing? I let go, immediately taking a long stride backward. I took gulping breaths as I raked my hands through my hair.
Carlo doubled over for a few seconds, coughing, his shoulders heaving.
Once again, I moved closer, keeping my voice low. "There was a doctor inside, although I doubt that this asshole had anything to do with the hospital. Trying to finish the job."
Carlo righted himself, his eyes watering as he rubbed his neck. "The doc... told me... suggested that I..." Another coughing fit.
I slammed my hand on the wall, doing everything I could to release the fury. As a security guard rounded the corner, heading straight for us, I shot him a look that stopped him cold. "A friendly discussion. I suggest you step away."
The security guard kept his stare on me for a full ten seconds as he addressed Carlo. "That right, son?"
"Yeah." Carlo sniffed and rubbed his mouth, offering the guard a slight smile.
"There was a person impersonating a doctor in my father's room. I suggest you find out exactly who this person was." I could tell that within five seconds the guard made the connection about my identity and exactly what I was capable of.
"I'll do my best, sir." Turning on his heel, he jogged away, but not without sharing a look of terror in his eyes.
"A doctor?" Carlo asked in a raspy tone.
"That's what I said. This doctor told you to take a break?"
"Yes, boss. I was gone maybe five minutes. Just grabbed a cup of coffee. I swear to God."
I closed my eyes briefly, counting to five before grabbing my phone. "You fucked up, Carlo. That's never going to happen again."
"No, sir."