I’m trying really hard not to look at Morgan. I included her on the hospital’s employees list as one of my staff members. There was no other option if she’s going to be on-site every day. Other than security, no one else knows about my new ‘employee’.
She’s wearing a blond wig, which looks freakishly real. I must say, I prefer her short, black hair even though she could rock any style. Her clothing hasn’t changed since I met her. It’s either black or navy slacks with a plain shirt and a loose-fitting jacket. I know she wears the jacket to conceal her weapon. Morgan does a good job of blending into the background. Louise didn’t even recognize her earlier.
I can’t stop looking her way because all she’s had is a coffee and its lunchtime. She refused breakfast this morning, taking a banana. I finish my salad. It’s the same chicken salad Morgan complained about last week, and she was right, the chicken is dry. I don’t feel satisfied. I head back to the counter and buy two chocolate bars. I also get a soda and a sandwich to go. I put one of the chocolates in my pocket and place the rest on her table as I walk by. I don’t think anyone noticed. Then I head down the hall. I still have twenty minutes of my lunch break and decide to check in on Shannon, since she just had her baby. Night texted me to say that he is visiting her right now. I’m so thankful that the birth went smoothly, especially since my powers are still AWOL. I try not to glower. I go up a flight of stairs and down another hall. I don’t have to look to know that Morgan is behind me, following at a discreet distance.
My phone buzzes. It’s a message from the woman herself. I smile as I read it.
Don’t do that again!
I fire one off to her. You need to eat.
Her: I was fine!
Me: One banana all day??? You need to take better care of yourself.
Her: How do you know I haven’t eaten? You were in surgery for hours this morning.
Me: I just do
Her: How?
Me: We’ve been doing this for a good couple of days. I know how you operate. You need to eat. At least three meals a day
I’ve known this woman long enough to know that she takes this very seriously. There is no way she left the entrance to the operating room, unless it was to go to the toilet, and even then, she hardly goes. I’m glad I’m not the harpy. I’d be afraid.
Her: Okay, doctor
Me: I mean it
Her: You don’t have to worry, I have a slow metabolism
Yeah right! With an ass like that, her metabolism is not slow.
Me: You’re eating dinner with me tonight
Her: I’m sorry, but we can’t date each other, even though I know you want me
I have to hold back a laugh.
Me: Very fucking funny. You’re eating dinner with me tonight. Not a date!
Her: Mr. Pushy! Someone has to watch your ass and that someone is me. No dinner!
Me: Oh, so you are watching me. Perv!
Her: Am. Not! I’m watching out for you. I can’t do that from inside your house
Me: Stop being so stubborn!
She doesn’t reply. I figure she’s probably eating. I glance back and see her chewing. Morgan narrows her eyes.
I chuckle as I reach the maternity ward. I sign in. Morgan will have to wait outside. I’ve been here quite a few times in the last two days, so she knows the drill. The harpy won’t get inside here. It’s secured tighter than Fort Knox. Besides, this is the only entrance. I see Morgan sit in the waiting area. She’s already finished most of the sandwich. Not hungry, my ass. I know that she has her own reasons for being here. That they essentially have nothing to do with helping me, but it still makes me feel bad. Morgan sits outside my house until long after I go to bed, and she’s back before I wake up. She grabs a few hours of sleep a night. Otherwise, she watches and tails me all day every day. I can’t imagine how tough it must be, day in and day out. I offered to pay her, but she wouldn’t hear of it.
Personally, I think the harpy is long gone. I think we had our shot, and we blew it. I’m going to allow this for a few more days, and then I think we have to go to plan B. I’m not one for being passive.
I reach Shannon’s room and knock on the door.
“Come in,” I hear Night say.
I smile when I see Bolt holding the baby. “What did I miss?” I ask as I push my hands into my coat pockets.
“We were just telling Bolt here how much a baby suits him,” Night replies; he’s smirking.
Bolt scowls, and we laugh. The baby does suit him, actually. More than I would have thought. He’s holding the little one against his chest. She’s tiny in his big hands. I’m still thinking about Morgan. I told her she was a badass and she is, but she’s also a hardass. One of the most stubborn women I have ever met. I think about how she practically inhaled that sandwich. She really does need to take better care of herself, and she can’t keep watching me like this. Not indefinitely.
“What’s up?” Night asks; he’s looking at me strangely.
I need to let them know about what’s happened. “Sorry to interrupt, but we need to call a meeting. There’s been a development. I might have a lead on our mystery woman.”
“You found Gabby?” Bolt asks.
“Not exactly found, but I did meet someone who can help us find her.” I don’t know much about Morgan, but I do know she’s our best bet at catching this thing.
“Who?” Night asks. “Can you trust this person?”
I shrug. I think I can, but how can I be sure? The answer is that I can’t. Not really. “I’m not sure…probably not. I’m not sure I have much of a choice in the matter.”
“Oh! Who is it?”
“Her name is Morgan.” I pull in a breath. “I don’t know her last name.” I don’t tell them that Morgan is tailing me. I’m a little worried that either Bolt or Night will want to meet with her today. I’m not ready for that. I don’t think they’ll approve. I briefly fill them in on some of what has happened, including the neck squeeze thing both Morgan and the harpy did on me. The events of the last few weeks, particularly the last few days, and on what I know about Morgan.
“Centaurs and harpies.” Bolt’s eyes are wide. “That sounds far-fetched.”
“Why?” I throw back. “There is an Underworld. We know that minotaurs, demons, Cerberus, and various other creatures exist.”
“In the Underworld.” Night also looks unsure. “It’s a different realm to this one.”
“We exist,” I say. “Dragon shifters are real, then there are the gods. Why not other creatures?”
“Again, our fathers are not in this realm, but I suppose you have a point.” Night looks like he’s thinking it through. “This Morgan person belongs to a group who…kills otherworldly creatures?”
“It seems that way. We’re both playing our cards close to our chest at this stage. I haven’t told her about you guys. Morgan won’t say much about who she is or what she does. What I do know is that Gabby put her partner in hospital, and Morgan wants revenge.”
“So, you both have a good reason to capture this…harpy.”
“That’s right, hence working together. We’re staying in touch.”
“You said that Gabby went to your house?” Shannon asks. I see her visibly shudder. “What did she want?”