Morgan wasnt so sure that Vincenzo would survive this surgery if he was correct in his diagnosis. It was somewhat of a miracle that hed survived the first two. Each subsequent insult to his body made the danger grow. The last thing they needed was for the third time to be the charm that killed him.

Lexa tapped the term into her phone while still keeping pace with Morgan. Fibromuscular dysplasia is a genetic condition that can both enlarge and narrow the arteries causing weakness in arterial walls that can lead to aneurysms, stroke, or dissected arteries. Her steps faltered.

Morgan banged open the door to the stairs and held it for Lexa. He wasnt waiting for an elevator. And what could that mean for Mr. Rohr?

Lexa took the stairs two at a time, a sense of urgency hurrying her steps. The added pressure on the arterial walls during a surgical procedure could cause multiple arteries to simply shred. They wouldnt be able to keep him from bleeding out right there on the table.

Good girl. She was quick, mentally and physically. With her dark hair pulled back into a low ponytail and her bright blue eyes, she reminded him of Fiona. Fiona had been on her way to being a star resident, too. How many lives might his little sister have saved if she'd been able to go forward?

There was no time to reminisce or speculate now, though, about what might have been. Morgan hurried to keep up with Lexa's quick ascension of the stairs, their foot strikes echoing on the concrete.

You told them they shouldn't open him up, Lexa said, hitting the top of the stairs and hurrying into the corridor.Not until you had some time to go over his files.

I did, Morgan agreed. So, let's make sure they don't.

So what are you thinking? she panted with exertion. Without the surgery, that aneurysm is likely to rupture. Then there's risk of stroke and brain damage.

I'm thinking an angiogram. That will show us how the blood is flowing so we can find the weak spots. The contrast dye theyd inject into Rohr would light up and they could see places where his arteries were already leaking. Morgan stopped at the unattended nurse's desk and cursed. Where was everyone?

He glanced up at the board. Vincenzo was in Room 32C. Just around the corner. He took off again, Lexa at his heels. Together, they burst into the room.

It was empty.

Where the hell was Vincenzo Rohr?

Was he too late?

What had been a bright, sunny morning had turned into a dark and gloomy afternoon. Rain lashed at the windows, making the empty hospital room feel almost sub-aquatic. The rain drumming on the roof sounded like loud, cheap bamboo sticks.