Meredith appeared to hesitate. According to staff gossip, the night nurses ran their wards like private fiefdoms. Clearly Meredith didn’t appreciate this intrusion into her kingdom. “Okay, Dr. Cole, but this Orrin Mather’s on a special protocol and I don’t see anything on his chart about you being his physician of record. What I do see is a notation from Dr. Congreve that you were pulled off the case a couple days ago.”

“Do you see anything on that chart about preventing a staff physician or a police officer from entering this ward? Because I’m starting to get impatient, Meredith.”

Meredith glared but reached for the switch that would unlock the ward door. Then she drew her hand back. “A patient transfer needs authorization from the attending physician.”

“I’m just asking you to open the door, Meredith.”

“Dr. Congreve might not like it.”

“If you keep us waiting any longer, I won’t like it. And I may not be Dr. Congreve, but I can sure as hell let him know you thought it was a good idea to stand here and give us attitude.”

Meredith made a lemon-sucking face but threw the switch. “I’m gonna have to talk to Dr. Congreve about this.”

“Your choice,” Sandra said.

The door ratcheted open. Sandra followed Bose along the corridor toward Orrin’s room. The lights had been dimmed, making the green-tiled hallway seem long and subterranean. “Nice work,” Bose said, glancing back. “But she’s already on the phone.”

The next problem was obvious as soon as Sandra used her pass card to open the door to Orrin’s room. Orrin lay on the bed as if he’d been dropped on it. Sandra shook him gently. “Orrin,” she said. “Hey! Orrin!”

His eyes drifted open but the lids stayed at half-mast. “What?” he said softly. “What now, what now?”

He was heavily medicated. “Orrin, it’s me. It’s Dr. Cole.”

He gave her a groggy look. Fucking night staff, Sandra thought. Were they double-dosing everybody on the ward, to keep them quiet? Or just Orrin? “It’s dark outside, Dr. Cole…”

“I know it is, but you have to get up. Get up and come with us, okay?”

“Officer Bose,” Orrin said, still lying there inertly, his hospital gown rucked up over his skinny butt. “Hi.”

“Hi there, Orrin. Listen to me. Dr. Cole’s right. We have to get you out of here. Take you to see your sister Ariel. Is that okay with you?”

It took a few seconds for the question to register. Then Orrin offered a loopy grin. “That’s just exactly what I want, Officer Bose. Thank you … I’m pretty tired, though.”

“I know.” Bose bent down and put his arm around Orrin’s shoulders and helped him to his feet. Orrin wobbled but managed to remain standing.