Never Ending Consequences ( Hans Gruber 2)
Harper tugged her fleece jacket tighter around her body as she finished Cameron’s chart. Three stitches later he was good as new. Destiny worried about the deductible, but Harper waved it off, saying the hospital would write it off. Only four patients remained in their twenty bed emergency room. The charge nurse already let Bonnie and another one of the nurses cut out early, leaving her, Harper, Finn, and a recent graduate to handle the midnight stretch.
Two patients were set to be admitted for observation, old folks who’d worked a long hard life. Harper made a point to drop by and chat with both during her shift since she’d known them since she was a tot. Ruby was a sweet old lady who ran the diner until her first heart attack, resulting in her son taking over much to her and the town’s chagrin. He couldn’t make the pancakes as fluffy as her.
Joesph, however, ran in different circles with infinitely higher stakes and somehow he’d come out unscathed. At least until he received his cancer diagnosis. He was a stubborn old bastard, refusing to let cancer take his cigars from him. No, Harper did that. Joseph let her do her job, a sly smile playing at his features, but he remained cordial with staff. Harper knew their final conversation of the night would leave a sour taste in her mouth. Joseph enjoyed discussing his past, one Harper had been a part of.
And then there was their tourist, Hans. His discomfort was palpable, poor guy. While Harper could tell he wanted nothing to do with the hospital, he was a good sport. She’d overheard him trying to soothe Cameron before she entered to stitch the boy’s head, even sending his slightly scary companion to the vending machine for a couple celebratory cans of coke for mother and son.
Hans proved to be a bit of a mystery. His English was flawless and his voice pure liquid sex. Somehow a fall while hiking didn’t jive with her, but she let it go. During her examination, his intelligent honey colored eyes remained firmly on Harper. She found his scrutiny distracting, and not in a professional sense. Luckily, his silent friend kept her from making a fool of herself. Something told her Hans would entertain her flirtations if only to pass the time.
The nurses had stepped out for a well deserved smoke, allowing Harper a few moments to herself. All was quiet, save the couple monitors rhythmically beeping in the background. Her eyes wandered to Hans’ vitals on the screen behind the nurse station, steady, calm, controlled. She wondered if he kept that composure in…
A hand waved in front of her face, erasing the less than professional thought. Fantasizing about a patient? She needed to get out more. Regaining her control, Harper scanned Hans’ x-rays, two broken ribs as she expected, and report of a contusion to his spleen. Fortunately, surgery wasn’t required, only rest. Carol returned, the acrid smell of cigarette smoke wafting in behind her.
“Anything new?”
“Nope.” Harper passed the report to Carol. A light activated over one the occupied rooms. Joseph’s room. Fear crept down Harper’s spine. Apparently, he was ready to talk.
“I got it,” Harper called, her sneakers already squeaking on the tiles. “He done known me since I was a youngin’.”
Cancer had eaten the old man alive. What had once been an able-bodied miner, similar in size to their German patient’s companion, now reduced to a shambling skeleton.
“Slaughter, it’s been a while.”
“How you feelin’, Joseph?” Harper greeted, busying herself with cycling his blood pressure. Joseph was the last big fish in their small pond of a town, the last of the Moonshine King’s men.
“Dyin’, but ain’t we all?”
“I guess so. Anything we can do to take you more comfortable?”
“Let’s cut the shit, kid,” he coughed, a gravelly sound that told Harper chances were good he wouldn’t make it to the new year. Slowly, he relaxed and readjusted the nasal cannula hanging over his ears. “Word on the street is the feds are comin’ to town. They want answers.”
“Is this a deathbed confession?” Harper asked, her calm expression at odds with the surge of panic in her chest. The old bastard could bury her.
“Fuck no! I ain’t telling ‘em shit,” Joseph snapped, an echo of his former self lurking in his eyes. “But three agents died that night. They won’t let that dog lie.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“If you listen carefully nothing. Kev...” The name of her benefactor still an icy knife to Harper’s heart. “…was careful. He knew you were destined for bigger and better. We kept you shielded, but now that my time’s coming to an end, it’s time to confess that I kept an insurance policy of sorts.”
“What?” Harper hissed, gripping the railing to his bed in a white knuckled grip. “How? You and Bartow swore I’d be protected!”
“Darlin’, consider this my last bit of wisdom.” Joseph’s gaze bore into hers. “Protect yourself above all else and trust no one. Kev’s ledger is in the basement of the old Nelson house along with your name, the money you received, and a date the feds will find very interesting. Get rid of that and you’re in the clear.”
Memories crowded her mind. What started as community service morphed into something darker, but it was an opportunity, her ticket out of here. Then it went to shit. Harper played her part and finished school, but fate’s invisible shackles forced her back here in penance.
Joseph watched her carefully, slipping a plug of tobacco in his gums. Harper didn’t even bother trying to confiscate it. The bastard would die of natural causes soon enough anyways.
“It’s in your best interest to break whatever hold this place has on you and leave, but first, I advise you use skills learned long ago to erase that part of your history before doing so.”
Commotion sounded in the ambulance bay, followed by the authoritative shout of an officer calling for a nurse. Harper gazed at Joesph again, absolutely loathing the man in that minute.
“And then it’s over? That’s it?”
“I’m the last the Moonshine King’s men.” Joseph splayed his arms magnanimously. “Our reign is over and the money long gone. The world can be your oyster, Harper.”
She didn’t even answer, half hoping this was a morphine-induced delusion. Instinctually, she knew that wasn’t the case. Joseph enjoyed his games, but as the Moonshine King’s loyal right hand man, he played it straight as far as Harper was concerned. Joseph could’ve kept quiet, but his strange sense of honor wouldn’t allow this loose end.
In the hallway sat a man with his hands cuffed behind his back flanked by two deputies. As if her night couldn’t get much worse, one of the deputies was Brad, the once star high school quarterback who broke his collarbone in the championship game his senior year during Harper’s freshman year.
“Hi fellas, how’s your night?”
“Better if we didn’t have to tase this numb nuts,” the other deputy muttered. Sarah, their new nurse, was already slapping the EKG leads on their temporary patient. Nodding, Harper returned to her desk. Within moments, a printout of a healthy heart made its way to her. Echoing the machine’s assessment, the arresting officer took him on his way.
The quiet hum of the hospital night shift was disrupted by the heavy thud of boots echoing down the hallway followed by disgruntled shouts. Karl immediate shot to attention, positioning himself between the impending trouble and his boss. At least until he realized it was some poor sod who’d gotten himself arrested. He returned to his seat, shooting Hans a look. A cop, even here, was dangerous. Better to mind their business and not give them a reason to stand out.
Hans, half-reclined in his hospital bed, glanced toward the door as a broad-shouldered man in a sheriff’s uniform obscured Hans’ preferred view. The man carried himself with an air of overconfidence, his face lit with a wide grin that reeked of familiarity.
“Harper,” the man greeted, his voice louder than necessary. “Thought I’d stop by and check on you. Night shifts can be lonely, you know.”
Shifting slightly, Hans observed Harper glance up from her clipboard, her expression polite but distant. “Brad,” she said with a tight smile. “Not your collar?”
“Nah, that’s Jenkins’. Just making my rounds,” he replied, leaning casually against the counter. His eyes flicked briefly to Hans, who feigned disinterest, and then back to Harper. “Thought you might need some company. Figured I could take you out for breakfast after your shift. Pancakes at Ruby’s sound good?”
Hans rolled his eyes. The man’s overt posturing was ape-like. Frankly, painful to watch. And asking such a fine young woman to go for pancakes of all things? Oaf.
“That’s kind of you,” Harper replied, her tone even, “but I’ve got a shit ton of work tonight. Maybe another time.”
“Doesn’t look like it.” Brad’s grin didn’t falter, though Hans noted the slight tightening of his jaw. “You’ve been saying that for months now. Makes a guy start to think you’re avoiding him.”
Hans’s amusement darkened at the man’s persistence. He didn’t miss the flicker of discomfort that crossed Harper’s features, nor the way she adjusted her stance, as though bracing herself.
“Brad, it’s not personal,” Harper said, her voice gentle but firm. “I’m just…busy. Always busy.”
“But you’ve got to eat sometime, right?” he pressed, oblivious—or perhaps willfully ignorant—to her clear lack of interest. That rankled Hans. A woman was entitled to her right to say no. The tiny jealous voice in his head demanded action. Karl shot him a warning glare. Now wasn’t the time to play a chivalrous white knight.
Hans decided he’d had enough, damn the consequences. “Doctor,” he called, his voice deliberately weak, yet sharp enough to cut through the tension.
Harper turned toward him, relief flashing in her eyes. “Excuse me,” she said to Brad, moving quickly to Hans’s bedside. “What’s up, sir?”
Hans gave her a faint, apologetic smile. “I believe I may be having some…discomfort. Would you mind checking?”
Her brows knitted in concern, though Hans caught the subtle gratitude in her gaze. “Of course,” she said, her tone professional. She adjusted his IV line and began a cursory examination, her hands steady and efficient.
Brad, meanwhile, lingered in the doorway, his expression souring. “I’ll let you get back to it,” he said gruffly, straightening. “But don’t think you’re getting out of breakfast forever, Harper.”
She didn’t reply, her focus ostensibly on Hans. With a frustrated huff, Brad left, his heavy boots echoing down the hallway.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Harper let out a quiet sigh. “Thank you,” she murmured, glancing at Hans.
Hans arched a brow, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. “It appeared you could use an intervention.”
“Brad means well,” she said, though her tone was far from convincing.
“Does he?” Hans countered. “He strikes me as the sort of man who hears only what he wishes to hear.”
Harper pressed her lips together, clearly debating how much to say, ultimately saying nothing, her gaze flicking to Karl in his chair.
“Karl,” Hans barked, startling his companion. “Leave.”
Without question, the man got up to leave, glaring at Hans. He couldn’t protect Hans from the waiting room, especially with police around, but Hans didn’t share that concern.
“That’s was kinda rude,” Harper chuckled weakly. “He’s been a good friend staying with you so far.”
“He’s less of a friend and more of a…body guard,” Hans answered decisively. “A requirement in my line of work.”
“Bodyguard?” Harper repeated, her intelligent eyes on Hans’ clothed torso, perhaps envisioning a vicious beatdown.
“My injuries were not sustained in the way you think,” Hans smiled, raking a hand through his hair. “But back to that officer.”
“Brad’s…persistent. He’s got it in his head we’re supposed to settle down together. He doesn’t take no for an answer very easily.”
Hans tilted his head, his expression softening. “And yet, you endure it. Why?”
Her gaze fell to her hands. “It’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone. If I make a big deal out of it, it’ll just create more problems.”
Hans studied her for a moment, his sharp mind piecing together the dynamics at play. “You are too gracious,” he said finally. “Though I must admit, I find it rather admirable.”
Harper laughed softly, shaking her head. “Gracious isn’t the word most people use to describe me.”
“Oh?” Hans’s lips curved into a faint smile. “What would they say?”
“Depends who you ask. Half think I’m the hometown success story and the other half believe I’m cursed by the dark side of the mountain.”
“Dark side of the mountain?” He chuckled richly, offering another arched brow.
Harper sagged in her seat, evidently at a loss for how to answer. But Hans was intrigued and prodded once more. “I assure you aren’t the only one suffering never ending consequences of your actions, though I highly doubt it’s as bad as you think.”
Just when he thought his ploy wasn’t enough, Harper tipped her head back. “Ever hear of the Moonshine King?”
“Can’t say that I do.”
“As a teen, I volunteered with Search and Rescue. You wouldn’t believe how many people get lost, hurt, stranded. I got to help a lot of them.”
Her hands rested on her knees, her fingers tracing an invisible pattern. “That’s when I knew I wanted to help people, be a doctor. But things didn’t exactly go according to plan.”
“They rarely do,” Hans sympathized, his curiosity piqued.
Harper hesitated, weighing how much to reveal, but then let out a quiet sigh. “During one of those rescue missions, I caught the attention of a man they called the Moonshine King. He was…charismatic, persuasive. He needed someone who could navigate the mountains at night. What he called the ‘dark side of the mountain.’”
Hans’s lips curved into a faint smile. “To transport his illicit wares, I presume?”
She nodded, a wry smile tugging her own features. “Moonshine, mostly. But later it became drugs, too. From what I gather, the occasional dead body too. I’m not joking when I say I know these mountains like the back of my hand. I didn’t like it, but he paid me well—more than I’d ever dreamed of making at McDonalds or any other place around here. At the time, I thought it was my only way out.”
Hans leaned forward slightly, wincing as the movement tugged at his injuries. “What happened?”
“He went down in a hail of gunfire on what he swore would be my last dealing with him.” Harper gave a short, mirthless laugh. “Took down three agents with him. The authorities never connected me to it. His men were loyal and took care of me. They assured I made it through medical school. But it feels…tainted, like a chain tying me to this place. I’ve spent every day trying to make up for it. But sometimes, I wonder what it would feel like to just leave it all behind. That feels wrong too.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Hans studied her carefully, his sharp mind dissecting every word, every gesture. There was a weight to her story, a shadow that matched his own in some ways. But more than that, there was a spark in her—a fierce intelligence and resilience that captivated him.
“You’ve paid your debts a hundred times over,” he said finally, his voice low and smooth. “You owe nothing more. So i ask again, why remain?”
She shrugged, her gaze falling to her hands. “This place feels like a prison sometimes, but it’s familiar. Safe. Leaving feels...dangerous.”
“Danger,” Hans said, his lips curving into a faint smile, “is often where opportunity lies.”
Harper tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. “And what about you? What’s your story, Hans?”
He chuckled, though it turned into a wince as pain flared in his side. “I believe I’ve monopolized enough of your time.”
Her gaze lingered on him, as if she wasn’t entirely convinced, but she let it go. Hans found he enjoyed her company, completely under her spell.
But beneath his fascination, a plan began to form. Harper was not only brilliant and resourceful—she was exactly the kind of person who’d do well with him. Even better, she learned how to navigate the treacherous terrain of the Appalachian mountains for the Moonshine King. Surely she could do the same for him if the need arose. And if she longed for escape, perhaps he could offer her a way out.
After all, he still believed a doctor would be a useful addition to his own criminal empire.