55
To Vanish In Plain Sight
Pearland Medical Center
As Peyton crossed the dark parking lot and climbed a fence in the back, she pulled out her cellphone and looked up the phone number to the hospital, then dialed.
“Pearland Medical Center, how can I connect you?” the woman’s voice said.
“Emergency Room, triage.”
“One moment, please.”
The call was answered. “Triage, this is Janice.”
“This is an emergency. Is Doctor Ken Brantley in the hospital tonight? I need to speak to him immediately.”
“Well, yes ma’am, he’s here, but seeing patients and—”
“Get him,” Peyton’s tone was harsh. “It’s a matter of life and death.”
The woman hesitated, then said, “One moment.”
About a minute later, Peyton heard, “This is Doctor Brantley.”
Peyton’s voice quieted. Just hearing his voice, the familia
