All She Ever Wanted - Barbara Freethy [55]
He answered immediately, obviously reading her Caller ID as he said, "Natalie. I'm glad you called. We have an even bigger problem."
Her fingers clenched around the phone, not sure she was ready for a bigger problem. They hadn't solved the last one yet.
"I spoke to Malone's publicist," Cole continued. "She told me that he was in L.A. on a book tour and was appearing on the Corey Hart Show this afternoon, which I immediately turned on, just in time to hear a woman call in and ask if the book was based on a true story about a girl named Emily, who died at a sorority house in Santa Cruz. She also said she was sure that the Fabulous Four actually existed and that she knew Natalie Bishop was really the Nancy in the book."
Natalie's heart stopped. "Oh, my God! She mentioned my name specifically, first and last?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, I didn't catch her name. I called Malone's publicist back. I wanted to challenge her to respond to the claims that the book was based on a true story. I got her answering machine."
Natalie felt sick to her stomach. "What am I going to do, Cole? The Corey Hart Show is national. A million people probably heard my name." Her mind raced ahead. She'd been publicly identified. It wouldn't take long for someone at the hospital to make the connection, putting her reputation and her career on the line. Doctors had to be above reproach, beyond scandal, especially medical residents seeking permanent positions in the very near future.
"We're going to find Malone," Cole answered. "I've asked my investigator to put this on the front burner. He believes that Garrett Malone is a pen name, and so do I. It may take a while to get through the red tape, but we will determine who he really is. You can count on that."
She wanted to believe him, but Malone seemed to be one step ahead of them.
"I'm going to L.A. tomorrow morning," he continued. "I have Malone's itinerary, and he's making several appearances tomorrow afternoon. With any luck, I can pin him down before my parents get back from Europe on Wednesday."
Natalie had wondered about his parents, but it was one subject they hadn't touched on.
"I'll call you when I find Malone," he added.
"No," she said quickly. "I'll come with you."
"Don't you have to work?"
"Of course I do, but my whole career is at stake. I'll take a personal day off. When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning. Do you want my secretary to book you a flight?"
"Yes." She paused, knowing she had to ask. "Cole, you said you didn't hear the woman's name. Did you recognize the voice? It wasn't Madison or Laura, was it?" She felt guilty even asking the question, especially after their heart-to-heart conversation the night before, but she also felt too vulnerable to risk trusting anyone.
"I don't think so, Natalie, but I couldn't say for sure."
She ended the call, wishing just once she'd get a definitive answer to a question. As she got to her feet, she saw Gloria Grayson approaching. Gloria was one of the best ER nurses she had ever had the pleasure of working with. With ten years' experience under her belt, Gloria knew the ropes better than most of the residents and usually kept a smile on her face no matter what the circumstances. At the moment that smile was missing.
"Natalie, there you are. Dr. Raymond just called in. He wants you to call him back right away on his cell phone. Here's the number." She handed Natalie a piece of paper.
"Did he say what he wanted?" Natalie asked, surprised and wary to be getting a call from the chief resident, who was currently on vacation with his family.
"No, but he wasn't happy about something. Are you in trouble?"
"I think I might be," Natalie said.
"Let me know if I can help."
"Thanks." As Natalie stared at the piece of paper in her hand, she had a feeling she was going to have to help herself this time around. She punched in the number and was not surprised to hear the first words out of Dr. Raymond's mouth.
"Natalie, your name was mentioned on television a few minutes ago. Are you the woman they're