Free Maddy's Floor by Dale Mayer Page B

Frowning, Maddy made her way through the floor, finding variations of the same theme. The negative energy ripple had a bigger effect than she'd thought possible.
     
    As Maddy approached the new wing, Dr. Lenning called her over.
     
    She frowned as she saw him bundled up, his head swathed in warm blankets. "Bad night?"
     
    "Terrible, just terrible," he whispered. "Thank heavens this place is equipped with blanket warmers. So, what happened, Dr. Maddy? Did the furnace quit overnight?"
     
    That surprised her. None of the other patients had complained of a debilitating coldness. Chills, yes, but not to this level. Although his reaction reminded her how she'd felt when she'd first seen Eric's energy. "No. There were no reported problems or dips in the temperatures. Apparently, several people did have a weird night, though."
     
    "Honestly, it feels like I've had less than an hour's sleep."
     
    Maddy frowned. "Any change in your medications?" She stepped closer, pulling up his file on her tablet. He wasn't taking anything unusual.
     
    "Oh, it isn't my drugs. No, I woke up and thought I saw something going on over at that bed." He pulled a frail hand far enough free of the blanket to point at Jansen's old bed.
     
    Maddy spun around, realizing that from this position, Adam would have had a good view of Jansen's area. Staring down at him, she also understood that Dr. Lenning really was a helpless old man now. Why had she given him so much power over her emotional well-being? Shaking free of the thought, she sat at the edge of the bed. "What did you think you saw?"
     
    "When I watched the curtain, it appeared as though someone attached a rope to Jansen's body and was pulling him up toward the ceiling. He didn't lift clear off the bed, his back arched up and down several times. Then it was like someone cut him free and he collapsed back down again. It was almost like someone was trying to pull his shadow from his body." His hands folded the corner of his sheet over and over in precise uniformly sized folds, but his eyes darted up to see her reaction.
     
    Maddy's spine locked in place at his first words. Oh no. She needed to call Stefan, her friend, mentor and fellow energy worker – and fast. Though worried, she did her best to placate Adam.
     
    "I'm not sure what to say. I can't imagine Jansen being able to do that on his own and there's certainly no evidence to suggest anyone else was here with that physical strength. Jansen, like everyone else here, came to enjoy the last days he had. It was just his time to go." She gave a casual shrug, patting his hand. "Take it easy and rest." With a gentle smile, she turned and walked back toward the nurses' station.
     

***
    "Dr. Maddy, was there a full moon last night? I swear everyone is acting weird today," Amelia asked. Several of the other nurses gathered alongside the long-time nurse to hear Maddy's answer.
     
    Maddy shook her head. "I have no idea." She reached for the schedule. "Who was on last night?"
     
    Amelia handed over the staff roster. "Amber. So far today, I've heard that last night was the result of everything from a bad planetary alignment to the new government's spending."
     
    The nurses chuckled. Over the years, these nurses had heard it all. And sometimes even they were surprised by the comments and actions of patients and their visitors.
     
    "Susan mentioned patient concerns in the meeting this morning. I wrote it down." Nancy held up her notepad.
     
    Maddy stepped over to read the note over Nancy's shoulder. "The thermostat registered normal temperatures; however, all patients were hollering about feeling cold. She says staff were kept running with requests for sleeping aids, water and hot blankets. Hmmm."
     
    "I know that hmmm. What are you thinking?" Nancy twisted to look at Maddy. Her gaze narrowed on Maddy's face. "Is this all related to Jansen's death."
     
    "Maybe."
     
    Nancy frowned, leaning in closer so as not to be overhead. "How?"
     
    Maddy