Free Relentless (Elisabeth Reinhardt Book 1) by Nancy Alexander Page A

Bakers. First I worked there as a ‘go-fer’ but as secretaries or receptionists were off work for one reason or another, I filled in for them.  It turned out that I was really good at all those jobs.”
    “Of course you were,” Tanya added her face glowing with pride, “You’re good at everything!”
    Gina grinned, “You’re biased , Tawny, you think that now, but you didn’t know me then. I wasn’t self-confident; I didn’t think I could do anything. I didn’t know I was smart. I had no way of knowing that. The doctor, Dr. Bennett could see I was interested in medicine. He was the first one to suggest that I become a doctor. He took me under his wing, explained certain conditions and procedures to me, found I picked things up quickly. Then he created a little job for me as his researcher. He would ask me to find out about specific problems and treatments, read articles in his medical journals and copy things I thought he should read. Doctor Bennett and I started to meet regularly to review the research projects I was working on for him and that evolved into a little lecture series. He explained about biology, the main body organs, bacteria, germs and viruses. I learned a lot from him. He was really supportive of my going to medical school. Mrs. Baker agreed with him, given my interest in science and math they said I’d be a natural. Plus I was a straight ‘A’ student.”
    At first the idea of becoming a doctor was appalling. Me become a doctor? No! That was beyond my comprehension. I was a just farmer’s daughter. No one in my family had even finished high school let alone college and well, medical school that was impossible! When in my senior year of High School, I was accepted for early admission to college and granted a full scholarship I nearly fainted! It was perfect. I lived at home with the Bakers and four happy years later I graduated from the University of North Carolina in Asheville with a 4.0 GPA. I applied for and was accepted to the University of Chicago Medical School on a full scholarship.”
    “What an amazing story!” Tanya said. “What a fabulous family! They totally believed in you and launched your career! Seriously amazing!”
     
    “I know. I really miss them,” Gina added sadly.
    “Why can’t you get in touch with them now? You could do that now, couldn’t you?” Tanya asked.
     
    Gina shook her head. “That’s the problem. I can’t see them or contact them at all. I haven’t had any contact with them since I left for Medical School.”
    Tanya ’s expression turned quizzical, “How come?”
     
    Gina shrugged and looked at her watch. “We’re going to be late, hon, we’ve got to get back to the hospital. Let’s talk about this later, OK?”
     
    But Tanya was insistent, “Just answer me that one thing, why haven’t you been in touch with that family you love so much?”
     
    “Because I can’t risk putting them in danger,” Gina sighed. “I can’t risk him tracking me down there and hurting them.”
     
    “Him?” Tanya frowned.
     
    Gina blurted out “My nemesis…my tormentor…my rapist….my would be killer…. He’s still after me. I know it!”
     
    Tanya dumbstruck uttered, “What did you say?”
     
    “Come on Tan, we really have to go let’s talk later.”
     
    “Wait a minute, you can’t just drop that killer thing on me and expect me to drop it!” Tanya stopped gathering up her things and stared at Gina who said, “Not to forget it, just push it aside for a while. Really we’re late and we’ve got to get back to the unit.”
     
    “When exactly are we going to talk about this killer thing?” Tanya refused to move without an answer.
     
    “Let’s take the kids out for pizza tonight and we’ll talk after they go to bed,” Gina suggested tossing cups in the trash can, “Does 6 work for you?”
     

CHAPTER 13
THE FOCUS
     
    The two lawmen sat elbows on the table facing each other. They were tough and smart and sizing each other up.