Ben couldn't bring himself to quit. He loved her too much for that to happen and besides, he had to find out what happened to her. After securing his vehicle, he hurried across the parking lot pushing through the revolving doors that entered the main lobby of the hospital. Turning to his right at the end of the long hall he headed straight to the information desk in the emergency room and asked, "Has anyone seen this woman?" as he showed them a photo of Laura, which he pulled from his wallet and explained why he was looking for her.
Everyone shook their heads no, but told him they would show the photo around and if anyone has seen her they would call him. Ben wrote his cell number on the bottom of the photo and handed it back to the nurse at the desk.
As Ben exited the parking lot he heard his cell phone ring and answered it, "Hello? Max?"
"Yeah, hey Ben! I got some great news!" he shouted. "I'll meet you back at the hotel. I'm on my way there now," he said and then the line went silent.
Ben immediately stopped his car when Max called. After the line went dead Ben sat there, shocked for a moment. He picked the phone up off his knee and speed dialed Max's phone. When Max answered Ben began to talk. "Hey wait a minute here," he said breathing heavily, his heart pounding and his hands shaking. "You can't expect me to be patient enough to wait 'til I get back to the hotel to hear about what you found. NOW TELL ME, DAMNIT!" Ben shouted into the phone.
"Yeah, I guess you're right, Ben," Max started then continued. "It seems there's a doctor who's been treating a woman who fits Laura's description here at Jackson South Community Hospital. He's not there now, but we can talk to him in the morning."
Ben confirmed the conversation with a big sigh of relief. Max concluded his conversation by confirming that Ben would meet him at the hotel. "Um yeah, that sounds good Max, I'll meet you there in a few," Ben said in a daze and then closed his cell phone.
Ben wanted so badly to call Sara, but not wanting to give her false hope he decided against it for the time being and kept the good news to himself. When he arrived at the hotel he climbed the stairs to the sixth floor, turned into the long hallway that led to his room. Sliding his key card through the slot he opened the door. Ben had arrived before Max and decided to grab a quick shower before he returned.
After his shower Ben put on his pajamas, settled down on the small couch and turned on the television; more for background noise than for viewing as he impatiently waited for Max.
Shortly after midnight Ben heard a knock on his door. He secured the chain latch and opened the door a crack to see Max standing on the other side. He closed the door, unhooked the latch then opened the door.
Max walked into the room exhausted and hungry. He told Ben everything the nurse at the hospital told him as he removed his clothes and said after he grabbed a quick bite to eat and a hot shower he was going to bed. Ben ordered room service for them both. "Yes, can you please send me two of your finest steak dinners, baked potato, salad and soup?" Ben paused as the voice on the other end of the line confirmed his order and then he continued. "Yep, that's right, oh and can you add two bottles of Michelob to that as well? Thanks." Ben said as he hung up the phone and returned to the sofa, relaxing more with each passing minute, thanks to Max.
Their meals arrived quickly and as they ate, they discussed what would happen in the morning. Max had everything all planned in his head then told Ben. "We'll get up and have breakfast. I can see I'm going to need more money Ben. I found a branch of my bank in Ft. Lauderdale. I'll go there to get my money while you go talk with Dr. Stone. We can meet back here and discuss the next strategy."
Ben agreed and after he finished eating he went straight to sleep. For the first night since Laura left for vacation Ben was able to sleep through the night and had quite a pleasant dream. He dreamt that he was with Laura at the beach, no one else around. He was chasing her teasingly and when he caught her, they fell to the sand. He was caressing her hair as she pleasured him orally. He woke the next morning feeling rejuvenated and relieved, although there was a large damp, sticky spot on the sheet. "There's a purpose to my life again," he thought to himself as he sat up and scooted to the dry side of the mattress.
"I'm going to call that Dr. Stone and make an appointment to see him before I go all the way out there and have it be a waste of time," Ben said as he dialed the number Max gave him.
"Good morning, this is Dr. Stone," a deep voice on the other end of the line answered.
"Good morning Dr. Stone, this is Benjamin Whitfield." He replied, taking a deep breath before he continued. "I am calling in regards to a Miss Laura Habernack. I was told you have been treating her." Ben paused again gathering his thoughts. "I would like to set up an appointment as soon as possible. I will fill you in on the details when we meet," Ben concluded, waiting for the doctors reply.
"I'm free for the next hour or so. Can you make it here before noon?" the doctor asked.
Not thinking clearly, Ben immediately ended the call without saying goodbye or confirming that he could meet with the doctor. He closed his phone and headed for the door. "Um, hey there buddy, don't you think you should put on some pants before you go running out the door?" Max stated with a heavy chuckle.
Ben stopped in his tracks, looked down and laughed then said, "I guess I should do that. They probably wouldn't take me seriously if I showed up looking like this." He walked to the closet and grabbed a pair of slacks from the hanger and then a shirt. He walked back to the bed and began to get dressed. He hesitated about wearing a tie, but decided against it leaving the top button of his shirt undone.
As he headed for the door he stopped in front of the mirror, running his fingers through his hair he softly said, "that's good enough." He grabbed his keys and cell phone from the dresser again and walked to the door.
Once again Max stopped him, "Hey, one more thing," he said chuckling again. "Don't you think it would be a good idea if you told the doctor you were on your way?"
"I probably should, but I'll do that in the car on my way there." Ben said as he pushed the door open with his foot and walked out into the hall toward the stairs. Ben didn't like the sounds of that old elevator and not wanting to take any chances of getting stuck between floors he opted for the stairs.
Once out to his car Ben hit the redial on his cell phone and let the doctor know he was on his way then closed his phone and slid it in the pocket of his shirt as he drove out of the parking lot.
Ben didn't want to get his hopes up, but he was so excited about the new developments in his search for Laura. He drove to the hospital with a smile on his face and in his heart. He turned his radio on and found a station playing music from the eighties. He leaned over to turn the volume up and his heart pounded faster the more he listened to the song playing. It was the song that he and Laura danced to at Suzie's wedding.
