The tension in the room began to shift like a changing tide.
Marcus dropped his heavy leather bag onto the visitor chair.
He slowly walked toward the side of his son's medical bed.
Nurse Elena did not lower her wooden pole right away.
She kept her body positioned between the door and the sleeping child.
Marcus looked closely at the bruised skin on her cheek.
Marcus: You stood up to two grown men all by yourself?
Elena: A nurse never abandons a child under her care.
Marcus: You could have been seriously hurt tonight.
Elena: My safety comes second to my patient's life.
Marcus felt a lump form in his throat as he listened to her words.
For weeks he believed that everyone around his family had been bought off.
His wealthy uncle had hired private investigators to track Marcus down.
His uncle wanted control of the family trust fund before Toby turned eight.
Marcus assumed the hospital staff was on his uncle's payroll as well.
Now he realized how terribly wrong his assumptions had been.
Marcus: What is your name?
Elena: My name is Nurse Elena Vance.
Marcus: Elena... thank you for keeping my son alive.
Elena: He is a sweet boy and he deserves protection.
Marcus gently touched Toby's warm small hand on the blanket.
The boy stirred slightly but remained deep in peaceful sleep.
Marcus looked back up at Elena with deep respect.
Marcus: You need medical attention for that cut on your forehead.
Elena: The cut is minor and it can wait until security arrives.
Marcus: My family owes you a debt that money cannot measure.
Elena: I do not want your money Mr. Vance.
Marcus: How did you know those men were not hospital technicians?
Elena: They were not wearing official identity badges on their jackets.
Elena pointed toward the corner near the bedside table.
A thick silver cable was lying unplugged on the floor.
Elena: One man reached for the main power box right away.
Elena: I grabbed the door bar and pushed them backward hard.
Marcus felt a sharp wave of anger mix with intense gratitude.
He reached into his inner jacket pocket for his mobile phone.
Marcus: I need to call my personal security chief right now.
Elena: You should tell them to check the north staircase doors.
Marcus: Did they head toward the north exit when you yelled?
Elena: Yes and I locked the fire door right behind them.
Suddenly heavy footsteps echoed loudly down the outer corridor.