Angel of Mercy by Andrew Neiderman

hadn’t had any breakfast. He had been too excited about his arrival in Palm Springs and his proximity to Susie. He started his engine with the intention of driving toward the center of town to find a restaurant, when he realized he could eat in the hospital cafeteria. In fact, he could meld in real well, he thought, and maybe even learn about Faye and Susie quickly.
    He returned to the motel and dug out his hospital blues. After he dressed in them, he returned to the hospital and found the cafeteria.
    He smiled when the cashier charged him staff rates, and then he sat himself down near three nurses. For a few minutes, he ate and pretended little or no interest. When one looked his way, he smiled and she smiled back, encouraging him.
    “Excuse me,” he said, and they all stopped talking and looked. “I met a nurse here the other day. She was having a problem with her car radio and I told her I’d look at it for her, but she left before I could help.
    Electronics is kind of a hobby of mine,” he added.
    “What’s her name?”
    “Faye Sullivan. I just met her and…”
    “I don’t know her,” the first nurse said.
    “Faye Sullivan? Didn’t she do private duty for Dr. Stanley’s patients?” the nurse in the middle asked.
    They all thought a moment.
    “Now that you mention it, I think so. She doesn’t do a regular shift,” the first nurse explained. “She specials for the Palm Springs Nurses’
    Registry.”
    “Oh. Well, she probably had the radio fixed by now anyway,” he added and shrugged. They went back to their own conversation.
    After he had his lunch, he found the nearest pay phone and called the
    Palm Springs Nurses’ Registry.
    “I’m trying to locate a Faye Sullivan,” he said. “She works through your agency, I understand.”
    “Yes?”
    “Well, I’d like to find out where she lives.”
    “We don’t give out that sort of information. Do you need some private-duty nursing care?”
    “No, it’s not that. I’m… her cousin and I’ve just arrived in Palm Springs, but I don’t know her address.”
    “Why don’t you call her?”
    “I don’t have her phone number and she’s not in the book. She’s just recently come to Palm Springs.”
    “Well, why don’t you call information,” the receptionist suggested with a tone of annoyance.
    “I don’t think they give out addresses, do they?”
    “Well, we don’t for sure, but they might.”
    “Oh. I’m sorry to bother you. I just wanted to surprise her.-We haven’t seen each other since we were both about five,” he said, and he laughed. The receptionist softened.
    “I’m really not supposed to give out our nurses phone numbers and addresses.”
    “I understand. I’m sorry.”
    “Wait a minute. You’ll find it out anyway if you call information, I’m sure.” A few moments later, she gave him the phone number and address.
    “But remember, you didn’t get it from me.”
    “I will. Thank you. Boy, is she going to be surprised.”
    He cradled the receiver quickly and clenched the slip of paper tightly in his hand. It was as if he were clutching a thousand-dollar bill.
    To him the paper was far more valuable anyway. He hurried out to his car and started away. When he came to the first corner, he pulled over to ask a pedestrian for directions. The man was a tourist and knew even less than he did. Annoyed, he shot off and headed down Palm Canyon Boulevard into the heart of Palm Springs. As soon as he saw an open parking space, he pulled in and went into a photo shop to ask directions. These people were far more helpful. Minutes later, he was pulling into Faye and Susie Sullivan’s apartment complex. He found an empty space in guest parking and turned off his engine.
    Faye’s car was nowhere in sight. He folded his arms and sat back. She had to drive in the same way he’d entered, he thought. It wouldn’t be too much longer.
    Anticipating her arrival, he started to plan. Should he get right out and greet her? What if Susie