and along came SPIDER ( A Martina Spalding Thriller ) (Spider Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

under wing like Gloria had, and for that Martina was grateful.
    In the elevator, Gloria
punched floor three.  When they stepped out to the nurse’s station, Marti was
pleasantly surprised.  Unlike a regular hospital, the only thing sterile
looking about this space were the white uniforms worn by the well-groomed young
nurses that manned it.  Otherwise, the space was luxurious in its decorations. 
Fine oil paintings adorned the papered walls.  Overstuffed chairs, ornate
lamps, marble statues, and exotic plants filled the waiting area.  And there
were velvet drapes covering the windows.  This place, she could get used to.
    Marching up to the
counter, Gloria said, “Ladies, this is Martina.  I’ve got to get back to my
desk.  But I’d appreciate it if you would show her around.  Martina is a
nurse.  She may be joining us.”
    “Sure,” one answered,
and the three of them smiled broadly. 
    Gloria then turned to
Martina and said, “You okay with this?”
    “Yes! Thank you.” 
Martina beamed, hoping Gloria wasn’t too mad at her.
    “Good.”  Gloria then
whirled and re-entered the elevator.
     
    Returning to the lobby
an hour later, all smiles, Martina marched directly up to Gloria.  Gloria stood
to face her when she heard the familiar sound of Martina’s heels clacking
across the marble floor from the elevator.
    “Oh, Gloria, I’m so
glad I did that.  The nurses are super nice — the patients, too. 
And the spacious rooms are simply divine.  I just love it here.”
    “Great!  Does that
mean…?”
    “When do I start?”
    “There are some papers
you’ll need to sign… non-disclosures and such.  I can have them ready by four. 
And once you’ve done that, I’ll get you back with Mary for scheduling.  How’s
that sound to you?”
    “Wonderful!  Then I’ll
see you at four,” Martina cheerfully said, and headed for the door.
    “The offer to move in
with me is still open,” Gloria called after her.  “We can go there for a look
when I’m off at five, if you want.”
    “I’d like that. 
Thanks, Gloria.”
    “Afterward we can
celebrate!  Okay?”
    “Okay!”  Martina
laughed and pushed through the door.
     
    Back in her room after
a quick lunch at the diner, Marti sat down at the desk and wrote a long letter
to her parents.  She told them where she was and of the wonderful job she had
landed.  Then, as an afterthought, she enclosed the seven hundred dollars they
had thoughtfully put in the car.  She had five hundred dollars saved from her
previous job and certainly didn’t need to be taking their hard-earned money
anymore.  Especially since the paychecks were about to start rolling in again.
    Feeling good about
having done that, immediately after sealing the envelope, Marti went to the
lobby and posted it.  It was then she decided to walk on up to Hannity’s with
the idea in mind of doing a little soul searching.  This would be her final
chance to review her thoughts before taking the next step and signing on with
Spencer House.  She wanted to be absolutely sure the decision to do so was the
right one.  Not that she would back out, now that she’d given her word to
Gloria.  It was the why of
the decision that concerned her now.  Had she done it in an effort to appease
Gloria after making such an ass out of herself in front of Mary Greer?  Or was
this truly a good fit for her future?  No doubt, she’d need to put her dreams
of becoming the next Florence Nightingale on hold for now.  She’d just traded
that away for a smile… if only smiles could heal wounds and save lives?  In a
way, perhaps they could, she fantasized. 
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    At two thirty in the
afternoon, Hannity’s wasn’t near as crowded as it had been the previous
evening.  A quick look around told Martina that Lenny wasn’t around yet,
either.  Selecting a stool toward the end of the bar, she sat her purse down
and sat up.  The lone, middle aged, blonde, female