by Susan Stoker
“I’m sorry.” Kelly’s face was a mask of embarrassment and pity. It was the pity that almost did Tess in.
“Don’t worry about it. I hate you’re being drawn into something like this when neither of you deserve it. I’m sure it’ll all be worked out.”
Damn Preston. If she could only change the past.
Tess rearranged the strap of her tote bag. “Thanks for letting me know about my patients. I’ll go do my rounds now.” She left the doctors’ lounge with her head held high. She wasn’t going to let that SOB Lloyd make her cry.
The hospital floors were alive with residents and medical students making rounds, updating charts, and giving reports to attending physicians. She pulled Freddy Worthington’s chart, checked his latest vital signs and lab reports and headed for his room. She knocked then entered. Judge Worthington stood when she entered.
“Good morning,” she said, forcing a cheerfulness she didn’t feel into her voice. “How’s our patient today?”
“Morning, Dr. Sweeney. He’s doing good.”
Freddy was still asleep, which wasn’t surprising given the early hour.
“His lab reports are good. How’s he doing with the insulin injections?”
The judge smiled. “Better than I thought.”
“I can answer for myself,” a groggy voice retorted.
“Morning, sunshine,” Tess said. She stepped closer to the bed. “How are you feeling?”
Freddy pushed himself upright. “Better. I hate those shots, but I feel a lot better than I have in a while.”
“Good. From my standpoint, I have no reason to keep you any longer. I’m discharging you from my care. If your internist agrees, I think you’ll go home today.” She smiled. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt too badly on Friday night. Take care.”
“Thank you, Dr. Sweeney,” Freddy said.
“You’re very welcome.”
“Dr. Sweeney,” Judge Worthington said. “Can I have a word with you outside?”
“Certainly. Nice to meet you, Freddy.”
Fred Worthington followed her into the hall. He wasted no time getting to his point. “I assume you’ve seen today’s newspaper.”
Tess’s gut rolled with anxiety. “I have.”
“It’s all bullshit.”
She nodded. “I know it and you know it, but the public?” She shrugged. “It’ll be front page today with the retraction or story correction on page five in a few days.”
“I’m not sure. I’ve had Lloyd in my court. He’s like a pitbull when he gets his mind set. I think you’d better get yourself a lawyer.”
“Thanks, Judge, but I don’t think it’ll go that far.”
Worthington pulled his business card from his pocket. On the back he’d written a name and phone number. “Call this guy. Best criminal attorney in the state.”
She took the card, still sure she’d never need it. “Really, I appreciate your concern, but I’m sure this will die out soon.”
He took her hand and held it for a minute. “You probably saved my son’s life. I’ll always be in your corner. If you need anything, and I mean anything, don’t hesitate to call. My home and office numbers are on that card. I’m serious, Dr. Sweeney. Call me.”
She put the card in her pocket. “Thanks, Judge. I appreciate your concern.”
By the time she reached her office, she wasn’t sure if she should be concerned that Judge Worthington thought she needed a lawyer…and a criminal one at that. Her phone beeped a text message alarm before she could unlock her door. Expecting it to be Kyle, she was surprised at the message.
Meet me in my office at eight a.m.
Troy Monroe
Well, crap. Nothing good ever came out of that man’s mouth or his office. It was seven-thirty, and with no surgery today, she had time to brew a cup of coffee for her caffeine fix.
At five minutes to eight, she walked into the chief of staff’s office. His secretary hadn’t arrived yet, but his door was ajar. She wasn’t one to pry, but it was difficult when angry male voices were so clearly audible.
“This is a hospital matter. You have no business sticking your nose in.”
“I know Tess Sweeney. She wouldn’t operate if she’d been drinking.”
“I understand why you’d support her. She did your surgery six months ago. You feel indebted to her. I get that, but Friday was a totally different situation. I can’t have an impaired surgeon operating. I just can’t. Hell, the gossip about the embezzlement under the last administration is just dying down, not to mention the firestorm about those pictures of the OB residents having basically a sex orgy in the on-call rooms. No. I have to nip this in the bud.”
“She wasn’t drinking on Friday. Trust me.”
“And you know this how?”
Tess knocked on the door, interrupting before Kyle could speak. “Good morning. I believe we have an appointment at eight.”
Troy Monroe glared at her like she was dog poop on the bottom of his shoe. “This is a private conversation, Dr. Sweeney. You can wait outside.”
“No, I don’t think so,” Tess said, walking into Monroe’s office. “If it were that private, your door should have been shut.” She closed the door firmly. “There. Now it’s private. However, I was unaware we had a criminal situation that required bringing in Sheriff Monroe.”
Kyle took a step toward her, but she stopped him with a look.
“Not criminal, or at least not yet,” Troy Monroe said. “As you are fully aware, operating under the influence is a serious charge, a criminal charge.”
“And yet, you have only the word of a grieving father who most likely contributed to his son’s death.”
Troy’s gaze slid to his brother and back to Tess. “Whether Lloyd was at fault totally, or even played a contributing factor, in the death of his son isn’t our concern.” He waved to the chair in front of his desk. “Please sit.”
“No, thank you. I believe I’ll stand.”
The Monroe twins were too much of Southern gentlemen to sit while she stood, so they remained standing.
“Fine. As you know, Preston Lloyd has reported you to this office, to the hospital’s chairman of the board, and the Texas State Medical Board. In his complaint, he alleges you performed surgery on his son while intoxicated.”
Tess crossed her arms. “And that is bullshit.”
Troy shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. The problem is your alcoholic addiction history. Ninety percentage of alcoholics relapse, and that’s his assertion.”
She stiffed her back. “Probably closer to fifty or sixty.”
“Still, I can’t take the chance, especially since you’re not only on staff but in a position of authority.”
Kyle stepped forward. Tess’s gaze whipped toward him and she narrowed her eyes in a warning to stay quiet. Either her glare needed work or he simply ignored her.
“She wasn’t drunk,” he growled at his brother.
“Kyle…” Tess rested her hand on his forearm. “Let it go.”
“I won’t,” he said, putting his hand over hers.
“What’s going on here?” Troy asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“I’ll tell him.” Tess faced Troy Monroe. “Your brother and I have been seeing each other for the past eight weeks or so.”
“Is this true, Kyle?”
“Yup.” He squeezed Tess’s hand. “I’ve wanted to tell you, but Tess didn’t want you to think she was courting favors with you by dating your brother.”
Troy gave a harsh laugh. “I’m sure. Good Lord, Dr. Sweeney. Dating a patient. Is there any medical standard you won’t break?”
“He was long discharged from my care before we had our first date. There was no medical tenet broken.”
“So my brother is your alibi for Friday night? He’s the proof you weren’t been drinking? An ex-patient who owes you his life and has publically stated he’s indebted to you? An ex-patient you’re now sleeping with? I assume you are sleeping together.”
&nbs
p; Tess’s nose rose a little. “We take a break from fucking to sleep every now and then.”
A red flush rose up Troy’s neck to his face.
“Tess.” Kyle put his arm around her shoulders. “Troy. She wasn’t drinking on Friday or any night that we’ve been together. I’ve never seen her take as much as a sip of alcohol. As I tried to tell you on Friday, you’re backing the wrong horse if you put your chips on Lloyd. He’s a liar, a womanizer, and probably guilty of his son’s death.”
Troy dropped heavily into the large, leather chair behind his desk. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”
Tess and Kyle exchanged glances, and then Tess walked over to the edge of Troy’s desk.
“I’m assuming there is an autopsy being done on Hunter Lloyd?”
“Yes. I ordered one as soon as Lloyd left my office on Friday.”
“I’m sure it will back me up regarding the severity of his injuries. There’s nothing I can do to prove there was no alcohol or other drug in my bloodstream that night.”
“I’m interviewing the OR staff you worked with that night.”
Tess nodded. “Good. And talk to Judge Fred Worthington and his wife. I spent a lot of time with them.”
“True, but at least a couple of hours had passed since you arrived at the hospital.”
“Fine, do whatever you need, but I’m telling you, I wasn’t drunk.”
“And I’m backing her up,” Kyle said from behind her.
“Until this issue is resolved, I think it best if you take a couple of days leave.”
Tess placed her hands on his desk and leaned forward. “You’re putting me on leave?”
“Yes, pending the outcome of my internal investigation.”
“You’re such an ass, Monroe. Your own brother backs my story.”
“My brother’s head has been turned by a pretty woman before.”
“Hey!” Kyle said. “I won’t have you questioning me or Tess regarding our honesty.”
Troy shrugged. “Until I have a decision, Dr. Sweeney, please let your staff handle your cases. I understand you had some cancellations this morning?”
Tess’s head almost split from grinding her teeth. “Yes.”
“Exactly,” Troy said smugly.
“I will not take a leave of absence. That’s as much as an admission of guilt. I have plenty of administrative work to keep me busy.”
“Fine, but no patient care until the situation has been resolved.”
“I don’t think you’re being fair, Troy,” Kyle said. “Tess is totally innocent here.”
“Then my investigation will bear that out.”
“Is that all?” Tess asked, her lips pulling into a tight line.
“That’s it.”
Tess turned on her heel and marched from the office, the anger inside growing like a stoked furnace.
“Tess. Wait.” Kyle hurried after her. When he reached for her, she stepped away.
“I think it might be better if we didn’t see each other for a while,” she said. “There’s no reason to give Lloyd another target for his revenge.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not being ridiculous. I’m being sensible. You’re up for reelection against one of your own deputies. Lloyd wants this to be nasty. I don’t want you sucked into my cesspool.”
“Tess, babe—”
“Please, Kyle. Don’t make this harder on me than it already is. I can’t worry about you while I’m treading professional water.” She kissed him. “Understand I’m doing this for both of us.”
She rushed into the hall and down the staircase before he could follow.
*
Kyle’s gut twisted. Damn woman was going to drive him nuts. He glanced at his brother’s office door but decided any other discussions about Tess’s state on Friday night would be fruitless.
And if Tess thought he would walk away from her willingly, she had it all wrong.
As he headed for the hospital exit, he pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Adam. Any luck finding that missing booster seat from the Lloyd accident?”
“No, sir. Vaughn and I have been up and down the creek. Found lots of trash but no booster seat.”
“Have we heard anything back from Sheriff Singer whether anything was found in Whispering Springs County?”
“Not yet, sir.”
“I’ll call Singer.”
“Thanks, sir. And I had another idea.”
Kyle slid his sunglasses on to block out the bright Texas sun. “Okay. Shoot.”
“My nephew’s boy scout troop is working on badges. I was thinking they could do a Ten Mile River clean-up project. Maybe the department could supply a deputy or two to work with them. Make a big deal out of it.”
Kyle smiled. “That’s a great idea. We’ll donate those bright orange bags the department has.”
“Thanks, Sheriff. I’ll call my brother tonight.”
“Great. Keep me in the loop.”
Deep in his soul, Kyle knew the clean-up wouldn’t produce that missing booster seat because he was sure there was no missing seat.
Chapter Ten
‡
Kyle called Tess when he got back to his car and wasn’t surprised when she didn’t pick up. She was, without doubt, the most bullheaded woman he knew, and yet, there was a kindness in her soul outside of medicine that she didn’t show many people. He’d seen it when he’d awoke after surgery with the ever-so-proper Dr. Sweeney sitting by his bed, his hand grasped in both of hers. Of course, she’d immediately jerked her hand away and started taking his pulse. His heart warmed at the memory.
When her voice mail message instructed him to leave a message, he said, “Hey, babe. Don’t let my brother or that ass Lloyd get you down. I’m here for you. We’ll come out the other side. Talk to you later.” He paused and then added, “Love you, Tess.”
A couple of minutes after he disconnected, his phone dinged with a text message.
I need some time. Please don’t call me. And please, don’t love me. Better yet, move on. Find someone else. I can’t drag you into my mess.
Silly woman. Find someone else? Why would he do that after he’d had the best in her?
Nonetheless, he’d give her a couple of days. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have enough to do to get the bottom of everything. He wondered if Lloyd had any past driving infractions, especially a DUI.
He started his truck and headed for his office. At least he had something he could do.
*
The next couple of days passed in a haze of internet searches, paperwork, and general sheriff office drudgery. Of course, the numerous mutilated and spray-painted Kyle Monroe for Sherriff signs were a little different. He had his suspicions about who was behind the destruction of his signs but for now he let it go.
Tess never called. That didn’t shock him. He sent her a text every night with the same general message…Miss you. Love you. I’m here when you’re ready.
Apparently, she wasn’t ready. That was okay. It’d taken him thirty-eight years to find the right woman, plus months of asking her out before she accepted. He could wait for her to realize he wasn’t going anywhere.
On Thursday, Sheriff Singer called from the next county over. The local judge and he had rounded up some nonviolent law breakers who were happy to clean Ten Mile River for time served. To no one’s surprise, no child booster seat was found. Lots of trash, a couple of waterlogged tires, and even one old bicycle, but no child seat.
The state police had assigned a special prosecutor to the case, making sure this would drag on forever. In some way, Kyle wished he still had the case. On the other hand, he wanted Lloyd to go down for killing his son. Even Kyle could see that he had a conflict of interest. No doubt Lloyd’s attorney would have used that conflict to stir up all kinds of doubts.
Friday started off like every other day that day. No calls nor messages from Tess. He wasn’t surprised. The local news rag had run daily articles about the tragic death of Hunter Lloyd. Lo
cal, and then national news outlets had picked up the story of the death and accusations of an impaired doctor performing surgery. However, the national news outlets had used the story to do in-depth reminders to parents on the need for car seats for children.
Today would be the last day Kyle was going to allow radio silence to continue. Maybe this afternoon, he would kidnap Tess away to the family ranch and grab them a couple of horses. Nobody could stay in a bad mood on the back of smooth riding quarter horse.
“Sheriff.” The desk clerk shoved her head into his office. “Your brother is on line three.”
“Thanks.” Kyle lifted the receiver. “Troy. What’s up?”
“Thought maybe you’d meet me for a late lunch, say about one?”
“Sure. Where?”
“The Water’s Edge work for you?”
Kyle shook his head. His brother was on the prowl for some weekend companionship. Kyle didn’t miss that scene at all. Tess was the only woman he needed for the rest of his life.
“Sure. See you there.”
At a little after one, he pulled into the Water’s Edge and parked next to his brother’s black Mercedes coupe. That car probably cost twice as much as Kyle made in a year as sheriff, not that his salary was all that important to him. His maternal grandparents had done quite well in the oil business, leaving Kyle and his four siblings quite comfortable financially. Only his younger brother had flittered away a portion of his inheritance, but Beau had wised up before his entire nest egg was gone. Kyle rarely touched his trust fund. The nice thing about having money was knowing it was there if he needed it but not really requiring it to live. He did fine on his sheriff’s pay.
Troy was seated at a window table, his hand wrapped around a dewy glass of iced tea. Kyle was taken aback to see his other siblings around the table. He laughed to himself. An intervention was his guess.
“Good afternoon, family,” he said, dropping into the one vacant chair. “This is a surprise. Are we having a family meeting?”
He let his gaze fall on his sister, Risa…the weakest link when it came to keeping secrets.
“Um,” Risa said. “Troy thought—”
Troy cleared his throat.
“I mean, we thought maybe we should talk about your job.”