by Donna Hill
* * *
After a less than restful night, Dina puttered around the apartment preparing for work. Thankfully she didn’t have any surgeries scheduled. Her head was still clouded with the events of the previous day. Her thoughts shifted to Franklin just as her cell phone buzzed. She snatched it up hoping that it was him. It wasn’t.
“Hello.”
“Dr. Hamilton?”
“Yes.”
“Good morning. I’m calling from Dr. Freeman’s office. He’d like you to come in to see him at ten.”
Dina frowned. This must be the first round of inquiries, as Anna said. “Sure. I’ll be there.”
“Thank you, Dr. Hamilton. We’ll see you at ten.”
The call disconnected.
Slowly she lowered the phone to the table. Her pulse thumped in her veins. What would they ask her? If their goal was to get her to somehow incriminate Franklin—well the hell with that. She checked the time on her phone. She had an hour and a half to get her game face on.
Chapter 27
“Damn, man, I’m really sorry,” Monty said. He lifted the mug to his lips. “What happens now?”
Franklin picked up his cup of coffee and put it back down.
The buzzing conversation of early morning hotel guests, the clang of china and clink of silver filled in the background.
Franklin heaved a breath. “The usual, an inquiry by the entire medical staff. The team will have to testify, justify their roles and actions.”
“But those things work out, right?”
Franklin started to reply when they were interrupted by one of the hotel staff. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Grant.”
Monty put down his mug. “What it is, Danielle?”
“One of our premiere guests is having a major meltdown at the front desk.”
Monty’s smooth expression tightened. “Thank you. I’ll be right there.” He wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin, stood and snatched his jacket from the back of the chair. “Sorry. I’ll be back shortly.”
“No problem. Handle your business.”
Franklin watched his brother walk away with his head bent toward Danielle. He was truly proud of his brother. Both of them really. They were each successful in their own right, having carved separate paths. The only difference between his brothers and himself was that they found a way to enjoy life, to include love—even elusive love—in their lives. Something that seemed to continually escape him. Even now, this thing with Dina was temporary—actually forbidden and he wondered if maybe that was the reason why he chose her—because she was impermanent.
He sipped his coffee and gazed loosely around at the comings and goings. Everyone seemed to have someone who mattered in some way. What he wanted wasn’t so far-fetched. He wanted the kind of bond that his parents had—something real and enduring. Until he could find that, he’d turned to his work. Now he wasn’t sure how much longer he would have that.
* * *
Dina parked her car in the employee lot and hurried into the building. What began as a sunny morning had quickly grown ominous with heavy gray clouds looming overhead. The first splashes of rain descended just as she reached the front entrance.
She walked through the emergency entrance sidestepping the rush of orderlies and nurses pushing medicine carts and gurneys, and went straight for the elevators. On the drive to the hospital she’d rehearsed what she would say. She’d gone over every moment of the procedure and there was nothing where she could find fault. That’s what she’d tell them. Dr. Grant had performed a textbook operation and the fact that the patient didn’t make it couldn’t have anything to do with Dr. Grant’s ability as a surgeon.
The metal doors slid open on the pavilion level. Her heart beat faster. She followed the signs to the medical director’s office and stopped at the desk of Alice, his executive assistant.
“Good morning. I’m Dr. Hamilton.”
Alice looked up, smiled. “Of course. Good morning, Dr. Hamilton.” She got up from behind her desk. “Please. Follow me.”
Dina followed Alice down a short carpeted corridor, stopped when she tapped lightly on the door, then opened it for her.
“Thank you,” Dina murmured.
“Dr. Hamilton,” Dr. Freeman heartily greeted. He stood, swept his glasses from his nose and came around his desk to welcome her. He stuck out a thick hand which Dina shook.
“Please have a seat. Thank you for coming in.”
“Of course.” She lowered herself onto the padded chair. She could hear her heart pounding. She linked her fingers together atop her crossed legs.
“I’ve heard wonderful things about you since you came to us on fellowship, Dr. Hamilton. Nothing but accolades.”
“Thank you.”
“Here at Jameson we pride ourselves on excellence, on the utmost in quality patient care. Our reputation over the years has remained stellar. As president and medical director of this hospital it is my responsibility to ensure that all the moving parts are well-oiled, for lack of a better analogy, and quite frankly to avoid lawsuits or anything that would tarnish our standing as the number-one hospital in the country—” he pointed a thick finger at her “—or in your department. Our cardiac department has been number one for eight years in a row. Its reputation for cutting-edge surgery cannot be matched.”
“I understand Dr. Grant is greatly responsible for that,” Dina cut in, mindful of the sales pitch.
Freeman cleared his throat, stroked his mustache. “Yes. However, it is my responsibility to ensure that no matter the circumstances or the personnel involved that our reputation remains sterling.”
He flipped open a folder. Dina’s stomach clenched.
“You were on the team that performed the surgery in OR 3 on Monday.”
“Yes, I was.”
“As of yesterday, as is protocol, we have had to put Dr. Grant on administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry.”
She licked her bottom lip.
“The board met last night and we came to the unanimous decision that until the investigation is concluded we want you to oversee the division. You’ve worked side by side with Dr. Grant. You know his work and his patients and more important you are highly skilled in robotics. Dr. Grant said as much himself.”
Dina blinked rapidly. Frowned. Before or after you dismissed him?
“I’ll be blunt. We would like you to stay on at Jameson. You are a major asset here. We can solidify that offer we made to you before your arrival. And when this messiness is done you’ll be chief of cardiac surgery.”
She hoped the panic didn’t register on her face. She gave a short shake of her head. “Why...me? I’m sure there are plenty of qualified—”
“We believe that you are the qualified person, Dr. Hamilton. In the interim you would take over as interim chief until the inquiry is completed. And when you’ve done an exemplary job, which we are confident you will do, the sky is the limit.”
Her thoughts swirled in a hundred directions at once. A position like this in a prestigious trauma hospital was what she’d dreamed of. If she took this on, it would only be to hold Franklin’s seat warm, because she was confident that he was coming back better than ever. She drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
“Let me just add that with you filling in, Dr. Hamilton, it will maintain care and continuity for our patients and that must be our primary focus.”
“I deeply appreciate your confidence in me, Dr. Freeman. Can I think about this?”
Freeman blew out a breath through his nostrils. He linked his fingers and leaned slightly forward. “As the board will now be overseeing the continuation of your fellowship in the absence of Dr. Grant, I would be happy to extend the courtesy of waiting until tomorrow...say noon, for your response.” He flashed a tight-lipped smile.
Did he just threaten her? Dina nodded, pushed b
ack from the table and stood. She extended her hand. “Thank you for your time, and your faith. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
Freeman rose slowly and shook her hand. “I look forward to hearing from you.”
Dina walked out on shaky legs, disturbed, confused and undecided. She was totally aware of corporate politics, and the cover-your-ass mentality of boards of directors. The last thing any hospital wanted was bad publicity and lawsuits. Both things scared away donors. Her pulse pounded in her ears. She pressed the button for the elevator and went straight to her office.
Her dilemma only compounded—or maybe it was her way out. She had the call from Saint Vincent to consider. When it rains it pours.
Chapter 28
“So what’s the plan, big bro?” Monty asked, picking up the conversation.
Franklin gave a slight shrug. “Wait it out. There isn’t much that I can do. I’m sidelined.”
“Do you need a lawyer?”
Franklin’s brows furrowed. “I’m pretty sure it won’t come to that.”
Monty signaled the waitress. “Can I get a western omelet and extra bacon, crispy?”
“Sure thing, Mr. Grant.” She turned to Franklin. “Anything for you this morning?” She refilled their water and orange juice glasses.
“No. I’m fine. Thanks.”
Franklin watched Monty watch her walk away and inwardly chuckled. Old habits die hard. Monty didn’t cross the red line with his staff, but it didn’t stop him from subtly taking a look every now and then. Even so, his swag and charm seemed to override the fact that he had no real intention of making a serious commitment to a woman. Although all three brothers were career driven, Monty and Zo always found time to add the spice of a desirable woman in the checks and balances and empire building. Franklin on the other hand was tunnel-vision selective as Zo told him on many an occasion. Man, you know how many women are groomed and nurtured on the notion of hooking a doctor? You got it made and you don’t even know it, he’d huffed during a heated game of one-on-one at the local park. Zo had backed into Franklin on the dribble. At least play the field. See what’s out there. He’d spun, jumped. Franklin leaped to block the shot but the ball skirted the tips of his fingers, hit the backboard and in. Zo’s breath heaved in and out as he pounded his chest in triumph at his move. All work and no play makes us all dull boys. He’d snatched up the rolling ball, and was headed to the basket when Franklin stole the ball, whizzed around Zo like a blast of air, leaped, sent the ball soaring and in. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout, Zo had shouted and given Franklin a fist bump. All you gotta do is use them skills off the court. He’d winked and snatched the ball.
Monty swung his attention back to Franklin. “On another topic. Tell me about the superstar you brought to the party. Is it serious? Or was that yet another one-time thing?”
Franklin snorted a laugh. “No, it wasn’t a one-time thing, but...it will be a short-time thing.”
Monty’s expression bunched. “Why? What did you do?”
“Why did I have to do anything?”
“Because you generally do. What—she couldn’t leap over tall buildings or something?”
“Very funny. No, that’s not it.”
“So...what gives? The two of you seemed really into each other.”
“It’s complicated.”
Monty shrugged. “I got time. I run this joint, remember?” He grinned. “And apparently you have some time on your hands, too.”
Franklin lifted his glass of juice but put it right back down. “She’s a fellow at the hospital. Brilliant surgeon. Smart. And...we’ve been seeing each other.”
“Say what? For how long?”
“Since the party, but we were tiptoeing around each other for a while.”
“Is it serious?”
Franklin rested his forearms on the tabletop. “I want it to be,” he quietly admitted, and the admission seemed to lift a weight from his shoulders.
Montgomery’s smooth brows rose. “Whoa. It’s been more than a minute that you talked like that.”
“Yeah. I know. Just happened.” He slowly shook his head in awe. “I’ve gone out of my way since Lindsay to steer clear of getting involved on any kind of serious level.”
“Hmm. I feel ya.”
“Somehow Dina got past my radar.”
“She must be crazy special.”
“She is.”
“I hear a but. What’s the issue?”
He sighed heavily. “Because we work together, I supervise her work, we can’t be public about our relationship. She reports directly to me.”
“Ouch. That’s tricky.”
“Yeah, and I’m the one who will sign off on her fellowship. I can’t have it seem that there was any favoritism involved. Plus there’ll be an opening in a few months for an attending to lead the development of robotics. She’s perfect for it. That’s why it’s so important that our relationship stay under wraps. Barring anything going on with us, she deserves that spot. Jameson will be an even greater hospital with her on board.”
Montgomery nodded in understanding.
“And to be honestly selfish, I also want her to stay because I want to be with her. I think we’d make a great team on several fronts. But I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize her chances, even if it means stepping totally out of the picture.”
Montgomery pursed his lips. “She knows all this? Cause you can be kinda tight-lipped.”
“No,” he reluctantly admitted.
“You plan to tell her?”
“Definitely not now. She’s going to have to testify at the inquiry. I wouldn’t want her to think for a minute that I was trying to play her.”
“My advice...don’t hold your cards so close to your chest. Be honest with her, then let her make up her own mind. But at least it’ll be based on having all the facts.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“You care about her, right?”
He nodded his head. “Of course.”
“For once stop thinking with your analytical head and listen to what’s inside,” he said, pointing a finger at Franklin’s chest.
The corners of his mouth flickered. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The waitress returned with Montgomery’s breakfast.
“That looks good,” Franklin said and snatched a piece of bacon from the plate.
“Damn, bruh,” Montgomery snickered and signaled the waitress again. “He’ll have what I’m having.”
Franklin hid his smirk behind his juice glass. He set the glass down. “I saw Lindsay.”
Montgomery’s head snapped up. He stopped chewing midway and set down his fork. “On purpose?”
“Hardly.”
Franklin went on to explain that Lindsay was at the meeting and that she would be handling the public relations for the hospital.
“Shit.”
“Yeah.”
The waitress returned with Franklin’s plate.
“Thanks.” He shook out a napkin and put it on his lap, then cut into his omelet.
“So basically you’re gonna have to deal with her one way or the other,” Monty stated more than asked.
“Unfortunately.”
“Hey, you know it’s over and she knows it’s over. Stay focused on whatever you need to do to get back in your spot.”
“That’s definitely the plan.”
Chapter 29
Dina shut the door to her office, switched on the lights and sat down behind her desk. She was scheduled for rounds in about a half hour. At least she had a little time to try to process the meeting with Dr. Freeman.
The offer was certainly a great opportunity, one that she had not expected—not like this.
A little more than a year ago while she was presenting a lecture during a medical conference in San Diego, she was ap
proached by Phillip Holloway, a noteworthy surgeon in his own right and Jameson Memorial’s chairman of the board. Over drinks he regaled her with all the accomplishments of Jameson Memorial, especially its cardiac unit, and indicated there was a tentative opening for chief of cardiac surgery if she was interested.
“I’ve been following your research and your career, Dr. Hamilton,” he’d said. “Your robotic techniques could revolutionize cardiothoracic surgery. We could use someone like you at Jameson.”
“I’m humbled. Really I am, but I’m doing well for myself where I am.”
“You could do so much better. Believe me.” He leaned across the table. The green of his eyes darkened with urgency. “Think of it, your own department. Your own budget, and your own staff. You could implement your vision. Is Saint Vincent going to offer that to you?”
Not in a million years. Saint Vincent wasn’t a top-tier hospital but they did great work, honest work. She had believed that one day she might be the one to put the hospital on the map. But Saint Vincent didn’t have the kind of funding of a hospital like Jameson. The innovations that she envisioned were light-years ahead of what Saint Vincent could afford. There had been rumors that she was being considered for the attending physician position in cardiac. Even so, she knew it was nothing compared to what Jameson could offer.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good enough for me. And to sweeten the pot, I’m willing to offer you a one-year fellowship. Use our equipment. Do your research. Get your feet wet, train with the best in the country.”
“You’re making this very difficult.”
“I’m trying to make you an offer that you can’t refuse.” He smiled a dimpled smile and she could see how easily he charmed, an essential quality for someone in his position.
Dina laughed. She finished her glass of wine, stood and extended her hand. “Thank you for the offer. I’m going to give it some thought. How much time do I have?”
“Take the weekend to think it over.” He stood as well and pulled a business card out of his wallet and handed it to her. “I hope to hear from you on Monday. Enjoy the rest of the conference.”