Chapter 27

Connor

“And you expect us to believe all of this?”

Lionel’s tone was one of extreme skepticism. Seated across from the board, I sat with a heavy heart as I finished telling the story of just what had happened, of what Richter had schemed to do.

“You don’t have to take my word for it,” I said. “Bring the man himself in here. I’m sure he’ll be ready to back up everything.”

Wendy raised an eyebrow.

“And why would he be so eager to fess up?” she asked.

“Richter’s a fine doctor,” I said, “but he’s not really cracked up for the Machiavellian stuff. Once I put two-and-two together and confronted him about all of this he broke down on the spot. I doubt he’d be any better with the three of you seated across from him.”

“You are aware that this is your word against his, correct?” asked Earl.

“Trust me,” I said. “He’ll set things straight.”

Lionel looked hard at me for another few, very long moments. Then he pressed down the call button on the intercom.

“Bring in Doctor Delahunt.”

The doors to the boardroom opened a second later and in shuffled the nervous, cowering form of Richter. He seemed to know just what he was in store for.

“Have a seat, doctor,” said Lionel, gesturing to the chair next to mine.

I had to use just about every bit of restraint possible to not smirk at the sight of Richter squirming out of the corner of my eye.

“I don’t think I need to repeat the exact claims that Dr. Rex has made against you, correct?”

“No, sir,” said Richter, every bit of the cocky airs he’d put on when he thought he had been cornered gone.

“They’re…rather serious, to put it mildly,” said Wendy. “Scheming with one of the nurses to trap Dr. Rex in a compromising position—we’ve fired people for much, much less.”

“It’s a lie,” said Richter, his voice small.

A silence fell over the room.

“You care to repeat that?” asked Earl.

“It’s a…”

Richter wasn’t even able to finish the sentence.

“Fine, fine!” he blurted out. “It was all a goddamn setup! I brought Lillian on board—it was all me!”

The board shared knowing glances and I kept my mouth pressed into a hard line.

“But leave Lillian out of this,” he said, looking up with fearful eyes.

“Oh?” asked Lionel. “And why should we do that?”

“Because she was only in on this on account of me blackmailing her. I came across pictures of her on the internet that she wouldn’t have appreciated getting out. I told her that I’d keep her little secret under wraps, but only if she’d do a favor for me.”

“Then you coerced her into doing this?” asked Lionel.

“That’s right.”

“Then we’ll take that into account when deciding on her punishment for her role in this damned debacle. As of you, Richter, you’re not going to be getting off so easily.”

Richter nodded slowly, appearing to accept his fate.

“LA is off the table for you, of course,” said Lionel. “But we’ve just gotten word of a new position in the cardiac unit at one of our sister hospitals in rural Idaho.”

“Very, very rural,” added Wendy.

“Perhaps a few years working away from the hustle and bustle of the city will do you some good, Doctor,” said Lionel as he weaved his hands together on the table in front of him.

“I…see,” said Richter.

The man was lucky as hell—he very well could’ve been out of a job.

“Unless you have anything else to say, doctor, you’re excused.”

He opened his mouth to speak but said nothing. It appeared possible that he was considering spilling the beans about my little caper with Alice, but if that was indeed what he was thinking, he showed some wisdom in not saying another word. After all, it was his word against mine, and bringing up something like that was sure to result in nothing but more scandal.

“Nothing else,” he said, defeated.

“Then you may leave,” said Lionel.

Richter stepped out of the room, the door thudding shut behind him.

“And that leaves you, Dr. Rex,” said Lionel. “I suppose some apologies are in order. We were too quick to assume the worst about you, and a scandal was nearly the result.”

“The position in LA is still open, should you still want it,” said Earl.

I sat back in my chair, thinking the matter over carefully. I closed my eyes and pictured just what my life in LA might be like.

It was surprisingly easy to imagine. The image of Alice appeared. She was dressed in a two-piece swimsuit, her bottom half wrapped in a colorful sarong. She walked lightly along the surf, the breath of the waves rendering her steps silent. The sun was a brilliant orange behind her as it dipped behind the waves. Scampering behind her was Hunter, laughing happily as he chased the receding waters back into the ocean, only to run back to the shore as they returned. I was seated on the beach, the sand warm against my body. I watched the scene with happiness in my heart, knowing that everything I’d ever wanted was right there.

Alice smiled back, and the picture was complete.

“Well?” asked Lionel, his inquisitive voice snapping me out of my reverie. “The transfer, Connor. Is it something that you’re still interested in?”

I sat back and smiled.

“I’m ready,” I said.