“Yes, but I’m concerned it’s more than just regular guilt weighing on him. With the mob outside, he seems even jumpier than he had been.”
“Mob? Is it growing?”
She shrugged. “You know what I mean. I think all of it … the people outside blaming him—”
“Are they blaming him specifically or the hospital?”
“More him.”
“What about you? Are they harassing you?” I sipped my coffee, wanting to be professional despite the worry that was
growing for Nick.
“No. Well, they have things to say to all of us when we come in, but they know he was her doctor.”
I nodded. “I’m going to craft a statement.”
“That’s all well and good, but a statement isn’t going to help Nick.”
“What are you saying, Peggy? Do you think he can’t work?”
She blew out a breath. “I think he’s an amazing doctor. I think the world of him. He’s getting the job done, but he’s struggling. You can see it in his eyes. In the tension in his body. Today I walked into the break room, and he jumped like startled cat. He seems on edge and that can’t be good for him.”
“The hospital can’t afford to let him go. We barely have enough to cover the ER now.”
She nodded. “I know you and him used to be close. Maybe you could talk to him.”
“And say what? He is under additional stress and pressure, Peggy.” I hated that I was essentially giving her the same line Dick would. I wanted to go to Nick and do what I could to help him.
“I don’t know. Maybe counseling?”
I quirked a brow. “He’s being sued and you think he should go to counseling?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m surprised at you, Mia. I know your job is to protect the hospital, but he’s hurting. Don’t you have any compassion for him?”
I hated her accusation, but my job required that I stay neutral. “Do you really think he’d go?”
“Maybe if you talked to him.”
“What do you think his lawyer would tell him about it? The lawsuit isn’t just the hospital, it’s him too. Counseling could be construed as a sign of guilt.”
“Fuck the lawsuit,” Peggy stood up. “This is Nick’s mental health we’re talking about.”
I stood too, inhaling a deep breath. “I know what you’re saying, but this lawsuit could hurt his career. How do you think that would help his mental health? I’ll talk to him—”
“Yeah right. You’ll probably tell him to get his act together because he’s a liability.”
I wanted to tell her she was wrong, but with my legal hat on, she wasn’t. “I care about Nick too.”
“Not as much as you want to kiss the admins’ ass.” She headed to the door.
“Should I apologize for my job? If the admin comes down and wants to put this fiasco on you, should I let them do that to protect Nick?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you saying the admin is setting Nick up to take the fall?”
I hoped I didn’t wince outwardly. “I’m saying that just like you, when I’m working, I have to be professional.”
She studied me for a moment and then shook her head. “Forget I was here. If you tell anyone what I told you, I’ll deny it. I won’t let you use it against Nick.”