“Of course.” There was an uncomfortable pause. “If he’s able and wants the position, I’ll do what I can to make sure he gets it.”
“You mean if he gets out of Crest Haven,” Marc said.
Jacob looked like he was going to fall through the floor. “Madeline told you about that?”
“She was upset,” Claire replied. “She needed someone to talk to—I’m a very good listener. The important thing is that you believe in Conrad and have faith that he’ll be up to assuming such a significant position. That will ease Madeline’s mind. She and her ex are still very good friends. They stay in touch. The fact that anyone would question his integrity really threw her.”
“Why didn’t she come to me herself?” Jacob asked.
“Because she’s proud. Because she wanted the truth, and she wasn’t sure you’d say it straight to her face. And since we happen to be an investigative firm, she thought we’d be the best intermediaries to pursue this on her behalf.”
“I see.” It didn’t take a professional to see that Jacob was really shaken up by this meeting. “I didn’t know about this gossip, but I’ll find out who’s spreading it and put an end to it. Please tell that to Madeline. And tell her I plan on speaking to her myself, to reiterate my personal commitment to Conrad.”
“We certainly will.” Claire gave a bright smile. “From what Madeline has told me, Conrad’s doctors feel he’s improving rapidly. By th
e time your due diligence is done, he should be able to return and lead the combined surgical staff of the new entity.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.”
Yeah, right, Marc thought. You sound about as happy as a kid who’s getting detention.
“Thank you for seeing us, Mr. Casper,” Claire said. “We won’t take up any more of your time. And we’ll convey your support to Madeline right away.”
“Please do,” Jacob replied. “I want this cleared up as soon as possible.”
He stared after Claire and Marc as they left his office and made a left turn toward the elevators.
The minute they disappeared, he shut the door and picked up the phone.
* * *
“You know he’s calling someone by now,” Marc commented as they exited the hospital. “The question is, who?”
“Sharon Gilding,” Claire supplied. “They’re sleeping together. She’s using him to get the chief of surgery job. And he’s an idiot who thinks she’s really into him.”
“Sounds right.”
Claire gave a shudder. “This is one of those times I wish I could wash my mind out with soap. The two of them together...yuck.”
A chuckle. “Kinky stuff?”
“Let’s drop it. I might puke.”
“Okay, then let’s take this in another direction.” As he spoke, Marc and Claire veered toward the subway station. “I’m sure you agree with me that Casper knew about the rumors.”
“Definitely.”
“And he’s not shutting down because he doesn’t want to air the hospital’s dirty laundry in front of me. From what you just told me, I’d say he’s being led around by his dick.”
“He is.” Claire nodded. “The feeling of manipulation, greed and determination to get what they want at all costs came through loud and clear. But murder? I couldn’t get a handle on that. I’m just not sure. There was darkness and there was ugliness. If I’d only picked up on pure evil, it would have been easier. But this was murkier. I’m not sure why.”
“From a behavioral standpoint, Casper was a wreck. He emanated guilt and deception. The question is, was that simply because he’s afraid Bitch Doctor will dump him if he doesn’t deliver her the job she wants? Or was it because he thought we were onto them for something a lot bigger than sex and political bullshit.” Marc frowned. “He’s a guilty man. I just don’t know how guilty. So we definitely can’t scratch him or Gilding off our list of suspects. The motive and the body tells are there.”
Claire nodded again, taking longer strides to keep up with Marc.
“Anything else in the claircognizant realm?” Marc asked.
“As a matter of fact, yes,” Claire replied. “I got some different kind of harsh vibes from Janet Moss. That bruise of hers—I kept getting flashes of a major altercation and a severe threat. Whoever smacked her was female and in quite the rage. Plus, I kept getting a sense of Casey—as if she was right between them. Not physically but spiritually. Her presence was strong.”