Grumpy Doctor

“You might reconsider,” he said. “They believe they can help you, in return.”

The light turned, but I didn’t cross. I stared at Ted, mouth hanging open slightly, trying to understand what he was saying to me—but his meaning was clear enough.

“You’re trying to bribe me.”

He shook his head. “Of course not. I’m merely mentioning that my clients have extensive connections to hospitals all across the country, and they’re willing to put those connections to use. They could benefit you greatly, Dr. Court.”

I sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out. I was stuck standing at the light for another round of cars, and I felt absolutely trapped. I should’ve been shocked and appalled that they were stooping so low, but it didn’t particularly faze me.

There was so much money involved in this lawsuit. I didn’t know for sure, but I could guess at how much they wanted from the hospital and from Piers in particular. He wouldn’t have to pay, of course—his insurance would cover a huge portion, but his premiums would skyrocket, and might get so expensive that he couldn’t practice medicine anymore.

This could ruin him. And I could benefit from that.

“I don’t want their help,” I said. “If I’m going to talk about Piers—and I mean that I might not—but if I do, I’m going to be honest. And I’m going to do it because I want to.”

“I understand your reluctance to accept any sort of help from my clients,” Ted said, speaking slowly and softly as more people lined up around us, waiting to cross. “But believe me when I say this, life is a very messy thing. There’s no black or white, only shades of dirty gray. I’ve seen a lot in my time, Dr. Court, and much of it has been very ugly. You’re young, and you have a promising career ahead of you. I truly want you to make the right choice.”

I felt my anger flare up again. I knew I should keep it under control but I couldn’t help myself. “You’re threatening me now.”

“Only stating a fact.”

“Then listen to this fact—” The light turned again, and people began to cross. “Go fuck yourself. Don’t follow me.”

I stalked off, moving with the flow of pedestrians, and thankfully he listened.

I was fuming as I made my way back to my small apartment. I lived in a studio tucked in the back of a building at the far edge of Rittenhouse, closer to the Schuylkill River. It was a decent building, and one day when I wasn’t buried under a mountain of medical school debt, I’d be able to afford something even better.

Standing there, looking at my entire world, I wondered if I was making the right choice.

That Tippett family could change my life. I could give them what they wanted, and it might not even destroy Piers. Maybe his premiums went up—he’s still survive. He was skilled enough that it wouldn’t matter.

But as a matter of principal, I wouldn’t give in to their bribes or their threats.

I couldn’t believe I got sucked into such an ugly game. I knew Piers would be livid if I told him, and I decided to keep it to myself. That wouldn’t be the last time Ted approached me for information, and I wasn’t going to give him a damn thing, not if I could help it at least.

I didn’t know what I’d do if they called me into court. I wouldn’t lie for him, and I knew he wouldn’t ask me to, he’d already made that clear. Still, if they asked me if Piers was reckless, if he was an asshole, I didn’t know what I’d say.

I flopped down onto my bed and stared up at the ceiling, exhausted from work, ground down by my uncertainty, and angry at everything in between.

10

Piers

I leaned over Lori’s shoulder as she closed up the final stitch. She looked back at me, a bead of sweat on her forehead, and I nodded once.

She did a perfect job that time.

We scrubbed out as the nurses broke down the OR and took the patient to recovery. I’d go over and check on the patient later, make sure he was doing okay, but I felt a strange thrill, like my heart wouldn’t calm down.

I got like this sometimes after a particularly good procedure. It was like a high, like I’d taken a bump of cocaine or something, and I felt like I could run around the hospital a thousand times or smash through a wall with my forehead.

“Let’s go get a drink,” I said.

Lori laughed a little. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked almost as good as I felt. “I don’t know.”

“Come on. We’ll check on the patient later.” I grabbed her hand, not thinking, and pulled her along.

She went with me. I released her after a few feet, realizing that I was crossing a line again, but I couldn’t help myself.