Mount Mercy

Everyone followed his finger to a guy in a suit. The guy’s face went pale.

“You did that!” Corrigan bellowed. The Irish in his voice was sharp and hard as an axe blade. “You twisted his arm until it snapped. Because he was late for school?!”

The elevator doors started to close. I shoved them open again.

“That’s bullshit!” said the guy. He took a step back, then another, but Corrigan was coming too fast. “I told you, he fell. He was running—”

Corrigan reached him. “I saw the burns on his back,” he spat. “Did he fall onto two dozen lit cigarettes?”

And he slammed his fist into the guy’s face.

14

Amy

THE PUNCH had all of Corrigan’s fury behind it. The guy in the suit staggered backwards, hit a gurney and tumbled over it, tipping it over with an almighty crash. For maybe the first time ever, Mount Mercy’s ER went utterly silent. I stumbled out of the elevator and stood panting in shock.

Corrigan stood over the felled man, his breath shaky with anger, his chest heaving. I’d never known he was capable of this. He wasn’t a violent man, he was gentle. But this came from somewhere down deep, something he couldn’t fight. It was a father’s protective rage.

I thought of the night before, in the bar, when he’d called Rebecca Rachel. What if it hadn’t been just a random slip? What if he had a daughter? It would explain why Rebecca’s injuries got to him so much. There was definitely no ring on his finger, so...he must be divorced. I wonder how often he sees them?

The guy in the suit slowly got to his feet. Blood was dripping down his face from a broken nose. At the same moment, Bartell rushed into the room along with a security guard. “What the hell is going on?” he bawled, already glaring at Corrigan.

“This son of a bitch hit me.” The guy in the suit stabbed his finger at Corrigan. “I’ll sue!”

Corrigan’s breathing slowed. He looked around and then his shoulders fell. He knew he’d screwed up. He’d likely wind up with an assault charge which could lead to him losing his license, plus the hospital would be sued. Worst of all, the assault would be used to make the father look like the victim in court and he might get away with the child abuse. Unless…. “He hit me first,” said Corrigan, his voice loud in the silent room.

“Bullshit!” snapped the guy in the suit, his hand to his nose to try to staunch the bleeding.

Bartell looked around the room. “Did anyone see what happened?”

Everyone had seen what happened. And most of the people standing there had been in the Krüger’s the night before, drinking on Corrigan’s tab. But… I watched, horrified, as one by one they all looked at the ground. No one was prepared to lie for him and put their own career on the line, even if it meant a child abuser went free. Now I knew how he’d made so many friends so easily: he hadn’t. Just a load of hangers-on who were happy to drink and laugh with him but turned tail when he needed them. And Corrigan didn’t look surprised. This is how he likes things, I realized. At each new hospital, he’d build a reputation as a party animal, a fun guy to know... but he’d make no real friends.

He was as lonely as me.

“You’re through, Corrigan!” Bartell snapped. “Clear your locker!”

Corrigan drew in a deep, shuddering breath and for a moment I thought he was going to yell. Then he just nodded. I saw a few people glance at each other, upset but not surprised. I remembered Krista’s book on how many days he’d last. But this isn’t right! He’s a great doctor!

“I saw it!” I blurted.

For once, it was quiet enough that I could be heard in the ER. Bartell slowly turned to stare at me.

I swallowed. I’m a terrible liar. Even for dumb little things like Krista’s surprise birthday party. This was huge. “That guy hit Doctor Corrigan first,” I said.

Bartell’s eyes seared into me. He knew. I felt like a kid being stared down by the principal. I’d never been in trouble with him before, not once, in two years—

I glanced at Corrigan. Then I looked back to Bartell and nodded stubbornly.

Bartell ran a hand over his face tiredly. And then, just for a second, I thought I saw him soften. He pointed the security guard towards the guy in a suit. “Watch him,” he ordered. “And call Child Services and the police.” He glared at the rest of us. “Everyone get back to work!”

Everyone made themselves scarce. And suddenly it was just Corrigan... and me.

15

Dominic

I STOOD THERE for a second just gaping at her. Then, without willing it, I was crossing the room, eating up the distance between us in huge strides. I had to force myself to pull up when there was still space between us or I would have grabbed her right then.