Mine at Last Page 3

  Her job was the last step before finalizing the buyout, and so far, she wasn’t impressed. Midway through a reference to expedite the triage process, her cell phone vibrated. She pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID. “Hey, Pearl,” she said quietly as she looked around. “How are you? Everything okay?”

  “No, everything’s not okay. I’m losing my mind and I’m bored out of my skull. This retirement thing is for the birds. I’m up early because I’ve gotten up early every day of my life since I was fourteen years old. And what do I do? Twiddle my thumbs all day. Where’s the sense in that? When are you getting here?”

  Shauna smiled and chuckled to herself. Pearl Tyson was a heavyset woman with long, thick black hair that she proudly told everyone took years to grow and she was never cutting. She grew up in foster care and became extremely successful on her own terms. She was Shauna’s mother’s best friend years ago. They lived next to each other before all the craziness started, and out of all her mother’s friend’s, she was the only one to stand by her side when the trouble came. “I’m here now. I got in late last night. I was going to call you this weekend.”

  “You should have called me last night. I’m going crazy here.”

  “Why don’t you watch some television?”

  “Yeah, right,” she said sarcastically. “Five hundred TV channels and there’s not a single thing worth watching on any of them. I swear if I see one more reality show or one more morning or afternoon chitchat talk show yapping about mindless celebrity and want-to-be-celebrity nothing, I’m going to throw the TV out of the window.”

  Shauna chuckled and shook her head. When said by most people, the comment would be just an open, empty threat. But coming from Pearl Tyson, it was quite possibly true. Pearl was the only person she knew in Key West now. All of her old so-called friends from high school had long since shown their colors. But Pearl had stayed by her family’s side for years. Because both her parents were gone, Pearl, a childless orphan herself, had stepped into the role as Shauna’s pseudomother and had been at her side ever since.

  She was there through college and when Shauna opened her own successful medical consulting business. She was Shauna’s biggest fan. She even helped her land one of her company’s biggest clients, Cura Medical Group. The Cura Group bought medical facilities. Their newest potential acquisition was the Key West Medical Center. This brought her full circle back to Key West. “No, don’t toss the TV.”

  “All right, enough of this. So, what are you up to today?”

  “Right now I’m sitting in the E.R. checking the place out.”

  “Don’t you usually do that earlier in the mornings?” Pearl said.

  “Yes, I do and I did, but...” she hedged.

  “But what?” Pearl prompted.

  “I was interrupted and then it got a little complicated.”

  “Complicated, what do you mean, ‘complicated’?” Pearl asked.

  Shauna took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This wasn’t exactly what she wanted to talk about, but she knew Pearl would understand. “It’s no big deal. I got thrown out, that’s all,” she said, saving her document and exiting her file.

  Pearl chuckled. “What, you got thrown out? What did you do?”

  “Nothing. It was a mistake. They thought I was a reporter.”

  “Why did they think that?”

  “It’s a long story and not important.”

  “Fine, don’t tell me. So, who threw you out? Security?”

  “Yeah, with the insistence of one of the doctors here,” she said.

  Pearl chuckled again. “Oh, my God, this is so much better than daytime TV. So, which doctor?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Hell, yeah, it matters. Come on. I’m bored, I need details.”

  Shauna sighed again. “Dr. Dominik Coles.”

  “I know Dr. Coles. He works at the doctors’ clinic—tall and gorgeous, right?”

  “Yeah, something like that,” Shauna said.

  “Exactly like that. So, what made him think you were a reporter?”

  “If I had to guess, I’d say that some busybody told him I was asking her questions about the staff. They’re pretty paranoid around here.”

  “Oh, yeah, right, because of the malpractice lawsuits.”

  “Yeah, that would be my guess.”

  “Well, anyway, you’re back. When are you going to officially start the auditing process?”

  “I’m going to meet with the hospital administrator, Dr. Gilman, today, as soon as I leave here.”

  “I thought the appointment was for next week.”

  “It is, but because I got the go-ahead email report early this morning, I figured I might as well get started. Cura Medical is anxious to get this one finalized one way or another.”

  “Yeah, I read in the newspaper that they’re really interested in buying Key West Medical Center. The paper said that an inside source was quoted saying that the accounting department’s report went through and the numbers checked out. To tell you the truth, after everything with the E.R., I expected worse.”

  “You can’t always trust the accounting numbers,” Shauna said skeptically. “Besides, that’s just surface numbers reporting. The books never give an accurate depiction of feasibility. And I know how easily the books can be manipulated. I’ve seen it done a hundred times.”

  “True,” Pearl said.

  “Cura Medical could be buying a ship sinking into a bottomless pit.”

  “Or they could be buying a gold mine,” Pearl countered.

  “True, but in the meantime, turn off the TV and read a book.”

  “I’ve read everything in the house.”

  “What about downloaded books on the ereader?” Shauna asked.

  “Yeah, I guess I could do that,” Pearl said.

  “Download a book and I’ll be there this evening. I’ll take you to dinner.”

  “No, I’ll cook dinner here. Seven o’clock okay?”

  “Yes, it sounds perfect. I’ll pick up dessert. Is there anything in particular you’d like?”

  “Go to Nikita’s Café on Main Street. Everything there is delicious.”

  “Okay, sounds good. I’ll see you at...”

  “Help me! Help me! Please, somebody help me!”

  Shauna, hearing the pleas for help, stopped speaking and looked up, as did everyone in the immediate area. A man had rushed in with a woman barely in his arms. He struggled carrying her and then crumbled to his feet as he approached the desk. Shauna stood and watched. “Pearl, I’ll see you at seven. Bye.”

  “Please, somebody help her. It’s my wife—she needs help now.”

  Instantly, the nurse at the check-in desk rushed from behind the counter. As she approached, the man fell to the floor with the woman on top of him. Seconds later the doors from the triage area burst open and security appeared, followed by two nurses. A doctor in a white coat quickly followed on their heels.

  Shauna grabbed her things and stepped up to watch, along with a few other people. The doctor and nurses began helping the woman while asking the man questions about what happened. A few seconds later, Shauna looked up and saw Dominik come out and push through those standing around. “Get these people back,” he ordered to security, “and get a gurney out here now. What’s the status?” He knelt down beside the other doctor as he quickly examined the woman, assessing her symptoms.

  Security began moving people back to the main waiting area. Shauna managed to avoid them while staying close to the situation.

  “Eyes and mouth are swollen, breathing’s shallow and labored, heart palpitations, pulse erratic,” the doctor said on a rush, “onset severe anaphylactic shock.”

  “Sir, what happened?” Dominik asked the man who seemed to now be in shock, too. He just stared at his wife, motionless. “Sir, we need your help here. What happened to her?” he repeated.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know, we were eating dinner and she just started scratching her face and wheezing. The
n she said she couldn’t breathe and was grabbing at her throat and gasping for air, but she’s not asthmatic. She stood up and then fell into my arms. I grabbed her and drove here as fast as I could.”

  “What’s her name?” Dominik asked.

  “Um, um, Anna. Anna Gomez. No, it’s Anna Carpenter. We just got married. We’re on our honeymoon. Please, help her.”

  “Anna. Anna, can you hear me?” the other doctor asked. The woman moaned and rolled her head erratically.

  “She’s nonresponsive,” Dominik said. “Let’s get her to the back.”

  “Anna, hold on. We’re gonna get you better. Sir, what medications is she taking?” the doctor asked the man.

  “I don’t know. I can’t remember. I...”

  “Where’s that gurney?” Dominik yelled over his shoulder. Just then, a hospital gurney burst through the doors followed by another nurse. Dominik and the doctor picked up the woman and placed her on the narrow bed. “Come on, let’s go,” he ordered as the nurses began pushing the gurney back through the doors. The other doctor ran alongside. Dominik stayed.

  While everyone else watched the gurney pass through the back doors, Shauna watched Dominik as he guided the anxious husband to the side. They spoke quietly for a few minutes, then Dominik nodded and asked a nurse to escort him to the inside waiting area. When the tense situation passed, he looked around at all the concerned faces. He spoke to security, then turned to go to the back.

  That was when he spotted Shauna. He paused a brief instant and stared at her. They connected and there was the barest hint of recognition, but the glimmer vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. She opened her mouth to speak, but then his cell beeped. He grabbed it off his belt, slid his key card and quickly disappeared through the back doors. Just that fast, he was gone.

  Shauna looked around. Although there was a definite buzz centered on what had just happened, it was also evident that everything was back to as it was. A nurse stepped out and called out two names, and instantly, the tenseness of the past five minutes was gone and everyone went back to waiting for medical attention.

  Shauna left the E.R. and headed out to the main hospital lobby. She took the elevator to the administrative offices. She pulled out her Cura Medical Group lanyard and placed it around her neck. Shauna took a deep breath and stilled her nerves.

  She wasn’t sure it was a good idea to come here. Perhaps she should have passed on this assignment and let someone else take it. But she didn’t. She was a professional and it was too late now. Cura was already several months into the process. She couldn’t back out now without questions being asked and damaging her reputation in the process. No, she had to see this through. And more important, it was time to put all this behind her.

  The rest of the hospital’s operations and assessments had been completed and this was the last thing that had to be done—the overall performance and the E.R. evaluation. If she filed a bad report, the Cura Medical Group would pass on the deal.

  The elevator doors opened and she walked down the narrow corridor with the high-polished floors. The walls were lined with poster-size pictures of children in medical outfits helping other children. At the end of the hall was a glass door. She pushed through and came to an open area with a woman sitting at a reception desk.

  She looked up and half smiled. “This office is hospital administration. How may I help you?”

  “Good afternoon, I’d like to speak with Dr. Gilman, please.”

  The woman looked Shauna up and down with her nose perched a few inches in the air. Her assessment was slow and methodical. Shauna assumed she was trying to figure out if she was a reporter. She could have saved the woman trouble, but this was also part of her examination—office staff serviceability. “Your name and company?” the woman finally asked tightly.

  “My name is Shauna Banks. I’m from the Cura Medical Group. Dr. Gilman should be expecting me.”

  The receptionist, wearing thick, red-framed glasses and matching lipstick, opened her computer screen and typed something in. She looked up at Shauna and smiled triumphantly. “Your appointment is for next week. You’re early,” she said snidely.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “It’s Friday afternoon and Dr. Gilman is very busy.”

  “I understand. Please inform Dr. Gilman that I’m here.”

  The woman sighed and picked up the phone. She pressed a few keys, then waited a second or two. “I’m sorry, there’s no answer in the office. Perhaps you can come back at your scheduled appointment time next week. I’m sure Dr. Gilman will be available at that time.”

  Shauna smiled. “Fine, thank you. Have a good weekend,” she said, then turned to leave. As she pushed through the glass doors, she passed an older woman quickly coming into the office. They smiled politely at each other as Shauna continued to the elevator. She got in and removed her lanyard. Moments later the doors opened. Security was standing there waiting for her.

  “Ma’am, we’d like to escort you back to Dr. Gilman’s office.”

  Shauna nodded. “Sure, thanks.” She stepped back into the elevator with two huge security guards at her sides. The elevator ascended in silence. As soon as the doors opened, the same older woman she passed moments earlier smiled and extended her hand. “Good afternoon. Welcome to Key West Medical Center.”

  “Thank you,” Shauna said as she stepped out, leaving the guards to take the elevator back down. “Dr. Gilman?”

  “Yes, I am Margaret Gilman,” the woman said happily.

  “Dr. Gilman, I’m Shauna Banks, representing the Cura Medical Group. You’re expecting me.”

  “Yes, yes, indeed I am. Ms. Banks, please come into the office.” They pushed through the glass doors. Shauna spared a quick glance at the receptionist, who was surprisingly engulfed in typing something in the computer. “Ms. Banks, I’m so sorry about the mix-up earlier at the reception desk. I’m afraid we’re a bit cautious because of the reporters. We’ve had every scam and trick in the book thrown at us for interviews and bogus copycat lawsuits. Had I known you were coming in early, I would have had someone escort you directly to my office.”

  “I’m afraid that’s all part of my job. I’m here to observe and report my experiences with your staff and service, as well,” Shauna said.

  “Yes, of course. I understand,” she said, opening her office door. A blast of heat hit them instantly. “I’m sorry about the heat. The air-conditioning in this office is on the fritz. Feel free to take off your jacket. Please, have a seat. Can I get you something cold to drink?”

  “No, thank you, I’m fine. This is just a preliminary meeting to give you an idea of what I’ll be doing the next few weeks. Just as with my previous associates, I would appreciate it if my association with Cura is confidential except to you and your E.R. department head.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “It’s very difficult to get a fair and unbiased appraisal of your hospital staff and procedures if everyone is on their best behavior.”

  Dr. Gilman nodded repeatedly. “I understand completely.”

  “Good. Now, I understand due to recent very unfortunate circumstances surrounding your E.R., you are without a department head. I can tell you that Cura is very concerned about this situation. By all accounts the buyout process was looking favorable, but this new development has definitely put a wrinkle in the process. Without an acceptable director, I can’t completely do my job, and it would be very unlikely that I can...”

  “Well, actually, Ms. Banks, we’ve recently elected an acting department head. He’s accepted the position and we’re thrilled and honored to have him. He’s a brilliant doctor with very deep roots in Key West and in this community. His medical record is exceptional and his ethics are without blemish. He’s extremely respected throughout the medical community.”

  “I see. Okay, that’s wonderful and a very positive step in the right direction. Hopefully we can complete this process within the next few weeks. So, that said, might it be possible to meet y
our new acting E.R. director today?”

  “Yes, of course, definitely. I can have him here in a few minutes,” Dr. Gilman said, then picked up her phone to call. Just then, there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” she called out. A young woman opened the door and walked in.

  “Excuse me, Dr. Gilman. The attorneys are here for your five-thirty teleconference with the board of trustees. It’s set up in the main conference room.”

  “Oh, no, it completely slipped my mind,” she said, frowning. “Ms. Banks, I really need to speak with our attorneys. If you’ll excuse me, I should be no more than fifteen to twenty minutes.”

  “Yes, of course. Our meeting wasn’t scheduled. I completely understand. Take as much time as you need.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding.”

  Shauna began gathering her things. “I can leave and come back.”

  “Oh, no, that won’t be necessary. Please, wait right here. I’ll have the acting head of the E.R. department, Dr. Coles, join you,” she said, nodding to her assistant to make it happened. “The two of you can meet and plan out the next few weeks together and...”

  Shauna’s stomach had dropped and her eyes had widened. “Wait, excuse me, who did you say was the E.R. head?” Shauna asked hesitantly.

  “Dr. Coles, Dominik Coles. He’s our new acting E.R. department head. He’ll be right here.”

  The sound of his name stopped her heart. She froze in place.

  Chapter 4

  The offhand “It’s gonna be one of those days” remark Dominik made earlier that morning turned out to be a gross understatement. He’d been running around since dawn and every minute of his day had been rationed out to paperwork, lawyers, staff and intermediate medical services. He was a bureaucratic paper pusher. Years in medical school and intense training had been wasted to sitting behind a desk and on the phone placating staff and begging for more money from the powers that be who had nothing to spare.

  He sat back and looked at his desk, taking a much-needed moment to chill. There was a never-ending battle going on pitting him against a massive montage of need-to, have-to and should-have-been-done-six-weeks-ago facing him. Making headway was more like running backward up a steep mountain on roller skates in the middle of a snowstorm.