Chapter Seven

Ernie and Trapper met in the parking lot early and walked to the hospital together. They stopped when they heard a loud car behind them, and turning, they watched a Mustang pull into a parking space, all the while, the smile on Trapper’s face getting bigger and bigger.

“Trapper, you look like you just won the lottery,” said Ernie.

“Ernie, do you have any idea what that is?” he said, nodding toward the car.

“No, but you’re about to tell me, aren’t you.”

“It’s a 1970 Boss 302 Mustang; the fastest street car ever built.” His smile was gone and his brow furrowed when he saw who got out of the car. Putting his arm around Ernie, he turned her toward the entrance to the hospital. “Don’t look now, but Leah Haverty just got out of that car.”

“I guess she likes muscle cars,” said Ernie, chuckling.

“I’d bet it has more to do with image and power. Ernie, I have a list of surgeons I want you to call. Ask them to say they aren’t taking new patients if Leah Haverty calls.”

“Your appointment with her is today, isn’t it?” When he was silent, she stopped and asked, “You didn’t say what the appointment was for, did you?”

Trapper rolled his eyes. “Do you think she’d come if she knew? Anyway, I have a secret weapon.” Ernie looked up at him with wide eyes. Looking around him to see if anyone was within earshot, he said quietly, “Gonzo.”

***

“Nurse Shoop.”

Ernie looked up to see Ms. Haverty standing at the counter. “What can I do for you, Ms. Haverty,” she said, looking back down at the chart she was updating.

“I have an appointment with Dr. McIntyre, but he’s not in his office. Do you know where I can find him?”

“Yes, he’s in exam four.”

Leah looked doubtfully down the hall. “Is he with a patient?”

Ernie raised her eyebrows, acting uninterested. “Not yet. You can go on in.”

Turning, but hesitating, Leah felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. This was highly unusual. Still, she took a deep breath and marched down the hall to the exam room. When she opened the door, Gonzo looked up from a chart he was studying. “Dr. Gates? I was supposed to meet Dr. McIntyre here.”

As soon as she was through the door, Trapper pushed it closed and stood in front of it, leaning back and crossing his arms.

Glaring, she took a slow breath before she turned. “McIntyre, I don’t have time for your little games. If this isn’t about the system, we have nothing to discuss.”

“Did you know Dr. Avery retired?” asked Trapper calmly.

She froze and held her breath for a moment before she answered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and you’re wasting my time again,” she said, reaching around him for the door handle.

Trapper didn’t budge. “He referred your case to me.”

“Wh…why would he do that?” she stuttered.

“Because he knew you were in San Francisco, and he knew I was available.”

“Surely, there’s another surgeon who can take my case. What are you not telling me?” she asked angrily. “I don’t believe he just picked you out of the blue.”

“Cyclosporine is used to treat two conditions, and Dr. Avery isn’t a dermatologist. I saw the pill bottle on your desk.”

She turned away, wringing her hands, looking at the equipment in the room. “What do you want?”

“Dr. Gates will be your attending. I’ll be consulting.”

Chuckling nervously, she looked at Gates. “You’re a little young, aren’t you?”

“Trust me. I’m older than I look,” said Gonzo, giving her a reassuring smile. “You haven’t had a checkup in eighteen months. It’s past time.”

“I can’t today. I have appointments,” she said, heading for the door. Trapper didn’t move, and when she met his eyes, she saw nothing but concern. “Don’t even try to pretend that you care.”

“Leah, believe it or not, I understand. I know why you present yourself as cold and unapproachable. I know why you volunteer at the children’s hospital. I even know why you drive the car you drive.”

She turned her back to him. “So now you’re a shrink.”

“He doesn’t have to be a shrink,” said Gonzo. “All he has to do is read your medical history. But now that you’ve brought it up, I’m going to schedule you for some sessions with Dr. Matthews, our staff psychologist.”

Leah had walked away from both men and now faced a wall. “I don’t need a shrink. And I feel fine. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“Leah, you know better than that,” said Gonzo. “You knew when you woke up from surgery that you’d be under constant watch for the rest of your life. And according to your files, you never saw a psychologist after the accident. Now, we’re not leaving this room until we do an echo of your heart and you take a stress test. I’ll ask Dr. Matthews to talk with you after we’re done.”

“And if I refuse?”

Trapper turned and leaned against the door on his shoulder. “Then I’ll contact the human resources department of your employer and recommend you be put on medical leave until we can verify that you are alright.”

Spinning around, she spat, “You can’t do that. I’m in the middle of an implementation. There’s no one else who can do it.”

“Not true. You’re far enough along that Mark can handle it.”

She stiffened and turned her back to Trapper again, her breath heavy. “If you force me to take leave, they’ll never bring me back. If they find out about…they’ll find a reason to let me go.”

She jumped when Trapper put his hands on her shoulders and spoke quietly. “I doubt that. After all, you are one of the best at what you do. And if these tests come out normal, there’s no reason to tell them.” Turning her around to face him, he continued. “Now, I’m going to ask Nurse Shoop to assist Dr. Gates. I’ll be back to take at look at the results,” he said, smiling. When she looked up at him, he met her eyes, and for the first time, he saw fear.