{"id":7915,"date":"2011-05-10T11:15:08","date_gmt":"2011-05-10T15:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7915"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:25:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:25:24","slug":"matter-of-the-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7915","title":{"rendered":"Matter of the Heart (by MonicaSJ)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>A Trapper John MD story – Modernizing the way Trapper does things turns out to be a real chore for the woman who’s installing the new computer system at the hospital. Trapper finds she has a turbulent past, emotionally and physically, and digs in to find what makes her tick.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0T (161,6570 words)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Matter of the Heart<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter One<\/strong><\/p>\n

All Trapper wanted to do was clean up, get some coffee and breakfast, and then go to his office, close the door and stretch out. His morning had started earlier than usual with back to back emergency surgeries. He hated days that started like this.<\/p>\n

His shower was relaxing, and he lingered there enjoying the feel of the warm water cascading down his back. Coffee and breakfast were enjoyable enough with Gonzo to keep him entertained. But when he opened the door to his office, he stopped in his tracks, causing Nurse Shoop to run into him. \u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie Shoop had tried to intercept him\u2026to prepare him for what he was about to see, but he walked into the office like a man on a mission, proving to be too quick for her. \u201cGood morning, Trapper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErnie, we\u2019ve already had two surgeries, and it\u2019s barely six a.m. All I wanted was to come into my office and try to find something normal in my day.\u201d He looked back at her and glared, pointing at the contraption on his desk. \u201cThis<\/em>\u2026is not normal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, the project manager in the hospital\u2019s data processing department insisted on setting up your computer as one of the first. She said upper management needed to understand the system to set an example for everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper walked to his desk, looking down at the box and monitor with a scowl. \u201cI don\u2019t want a computer. I don\u2019t need a computer. Call her and tell her to come take it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell her yourself? She\u2019ll be here in\u2026\u201d Shoop looked at her watch, \u201c\u2026fifteen minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling sarcastically at Shoop, Dr. McIntyre said, \u201cI\u2019ll do just that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shoop grabbed the door knob to pull the door to, but before she stepped out, she stopped and looked back in. \u201cA word of advice, Trapper\u2026tread lightly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTread lightly,\u201d he repeated under his breath, looking at the closed door.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Nurse Shoop had already met the woman who stepped off the elevator, so she observed everyone else as they turned around and watched. Though the woman was immaculately dressed in a slender black skirt covering her knees, a white blouse with a short tie, and a fitted jacket that matched her skirt, her bearing made the people in the hall stand with their backs flat against the wall as she passed. Her blonde hair, drawn up into a bun so tight it looked painful along with her sharp-looking stiletto heels, a posture that would make any drill sergeant proud, and an expression that said, \u201cDon\u2019t waste my time,\u201d made them all rush to get out of her way as if they were hiding from a hungry, prowling killer shark.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Nurse Shoop.\u201d Without waiting for Ernie to return the pleasantry, she continued. \u201cWould you please direct me to Dr. McIntyre\u2019s office?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, even though she knew the gesture would be wasted, Ernie replied, \u201cI\u2019ll take you. I have some patient files to drop off. This way, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper didn\u2019t look up from his seemingly never-ending paperwork at a knock on the door. \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, Ms. Haverty from data processing is here to see you, and I have the charts from your surgeries this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Trapper gave Ernie a smile as he took the charts from her and waited for her to close the door behind her. He turned his attention to Ms. Haverty, extending his hand over the desk, \u201cMs. Haverty, John McIntyre. What can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Without shaking his hand, she said sternly, \u201cDr. McIntyre, you know why I\u2019m here, but I\u2019m sure you don\u2019t know the circumstances. Mr. Slocum said you might be difficult to work with. I assured him that I would personally handle your computer training.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, in that case, let me make your job a little easier.\u201d He sat down and flipped open one of the charts. \u201cTake it out of here. It\u2019s crowding my desk.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued, ignoring his last statement. \u201cAnd I can assure you, Doctor, it is so easy a caveman could use it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked at her over his glasses. \u201cThat may be true, but the simple fact is that I don\u2019t need it. I have no problem organizing my time for paperwork, and I have a secretary to help me. What I do not have time for is learning about something I don\u2019t need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, the only people who don\u2019t like computers are ignorant ones. Once you see what this \u2018magic light box\u2019 can do for you, you\u2019ll think it was the best invention since sliced bread.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI seriously doubt it. Now, if you\u2019ll excuse me, my work here is saving lives\u2026not playing with toys.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cVery well, Dr. McIntyre. I\u2019ll see you in Mr. Slocum\u2019s office in\u2026oh,\u201d she looked at her watch, \u201c\u2026about fifteen minutes.\u201d Wasting no time on his reaction, she was out the door before he looked up again.<\/p>\n

He frowned and drew in a heavy breath, then threw his pen on the desk, mumbling, \u201cArnold and his money-making schemes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper was still fuming when the phone rang. \u201cHello, Arnold. Has it already been fifteen minutes? Never mind. I\u2019ll be right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Nurse Gloria Brancusi stood behind the desk at the nurse\u2019s station looking through a stack of paper from the inbox. Ernie had just returned from Trapper\u2019s office. \u201cErnie, did you see this?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked over Gloria\u2019s shoulder. \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t see the announcement, but I did meet it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Snickering, Gloria asked, \u201cIt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve already had a visitor from the basement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat must be an awful place to work. There are no windows down there, so no natural light.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I understand, there\u2019s only twelve of them down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why not put them in some empty office space on one of the floors?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t you been keeping up with what comes in that inbox? There is no empty office space. We\u2019re full.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, ladies,\u201d said Jackpot Jackson, stopping to pull a chart behind the front desk. \u201cHave you heard about the new Systems Group down in the basement?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErnie and I were just talking about that,\u201d answered Gloria.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve already got a nickname \u2013 the \u2018shrooms,\u2019\u201d said Jackpot as he studied the chart.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not nice,\u201d said Ernie.<\/p>\n

Closing the chart and walking around the counter, Jackpot stopped and leaned in. \u201cIt fits. They come in early, go straight down to the basement and don\u2019t emerge until after dark in the evening. They\u2019re all in black suits and white shirts. What else could they be doing in the basement but growing mushrooms?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll find out soon enough,\u201d said Ernie, smiling. \u201cWe\u2019re all supposed to be trained on the new computer system. It\u2019s supposed to replace a lot of the paperwork we have to deal with around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnology,\u201d said Jackpot, shaking his head. \u201cWith all the new technology in medicine and now technology that\u2019s supposed to reduce our paperwork, we\u2019ll all soon be looking for a new career.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t think it will ever be that bad,\u201d said Ernie.<\/p>\n

Jackpot spoke over his shoulder as he turned to leave. \u201cWould you like to bet on it?\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pushing the already slightly opened door, Trapper leaned in. \u201cArnold?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, come on in. I understand you\u2019ve already met Ms. Haverty, so I\u2019ll dispense with the introductions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Trapper observed Ms. Haverty as he slowly sat next to her. She sat at an angle with her legs crossed and one foot wrapped around the other leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow Trapper, you have to take this training. It\u2019s not voluntary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold, why are we doing this? I haven\u2019t heard any complaints about the way we do things around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you haven\u2019t. It\u2019s not our people who are complaining. It\u2019s our investors. We have to find significant ways to save money and modernize our operations. Using a computer system is one of the ways we can do that. Trapper gave him a blank stare. \u201cAll the other hospitals are doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, you were in the board meeting when this was presented months ago. All of the department heads bought into it, except you. Weren\u2019t you listening?\u201d asked Ms. Haverty. She received a glare. \u201cAlright, you weren\u2019t listening, so I\u2019ll give you the gist of it. The first phase will put computers on the desks of key personnel. As the Chief of Surgery, you are one of those. It will save the hospital about three quarters of a million dollars a year. After the following two phases are implemented, the hospital will save around three million dollars a year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper turned to Arnold. \u201cAnd when you do expect me to have time to learn how to use this machine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really won\u2019t take that long, if you\u2019ll just do it,\u201d said Ms. Haverty.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper said, \u201cI believe I was addressing Mr. Slocum.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, find the time,\u201d answered Arnold. \u201cI\u2019m not asking. I\u2019m ordering.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen would you like to start, Dr. McIntyre?\u201d asked Ms. Haverty, leaning toward him wearing a triumphant smile.<\/p>\n

He regarded her, noticing she had quite a nice smile. Too bad it didn\u2019t match her haughtiness. \u201cI\u2019ll have my secretary set up an appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the next three days, please. Otherwise, you\u2019re compromising my schedule.\u201d She stood, shook Arnold\u2019s hand, and left the office.<\/p>\n

As Trapper bit the end of the arm of his glasses, Arnold stood and leaned over the desk. \u201cTrapper, give it a chance. It might mean you can actually leave the hospital on time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Trapper turned to leave, talking as he walked out the door. \u201cI doubt it.\u201d When he arrived back at his office, he walked past his secretary\u2019s desk, but then stopped and turned back. \u201cWhy the boxes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you knew, Trapper. The hospital is moving to secretarial pools now. Actually, they aren\u2019t even that. They\u2019re data entry. I either test for one of those positions or I\u2019m laid off as of the end of next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d he said angrily. \u201cWe\u2019ll see about that.\u201d He picked up the phone on her desk. \u201cArnold? You\u2019re laying off my secretary?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow calm down, Trapper. She\u2019ll have a chance to test for a new position.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold, I need my secretary. You can\u2019t just take her away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be doing most of the work she does for you on your computer. And there\u2019s no point in you writing out a letter for her to type when you can type it yourself on your own computer. Economic times are tough, Trapper, and they\u2019re just going to get worse. We have to remain competitive. Get used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Trapper could say anything else, he heard a click and a dial tone. Groaning, he continued into his office.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah Haverty slowly relaxed as the numbers ticked off the upper dial of the elevator. By the time the doors opened on the office space in the basement, she had her shoes in her hands. She walked down the middle aisle of the cubicals belonging to her staff, and went into her own extra-large cube, sliding the frosted glass door over the opening. Quickly, she pulled on a pair of black slacks under her skirt, and then slid her skirt off. \u201cMark,\u201d she called over the cubical wall. \u201cWould you come here, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

A man only a few years younger than she, stepped up to the wall of her cube and peeked over. \u201cHow\u2019d it go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping into her fuzzy pink piggy slippers, she answered, \u201cAs expected. Slocum warned me about McIntyre, so I didn\u2019t argue. I let Slocum tell him. Come in. I want to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark Hansen slid the glass door to one side, stepped in and sat down on a chair in front of Leah\u2019s desk. None of the staff wore their suit jackets in the office, shedding them and loosening their ties by the time the elevator reached the basement each morning. He slouched in the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cMark, I need you to train the other department heads. McIntyre is going to be a problem. I\u2019m sure it\u2019s going to take longer than we have in the schedule, and I\u2019ll be damned if he makes us miss our milestones.\u201d She handed him a piece of paper containing a graph. \u201cHere are the names and the schedule. Go ahead and get on their calendars. They get paged for emergencies frequently, so the sooner you get started, the better.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Mark left her office, Leah called McIntyre\u2019s secretary to schedule training with Trapper, knowing full well that he wouldn\u2019t. \u201cAnd Ms. Tisdale, please schedule me for a time when he has no pressing appointments in a three hour period.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll schedule you for Friday then. He tries to leave his calendar clear of any surgeries, so that is usually his lightest day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Ms. Tisdale.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ann Tisdale moved the receiver from her ear and looked at it. \u201cHow rude. She didn\u2019t even say goodbye before she hung up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho was that?\u201d asked Ernie who had just left Trapper\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ice Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you expect anything less?\u201d asked Ernie as she left the office.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah Haverty arrived at an empty office on Friday morning. She placed a book on Trapper\u2019s desk, and then sat in his chair, typing commands into his computer and writing down patient numbers, procedure numbers, and any other data she would need to train him. Once she was finished pulling training data, she moved to the chair in front of his desk and waited\u2026and waited. She expected him to delay his arrival at the hospital just enough to miss his training appointment, so before she entered his office, she stopped at his secretary\u2019s desk and was able to schedule the next three hours by asking Ms. Tisdale to shift some of his appointments to the afternoon. When Ms. Haverty explained that this appointment was mandatory, ordered from Mr. Slocum\u2019s office, the secretary felt obliged. The fact that Ms. Haverty wasn\u2019t very nice about it only made her argue less.<\/p>\n

When Trapper walked into his office at half past nine, he paused and smiled. As he had anticipated, the Ice Queen would be waiting for him. \u201cMs. Haverty, I\u2019m sorry I\u2019m late,\u201d he said, moving behind his desk and setting the book in the center to the side. He sat down and clasped his hands together, maintaining his patronizing smile. \u201cI\u2019m afraid we\u2019ll have to reschedule.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adjusting from her cross-legged position, she placed both feet on the floor and leaned forward with a self-satisfied smile of her own. \u201cThat\u2019s quite alright, Dr. McIntyre. I know you\u2019re a very busy man, so I scheduled the next three hours as a backup. We have plenty of time.\u201d Trapper\u2019s smile was instantly gone. \u201cNow, Dr. McIntyre, if you\u2019ll move your chair over in front of the keyboard, we\u2019ll get started.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore we start, I need to tell Ms. Tisdale to hold my calls unless it\u2019s urgent.\u201d While Ms. Haverty sat back and waited, Trapper left his office. \u201cAnn, would you tell Gonzo to call me in twenty minutes, and tell him to make it urgent?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled and winked. \u201cConsider it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning, Trapper went back into his office and took his seat. \u201cI\u2019m all yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Now let\u2019s talk about your reference book first. This book has a listing of all the commands you\u2019ll need to enter information into the application or retrieve information from the application. So let\u2019s open the book and start from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning back in his chair, Trapper either closed his eyes or looked up at the ceiling, listening to \u201cBlah blah blah,\u201d and typing whatever she asked him to type on the keyboard, then nodding at whatever came up on the screen.<\/p>\n

Twenty minutes into the session, his phone beeped. \u201cDr. McIntyre, you have an urgent call on line one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me for just a minute,\u201d he said, reaching across Ms. Haverty to answer his phone. \u201cDr. McIntyre. When did this start?\u201d<\/p>\n

On the other end, Gonzo was making up the story as he went. He stuttered when he had to come up with a name, and looking down on the table in front of him, he spied a package of ketchup.<\/p>\n

Ms. Haverty hit the speaker button. \u201c\u2026and so Mrs.\u2026Heinz\u2026collapsed right on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shooting up out of his chair, Trapper rushed around the desk and turned the speaker off, even as Ms. Haverty pulled the keyboard over in front of her and furiously entered something into the computer.<\/p>\n

Trapper never yelled, but his first words were loud enough for Ms. Tisdale to hear. \u201cDon\u2019t you ever\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ms. Haverty sat back and raised her hand to stop him, speaking firmly. \u201cDon\u2019t you even start with me.\u201d Turning the monitor around, she pointed at it. \u201cThere\u2019s no record of a Mrs. Heinz in any department in this hospital.\u201d Hanging up the phone, Trapper moved his hands to his hips and glared at her. She stood and stepped so close they were almost chest to chest. Flicking the name tag on his coat with a finger, she continued in a low, harsh tone. \u201cYou know, doctor, you wear your Chief of Surgery badge like a crown, and you have all your little minions do your dirty work. You\u00a0will<\/em>\u00a0learn to use this computer or you\u00a0won\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0be saving any lives. It\u2019s time to get over yourself, Dr. McIntyre, and stop wasting my time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lowering his head like he was about to charge, he grabbed her arm and pulled her across the office into his bathroom, standing her in front of his mirror. \u201cSay that last part again,\u201d he said sternly as he left the bathroom, closing the door behind him.<\/p>\n

Leaning with his hand on the door knob, he held it while she tried to pull it open. \u201cIf you don\u2019t let me out of here, I\u2019ll have you charged with unlawful detainment!\u201d<\/p>\n

When he finally let go, she stormed out of the bathroom over to his desk, jerked all the wires out of the back of the computer, moved the monitor to the middle of his desk and gathered her things. She straightened her jacket before she said angrily, \u201cDon\u2019t call me when you find you can\u2019t release any of your patients from the hospital.\u201d Moving the reference book and her notepad to the top of the computer, she picked it up, but when she turned toward the door, the heel of her shoe broke off, and she stumbled, catching herself on the arm of a chair where she deposited her arm load.<\/p>\n

Trapper rolled his eyes. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d he asked with a noticeable lack of concern in his voice.<\/p>\n

She glanced at him over her shoulder and exhaled loudly before she picked the computer up with her other things and hobbled out of Trapper\u2019s office on one shoed foot and one bare foot. As she hurried to the elevator, everyone in the hall and at the nurse\u2019s station stopped and snickered. Trapper followed her, leaning against the counter at the nurse\u2019s station with a pretentious smile, watching Ms. Haverty struggle to push the button in the elevator.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that mean you won round two?\u201d asked Ernie, grinning.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dear, that was the match,\u201d he answered, patting the counter and turning back toward his office.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mark Hansen was about to step onto the elevator as Ms. Haverty stepped out. She unceremoniously dumped the computer in his arms. \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following her to her cube without question, he stood and waited. She threw her shoe across the cube where it bounced into a corner, and then sat down hard in her chair. \u201cDon\u2019t just stand there, Mark. Sit down.\u201d It was easy to see she was angry, so he sat quietly until she had calmed herself. \u201cMark, I need you to handle McIntyre,\u201d she said while dumping a pill from a pill bottle into her hand, popping it into her mouth and taking a sip of water.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe? Why me?\u201d he asked, testily. He\u2019d never met anyone she couldn\u2019t handle, so the thought of dealing with McIntyre was a bit intimidating.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you know the system inside and out, you\u2019re a man, and you\u2019re good with people. Which makes me wonder why you chose programming in the first place. Most programmers are rather odd and prefer to work alone. Anyway, it\u2019s clear he\u2019s not going to accept training from me. Maybe he\u2019ll listen to a man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down at the computer in his lap, Mark said, \u201cWell, it\u2019s obvious it didn\u2019t go well, but it\u2019s not like you to let anyone gain the upper hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know when to cut my losses. Our schedule is more important than trying to deal with a man who\u2019s full of himself. And I\u2019m not letting him get the upper hand. We\u2019re waiting for a helpless phone call, I\u2019ll gloat a little while, and then I\u2019ll go up and set the trap. After that, he\u2019s all yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Leah, if you\u2019d treat all the king\u2019s men up in the ivory tower like you treat us down here, you wouldn\u2019t have a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and I wouldn\u2019t be able to make anything happen. I prefer them to be afraid of me. That way, they do what I ask just to get rid of me, and we make our schedules. But McIntyre. He thinks he is the king.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever thought about making friends with any one besides us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning around to face her computer, she typed a password in and answered. \u201cWhy bother? I don\u2019t usually stay in one place long enough to nurture friendships.\u201d She turned in her chair to look at him. \u201cExcept maybe for you because you keep following me around.\u201d She turned back to her computer. \u201cBesides, when you don\u2019t have friends or family, you don\u2019t get hurt. Anyway, I don\u2019t expect this to take longer than a day or two.\u201d She spun back around and leaned into her desk, pointing a pencil at him. \u201cDon\u2019t let him off the hook, and don\u2019t let him snow you. He didn\u2019t get where he is by being stupid, so I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll pick it up quickly enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s true, why is he giving you trouble now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he\u2019s old, and he\u2019s set in his ways. Old people don\u2019t like change. Now, get out of my cube. I have more specs to write,\u201d she ordered with a wink. \u201cOh, and Mark\u2026\u201d Mark turned back around on his way out. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to find some new cables for that CPU. I\u2019m sure I broke the ends off when I pulled them out,\u201d she said, smiling apologetically.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Two days later, when Leah answered her phone, she smiled, leaned back in her chair and listened. \u201cGood afternoon, Ms Haverty, this is Ernestine Shoop. Dr. McIntyre asked me to call. It seems he\u2019s unable to complete the release of a patient from the hospital without inputting an authorization code in the computer system. No one else seems to be able to do it for him, and without it the orders to release her can\u2019t be sent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNurse Shoop, Dr. McIntyre was given all his codes in his training\u2026oh, yes. He refused to take his training. I suppose he\u2019d like me to come and input his authorization code for him.\u201d All she heard was Ernie clearing her throat. \u201cTell him I\u2019ll meet him in his office in twenty minutes.\u201d Hanging up the phone, Leah yelled over the cube wall, \u201cMark, it\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twenty minutes later, Mark Hansen stepped out of the elevator in his black suit, white shirt and black tie. Gloria whispered to Ernie, \u201cIncoming \u2018shroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning and looking down the hall, Ernie asked, \u201cHow do you know he\u2019s from the basement?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey all dress the same\u2026black suits, white shirt, and highly polished shoes. Besides, look what he\u2019s carrying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, ladies,\u201d said Mark with a brilliant smile.<\/p>\n

Gloria glanced at Ernie with a quickly raised eyebrow. \u201cGood morning. How can I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you point me in the direction of Dr. McIntyre\u2019s office? He\u2019s learning to use his computer today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust follow this hall to the end, and then go into the offices on the right. His name will be on his door,\u201d answered Ernie.<\/p>\n

Winking, he said his thanks, and walked down the hall away from them with both ladies straining to lean far enough over the counter to watch him go. \u201cNice\u2026suit,\u201d said Gloria with a twinkle in her eye.<\/p>\n

Standing in the open door, he watched as Trapper sat on the sofa, reading a journal and sipping coffee. \u201cDr. McIntyre, I hate to interrupt your reading. I\u2019m Mark Hansen from the Systems Group.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper set the journal down on a table and stood, offering Mark his hand. \u201cMark, it\u2019s nice to meet you, but I thought Ms. Haverty would be meeting me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah\u2019s on her way. I just need to reinstall your computer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Leah Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking away for a moment with a furrowed brow, Trapper thought about that name. It certainly sounded sweeter than its owner appeared to be. \u201cPlease, go right ahead,\u201d said Trapper, motioning to the other side of the desk. He turned at the sound of a familiar voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see Mark is installing your computer,\u201d said Ms. Haverty, standing confidently in the doorway.<\/p>\n

Trapper smiled and looked down at her feet. \u201cNice shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah snorted. \u201cDr. McIntyre, I have no more time to waste on you. Mark will be training you, and at the end of your training, I\u2019ll give him your authorization codes so you can release your patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was scheduled to be released this morning,\u201d he said, turning his head slightly and frowning.<\/p>\n

Turning to leave, she replied, \u201cTake it or leave it\u2026the training, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Walking down the hall with Mark toward the cafeteria, Trapper continued their conversation from the office. \u201cMark, I still don\u2019t think this is going to replace everything my secretary does for me. Do you have any idea how long it will take me to type some of the letters I dictate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a consideration, Trapper, but we\u2019ve found that over a fairly short period of time and with regular use, you\u2019ll get pretty fast, even if you just use two fingers,\u201d Mark answered, holding up his index fingers. \u201cAnd you can still submit letters to the data entry group. There will be a couple of typing clerks there. We\u2019ve looked at the letters that typically go out, and we\u2019ve created some templates you may be able to use as well. You just change whatever you need to change and send it. The letter will print in the print room and will be delivered for you to sign.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each man took a tray when they entered the cafeteria. \u201cI\u2019ve never eaten here. What\u2019s good?\u201d asked Mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay away from anything fried.\u201d Trapper leaned over as if to say his next words quietly. \u201cAnd it has nothing to do with it being bad for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark grimaced. \u201cI\u2019ll keep that in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re into health food, you can\u2019t beat their salads,\u201d offered Trapper, taking down a salad for himself. Mark followed suit. Finding a table near a window, Trapper waited for Mark to be seated then lowered himself into a chair. \u201cTell me something, Mark. You\u2019re a fellow who\u2019s easy going\u2026easy to work with. Why is Ms. Haverty so\u2026rigid?\u201d he asked, pointing over to a corner table where Leah sat with her back to the occupants of the cafeteria. \u201cI mean look at her\u2026the epitome of unapproachable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah doesn\u2019t normally do any of the training, other than for her staff. She gives all the presentations to the decision makers of a company. But she comes out bearing claws when we run into hesitant people like you\u2026people who could cause some significant delays in the project. She\u2019s never delivered anything late in her life, including her children.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper stopped eating and looked up, surprised. \u201cChildren? She\u2019s married?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark met Trapper\u2019s stunned look, and then glanced over at Leah. \u201cShe was.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper soon realized there was a sudden silence at his table, so he steered away from personal questions. \u201cIs she that way with her staff?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all. When you get to know her\u2026if she lets you get to know her, she\u2019s actually very nice, very supportive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long have you worked for her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe graduated from Perdue a couple of years apart\u2026she was a student instructor. Since then, I\u2019ve always followed her on her assignments. If you want to learn this business, she\u2019s the one to learn it from. Where a lot of us struggle with the concepts, she seems like she was born to it. She\u2019s very musical, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that got to do with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMusical theory is almost pure logic. So is what we do. It stands to reason that computer programmers are generally good musicians.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper pushed his bottom lip up and gave a quick nod. \u201cNice to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be too judgmental of her, John. She\u2019s one of the few successful women in our industry. It\u2019s an industry dominated by men, and the only way she\u2019s survived is by standing toe-to-toe with them when it came time to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Studying Mark as he ate, Trapper creased his brow, and then moved his eyes over to Leah. Based on the small amount of information Mark gave him, Leah Haverty seemed to be quite a dichotomy. \u201cI\u2019ll keep that in mind for the next time I question her authority.\u201d<\/p>\n

That evening, as Trapper was leaving the hospital at 9:15 p.m., he ran into Leah Haverty, leaving at the same time. Opening the door for her, he said, \u201cGood night, Leah,\u201d as she passed.<\/p>\n

She stumbled to a stop and slowly turned around with a completely unexpressive look. \u201cMs. Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling and bowing slightly, he replied simply, \u201cGood night.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two weeks after Trapper\u2019s indoctrination to computers, he decided to make peace with Ms. Haverty. Taking the elevator to the basement, he was surprised when he stepped out into a relatively dim space, carpeted and quiet with a square of twelve cubicals, six on each side of one aisle and a large cube at the end of the aisle. The cubes reminded him of islands, each having its own light source shining down on just the area inside the cube. Trapper slowly walked down the aisle, listening and looking into the cubes. The area was almost silent except for the sound of the keys of keyboards clicking. The occupants of each cube sat with his back to the cube opening, oblivious of his presence. By the time Trapper got to the end of the aisle, he realized that all the cubes were occupied by men.<\/p>\n

The end cube was empty, but the tag on the outside bore the name of Leah Haverty. Trapper stepped in and looked around. The first thing he noticed because of their bright pink color was a pair of fuzzy slippers underneath the work table at the far end of the cube. He smiled, thinking that someone as hard as Ms Haverty appeared to be couldn\u2019t really be that cold if they owned a pair of\u2026he bent and looked closely at the slippers\u2026fuzzy pink\u00a0pig<\/em>\u00a0slippers. Other than the slippers, there didn\u2019t seem to be anything in the cube of a personal nature; various awards, charts, her computer, books\u2026all kinds of technical manuals. All the desk accessories were black and white just like the clothes she wore. The only thing that looked remotely out of place was a pill bottle. Picking it up, his mouth opened slightly when he recognized the name of the medication. He made a mental note of the prescribing physician, and then carefully replaced the bottle where it had been just before Ms. Haverty stepped into her cube, carrying her high-heeled shoes in her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWha\u2026what are you doing here?\u201d she stuttered. She bristled at his amused grin, and quickly slipped her shoes on. \u201cDr. McIntyre, I prefer appointments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll keep that in mind. But as long as I\u2019m here, may I speak to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She assumed her straight, rigid posture, and then cocked her head so severely Trapper heard her neck pop. \u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling and quickly glancing away for a moment to hide a chuckle, Trapper explained, \u201cI came down here to offer you an olive branch. There\u2019s really no reason for us to be at each other\u2019s throat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t recall going for your jugular, but that could change. Look around you Dr. McIntyre. Do you see anywhere at all in this office where an olive branch might survive?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a matter of fact, I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d she asked quite emphatically, looking around her cube.<\/p>\n

Giving her a wide grin, he walked by her out of her cube, and on the way to the elevator, he spoke a little louder than normal so she would hear him. \u201cHave a nice day, Leah!\u201d<\/p>\n

She stood motionless. What did he mean by finding a place where an olive branch might survive? And of all the nerve, coming down here into her domain! How would he feel if she suddenly intruded on his operating room? She stomped to her desk, kicked her shoes off and pushed her feet into her slippers.<\/p>\n

When Trapper stepped off the elevator on his own floor, he spotted Ernie at the nurse\u2019s desk. \u201cErnie, would you do me a favor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Trapper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you let me know when Ms. Haverty leaves for the day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how am I supposed to know that? We\u2019re not on the first floor near the door,\u201d said Ernie, clasping her hands on top of the counter.<\/p>\n

Leaning on one arm and laying his hand over hers, he smiled sweetly. \u201cYes, but you do have friends in admitting, do you not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie looked sideways at him. \u201cWhat are you up to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to attempt to turn the Ice Queen in the dungeon into a living, breathing human being.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Trapper. You don\u2019t want to take that on,\u201d Ernie warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? And why not? Wouldn\u2019t you prefer a warm work area to the freezer this place turns in to when she\u2019s here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark Hansen from the basement said there\u2019s a very good reason she\u2019s that way. He didn\u2019t say why, but in my experience, it has something to do with her heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thinking of the pills he found on her desk, he asked, \u201cWhy do you think something\u2019s wrong with her heart?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019m a woman, and I know a broken heart when I see one. Leave her alone, Trapper. I don\u2019t think she wants to be rescued.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmf,\u201d he replied, straightening. \u201cThen would you mind calling Dr. Avery at Cedars? Ask him to give me a call when it\u2019s convenient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat shall I say it\u2019s about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of his patients.\u201d He squeezed her arm with a smile, and walked down the hall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

A quick knock and an open door could mean only one person in particular walked into his office. Trapper didn\u2019t even look up. \u201cGonzo, do you think you could wait, at least, until you\u2019re invited in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy Trap? You\u2019ve usually got your head bent over your desk. It\u2019s not like I\u2019m gonna catch you in the act of\u2026\u201d Gonzo shoved his hands into his coat pockets, turned slightly and tightened his lips together, \u201c\u2026arguing\u2026with Ms. Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked up from his reading material and hovered his right hand over the keyboard of his computer. \u201cMark told me I could look up information about organ transplants. I\u2019m trying to figure out how to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning over Trapper\u2019s shoulder, Gonzo watched as Trapper typed something. \u201cWhat kind of information?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStatistics mainly, by the surgeons who performed them. There, you see; Dr. Avery\u2019s surgeries, by date, gender, age of the patient, procedure and success or failure. How old do you think the Ice Queen is?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo straightened up. \u201cUh, Trap. Is there something about Leah you\u2019re not telling me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah?\u201d said Trapper, looking up at Gonzo over his glasses. \u201cHow\u2019d you get to be on a first name basis with her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe volunteers at the university\u2019s children\u2019s hospital. I met her there when I was transferring a patient. Did you know she donated her time to install their system?\u201d<\/p>\n

The buzzer on Trapper\u2019s telephone sounded, and as he reached for the phone, he said, \u201cDoes the word dichotomy mean anything to you? McIntyre. Thanks, Ann.\u201d Pushing another button on the phone, Trapper said, \u201cAlton, thanks for getting back to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Gonzo pointed toward the door, Trapper shook his head and waved him over to the sofa. \u201cRetired? When did that happen? Well, congratulations. I\u2019m calling about a former patient of yours; Leah Haverty. Well, no, I didn\u2019t exactly find her. She\u2019s installing a new computer system here at San Francisco Memorial. I know of her already? Alton, I think I\u2019d remember meeting this woman. The news. Leah Lewis. John Lewis, the orthopedic surgeon? Let me think\u2026I seem to remember reading something about an accident. Uh huh. Uh huh. Oh. Yes, I remember now. She was the only one in the car who survived, but only because she got her husband\u2019s heart. Mm hm. I\u2019ll do my best, Alton. Thanks for calling.\u201d Trapper hung up the phone, leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead with his fingertips.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was Alton Avery at Cedars\u2026well, not anymore. He\u2019s retired. He just referred Leah\u2019s case to me since she\u2019s here in San Francisco. Apparently when she left LA she signed a release and transfer form for whoever Alton thought best, but he had no idea where she was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t help but overhear. Who would have guessed she\u2019s a transplant patient?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep. Alton said she\u2019s missed her last three checkups.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re not on very good terms with her. How are you gonna get her to let you take a look?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper leaned back up in his chair. \u201cAs the lady requested; set up an appointment. You said she volunteers at the children\u2019s hospital. What does she do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe entertains the kids in the long term care ward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe terminal kids?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

On his day off, Trapper walked through the doors of San Francisco Children\u2019s Hospital at the University of California, nodded to the nurse at the admittance desk as if he knew her and continued down the hall and up the elevator to the office area of the hospital. Leaning around a door frame, he said \u201cTom. Am I too early?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Tom Prescott stood behind his desk and beckoned Trapper to enter, motioning to a chair in front of his desk. \u201cCome on in, Trapper. I can\u2019t wait to hear why you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

After shaking Tom\u2019s hand, Trapper sat down, smiling. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to get your hopes up, but I\u2019m not looking for a job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad. We could use you. We never seem to have a shortage of kids who need cardiothoracic work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, I\u2019m here to see one of your volunteers. I understand Leah Haverty volunteers here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe does, and the kids love her. But why would you be interested in one of our volunteers?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause she just became a patient of mine, and I\u2019d like to get an idea of her lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA patient of yours? Heart trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper crooked his jaw with a slight smile. \u201cTom, you know I can\u2019t discuss that with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do. I just never saw her as someone who would need the kind of services you offer. She looks so healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho said she\u2019s not? Alton Avery retired. He\u2019s turned her over to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Tom said, \u201cLet\u2019s take a walk. I believe she\u2019s here now.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they arrived on the ward, Tom looked through the glass of the door, and pushing it, he said, \u201cHere she is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper touched his arm. \u201cWait. I think I\u2019ll just watch from out here. I don\u2019t want her to know I\u2019m watching. It might make her act differently.\u201d Peering through the door, he asked, \u201cWhere is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom looked at him rather skeptically. \u201cDon\u2019t you recognize your own patient? She\u2019s sitting right there,\u201d he said, pointing. \u201cThe one with the guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s eyes widened as he raised an eyebrow. \u201cSo she is. I usually don\u2019t see her in casual clothes with her hair down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen her any other way.\u201d Taking Trapper\u2019s hand and squeezing his arm, he said his goodbyes. \u201cI\u2019ll leave her in your capable hands, Trapper. Let me know if you need anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Trapper turned to watch Leah with the children. She was dressed in blue jeans, tennis shoes and a sweater with her hair falling down around her shoulders, quite a departure from the strict business fa\u00e7ade he was used to seeing. And the children seemed quite enamored of her, gathering around her as she sat crossed-legged on the floor, all of them mesmerized by the musical story she told. Trapper laughed at the faces the children were making when she had them sing with her, seemingly in response to faces she was making at them. Unfortunately, Trapper couldn\u2019t see that part. He was looking at her back.<\/p>\n

At the end of her hour with them, the children lined up in front of her, and still sitting on the floor, she held each one in her arms like they were her own, whispering, he assumed, words of encouragement because each child nodded or frowned. Frowns didn\u2019t seem to matter because each frown was turned into a smile before the child left her.<\/p>\n

When she had gathered her belongings, she walked to the door. Trapper stepped behind a meal cart, but watched as she turned back until the last child had disappeared into his room. When she came through the door, Trapper swore there were tears in her eyes, and when he watched her walk down the hall to the elevator, he noticed she hung her head. After spending what looked like an uplifting hour with the children, she seemed sad\u2026almost heartbroken. It appeared the iceberg had melted today.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019s face getting bigger and bigger.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, you look like you just won the lottery,\u201d said Ernie.<\/p>\n

\u201cErnie, do you have any idea what that is?\u201d he said, nodding toward the car.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but you\u2019re about to tell me, aren\u2019t you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a 1970 Boss 302 Mustang; the fastest street car ever built.\u201d 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. \u201cDon\u2019t look now, but Leah Haverty just got out of that car.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess she likes muscle cars,\u201d said Ernie, chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d 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\u2019t taking new patients if Leah Haverty calls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour appointment with her is today, isn\u2019t it?\u201d When he was silent, she stopped and asked, \u201cYou didn\u2019t say what the appointment was for, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper rolled his eyes. \u201cDo you think she\u2019d come if she knew? Anyway, I have a secret weapon.\u201d Ernie looked up at him with wide eyes. Looking around him to see if anyone was within earshot, he said quietly, \u201cGonzo.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cNurse Shoop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie looked up to see Ms. Haverty standing at the counter. \u201cWhat can I do for you, Ms. Haverty,\u201d she said, looking back down at the chart she was updating.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have an appointment with Dr. McIntyre, but he\u2019s not in his office. Do you know where I can find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019s in exam four.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah looked doubtfully down the hall. \u201cIs he with a patient?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie raised her eyebrows, acting uninterested. \u201cNot yet. You can go on in.\u201d<\/p>\n

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. \u201cDr. Gates? I was supposed to meet Dr. McIntyre here.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Glaring, she took a slow breath before she turned. \u201cMcIntyre, I don\u2019t have time for your little games. If this isn\u2019t about the system, we have nothing to discuss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you know Dr. Avery retired?\u201d asked Trapper calmly.<\/p>\n

She froze and held her breath for a moment before she answered. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about, and you\u2019re wasting my time again,\u201d she said, reaching around him for the door handle.<\/p>\n

Trapper didn\u2019t budge. \u201cHe referred your case to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWh\u2026why would he do that?\u201d she stuttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he knew you were in San Francisco, and he knew I was available.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely, there\u2019s another surgeon who can take my case. What are you not telling me?\u201d she asked angrily. \u201cI don\u2019t believe he just picked you out of the blue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCyclosporine is used to treat two conditions, and Dr. Avery isn\u2019t a dermatologist. I saw the pill bottle on your desk.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned away, wringing her hands, looking at the equipment in the room. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Gates will be your attending. I\u2019ll be consulting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling nervously, she looked at Gates. \u201cYou\u2019re a little young, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrust me. I\u2019m older than I look,\u201d said Gonzo, giving her a reassuring smile. \u201cYou haven\u2019t had a checkup in eighteen months. It\u2019s past time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t today. I have appointments,\u201d she said, heading for the door. Trapper didn\u2019t move, and when she met his eyes, she saw nothing but concern. \u201cDon\u2019t even try to pretend that you care.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, believe it or not, I understand. I know why you present yourself as cold and unapproachable. I know why you volunteer at the children\u2019s hospital. I even know why you drive the car you drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned her back to him. \u201cSo now you\u2019re a shrink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t have to be a shrink,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cAll he has to do is read your medical history. But now that you\u2019ve brought it up, I\u2019m going to schedule you for some sessions with Dr. Matthews, our staff psychologist.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah had walked away from both men and now faced a wall. \u201cI don\u2019t need a shrink. And I feel fine. There\u2019s nothing wrong with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, you know better than that,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cYou knew when you woke up from surgery that you\u2019d 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\u2019re not leaving this room until we do an echo of your heart and you take a stress test. I\u2019ll ask Dr. Matthews to talk with you after we\u2019re done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if I refuse?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper turned and leaned against the door on his shoulder. \u201cThen I\u2019ll contact the human resources department of your employer and recommend you be put on medical leave until we can verify that you\u00a0are<\/em>\u00a0alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spinning around, she spat, \u201cYou can\u2019t do that. I\u2019m in the middle of an implementation. There\u2019s no one else who can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot true. You\u2019re far enough along that Mark can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stiffened and turned her back to Trapper again, her breath heavy. \u201cIf you force me to take leave, they\u2019ll never bring me back. If they find out about\u2026they\u2019ll find a reason to let me go.\u201d<\/p>\n

She jumped when Trapper put his hands on her shoulders and spoke quietly. \u201cI doubt that. After all, you are one of the best at what you do. And if these tests come out normal, there\u2019s no reason to tell them.\u201d Turning her around to face him, he continued. \u201cNow, I\u2019m going to ask Nurse Shoop to assist Dr. Gates. I\u2019ll be back to take at look at the results,\u201d he said, smiling. When she looked up at him, he met her eyes, and for the first time, he saw fear.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper turned from his coffee maker after hearing paper shuffling at his open door, where Gonzo was studying Leah\u2019s EKG readout. Watching him for a moment, Trapper knew by the crease of Gonzo\u2019s brow that something troubled him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre those Leah\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Handing the folded paper to Trapper, Gonzo stood next to him and used his pen to point to the area that concerned him. \u201cSee that noise there. It\u2019s only slight, but\u2026\u201d He took the echo to the light box on Trapper\u2019s credenza. \u201cWhat do you make of that?\u201d he said, pointing to something on the echo.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Trapper crossed an arm and propped his elbow on it, rubbing his chin with his fingers. \u201cIt could be nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but it could be a weak spot,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cIt\u2019s big enough to make noise. Don\u2019t you think we ought to go in and look?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOrdinarily, I\u2019d say yes. But I think I\u2019d like to hear what Matthews has to say before we discuss it with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, if that is a weak spot, it could turn into an aneurism. I\u2019m not sure we can afford to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGonzo, if she becomes emotionally compromised because she hasn\u2019t dealt with the accident, opening her up right now could be too risky. The stress could push her into an aneurism. She needs to be calm when we go in. Why don\u2019t we go see how Dr. Matthews is doing, hm?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper and Gonzo met Dr. Matthews in the hall. \u201cEric, are you already finished with her?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes and no. I wasn\u2019t finished. She was. She left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Trapper asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, you know I can\u2019t divulge anything that was said.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper moved a hand to his hip and bowed his head before he spoke, holding his hand out for emphasize. \u201cLook, Eric. There\u2019s a situation with her heart that could turn deadly. I need to know where her head is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe refuses to talk about the accident, and there\u2019s nothing I can do to make her talk if she doesn\u2019t want to. From what I understand, she had no idea what happened until she came out of surgery with her husband\u2019s heart in her chest. And even then she didn\u2019t know who the donor was. She wasn\u2019t told until days later that her husband and children all died in that crash. And it was even longer before they told her the heart had belonged to her husband. I would imagine she\u2019s just not been able to deal with it, so she doesn\u2019t. I will tell you that, from what I hear around the hospital, her job might kill her as easily as facing her past.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do you recommend?\u201d asked Trapper. \u201cAt some point we\u2019ll have to go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell first, I\u2019d suggest some time off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at Gonzo, Trapper drew his mouth into a tight line. \u201cThat\u2019s easier said than done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, I don\u2019t care how you manage it, but without some help, that woman\u2019s headed for an early grave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding agreement, Trapper said, \u201cI\u2019ll go downstairs and talk to her. She\u2019s scared now. Maybe she\u2019ll listen to reason. Gonzo, I\u2019ll let you know how it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper leaned against the back wall of the elevator with his hands in his pockets, staring at the elevator door. When it opened, Mark Hansen stepped in. \u201cJohn, how are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper answered with another question. \u201cMark, have you been in the basement in the last few minutes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI came up about five minutes ago, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, she was just coming down as I was leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d she look?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark thought for a moment before he answered. \u201cCome to think of it, she looked like her mind was somewhere else. Is she alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper managed a smile and put a hand on Mark\u2019s arm just as the elevator door opened at the basement. \u201cFor now,\u201d he said as he stepped out of the elevator.<\/p>\n

Leah saw Trapper come out of the elevator just as she was leaving her cube. She hurried left, going around the back of the cubes as Trapper walked up the aisle. Peeking around the corner of the last cube, she reached out to touch the up button. Thankfully for her it didn\u2019t take the elevator long to arrive, and when the door opened, the bell rang and she stepped inside. Hearing the bell, Trapper turned around and ran down the aisle as Leah feverishly pushed the floor and close buttons.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, wait!\u201d yelled Trapper, arriving just in time to bang his fist into the closed door. Almost out of breath from running up the stairs, Trapper ran out the front door of the hospital just in time to see her car leave the parking lot. He hurried back in, took the elevator up to his floor, and went to the nurse\u2019s station, leaning on the counter while catching his breath. \u201cErnie, find Leah\u2019s home address.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust hurry,\u201d he said impatiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn,\u201d called Mark, running out of the elevator. \u201cI found this note on Leah\u2019s desk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper read aloud, \u201cMark, I\u2019m taking a few days off. Hold down the fort.\u201d Grabbing Marks arm, he said, \u201cCome with me. Ernie, I\u2019ll be in my office. Bring me that address as soon as you find it.\u201d Trapper went straight to his desk, turned around and leaned back.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, what\u2019s this all about?\u201d asked Mark with a trouble frown.<\/p>\n

Holding his hands up, Trapper said, \u201cJust listen. How well did you know Leah\u2019s family\u2026what happened to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark stood straight and dropped his hands to his sides. \u201cI was at the hospital when they brought them in. John, Jr. and Beth, her children, were already dead; drowned, and John, Sr. was unresponsive. They were working on Leah as they rolled her through the emergency room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I recall, Leah and her husband were thrown out of the car. The children were still in it when they pulled it out of the river.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo who made the decision to give Leah her husband\u2019s heart?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no family, but John had a living will and a very comprehensive will and trust. Their attorney made the decision based on what was in John\u2019s will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper scratched his beard and walked around his desk, sitting in his chair, and motioning Mark to sit on the sofa. Leaning back and propping his feet on the corner of his desk, Trapper thought for a moment, then asked, \u201cHow long was it before she went back to work?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the spooky part, John. She was back to work in only three months. Admittedly, most of what she was doing at the time she could do from home, but when she came back into the office, she was\u2026well, the way she is now. And she works god-awful hours. I wonder sometimes if she sleeps at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wasn\u2019t this way before?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark laughed. \u201cNo, not even close. She was the same toward me, but anyone else\u2026she just wasn\u2019t interested in being nice to anyone. She said recently that without family or friends, she couldn\u2019t get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper sat up when Ernie walked through the door. \u201cTrapper, here\u2019s her address.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has a rooftop apartment near the wharf,\u201d offered Mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne last question, Mark,\u201d said Trapper as he removed his white coat and pulled on his suit jacket. \u201cIs there any danger of her losing this job if she needs to take some time off?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019d let her go even if they could. If she\u2019s on medical leave she gets disability, and our company is self-insured, so they have some stricter rules about letting people go who are already out. It really wouldn\u2019t matter financially. John had some hefty life insurance, and they were already pretty well off. Besides Leah\u2019s salary, John was an orthopedic surgeon. He took care of the Rams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for the information, Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, is something wrong with Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper walked Mark out of his office. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. It\u2019s not anything we can\u2019t take care of.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Traffic around Fisherman\u2019s Wharf was bad at any time of the day. Trapper stopped his car in the traffic lane just long enough to look for her car in a parking lot, starting a cacophony of blowing horns. He pulled in and parked next to her. When he stepped out, he looked up at the roof and saw a bright pink wind sock fully inflated. This was an older building; one of the old cannery buildings that had been converted into upscale apartments some time ago. Trudging up the stairs, he came to the last flight of stairs that led to a small landing where there was only one door.<\/p>\n

He knocked and listened, but heard nothing. He knocked again a little harder, and when he heard no response again, he called, \u201cLeah! It\u2019s John McIntyre. We need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey mister!\u201d came a voice from the bottom of the flight of stairs. \u201cMaybe the lady ain\u2019t answering because she doesn\u2019t want to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning, Trapper met the man halfway down the stairs. \u201cLook, I don\u2019t want any trouble. I\u2019m John McIntyre, her doctor. She left the hospital unexpectedly, and I was worried. I know she\u2019s here, but she\u2019s not answering her door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think there\u2019s something wrong that she can\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do. We could go call the police, and the paramedics, and an ambulance and completely clog up the street, or\u2026\u201d he said, arching an eyebrow.<\/p>\n

The man scratched the gray tufts of whiskers on his chin. \u201cYou say you\u2019re her doctor? You got any kind of ID?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling out his wallet, Trapper said, \u201cYes, here\u2019s my hospital ID.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChief of Surgery? She must be some important patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s just the one that needs my help at the moment,\u201d said Trapper, smiling impatiently. \u201cWould you mind opening the door?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, alright. If you think she\u2019s in trouble,\u201d said the manager, pulling himself slowly up the remaining stairs. He knocked. \u201cMs. Haverty, I\u2019m unlocking the door so\u2019s this doctor fellow can check on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

A voice answered from the other side. \u201cWhat?\u201d After they heard the thump of several locks being thrown, the door opened. \u201cMr. Davis, what on Earth are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis fellow said you might be in trouble. He\u2019s a doctor, you know. He was banging on the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in the shower. Really, Mr. Davis, I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah glowered at Trapper, but eventually said, \u201cHe\u2019s harmless. Thank you, Mr. Davis.\u201d She walked away while drying her hair with a towel, leaving the door open. \u201cWhat are you doing here, Dr. McIntyre?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked around, surprised at the comfortable, warm-looking apartment that opened up to a garden terrace on the roof. \u201cI went down to your office to speak to you about your test results, and when you avoided me I got a little concerned,\u201d he answered, holding his hands out to the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, doctor, sit down,\u201d she said, sitting down herself and crossing her legs with her robe open almost to the top of her thighs.<\/p>\n

Trapper couldn\u2019t help but notice she had very nice legs. Her feet were hidden somewhere inside a pair of furry white and gray puppy slippers. Smiling, he sat down on the edge of the sofa, leaning forward with his arms on his thighs and his fingers loosely clasped. He cleared his throat before he started. \u201cLeah, there\u2019s a suspicious area on your heart that Dr. Gates and I feel needs a closer look.\u201d<\/p>\n

She snorted. \u201cIt\u2019s not my heart. My heart died when my husband and children died. This one is just on loan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper held his breath for a moment, completely unprepared for that response.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t that why you and everyone else at the hospital call me the Ice Queen?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Trapper turned his head slightly and looked seriously at her. \u201cThe heart beating in your chest has no idea where it began. It knows nothing other than to react to the autonomic signals from your brain that tell it to beat. It also reacts to the stresses of the broken one, and that\u2019s what may have caused what we\u2019re seeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what exactly are you seeing?\u201d she asked, appearing completely detached.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere may be a weak spot in the atrial wall of your heart. Dr. Gates and I won\u2019t know how bad it is until we go in and take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it is a weak spot, it could become an aneurism; it will rupture and leak. If the leak is slow, we\u2019ll have time to fix it, but if it ruptures completely, you\u2019ll die in minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you think my heartlessness has caused this weak spot.\u201d<\/p>\n

He cast his eyes down for a moment, and then met her eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019re heartless. But I do think the pain of losing your family is too much for you to handle alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, let me explain something to you. My husband, in his infinite wisdom, decided when we were married that he would do whatever it took to keep me walking this Earth. Only he never thought I\u2019d have to walk it alone. Had I been given the choice, I would have died right along with them. I don\u2019t really care if this heart in my chest ruptures, because the heart that counts died the day they did. Now, if you\u2019ll excuse me, I did take the day off to get away from you people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Trapper walked toward the door, but turned back around with a stony look when he opened it. \u201cYou leave me no choice. You\u2019ll be out on medical leave by tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

She clenched her teeth and looked away. \u201cAlright!\u201d Turning her back to him, she said, \u201cI need some time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much time?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up at the ceiling, she said, \u201cA week, maybe two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s too long. It could rupture by then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, I need to get the schedules and designs finished for the second phase, and I need to get the hardware ordered. Then Mark can take over for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can have six hours a day, Monday through Friday, and you have to come up for an echocardiogram every other day. And you will take time to relax. That means you can\u2019t go to the children\u2019s hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spinning around, she almost yelled, but realized he was right there in front of her, looking into her eyes. She opened her mouth, but closed it again and blushed. With her head bowed, she asked quietly, \u201cWhy can\u2019t I see the children?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lifting her face with a finger under her chin, he answered, \u201cBecause it\u2019s too painful for the heart you claim is dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned away too late. He had already seen her tears. Looking around him for her telephone, he picked it up and dialed. \u201cErnie, Trapper. Yes, she\u2019s here. Tell Mark she\u2019s fine. Listen, something\u2019s come up. Would you reschedule my afternoon appointments, and ask Gonzo to cover my on call? Thanks, Ernie. You\u2019re the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiping her face, she asked, \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

He clasped his hands in front of him. \u201cYou know, it\u2019s been quite a while since I took a walk on the wharf. Why don\u2019t you go get dressed, and I\u2019ll show you what I mean by relaxing? I know it\u2019s been so long since you\u2019ve done it, you probably don\u2019t remember how.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping around him, she shook her head and laughed. \u201cDr. McIntyre, you\u2019re incorrigible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, that makes two of us. Now, go change. You can\u2019t walk down Fisherman\u2019s Wharf in nothing but your robe. They\u2019ll arrest you,\u201d he said with narrowed eyes and a smile.<\/p>\n

As she walked toward her bedroom, she spoke over her shoulder. \u201cI doubt that. This\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0San Francisco, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Ten<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper trotted to catch up with Leah who was walking at quite a clip. Taking her arm, he pulled her back into him. \u201cYou\u2019re not running a race, and you have no appointments this afternoon. Slow down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry. I should have known you\u2019d have trouble keeping up with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sucking the inside of his cheek in, Trapper replied, \u201cI\u2019m having no trouble keeping up with you. As a matter of fact, on any other day, you might have trouble keeping up with me\u2026\u201d she snorted, \u201c\u2026but today, you\u2019re supposed to be relaxing instead of rushing to get this over with. Slow down, take a look around you, breath in the salt air.\u201d Shaking her shoulders, he added, \u201cLoosen up. You really don\u2019t know how to relax, do you?\u201d She looked back at him, and sharply cocked her head, popping her neck. \u201cStop popping your neck like that. You\u2019ll throw it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took off again, but he grabbed her hand and held it. \u201cNow, slowly. That\u2019s better.\u201d As he swapped sides, he pulled out the hair pin that held her hair up on her head, allowing her blonde locks to fall gracefully over her shoulders. Her hand went up immediately to try to stem the fall, but when Trapper handed her the hair pin, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly, giving up. \u201cHow clumsy of me,\u201d said Trapper, smiling impishly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose if I put this back in\u2026\u201d she said, holding out the hair pin, \u201c\u2026you\u2019ll just pull it back out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSmart girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they walked down the ocean side of the street, hand in hand, Trapper could feel her slowly unwind as her grip loosened. He stopped in front of a small harbor and looked out into the bay. \u201cLeah, have you ever been out in the bay?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked out wistfully, but dropped her gaze to the ground. \u201cA long time ago. In another life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow\u2019s my day off. How about I take you out; maybe do a little fishing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. This is all so\u2026awkward,\u201d she said, taking her hand out of his.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning to face him, she moved a strand of hair away that had blown across her face. \u201cYou\u2019re not my friend. You\u2019re my doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squinting in the sunlight, Trapper replied quietly. \u201cGonzo\u2019s your doctor. There\u2019s no reason we can\u2019t be friends.\u201d She glanced up at him doubtfully, then turned and continued down the sidewalk. \u201cWhy can\u2019t we?\u201d he called after her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t we what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she straightened, Trapper watched all the rigidity come back. \u201cI don\u2019t have friends. I don\u2019t want friends. I don\u2019t need friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what is Mark?\u201d<\/p>\n

She stopped and looked ahead at something. \u201cMark\u2019s different. He\u2019s always been there. It just never changed. Would you excuse me for a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

Grabbing her arm, he said, \u201cUh uh. You\u2019re not running away from this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would I try? You know where I live. I\u2019m just going over to that flower vendor on the other corner,\u201d she said, pointing. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d He reluctantly let her go, and true to her word, she bought a bouquet of flowers and came back. \u201cMcIntyre, have you ever had fresh crab from a sidewalk vendor?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper said, \u201cA long time ago. In another life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on. I\u2019m buying,\u201d she said, winking. Upon turning the corner, they picked their way through a crowded sidewalk lined with vendors selling all kinds of fresh seafood prepared right there in front of them.<\/p>\n

Leah stopped and waited until the man behind the counter looked up, and when he did, his eyes brightened. Trapper grinned when he saw the smile she returned; a bright, beautiful, beaming smile that lit up her face and eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Leah, it\u2019s been much too long. How are you?\u201d asked the vendor.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeo, I\u2019m doing well, thank you. How is Carlotta?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor says she can come out for awhile if she feels like it. He said her last round of chemo may have done the trick. She was here for awhile this morning with the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s wonderful news.\u201d Passing the bouquet over the counter, she said, \u201cThese are for her. Please give her my well wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leo nodded. \u201cWait. I have fresh crab for you and your gentlemen friend.\u201d Rather than taking a cup of crab from the case in front of him, he took two fresh large cups and lifted a crab out of a big, steaming vat, cracking it and filling both cups with succulent, white crabmeat. Passing them over the counter, he said, \u201cOn the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeo, that\u2019s too much. Let me pay you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he said, waving his hand and frowning. \u201cYou have done so much for my Carlotta. This is the least I can do. You will never pay me for seafood again. Do you hear me? I\u2019d hug you, but I\u2019m a mess,\u201d he said, motioning down at his apron. \u201cNow go before I cry in my vat and make it too salty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah and Trapper strolled down the sidewalk and crossed at the light. \u201cI\u2019ll have to remember you have a friend here. This crab is delicious.\u201d She looked ahead without responding. \u201cWhere are we headed now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOver to Boudin\u2019s for bread. There\u2019s a bench on the other side of the museum with an unobstructed view of the bay. There\u2019s usually a few people fishing back there, and the sunsets are beautiful.\u201d At the checkout at Boudin\u2019s, Leah grabbed a handful of suckers and placed them on the counter. After she paid, they walked through the museum and settled on the bench, watching the people fishing while their children were running all around.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Leah, Miss Leah,\u201d they yelled and ran up to her at the bench.<\/p>\n

One of the children turned around. \u201cPapa?\u201d The fathers lined up on the rail all turned, and seeing Leah on the bench, smiled and nodded. Pulling the suckers out of the bag, Leah handed them out one at a time, waiting each time for the child to say \u2018thank you.\u2019 Then she pulled a chunk off the bread loaf in the other bag and offered it to Trapper, after which she pulled one out for herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah Haverty, you\u2019ve been lying to me,\u201d said Trapper as he took another bite of his crab.<\/p>\n

Looking out across the bay, she asked, \u201cHow do you figure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you don\u2019t have friends, you don\u2019t want friends, you don\u2019t need friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese people aren\u2019t my friends. I don\u2019t even know their names.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCarlotta?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s different. Leo and Carlotta have two small children at home. They have no insurance, and Carlotta has breast cancer. Leo\u2019s on that sidewalk, selling crab seven days a week. I can\u2019t imagine what would happen to those children if they lost their mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you footed the bill for her treatments\u2026for her children.\u201d She shrugged. \u201cI see. Whether you like to admit it or not, Leah, there is a heart in there, and it\u2019s alive and well,\u201d he said, chuckling.<\/p>\n

She continued to face forward. \u201cIf you don\u2019t stop looking at me, you\u2019re going to miss the sunset.\u201d The last of the children and fishermen had gathered their belongings and left. The two found themselves sitting quietly, eating crab and bread. Listening to the plaintive cries of the seagulls flying over head and the tranquil lapping of the water against the seawall, they watched until the last sliver of orange dipped below the horizon, sending a slate blue hue over the water and bringing with it a cool breeze.<\/p>\n

Leah stood and looked down at her feet. JJ was eight years old. Beth was five. They had no chance at life.\u201d She looked back to the street, squinting in the light of a street lamp. \u201cMaybe these kids will.\u201d Walking away, she dumped the rest of the bread and her cup of crab in a garbage can and continued on.<\/p>\n

Standing, Trapper shouted as he watched her go. \u201cTomorrow morning, bright and early\u2026fishing.\u201d<\/p>\n

She just waved and kept going.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eleven<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking over the cube wall, Trapper stood quietly watching Leah work on what looked like engineering schematics, wearing slacks and her pink pig slippers. He moved to the door of the cube, and when she didn\u2019t look up, he ventured further in to the front of her work table. Still, she didn\u2019t acknowledge him, so he cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeak,\u201d she said, continuing with her work. When he didn\u2019t speak, she finally looked up. \u201cDr. McIntyre, wha\u2026? She closed her mouth, and sat back in her chair. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I don\u2019t get visitors. My staff just tells me what they need, and I can usually answer them without breaking my train of thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were off on weekends,\u201d said Trapper with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was supposed to go fishing, but someone stood me up.\u201d Trapper winced. \u201cIt\u2019s alright, Dr. McIntyre. I didn\u2019t want to go anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Trapper said, \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m here\u2026to apologize. I got called in early and ended up in a three hour surgery. I tried to call your apartment when I got out, but I saw your car in the parking lot. Which brings me back to my first comment; why are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n

She swept her arms over her desk and looked down. \u201cIsn\u2019t that obvious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe agreed on six hours a day, Monday through Friday. It\u2019s Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanted me to relax. Believe it or not, this is relaxing.\u201d She gave him a defiant look, and then bent back over her work. \u201cThe quicker I get it out of my head, the better I feel. And the less I think about other things,\u201d she added under her breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were a programmer. This looks more like an electrical schematic.\u201d<\/p>\n

She breathed in deeply, and put her pencil down, then sat back again. \u201cIt is an electrical schematic\u2026of sorts\u2026only there\u2019s a lot more to it. This is an infrastructure schematic for all the hardware and cabling required for the new system. For the second phase, I have to put new computers in all the exam rooms, operating rooms, nurse\u2019s stations and admitting. The third phase will put computers in all the non-essential areas like the kitchen and laundry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the labs and pharmacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose went in the first phase along with durable and non-durable equipment, imaging and the blood bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is all this\u2026infrastructure?\u201d he asked, pointing to the center schematic.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t you noticed the new poles? No, I suppose you haven\u2019t. You didn\u2019t get one. We went through your floor. They aren\u2019t really poles. They\u2019re conduit.\u201d She looked at him quizzically and asked, \u201cDo you want to see it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee it?\u201d he asked with raised brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. This,\u201d she said, pointing to the middle diagram from where everything originated.<\/p>\n

Trapper smiled. He wasn\u2019t about to turn her down if she was actually willing to share her work with him. \u201cI\u2019d love to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rolling away from her desk, she kicked her slippers off and pulled on a pair of plain black rubber-soled shoes, then stood and led him out of her cube and around the back of her staff\u2019s cubes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice shoes,\u201d he said, chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh huh.\u201d<\/p>\n

She left him standing in darkness while she went to turn on the lights, and while he was waiting, he listened to a constant, deep hum and an occasional sound that reminded him of the centrifuge in the lab spinning. Then he heard eight sharp clicks, and with each one a bank of lights came on, starting fifty feet away and stopping over his head. His jaw dropped slightly as he took it all in. It made him feel like he had just stepped into a futuristic science fiction movie.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis\u2026,\u201d she said waving her hand in front of them, \u201c\u2026is what all those schematics are about. This is the hospital mainframe capable of processing millions of instructions per minute. These machines run hot, so the floor is raised and the ceiling is lowered to keep a constant flow of cold air circulating around them. These cabinets down the left side are the actual mainframe computer containing the central processing units. In the middle, the shorter machines are disk drives and over on the right are magnetic tape machines. We\u2019ve even got a few machines over there that use cartridges that look similar to an eight track tape rather than reels. Not only is the floor raised for air conditioning, but all the cables that come out of these machines travel away from here under this floor,\u201d she said, bending and pulling up a panel, revealing a space full of cable, conduit and flashing lights. \u201cAnd over here, extra electrical lines come in to power these puppies as well as T1 circuits from the phone company. That\u2019s how we send and receive files from insurance companies, the state and federal governments and several data warehouses, and that\u2019s how you were able to look up Dr. Avery\u2019s patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper closed his mouth and jerked his head toward her. \u201cHow did you\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time you press the enter key, what you looked at, changed or deleted is logged, Dr. McIntyre. I get an audit report on my desk every morning of anything deemed unusual, and while we\u2019re rolling this out, I trend how the computers are being used and who\u2019s using them.\u201d Wearing a satisfied smile, she headed back toward the light switches. \u201cYou like your new computer, don\u2019t you, McIntyre?\u201d<\/p>\n

He harrumphed and scowled while her back was to him, but the minute she could see his face, he wore an insolent smile. When they arrived back at her cube, Trapper scratched his nose and said, \u201cI have to admit; I have a new respect for what you do here.\u201d Noticing her struggle not to smile, he added, \u201cAnd you shouldn\u2019t try so hard not to smile. It\u2019s been proven that the simple act of smiling relieves stress.\u201d The corner of her mouth turned up as she studied her diagrams. \u201cNow, what time did you get in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout eight. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019ve already worked four hours on a day you weren\u2019t supposed to work.\u201d She looked up at him wearing an exasperated glare, causing him to raise his hands in defense. \u201cI know you said it was relaxing, but the idea is to get you out of this basement and into the light of day.\u201d Walking around her desk, he held out his hand. \u201cCome on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d she asked, removing her rubber-soled shoes and putting her high-heels on.<\/p>\n

Trapper looked sideways at her, doubting what he heard. Was she going without a fight? \u201cWell, I thought we\u2019d get some lunch, and then maybe go for a drive down the coast. I\u2019ll rent a car with a convertible top, and we\u2019ll take in the scenery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d she said, standing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cThis is too easy. What are you up to?\u201d he asked, moving his hands to his hips.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s quite simple. The quicker I can prove to you I can relax, the quicker you\u2019ll drop me from your little project list. Now, let\u2019s go relax,\u201d she said, walking out of her cube toward the elevator.<\/p>\n

Trapper hesitated for a moment, and then followed her. \u201cYou are not a project, Leah. Why is it so bad that someone is concerned about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She pushed the button and faced him with her lips pursed. \u201cIf you were so concerned about me, you wouldn\u2019t be holding the one thing I have left over my head.\u201d The bell rang, and she stepped into the elevator with Trapper behind her.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give me that,\u201d he said with an edge to his voice. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to lose your job if you take medical leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what else am I supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRead a book, play your guitar\u2026go fishing.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t noticed she had moved right next to him and was glaring up at him. \u201cBack up a minute. Play my guitar? How do you know I play guitar?\u201d<\/p>\n

Flaring his nostrils, he closed his eyes and moved a hand to his head. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter. The point is… Nevermind. It doesn\u2019t matter what the point is.\u201d He faced forward and clenched his jaw. \u201cI\u2019m trying to save your life while you\u2019re trying to find a way to kill yourself without being accused of suicide. If that\u2019s what you really want, don\u2019t let me stop you. The rest of us can all get back to normal and forget Leah Haverty ever existed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah backed away to the far corner where she stood quietly, looking at the wall to keep him from seeing her face. When the door opened, both stood still. \u201cI don\u2019t feel sorry for myself. I don\u2019t feel anything,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n

The door closed, and both remained motionless. \u201cNot true. You\u2019re the angriest person I\u2019ve ever met.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Author’s Notes:<\/b><\/p>\n

Warning \u2013 strong language in this chapter!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter Twelve<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper had worn his jeans that morning, intending to leave right after his surgery. Leah drove to the rental car lot, where Trapper found a convertible, and then followed her home where she changed into casual clothes. Since they had stepped out of the elevator, neither had said more than \u2018turn here\u2019 or \u2018follow me.\u2019<\/p>\n

Now, on their way to lunch, Leah said softly, \u201cI\u2019m not angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once again, they shared a tense silence.<\/p>\n

Stopping at a restaurant in Pacifica, they were led to a table with a view of the ocean. Leah sat quietly, looking out the window until the waiter took her order.<\/p>\n

\u201cChef salad with avocado and light Italian. Just water to drink,\u201d she said, smiling up at the young man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have the same,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cAt least you\u2019re eating right.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gave him a blank look, propped her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand, and turned back to the window. \u201cI\u2019m not angry. I\u2019m permanently numb.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you say that after yesterday\u2026Leo and Carlotta\u2026the children behind the museum? And what about the children at the children\u2019s hospital?\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving her hand to her forehead, she looked down at the table. \u201cI thought I was supposed to relax today, McIntyre. I don\u2019t want to talk about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you call me Trapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause my friends call me Trapper,\u201d he said, taking a sip of the water that had just been delivered.<\/p>\n

She snorted. \u201cYou\u2019re not my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper watched her make every effort to avoid his eyes. \u201cWhy did you come with me then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Folding her lips into a tight line, she glanced upwards and nodded. \u201cYou\u2019re just full of questions today, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow else am I going to find out what makes you tick?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you. My job makes me tick. Without it, the old ticker might as well stop ticking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t want to call me Trapper, call me John.\u201d Again, he watched her eyes, and as he expected, she lowered them.<\/p>\n

It took her a while to answer, and when she did, her words were barely audible. \u201cI can\u2019t call you John.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

This time she looked him right in the eye. \u201cDid you ever meet my husband, Dr. McIntyre?\u201d<\/p>\n

Both leaned back when the waiter brought their salads, and when he left, they unrolled their stainless out of the napkins and moved the napkins to their laps. Trapper took a bite before he answered. \u201cI met him at some of the medical conventions we both attended over the years. I wouldn\u2019t say I really knew him. We were acquaintances.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you never spoke to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe shook hands, we said hello and goodbye, but other than that, no, not really. He was interested in bones and joints, I was interested in organs, so we went our separate ways to separate sessions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou remind me of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? In what way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019d both be the same age.\u201d Trapper turned his head to the side, looking at her suspiciously. Smiling, she said, \u201cRemember, I have access to everything.<\/p>\n

He stopped eating. \u201cYou looked up my personnel records?\u201d<\/p>\n

Scowling, she answered, \u201cDon\u2019t give me that violated look. You looked up my medical records before you were my doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not your doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee, that\u2019s even worse.\u201d She rolled her eyes. \u201cYou\u2019re the same build, same height, you have a beard, he had a beard\u2026you\u2019re both surgeons.\u201d Chuckling, she continued, \u201cYou know it\u2019s funny. I met him because I injured my knee in a skiing accident. I met you because of my heart\u2026his heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, there, you see? You are attached to that heart as much as it\u2019s attached to you.\u201d There was that silence again. \u201cWhy are you angry at him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would I be angry at him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnger is just another emotion, Leah, just like the grief you feel for your children.\u201d<\/p>\n

The clatter of her fork against her salad bowl made the other diners turn and look as she stared at Trapper with tears welling in her eyes. She nervously glanced out over the restaurant, and then turned back to the window. \u201cI know you\u2019re doing this to me because I won\u2019t talk to Dr. Matthews? So now you\u2019re going to play shrink?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper didn\u2019t answer, but rather took another bite of his salad. \u201cTell me about your car.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just don\u2019t see too many of those in cherry condition,\u201d said Trapper with a wide grin.<\/p>\n

Sitting back, she crossed her arms in front of her. \u201cIt was John\u2019s baby\u2026his project. He loved that car.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you kept it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry to disappoint you, Doc, but nothing so noble. My car was destroyed. That was the car that was left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill, it must be fun to drive,\u201d he said, winking.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt serves a purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm,\u201d he said, taking another bite.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Once on the Pacific Coast Highway, Leah pulled her hair back in a pony tail to prevent it from flying in her face. She closed her eyes and turned her face up to the sky, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Trapper glanced over and smiled. She seemed to be enjoying the ride\u2026relaxing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow far are we going?\u201d she yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever been to Pescadero?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI stopped once to get gas. Does that count?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he said, grinning widely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s in Pescadero?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s sort of a little village\u2026artist enclave, very old-fashioned and very friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n

They spent several hours walking through the shops of Pescadero; antiques, handmade furniture, metal works, an artisan bakery, a soda fountain. When they left, they drove across the highway to the beach. Parking the car, they removed their shoes and walked out onto the warm sand, strolling toward a trail that went up a gentle slope to the top of the cliffs. Even though it was a very nice day, there weren\u2019t many people on the beach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, McIntyre. It\u2019s been a long time since I\u2019ve taken the time to explore places I\u2019ve never been.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking beside her with his hands in his pockets, he chided, \u201cBut you\u2019ve been to Pescadero…for gas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but I didn\u2019t take any time to explore it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

She stopped and looked at him, squinting and holding her hand over her eyes to block the sunlight. \u201cI guess because it\u2019s not as nice to explore alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, you don\u2019t have to be alone. There is life after….\u201d<\/p>\n

Squatting, she picked up an auger shell, then stood and continued to walk, twirling the shell in her fingers. \u201cNo, not really. Not when\u2026.\u201d She stopped and brought her hand up to her mouth, then continued, walking a little faster.<\/p>\n

Trapper waited and watched her go. Looking out at the waves, he took a deep breath, and then trotted to catch up to her, dreading what he thought was about to come, but ready to catch her when she finally let it out. \u201cNot when they were your life? Not when he was your life?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me alone, McIntyre,\u201d she barked before she began to run up the trail. When she reached the top, she stopped and bowed her head into her hands, shuddering in tears.<\/p>\n

Trapper caught up and held her arms, but she angrily shrugged him away. \u201cLeah, why are you so angry at John?\u201d<\/p>\n

Darting toward the cliff, she stopped only a few feet from the edge, punching violently in the air and yelling out over the ocean, \u201cYou bastard! You dirty son-of-a-*****! You took my children, and you left me here. You and your damned attorney!\u201d By this time, she had wrapped her arms around herself, and as she slowly collapsed to the ground, she sobbed, \u201cI don\u2019t even know if my babies knew what was happening to them\u2026or if they were afraid.\u201d Trapper wrapped his arms around her, pulling her away from the edge and holding her as she went down.<\/p>\n

It took a while for Leah to bring herself back under control. Holding her, Trapper patiently waited, and when she began to quiet, he released her and leaned back next to her, propping on an arm.<\/p>\n

Leah sat crossed legged in the grass beside him, taking the handkerchief he was holding out to her, and wiping her face. \u201cJohn\u2019s attorney said his instructions were if something happened, and we were all together, the children and I were to be saved first.\u201d She sniffed. \u201cThe attorney said there was nothing he could do for the children. They were already gone. Even though I was dying, I wasn\u2019t dead yet. There were several law suits filed immediately by the families of people who were on the waiting lists for a heart. They said they had been waiting first, and it wasn\u2019t likely I would survive, so I shouldn\u2019t get it. But the court said the family was always first in line for a relative\u2019s organs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true, no matter the chance of survival.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tearing up again, she said softly, \u201cHe should have let me die. Why would he think I\u2019d want to go on without them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper took her hand. \u201cLeah, you make it sound as if John planned all this. He didn\u2019t. It was an accident. It seems he loved you and the children very much.\u201d She looked over at him, and he could see in her eyes that she was spent. Standing, he held his hand down to her. He felt she might not take it, and smiled when she did. Pulling her up off the ground, they walked over to a bench where they sat in silence until the sun set.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper pulled the car up to a small cafe in Half Moon Bay. Leaning toward Leah, he asked, \u201cAre you hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she answered quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould you eat something anyway?\u201d he asked with raised eyebrows. She huffed and got out of the car. Asking for a table on the deck, the two were soon seated with a view of the small fishing harbor. The glow of the lights on shore illuminated the boats closer in. Those ships further down the pier swayed in dark shadow with their black masts looming over them in the night sky. Poring over a one page menu, Trapper asked, \u201cSee anything palatable?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSoup.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper ordered for them, asking for a bottle of red wine.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I wasn\u2019t supposed to drink alcohol.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s mostly true, but a glass of wine now and then isn\u2019t going to hurt.\u201d He leaned forward with his arms on the table. \u201cLeah, why do you volunteer on the long term ward at the children\u2019s hospital? It seems to me you\u2019d stay away from there, knowing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKnowing they\u2019re going to die?\u201d She stared at the candle on the table, moving her fingers back and forth over the flame, letting her tears flow freely. \u201cI didn\u2019t get to see my children. They were long buried before I woke up. I didn\u2019t have a chance to say goodbye. I wasn\u2019t able to hold them or comfort them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper sat with his elbow on the table and his hand over his mouth. \u201cYou said you didn\u2019t know if your children were afraid. I might be able to answer that for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stopped staring at the flame and quickly looked up. \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy taking a look at the autopsy reports\u2026the cause of death. You\u2019d have to sign a release to get them.\u201d<\/p>\n

She covered her mouth with a trembling hand. \u201cThey drowned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they were already unconscious they wouldn\u2019t have known they were drowning. Considering how far down the car rolled before it went into the river, I\u2019m betting they didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

She swallowed hard. \u201cWhat if you find they weren\u2019t unconscious?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking her hand, he answered, \u201cThen it won\u2019t be any worse than it already is. But it will make a difference for you if they didn\u2019t know what was happening. I wouldn\u2019t offer to do this if I thought it wouldn\u2019t give you some peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

She studied him for a moment. \u201cWhy are you doing this? Surely you don\u2019t go to these lengths with all your patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting back, he took a sip of the wine that had just arrived. \u201cI like you; despite yourself,\u201d he said, slightly cocking his head and shrugging. \u201cBesides, I\u2019m not your doctor.\u201d She quietly chuckled. \u201cI heard that.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Walking Leah to her door, Trapper took her key and unlocked it, pushing it open. \u201cDon\u2019t forget. You have an appointment with Dr. Gates Monday for another echocardiogram.\u201d<\/p>\n

She scowled and glanced up at him before she stepped inside her apartment. \u201cThanks,\u201d she said humbly.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper replied, \u201cYour welcome,\u201d and slightly nodded. \u201cGood night.\u201d He turned and headed down the stairs, looking back when he got to the bottom just in time to see the door close.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

At seven a.m. Monday morning, Dr. McIntyre walked through the front door of San Francisco Memorial Hospital expecting a fight on his hands. He\u2019d seen Leah\u2019s car in the parking lot and had laid his hand on the hood, finding it cold which meant she had been there over an hour. Going straight to his office, he pulled files out of his briefcase, setting them on his desk, and as he did, he glanced over at his coffee machine to see if it had finished making his morning cup. Staring at it for a moment, he scowled, dropping the last file on the desk, then stomped to the coffee maker and started a pot, looking out the door at the empty desk once occupied by his secretary.<\/p>\n

He left his coffee brewing and walked out to the nurse\u2019s station. \u201cGood morning, ladies,\u201d he said as he began pulling charts to read his patients\u2019 statuses before making his morning rounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Dr. McIntyre,\u201d said Nurse Brancusi.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you enjoy your vacation?\u201d asked Trapper. Hearing Ernie chuckling behind him, he looked up from his chart, eyeing Nurse Brancusi over his glasses. \u201cWhat happened this time?\u201d Gloria smirked and let out an exasperated breath, then walked away. Turning to Ernie, Trapper asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid her luck with men wasn\u2019t any better than it was the last time she went on vacation,\u201d said Ernie.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm. Anything I need to know before I go on rounds?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Mrs. Baxter had a rough night. She vomited in her bed. You need to check her sutures. And Gonzo kept Ms. Haverty in an exam room this morning. I don\u2019t know if she\u2019s still there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie had Trapper\u2019s full attention. \u201cWhy did he keep her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer blood pressure was high. He said he thought she might have cried all day yesterday because her eyes were swollen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper pushed the chart he was holding into Ernie\u2019s hands and hurried down the hall to exam four where the ECHO and EKG machines where kept for non-admittance examinations. When he pushed open the door, Gonzo was just pulling the paper from the EKG. \u201cGonzo, where\u2019s Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI went out to answer a call, and when I came back she was gone. I was just about to go find her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer car was in the parking lot when I came in, so she\u2019s still here at the hospital. Why don\u2019t you take the results back to my office? I\u2019ll meet you there in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, if she\u2019s still here, I need to find her. Her blood pressure was one fifty over ninety-two. If we don\u2019t get it down, that spot we\u2019ve been watching might rupture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s probably in the basement. I\u2019ll go bring her back up,\u201d said Trapper, turning toward the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure that\u2019s a good idea. You\u2019re not her favorite person.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI may not be her favorite person,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think I\u2019m on the bottom of her list any longer.\u201d He opened the door, then reached back to take a cuff before he left. \u201cHold the elevator,\u201d he called, trotting down the hall, stepping in just before the doors closed.<\/p>\n

When he got to the basement, he stepped off the elevator, but stopped before he headed down the aisle. The lights were on behind the cubes, so he turned left. Turning the corner, he found her on her knees with her head down in a hole and her behind up in the air. \u201cLeah. What are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her voice muffled, she answered, \u201cI\u2019m looking for a wiring harness. There\u2019s supposed to be a wiring harness right here, but when the guys pulled the cables, it must have gotten dragged along.\u201d She pulled her head out of the hole and sat down. \u201cI have to keep up with those things. They\u2019re expensive, and I can\u2019t just keep ordering replacements when they go missing. I\u2019ll blow my budget.\u201d She looked up at Trapper who was standing over her with his arms crossed and his brow furrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you leave the exam room? Didn\u2019t Dr. Gates tell you your blood pressure was too high?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did, and I tried to tell him that all I needed was to come down to the basement. He didn\u2019t want me to leave, so I waited for him to walk away, and then I came down. You have a cuff. Why don\u2019t you check my blood pressure now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I want you to come up to my office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou brought it with you, so you were planning to check my blood pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true, but I\u2019ve changed my mind.\u201d She raised her knees, wrapping her arms around them, and then looked up at him with a glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, I have no doubt your blood pressure is close to normal down here in the basement. But you don\u2019t live in the basement, at least, not anymore. You have to learn to live in the real world, and if your blood pressure is high upstairs, Dr. Gates will prescribe medication to bring it down. If that doesn\u2019t work, we may have to operate sooner than you wanted. Now, come on,\u201d he said, backing up so she could stand on her own.<\/p>\n

She stood and walked quietly to the elevator.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fourteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gonzo Gates straightened after removing a blood pressure cuff from Leah\u2019s arm. \u201cIt\u2019s still too high.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bet it wasn\u2019t high down in the basement,\u201d said Leah, smirking. \u201cWhat are you writing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA prescription.\u201d<\/p>\n

She glared at Trapper who was sitting behind his desk, looking back over his glasses. \u201cIf my blood pressure is high, it\u2019s your fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper asked, \u201cGonzo, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne thirty-two over eighty-two.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper removed his glasses and leaned forward over his desk, clasping his hands in front of him. \u201cLeah, this may well be because some painful things have come to the surface, but that\u2019s not necessarily bad. I\u2019m sure at some point your blood pressure will drop back down to normal, but for the time being you need to take this medicine to avoid the strain on your heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting with her legs crossed, her foot started tapping the air as she looked away.<\/p>\n

Gonzo sat back on the edge of Trapper\u2019s desk and crossed his arms. \u201cLeah, do you want to die? Is that why you\u2019re fighting us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyes shot up to his, and then moved over to Trapper before she looked down at her hands, remaining silent. When Gonzo handed her the prescription, she shot up out of the chair, wadded the prescription into a tight ball and threw it on Trapper\u2019s desk. \u201cGentlemen, I have two weeks to get my project to a point where Mark can take over for awhile. I agreed to have an echocardiogram every other day. Now, if you two will just leave me alone, I will live up to my end of the agreement.\u201d She stormed out of Trapper\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

Turning to Trapper, Gonzo held his hands out helplessly. \u201cWhat is it going to take? A rupture?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper shook his head. \u201cLet her go. She\u2019s probably right, you know\u2026her blood pressure could very well be normal in the basement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, she has to come out of the basement. What did you do that had her crying all day yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Trapper leaned back in his chair. \u201cShe won\u2019t see Matthews, so\u2026I spoke to him to get his thoughts, and he suggested that if I could get her to talk about the accident and how she felt, maybe it would start some momentum.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it seems you did just that. Only, I\u2019m not sure this was the right time to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both men jumped at the sound of metal trays crashing out in the hall. Looking at each other for an instant before they rushed out of the office, their first thoughts were of Leah.<\/p>\n

Leah had stopped and leaned against the wall just outside of Trapper\u2019s office. Her blurry vision and a sudden dizziness caused her to close her eyes and wait. This had happened once before and had cleared up on its own, but this time it wasn\u2019t going away. In fact, this time, it became harder and harder to catch her breath. Determined to make it to her office without anyone noticing, she pushed herself away from the wall and began walking slowly toward the elevator. Just as she turned the corner toward the nurse\u2019s station, she moved her hand to her chest, struggling to breathe, and tried to catch herself on a surgical cart as she collapsed to the floor.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cMove the screen over,\u201d were the first words Leah heard. Confused, she lay still with her eyes closed until she could make out the voices. Cold air flowed over her, and what felt like a wet ball was rolling over her chest. When she felt a hand on her breast, her hands flew up to push it away, and before she could do anything else, she was being pushed down.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, its Dr. Gates and Dr. McIntyre. Open your eyes.\u201d Her eyelids fluttered. \u201cErnie, dim the lights a little, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

She opened them and closed them quickly, grimacing. \u201cThe room is spinning,\u201d she whispered. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Passing the wand to Ernie, Gonzo leaned over her. \u201cLeah, this is Dr. Gates. We just did another echo, and we\u2019re about to take a look at it, so I need you to lie still for a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s McIntyre?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning over from the other side, Trapper said, \u201cI\u2019m right here, Leah. Nurse Shoop is going to get you cleaned up while Dr. Gates and I take a look at your echo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so cold,\u201d Leah whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get you a warm blanket just as soon as I get you cleaned up,\u201d said Ernie as she smiled and brushed Leah\u2019s hair back from her forehead.<\/p>\n

Pointing to a dark spot on the screen, Trapper said, \u201cIt seems she\u2019s sprung a leak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least it\u2019s a slow one,\u201d said Gonzo, looking closer at the picture on the screen. \u201cBut it\u2019s sure to get bigger unless we fix it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the time Ernie had gotten Leah into a hospital gown and covered her with a blanket, Gonzo and Trapper where at her side. \u201cLeah, the reason you were short of breath and dizzy is because your blood pressured dropped too quickly,\u201d said Gonzo, leaning over her with his hand resting at the top of her head.<\/p>\n

She smiled weakly. \u201cI told you it would come down on its own,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

Gonzo glanced at Trapper, and then looked back down at her. \u201cYour blood pressure dropped because the weak spot we\u2019ve been watching has started leaking. We can\u2019t wait any longer. We have to go in and repair it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking her hand, Gonzo looked at Trapper nervously before he bent closer to see her eyes. \u201cListen to me. This isn\u2019t \u2018if\u2019 anymore. If we don\u2019t repair it, you will die.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstood,\u201d she whispered calmly.<\/p>\n

Looking back up at Trapper, Gonzo asked, \u201cYou want to try?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked into her eyes and smiled, receiving a smile in return. \u201cLet\u2019s get her comfortable in a room and stabilized.\u201d<\/p>\n

She held his eyes as she searched for his hand, and when she found it, he squeezed. \u201cI need time to think,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

He whispered back, \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

With one hand on the door frame and the other on the door knob, Trapper leaned into Arnold Slocum\u2019s office. \u201cArnold? You got a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, I\u2019m in the middle of something. Can it wait?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Arnold. It can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Motioning to a chair, Arnold put down the report he was reading and waited for Trapper to be seated. \u201cI\u2019m listening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about Leah Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, I don\u2019t have time to hear any more complaints. She\u2019s doing what she\u2019s being paid to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it is about her work, but it\u2019s not a complaint. It\u2019s a favor. Dr. Gates has checked Leah into the hospital. She needs surgery to repair an atrial aneurism.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Arnold anxiously.<\/p>\n

Trapper smirked. \u201cWhy Arnold. I didn\u2019t know you cared.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis could put the project behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cocking his head, Trapper glared for a moment, and then closed his eyes and shook his head. \u201cIt will put the project behind. That\u2019s why I\u2019m here. I want you to approve the delay. If we don\u2019t go in now, she\u2019ll die, and if a schedule change isn\u2019t approved, she won\u2019t have the surgery. She\u2019ll work until she drops dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t Mark continue without her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah says there are things that need to be done before Mark can take over. Mark agrees with her. She\u2019s the one who\u2019s designing all this from the mechanical engineering to the programming and training. It\u2019s her baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning back, Arnold studied Trapper. \u201cThis isn\u2019t one of your little games, is it? She really will die if you don\u2019t operate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe will die, Arnold. It\u2019s not a game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen her company calls, I\u2019ll agree to an extension,\u201d said Arnold, letting out a long sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve already contacted their HR department, but I\u2019m sure someone in their oversight department will want to work on the schedule. We won\u2019t know how much of a delay until we go in.\u201d Rising to leave, Trapper added as he headed for the door, \u201cI\u2019ll let you know as soon as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper walked into Leah\u2019s room and stood at the door for a moment, listening.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe schematics are on my desk, Mark,\u201d she said quietly. \u201cThe guys have just started pulling the new cable. They can continue unless they have questions, and then they\u2019ll just have to wait. I\u2019ve started the new program designs, so you can get the programmers to start the ones I\u2019ve finished, but after that they\u2019ll have to wait. I have a rough outline of the next few courses of training ready to write, so why don\u2019t you take a stab at those? You\u2019re familiar enough with the way I write the training to know how that should go. Beyond that, I don\u2019t know. But there\u2019s enough work there to keep everyone busy for the next couple of weeks. Needless to say, no more overtime for anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearing his throat, Trapper stepped to the side of Leah\u2019s bed. \u201cThat\u2019s enough, young lady. You\u2019re not supposed to be working.\u201d She gave him an annoyed look. \u201cSlocum will approve a delay in the project, and we\u2019ve already contacted your HR department for your medical coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a little premature, isn\u2019t it?\u201d she asked, pushing herself up in the bed.<\/p>\n

Trapper put a hand on her shoulder. \u201cLay still, Leah. We don\u2019t want to aggravate your condition. Mark,\u201d he said, turning. \u201cI don\u2019t mind you asking questions until surgery, and even after she comes out of recovery if she\u2019s up to it, but I don\u2019t want you to bring her any problems. We need to give her heart time to heal without raising her blood pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Mark nodded, and then took Leah\u2019s hand and kissed it. \u201cLeah, we\u2019ll be fine. Don\u2019t worry about a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m worried. I\u2019m worried you\u2019ll take over my job,\u201d she said, smiling. She moved her hand on top of his. \u201cSeriously Mark, you\u2019ve done this with me enough to know what to do. Trust yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you after your surgery,\u201d he said, turning and leaving the room.<\/p>\n

Sitting on the side of the bed, Trapper took her hand. \u201cAny questions?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem sure I\u2019m going to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see you have a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t I?\u201d she said, looking away. \u201cIsn\u2019t this what I wanted? To die with them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper covered the hand he was holding with his other hand. \u201cIt\u2019s been four years since the accident. Don\u2019t you think if you really wanted to die, you\u2019d have found a way by now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know how close I\u2019ve come,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

Raising his eyebrows, Trapper said, \u201cOh, I can imagine. But you haven\u2019t gone through with it. Something has always stopped you. I think you owe it to yourself to figure out what that something is.\u201d Reaching over to the night table, Trapper grabbed a clipboard. \u201cI need you to sign some consent forms,\u201d he said, holding the clipboard in front of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need more time to think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the form you need to sign so I can get copies of the autopsies. Sign right there,\u201d he said, pointing to a line on the form. After she signed, he flipped the top paper over and pointed again. When he presented the third sheet, she looked up at him with an arched eyebrow. \u201cEverything is in triplicate these days,\u201d he said, shrugging and looking over the top of his glasses as she signed the third sheet. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a little while. In the meantime, I\u2019m going to ask Nurse Shoop to give you something to help you relax.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t necessarily cloud your mind, and I\u2019d feel better knowing that your thinking isn\u2019t going to cause more problems with your heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re not my doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stopped in mid-stride toward the door and turned back around, smiling. \u201cDr. Gates will sign the order.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie and Gonzo were leaning against the wall just outside Leah\u2019s door when Trapper stepped out. \u201cHere are the consent forms, Ernie. Go ahead and prep her. And don\u2019t tell her you\u2019re prepping her for surgery. You\u2019re just giving her something to help her relax.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking the forms, Ernie said, \u201cIt\u2019s your hide,\u201d as she walked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t tell her what she was signing?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told her what the top form was. She didn\u2019t exactly ask about the others.\u201d Gonzo looked sideways at him. \u201cLook, just do the surgery. I\u2019ll deal with the fallout.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re assisting, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t miss it,\u201d replied Trapper, walking with Gonzo toward the elevator.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Turning to the anesthesiologist, Gonzo asked, \u201cHow\u2019s her blood pressure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne ten over sixty. Pulse is sixty-five.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Let\u2019s get started. Scalpel.\u201d Ernie carefully placed the scalpel in Gonzo\u2019s hand. When he made the incision down the right center of her chest, Trapper asked for the tissue forceps. \u201cI don\u2019t want to be the first person she sees when she wakes up. She\u2019s going to be fighting mad,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cRetractor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re her doctor,\u201d said Trapper, glancing up over his glasses. \u201cSponge. Besides, she doesn\u2019t yell at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never heard her yell at you\u2026she snaps. Can you wipe that rib? The retractor is slipping. Good. It\u2019s stable now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning forward, Trapper said, \u201cLet\u2019s see what we\u2019re up against.\u201d He whistled. \u201cThe tissue around the aneurism is pretty thin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if we clamp around the edges of the thin tissue and suture underneath it? Then we can resect the bad tissue after it\u2019s closed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to be careful not to clamp the thin part. It\u2019s liable to tear, and then we\u2019ll have a real problem on our hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust be ready with suction. If it tears, blood\u2019s going to come out fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up at Gonzo, Trapper said assertively, \u201cYou have to be faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo took a deep breath. \u201cRight angle DeBakey. Before I clamp this, Ernie, prepare a number sixteen suture needle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holding his hand out for the DeBakey, Trapper said, \u201cI\u2019ll clamp. You start suturing as soon as the clamp is in place.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The surgical waiting room was full of men in black suits and ties with white shirts anxious for Leah to come out of surgery. When the automatic doors opened at the end of the hall, their lookout motioned for everyone to follow him.<\/p>\n

Gonzo and Trapper stopped for a moment and looked at each other in surprise. \u201cWhy does it feel like we might be in trouble with the Feds?\u201d Gonzo asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Trapper laughed. \u201cFor what? Growing mushrooms in the basement?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs hard as she is to get along with, you\u2019d think this hallway would be empty,\u201d said Gonzo.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper replied, \u201cAs I understand it, she has a different rapport with her people in the basement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping out of the middle of the swarm of men, Mark asked, \u201cHow is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo crossed his arms. \u201cIt went well. We fixed the aneurism and gave her heart a good once over. Seems her husband took care of himself. She\u2019s got a very healthy heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this problem wasn\u2019t already a problem with the heart?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I think I can safely say the weak spot was brought on by stress, not only from her job, but also from stress related to the accident,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cShe\u2019ll be in recovery for awhile, and after that she\u2019ll be sedated to give her more time to rest. You can stop by tomorrow to see her\u2026.but not all at once. She\u2019ll be in CICU for a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ernie stood behind the counter at the nurse\u2019s station, waiting for X-ray to answer the phone. When Gonzo and Trapper stopped by, she moved the phone away from her ear and covered the mouthpiece with her hand. \u201cTrapper, Leah Haverty is awake this morning. She\u2019s asking for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d said Gonzo sternly. \u201cYou are not to see her until I check on her. I don\u2019t want you causing another aneurism.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGonzo, come on. Do you think I\u2019d do anything to make that happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo tilted his head. \u201cRight now, the sight of you might just do it.\u201d He took Leah\u2019s chart from Ernie and boarded the elevator. When he arrived in CICU, he checked with the nurse on duty before he went into Leah\u2019s room. \u201cAny problems?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you call yelling in a whisper a problem, then yes. She\u2019s mad as a hornet. What did you two do to her?\u201d she said, nodding toward the double doors at the entrance to CICU.<\/p>\n

Gonzo twisted and seeing Trapper standing just inside the door, he rolled his eyes and walked over. Keeping his voice low, he said, \u201cTrapper, I was serious. I don\u2019t want you upsetting her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper stood with his hands clasped behind his back and a seditious smile on his face. \u201cSounds to me like she\u2019s already upset.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust stay here\u2026please.\u201d Gonzo walked into Leah\u2019s room and met a glare, albeit a sleepy glare. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike someone cut open my chest without my permission and used my ribs as monkey bars,\u201d she said in a raspy whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you whispering? We didn\u2019t operate on your throat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause everything hurts. It hurts to talk, it hurts to breathe, it hurts to move.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I saw the consent forms, so naturally, I thought you wanted this surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give me that. Where\u2019s McIntyre? He\u2019s responsible for this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre is right here,\u201d said Trapper, stepping around the glass wall.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, I told you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you told me, Gonzo, but she\u2019s already upset. Maybe we should just let her get it out before her heart explodes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah grabbed the plastic cup of water on her over-bed table and threw it, screaming at the pain at the same time she soaked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was stupid,\u201d Gonzo scolded. He jerked down the blanket covering her and pulled down the front of her hospital gown. \u201cYou could have torn your sutures,\u201d he said, examining her incision. \u201cYou\u2019re lucky. Now I want you to settle down. And if you don\u2019t, I\u2019ll keep you sedated.\u201d He glanced at Trapper, and then looked back down at her chart. \u201cHe\u2019s not going anywhere. You can tear into him when you\u2019ve recovered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping closer to the bed while wiping water from his face, Trapper countered, \u201cI think that she should get it out now or she won\u2019t get any rest. She can hardly move. She can\u2019t even yell. And the only reason she\u2019s angry is because I acted on the decision she had already made.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong,\u201d she whispered angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I? It\u2019s been four years, Leah. And you signed a consent form for the autopsies. That doesn\u2019t sound like you were expecting to die.\u201d Trapper leaned over her bed and looked into her tear-filled eyes. \u201cAnd you would have died if we had waited,\u201d he said earnestly. \u201cThe tissue around the aneurism was too thin to have lasted much longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sniffled and turned to Gonzo. \u201cIs that true?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm. But the surgery went well, and I expect you to have a full recovery. We\u2019ve removed the weak tissue, but you need to give the sutures in the wall of your heart and the sutures in your chest time to heal. That means that I want you to rest today. Depending on how you feel, we\u2019ll see about letting you sit up on the side of your bed tomorrow. And if that goes well, you can take a few steps the day after that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long until I can work?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo took a deep breath. \u201cThat depends. Leah, I have no doubt this lesion on your heart was caused by stress. Now whether it started because you haven\u2019t addressed your feelings from the accident or from the pressures of your job, I can\u2019t tell you. But before you jump back into your normal life, you need to deal with it. I want you to talk to Dr. Matthews.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t release you to go back to work until I get a positive report from him.\u201d As Gonzo turned to leave, he added, \u201cThe choice is yours.\u201d Stopping at the glass wall, he looked back at Trapper. \u201cYou\u2026out. My patient needs her rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper brushed her hair back off her forehead. \u201cCall me if you want to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

She snarled and looked away.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventeen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper didn\u2019t visit Leah again while she was in CICU. Even after she was moved to a room on a ward, he stayed away. Until today. When he stepped into her private room, she was sitting in a chair by the window, working.<\/p>\n

She looked up from the over-bed table where her work was spread out everywhere\u2026even on the window sill, took a deep breath, and then turned her attention back to her work.<\/p>\n

Tucking the file folder he had been holding under his arm, he walked to the window and leaned back on the sill, crossing his arms. \u201cDr. Gates tells me you\u2019re making remarkable progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

She ignored him and continued her work.<\/p>\n

Picking up the papers that were laying on the sill, Trapper asked, \u201cDoes he know you\u2019re working? As I recall, he wasn\u2019t going to release you to go back until you saw Dr. Matthews.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s your answer. I\u2019m still here in a hospital room instead of recovering at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you really expect to go home this soon?\u201d When he got no answer, he asked with some disbelief in his voice, \u201cYou\u2019re not still angry with me for arranging your surgery are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Without looking up, she set her pen down very purposefully on the table, leaned back, looked at the door, and then cut her eyes over to his. \u201cYou had no right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we\u2019ll never know how you would have felt if the lesion had completely ruptured, and Gonzo didn\u2019t have time to get in to fix it,\u201d he said acerbically to her continued glare. \u201cAnd if you\u2019re waiting on an apology, you\u2019re not going to get one. Whether you want to admit it or not, you want to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Casting her eyes down, she took a deep breath. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d she asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Satisfied that his argument had the desired effect, he answered in kind, \u201cI thought you might want to talk about the autopsies.\u201d She tensed, and when she looked up at him, he saw uncertainty. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you right off that I think you\u2019ll feel some relief from what I have to tell you, but I want to go over it carefully with you so you completely understand\u2026so doubt doesn\u2019t creep back in.\u201d Rolling the table away from the chair, he took her hand and helped her up. \u201cHave you walked today?\u201d She shook her head. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we walk over to my office where we can spend some time going over these?\u201d Draping her arm over his so she could lean on him if necessary, he walked her out the door.<\/p>\n

When they passed the nurse\u2019s station, he asked Ernie to hold his calls. Once in his office, he motioned for her to be seated on the sofa, and then asked if she wanted a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

She hadn\u2019t looked him in the eye since she asked him what he had wanted and still didn\u2019t. \u201cCan I have coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA cup every now and then isn\u2019t going to hurt you. And decaf, if you can stand it, will never hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you take it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCream, if you have it\u2026and Sweet N\u2019Low.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper twisted to look at her and furrowed his brow. \u201cSugar it is.\u201d Handing her a cup, he set his on the side table and sat down next to her. \u201cI don\u2019t want you to read these. They\u2019re full of medical jargon, so much of it won\u2019t mean anything to you without a medical dictionary.\u201d He hesitated. \u201cAnd\u2026there are things in here you don\u2019t need to read\u2026they go into great detail. If I knew more about the accident, I\u2019m sure some of what\u2019s in here will make more sense. Can you tell me what you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

After reliving the accident over and over in her dreams for the last four years, it was easy for her to slip back to that day. Trapper watched her, waiting patiently as she stared into her coffee cup, knowing she would speak when she could.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were on our way home from a long weekend at our lake house. Are you familiar with Highway 50 between Twin Bridges and the cut-off to Ice House?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve driven it many times.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you know how winding that road is\u2026and the river is right down below the road. We were in a passing lane, going by a log truck when something happened to the truck.\u201d When she took a sip of her coffee, he noticed her hands shaking, and when she lowered the cup, he put his hand on her arm. \u201cI don\u2019t know if he hit the bank or maybe a boulder on the side of the road. We didn\u2019t really notice anything until we heard the sound\u2026like metal tearing\u2026and then a loud\u2026it almost sounded like a gun firing.\u201d Turning away, she raised a trembling hand to her mouth. Trapper took her coffee cup and set it on the table, then held her other hand. As tears flowed down her face, she continued. \u201cEverything happened so fast. The logs started rolling off the truck onto the car. The first one knocked us into the oncoming lane, and then it seemed the rest of the logs hit us all at once. The car rolled over and the logs took it off the road\u2026it was rolling with them. I remember John yelling to hold on. I don\u2019t remember the kids making any sound\u2026none at all.\u201d She stopped and wrapped her arms around herself, crying without making a sound. \u201cI don\u2019t remember anything else,\u201d she said after few minutes. \u201cAt some point, John and I were thrown out of the car. I was told I landed behind a large rock, but John landed in the path of the logs. Beth and JJ were in the car when it was pulled out of the river.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper saw so much anguish on her face and torment in her eyes. He understood now why she pushed those memories away. He nodded to Dr. Matthews who had silently opened Trapper\u2019s office door and stepped just inside. \u201cLeah, do you want to stop for the moment or do you want to keep going?\u201d Trapper asked.<\/p>\n

Taking several slow breaths, she answered unsteadily, \u201cI need to know if John suffered. I need to know if my children knew they were dying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back at Dr. Matthews, Trapper opened his folder when Matthews nodded to continue. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you anything definite about John. Based on the description of the blunt force trauma to his head, I feel sure he would have lost consciousness with the first blow. The coroner didn\u2019t know if he was hit first by the car or by a log, and it doesn\u2019t really matter. By coming out of the car as it was rolling down the hill, the coroner felt his primary injury would have been almost immediate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Matthews poured a glass of water and handed it to Leah. When she took it from him, that fact that he was there didn\u2019t seem to faze her. She took a drink, handed the glass to Trapper, and then sank into the sofa as if willing it to swallow her.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you still want to go on?\u201d Trapper asked softly, leaning over her. Her eyes remained fixed on her hands lying in her lap when she nodded. \u201cAlright. JJ and Beth each had blunt force trauma to the head. Leah, was Beth sitting behind you? JJ was sitting behind John?<\/p>\n

She pulled herself away from the protection of the sofa cushions and turned to Trapper. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeth\u2019s major head injury was to the left side of her head. JJ\u2019s was to the right. You said you didn\u2019t hear them make a sound. That\u2019s because their major injuries occurred at the top of the hill\u2026as the car first went off the road.\u201d Tossing the files over to his desk, he turned and took her hands, looking into her eyes. \u201cLeah, their heads bumped together. Do you understand what I\u2019m saying?\u201d She searched his eyes, trying to comprehend. \u201cThey had no idea the car rolled down the hill and landed in the river. They were unconscious from the very start of the accident. They didn\u2019t have time to know what was happening, and they certainly had no idea they were drowning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah lay over on the arm of the sofa away from Trapper and drew herself into a ball. After four years of denying her pain, she was finally allowing herself to grieve. Dr. Matthews laid his hand on Trapper\u2019s shoulder, bringing Trapper to his feet. \u201cI\u2019ll go check on some other patients,\u201d whispered Trapper. \u201cStay here as long as you need to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Matthews took Trappers place on the sofa while Trapper exited his office.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Trapper entered Leah\u2019s room, he found her standing at the window, staring out. It seemed she hadn\u2019t heard the door open, so he knocked before stepping the rest of the way in.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Dr. McIntyre,\u201d she said almost absentmindedly without looking.<\/p>\n

To Trapper\u2019s delight, there was no resentment in her voice at all. Yet, it still wasn\u2019t quite friendly\u2026more uninterested. \u201cHow did you know it was me?\u201d he asked, standing with his hands clasped in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a unique scent.\u201d Trapper cocked his head slightly and narrowed his eyes. \u201cThere\u2019s a certain scent that every doctor and nurse in this hospital has; a faint antiseptic scent. Except you. I understand why you use lotion on your hands after washing them so much, but you don\u2019t use the lotion provided by the hospital. You have your own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper twisted his mouth and raised his brows, then took a deep breath, remembering why he had come. \u201cDr. Gates has removed all restrictions on your diet, so I thought you might enjoy a change of scenery for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gave him an indifferent look, and turned back to the window. \u201cMark will be here in a few minutes to go over some work I have for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Dr. Gates asked you to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did, but Dr. Matthews said it would be alright. I seem to have convinced him that my work is more therapeutic than stressful. It\u2019s something to occupy my mind instead of dwelling on\u2026other things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re talking to Dr. Matthews now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but you knew that, didn\u2019t you? Isn\u2019t that my chart tucked under your arm?\u201d Trapper pulled the chart out, but before he could respond, she asked, \u201cWill you be here this evening?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I have a rain check? I think I\u2019d like to get off this ward for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, he nodded, then took her arm and drew her toward the bed. \u201cDr. Gates is off today, so he asked me to check your sutures and see how you feel. Howdo<\/em>\u00a0you feel? Physically, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pointed to the sash of her robe, and she untied it, slipping the robe off her shoulders as she sat on the side of the bed. \u201cWell, I\u2019m tired, but I suspect that\u2019s because I\u2019m not getting any exercise. My incision is sore, but it\u2019s not completely healed. And my back hurts if I lay in bed too long. My butt hurts if I sit too long, so I stand. Other than the soreness in my chest, standing doesn\u2019t seem to bother me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reaching around to untie the back of her hospital gown, he pulled it down, and as he examined her incision, he asked, \u201cAny shortness of breath?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

He placed his stethoscope on her back. \u201cTake a deep breath for me. And another. Any dizziness or nausea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving the stethoscope to the front, he listened to her heart. \u201cI don\u2019t hear anything I shouldn\u2019t,\u201d he said, smiling and dropping the scope into his coat pocket. Going back to her incision, he touched the edges. \u201cIs that still sore?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA little.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you can handle an echocardiogram? We\u2019ll have to cover the incision so the gel won\u2019t get into it. We\u2019ll have to press pretty hard to get an image.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I tell you to stop, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. I\u2019ll try.\u201d Stepping back, Trapper picked her chart up from the bedside table, and while he was writing, she asked, \u201cWhen you look at me\u2026like this\u2026what do you see?\u201d<\/p>\n

He stopped writing and looked up over his glasses. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you see a patient\u2026a woman\u2026or just someone you feel sorry for?\u201d<\/p>\n

He studied her for a moment and slightly creased his brow. She still wore a somewhat apathetic expression, so he was unsure what she was looking for. \u201cLeah, I don\u2019t feel sorry for you. I\u2019m certainly empathetic for you in your situation, but I don\u2019t pity you. You\u2019re only thirty-eight. You still have a lot of good years ahead of you, whether you choose to believe it or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about these?\u201d she said, pointing to her scars. \u201cAs I understand it from listening to the nurses talk, you\u2019re a\u2026an active man. Would this,\u201d she said, looking down at the two long scars on her chest, \u201c\u2026be offensive to\u2026men?\u201d<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t realized he had tensed until he relaxed and turned up one side of his mouth in a half smile. \u201cI suppose that would depend on the man. Personally, no. I prefer a woman with substance. The wrapping is just a bonus. And after seeing your insides\u2026on several levels\u2026as well as your outsides, I would say, kiddo, that you have a lot of substance.\u201d She hung her head and sighed deeply. Taking her hands, he continued warmly, \u201cLeah, you\u2019re a beautiful woman. Those scars won\u2019t matter to someone worthy of you. But if it bothers you this much, you can have those scars almost completely eliminated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you finished?\u201d His lower jaw slightly dropped. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t mean it that way. Are you finished with this?\u201d she asked, indicating her chest. He nodded, and she pulled the hospital gown back up. \u201cI don\u2019t know that I want to be on an operating table again. At least for awhile,\u201d she said as she reached back to tie the back of her gown. \u201cDo you think I could wear my own PJs now? I have tops and bottoms, and the top unbuttons in the front so you and Dr. Gates can have easy access.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have someone who can bring them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re already here. Ernie purchased a new set for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper leaned forward slightly. \u201cErnie? Not Nurse Shoop?\u201d<\/p>\n

A knock on the door interrupted what might have been an enlightening conversation. \u201cCome in,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, do you still feel like doing this?\u201d asked Mark. \u201cHello, Dr. McIntyre,\u201d he said, extending his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cMark. How are things in the basement?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, John, since Leah\u2019s been able to do some work up here, we\u2019re staying busy down there. We even got the order for the new equipment in on time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning to Leah, Trapper asked, \u201cAre you getting paid?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked up at the ceiling and puckered her lips. \u201cWell, yes and no. Dr. Gates hasn\u2019t released me, so I\u2019m not\u2026officially\u2026working,\u00a0but<\/em>\u00a0I am getting paid\u2026sort of. I\u2019m on disability, and since the company is self-insured, they are paying me\u2026technically.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Trapper headed for the door. \u201cI\u2019ll see you two later. I\u2019ve got work to do elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

After two hours of answering questions and shuffling text, flow charts and schematics, Leah, who had been sitting on the side of her bed, reclined. Mark stood up from the only chair in the room and gathered all the papers into two neat stacks. \u201cYou\u2019re tired. I\u2019m leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark,\u201d she said, holding her hand out to him. He took it and stood by the bed. \u201cThank you for all this. You didn\u2019t have to do any of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve always been like a big sister. I\u2019ll do anything for my sisters. Just ask them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess it is the job of the big sister to torture the little brother, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. \u201cYes, and as usual, you\u2019re doing a fine job.\u201d She laughed loudly. \u201cIt\u2019s good to hear that again,\u201d he said, smiling. \u201cNow, get some rest. I\u2019ll go back downstairs and share the wealth. I left the stuff you\u2019re still working on over on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Nineteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAntonio, I need a favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything for you, Dr. McIntyre. Just name it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo stuck his head in the door, and Trapper waved him in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need dinner delivered to the hospital. Can you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo smiled and waved goodbye.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on just a minute, Antonio.\u201d Moving the telephone receiver away from his ear, Trapper asked, \u201cWhy are you here? You\u2019re supposed to be off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not here. I just wanted to see if you were interested in coming over to the Titanic for a glass of wine before you left. But I see you\u2019re already making plans. If you have some time later on, come on by.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Trapper said, \u201cI\u2019ll do that. Antonio, sorry about that. I\u2019d like two of your Salmon Milano dinners, iced tea, and two pieces of your Tiramisu for dessert. And if you\u2019ll deliver those on your restaurant dishes, I promise to bring them back. Oh, and flowers for the table\u2026and a candle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere and when?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOutside the cafeteria\u2026say about seven?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this for a new one or an existing one?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper smiled. \u201cYou\u2019ve never met her. She\u2019s a patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper opened the door to a darkened room. He listened for a moment, and when he heard a sniffle, he continued to the side of the bed. \u201cLeah,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

She was facing away from him, and pulling a tissue from the box on the side table, she quickly wiped her eyes and nose, and turned over. \u201cHi,\u201d she said quietly, offering an apologetic smile.<\/p>\n

Sitting on the side of the bed, Trapper took her hand. \u201cWhat\u2019s this all about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had another visit from Dr. Matthews. He has a way of doing this to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Is it getting any easier?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really. He wants me to take something for depression.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t want to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was on medication for depression after my transplant. Though it did have a calming effect some of the time, I knew it was fake. One minute I was laughing, and the next I was crying. I didn\u2019t feel like it was helping, so I don\u2019t see how it will help now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe getting out of this room will help. Did you forget about dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said, blushing. \u201cI was trying to figure out how to let you down easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t. I ordered in, and as far as I know, we have the outside of the cafeteria all to ourselves. Why don\u2019t you put on your new pajamas and grab your robe? Your dinner awaits.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper had removed his white hospital coat and replaced it with his sport jacket before he left his office for Leah\u2019s room. Now he, in his street clothes and Leah, in her new black satin pajamas and matching robe walked through the main cafeteria and out the doors to the patio where Antonio was patiently waiting to serve them.<\/p>\n

After Trapper seated her and took the chair across the table from her, Antonio began serving, identifying each dish as he placed it on the linen covered table. \u201cWe have Salmon Milano seared to perfection in dill butter accompanied by our own asparagus risotto, fresh rosemary-olive oil yeast bread, a carafe of our house Zinfandel, and for dessert Tiramisu. I also have a carafe of iced tea, if you prefer.\u201d He lit a candle in the middle of a shallow bowl of flowers, bowed, and bid them a good evening, disappearing into the night.<\/p>\n

Leah looked at the table with her mouth open in pleasant surprise. \u201cHow did you manage this? This looks\u2026delicious.\u201d She looked up at him with a wide grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve only seen you eat soup, salad and hospital food. There\u2019s more to life than that,\u201d he answered, matching her grin.<\/p>\n

As the two began eating their dinner, Leah asked, \u201cHow much longer do I have to stay in the hospital?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s entirely up to Dr. Gates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on. You\u2019re as familiar with my condition as Dr. Gates. How long do you think? I promise I won\u2019t hold Dr. Gates to your answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think that depends on what progress Dr. Matthews feels you\u2019re making. Once we do another echocardiogram, if everything looks alright, I see no physical reason why you can\u2019t finish recuperating at home. But Dr. Matthews may not want you alone just yet.\u201d She frowned, and her shoulders slumped. \u201cLeah, you just had major heart surgery on a heart you weren\u2019t born with. My advice is not to rush this.\u201d<\/p>\n

She set her fork down on her plate. \u201cI\u2019m afraid I\u2019ve never been good at being cooped up.\u201d Trapper gave her an incredulous look. \u201cI know, I know. I work in a basement. But my mind is occupied there, and I don\u2019t notice the\u2026confining walls and ceiling. I don\u2019t have much to do in my room, but\u2026think.\u201d She became quiet. \u201cI don\u2019t want to think\u2026all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see if I can arrange some time off for good behavior,\u201d said Trapper, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I have another glass of wine? It\u2019s very good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you taking any pain meds?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI get one at night\u2026so I can sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen no,\u201d he said, reaching for the carafe of tea and pouring a glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does time off mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means a furlough\u2026maybe\u2026from the hospital. I can\u2019t make any promises until I speak to your doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning up one side of her mouth, she tried not to smile. She looked down at her plate, and pushed her food around. \u201cDr. McIntyre?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you\u2019d call me Trapper. After all, we will be working together once you\u2019re all healed up. And I think Dr. Matthews might even give you bonus points.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout Dr. Matthews\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked up from his dinner. \u201cWhat about him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to talk to him anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Setting his fork down, he wiped his mouth on his napkin. \u201cWhy not?\u201d he asked calmly.<\/p>\n

Without looking him in the eye, she explained, \u201cWe talk about what he wants to talk about; not what I need to talk about. The man has his own agenda, and I mean a physical agenda, when I walk in his office. He started with my childhood, looking for problems there to explain problems now.\u201d Looking into Trapper’s eyes, she continued, \u201cI had a wonderful childhood. I had a wonderful life with John and the children, and the only issue I have now is that\u2026\u201d She leaned back in her chair. \u201cThey\u2019re gone and I\u2026I don\u2019t know how to go on from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to Gonzo. We do have a psychiatrist on staff that might suit you better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis name is David Sandler. He\u2019s a little unconventional, but he knows his stuff. And he\u2019ll be better able to keep up with your medical issues since he\u2019s a medical doctor. Now, I brought you down here to help you forget you\u2019re in a hospital for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, she said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry. You sidetracked me when you brought up Dr. Matthews. I was going to thank you for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper smiled at her smile. She had quite a lovely smile. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d After a few minutes of silence, Trapper asked. \u201cSo tell me how you met Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark?\u201d she said with raised eyebrows. \u201cWell, we met in college. And for most of my career, he\u2019s been able to hire on at the same companies. Then when I could hire my own people, I hired him. We\u2019ve been doing the same type of work together for a long time now\u2026fourteen years. It\u2019s not always a hospital application, but the basic framework is the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know he has feelings for you, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She froze in mid-chew for a moment before she finished chewing. \u201cWell, we\u2019ve always been good friends. He\u2019s like a brother. In fact, we just had a big sister-kid brother discussion earlier this afternoon.\u201d She took a sip of tea. \u201cBesides, he\u2019s younger than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t be by much,\u201d said Trapper, watching her as he swirled his wine and took a sip.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning forward, Trapper looked sideways at her. \u201cWho made the rule that said the man had to be older than the woman in a relationship? Seems to me it shouldn\u2019t matter. After all, you were thirteen years younger than John.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rolling her eyes, she said, \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll bite. I don\u2019t feel that way about Mark. And if I find that he feels that way about me, I\u2019m just going to have to set him straight. I hope, for both our sakes, that you\u2019re wrong. It would make working with him\u2026awkward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can understand why you might not feel that way now. After all, in a lot of ways, you\u2019ve still been married for the last four years. But there will come a time, Leah, when you\u2019re going to start thinking that way about someone. And it may well be Mark.\u201d Trapper put their dinner plates to the side and sat a plate of Tiramisu in front of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. I haven\u2019t had Tiramisu in a very long time,\u201d she said, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re already very comfortable with him. That\u2019s how it starts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m getting comfortable with you. Is that supposed to mean something?\u201d she asked with a dismissive smirk. She didn\u2019t see the slight rise of Trapper\u2019s chin, the barely visible narrowing of his eyes or his imperceptible smile.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty<\/strong><\/p>\n

As Trapper and Leah started their dessert, sirens, racing engines and squealing tires preceded a barrage of flashing lights as ambulance after ambulance flew through the back entrance of the hospital parking lot into emergency. This all coincided with Trapper\u2019s pager going off.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d said Trapper, rising from his chair. \u201cI…\u201d He didn\u2019t have time to further apologize.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurry,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ll take the dishes to your office.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he ran through the cafeteria door, he yelled back over his shoulder, \u201cDo not carry them! Get a cart!\u201d And with that, he was gone.<\/p>\n

Following him into the cafeteria, she looked around for a cart. The main part of the cafeteria had been closed for some time, but the snack area was always open, and whoever had stocked the vending machines had left a stainless steel cart in a corner near the machines. She rolled the cart outside, took one more look at the flower arrangement, and smiled before she blew out the candle and loaded everything onto the cart.<\/p>\n

On the elevator and walking down the halls, she looked carefully down halls to her right and left as she passed, and occasionally, she\u2019d glance behind her. The hospital seemed eerily empty on this floor. Backing through Trapper\u2019s office door, she left the dirty dishes on his former secretary\u2019s desk and took Trapper\u2019s Tiramisu and the wine carafe into his office, placing them in his mini-refrigerator. Searching through his lap drawer, she found a piece of paper, and sat down in his chair to write a note.<\/p>\n

I hope you enjoy dessert as much as I did. It\u2019s in the frig. Thank you for a much needed break and a lovely dinner. Leah.<\/em><\/p>\n

She took her dessert and ate it as she slowly made her way to her room, and though she thought she\u2019d relax and watch the television, her curiosity got the best of her.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

When Trapper arrived in emergency, gurneys were already starting to line the walls. Trapper held his breath when he looked from one to another. \u201cAre they all children?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBus accident,\u201d said Stanley. \u201cThey were on their way home from a church youth basketball game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you need me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTriage until we find someone who needs your skills. Minor injuries are on the right. Moderate injuries are on the left. Major injuries go straight to exam rooms or surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving closer to the entrance, Trapper began looking at children coming in on gurneys or walking, directing them to the right or left. \u201cStanley, where are the parents?\u201d<\/p>\n

As Stanley knelt to examine a child who had walked in, he answered, \u201cThe chaperones are on their way. We\u2019ll let them use the phones to call the rest of the parents. There are some uninjured kids here. They brought in everyone who was on the bus because there wasn\u2019t much left of the bus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we have someone who can take care of the uninjured kids? They\u2019re just wandering around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah had just stepped around the corner, and quickly backed up behind the counter, watching as child after child came in. She stopped Gloria as she ran by with her hands full of pillows and blankets. \u201cGloria, I\u2019ll take the uninjured children to the waiting room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gloria hesitated before she ran on, offering a smile and a nod.<\/p>\n

Trapper stopped his triage when a man carrying a child in his arms came through the door. \u201cDoc, I don\u2019t think he\u2019s breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGloria, get me an exam room, stat!\u201d ordered Trapper. Taking the boy in his arms, he hurried down the hall. \u201cWhere did you find him?\u201d he asked the man who had brought the child in and was following. Laying the child on the bed, Trapper listened to the boy\u2019s chest with a stethoscope.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bus rolled several times. He was on the bottom of the pile,\u201d answered the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s breathing, but it\u2019s shallow. Start him on oxygen.\u201d Gloria stepped around Trapper, pulling a mask forward from the oxygen feed on the wall and placing it over the child\u2019s nose and mouth. Feeling the boy\u2019s chest, Trapper stopped and raised his shirt. Bruises cover his chest and abdomen. Next, Trapper pressed around his stomach. \u201cHe\u2019s got some internal bleeding. Maybe broken ribs and pneumothorax. Gloria, if he starts gurgling, get him intubated and page me. We\u2019ll have to put in a chest tube until we can get him into the OR. Start an IV and plasma and get a CT scan of his chest and abdomen. Then type and match him for surgery. And call Ernie. Tell her I need her.\u201d Turning back to the man, he asked, \u201cAre you his father?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, his father is out of town. He was staying with one of the other parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about his mother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s dead. All he has is his father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, let\u2019s find the parent he was staying with. He should have a contact number for the father.\u201d Picking up the wall phone in the exam room, Trapper dialed, and as he waited, he asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s the boy\u2019s name and age?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarcus\u2026Marcus Jones. He\u2019s nine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold. Arnold, wake up. I need you to start on a court order. I have a nine year old by the name of Marcus Jones who needs immediate surgery. No, we haven\u2019t found his parent yet. He\u2019s out of town. Internal bleeding, collapsed lung. Thanks, Arnold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking back out to the main hall, Trapper found Stanley. \u201cDo you have any more for me, Stanley?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I\u2019ve referred two to neurology with head trauma. The rest have broken bones, cuts and bruises. Are you going to have to operate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, the kid\u2019s bleeding internally. I need to find out who he was staying with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe parents who were following the bus just arrived. Some of them are trying to contact the other parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk around Stanley. See if you can find out who Marcus Jones was staying with. I\u2019ll go check the waiting room.\u201d Trotting around the corner and down the hall, Trapper stepped into the waiting room and was swarmed by nervous parents. Holding up his hands, he said, \u201cAs soon as we know anything about your child, someone will come get you. Were any of you babysitting Marcus Jones?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said a man, raising his hand. \u201cHe was staying with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your name is?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlan Jaeger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Jaeger, I\u2019m Dr. McIntyre,\u201d said Trapper, putting his hand on the man\u2019s shoulder and guiding him out of the waiting room. \u201cMarcus has some internal bleeding and needs surgery. We need to contact his father for consent. Do you know how to get in touch with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have a number, but he might not be there. He\u2019s at a convention.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ll come with me, I\u2019d like you to try to reach him from the nurse\u2019s station.\u201d As the two men walked down the hall, Jaeger asked about his own son. Trapper asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s his first name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Alan. He\u2019s a junior.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the nurse\u2019s station, Trapper moved Mr. Jaeger behind the counter and sat him in front of the phone. \u201cMr. Jaeger, this is Donna, one of our emergency room nurses. Donna, Mr. Jaeger needs to keep trying to call a parent. We need consent for surgery for Marcus Jones. And see if you can find his son, Alan.\u201d He barely waited for her to nod. Having spotted Gonzo in the hall, he hurried to him and told him to scrub for surgery.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah had gathered several of the uninjured children and those who had been treated for minor injuries around her. She could only find seven. Guiding them down the hall toward the waiting room, she stopped at the entrance. The room was full of adults waiting to hear any news about their own children.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey guys,\u201d she said, turning back to the children. \u201cDo any of you see your parents here?\u201d All of them shook their heads. \u201cOkay. There\u2019s no room for us here, so why don\u2019t we go up to my room and watch some television? I\u2019m sure we can find something.\u201d As she passed the nurse\u2019s station, she found Gloria on the phone. \u201cAre you on hold?\u201d<\/p>\n

With frustration on her face, Gloria grumbled, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to take these children up to my room to watch TV. There\u2019s no room in the waiting room. I just wanted someone to know where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just as Gloria opened her mouth to answer, someone spoke on the other end of the phone. She nodded at Leah, and turned away. Before she left, Leah reached over the counter for paper and pen, making a list of everyone\u2019s name. She waited for a break in Gloria\u2019s conversation before she passed the paper to her. \u201cThese are the children who are with me.\u201d Gloria stuffed the paper in her pocket and watched Leah lead the children away from the chaos.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-One<\/strong><\/p>\n

As Trapper stood next to Gonzo, scrubbing his arms, Ernie walked into the room, wearing her scrubs. \u201cI hope this is as urgent as Gloria led me to believe. I had to leave my book, my hot tea, and my robe and slippers sitting next to my comfortable chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNine-year-old with internal bleeding and a possible collapsed lung,\u201d stated Trapper with a serious look.<\/p>\n

His look didn\u2019t surprise her. Though he routinely joked when he worked on adults, he never let his guard down when the life of a child was in his hands. Standing in front of the sink, soaping up, Ernie sighed. \u201cI was afraid of that. I came in through emergency. The halls are still lined with children.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper held his arms up in front of him. \u201cI need to know if we have consent,\u201d he said to another nurse. \u201cIf we don\u2019t, call Slocum. I\u2019ll need that court order.\u201d Pushing through the operating room door backward, he went straight to the light box to see the CT scans.<\/p>\n

Gonzo went in after him, and stood just behind his right shoulder. \u201cThis isn\u2019t good,\u201d said Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t good at all.\u201d Pointing to one of the films, Trapper said, \u201cThat\u2019s a rib in there. He may lose that lung. And look at all this. You can\u2019t even see there\u2019s so much blood.\u201d He turned to the anesthesiologist. \u201cYou should order extra blood. The kid\u2019s gonna need it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The anesthesiologist looked at the films and nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll order more now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter that, go ahead and start a unit. It\u2019s not coming out, but it\u2019s not going anywhere good either. Then start the anesthesia. Once you have him stable, we\u2019re going to start, court order or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, everyone get comfortable. Two of you drag that chair over here and share. The rest of you climb up on the bed.\u201d Leah wasn\u2019t surprised at how quiet the children were after seeing their friends tossed around like rag dolls. She picked up the TV controller and turned on the television. \u201cHey, we\u2019re in luck. Disney is on. The Kids Who Knew Too Much…how does that sound?\u201d Still, she got no response. \u201cAlright, you guys stay here and be real quiet because there are other patients on this floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you a patient?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes, I am. But I\u2019m always in trouble, so no one will be surprised by me. I\u2019ll be right back. Don\u2019t go anywhere, and don\u2019t touch any of the gadgets.\u201d Leah went into the room behind the nurse\u2019s desk where the ice machine and refrigerator were. She found apple and orange juice and jello. Taking a tray from the counter, she loaded it up with juice, jello, spoons and napkins and headed back to her room.<\/p>\n

Dr. Sandler just happened to be in the hall when she came out. \u201cMidnight raid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, something like that. Only, it\u2019s not midnight yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you happen to know where everyone is?\u201d asked David.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you a doctor? I\u2019m surprised you haven\u2019t heard. There was a bus accident. Emergency is full of children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Dr. Sandler. I\u2019m a psychiatrist. I\u2019d just be in the way in emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah recognized the name, but didn\u2019t show it. \u201cI\u2019m Leah Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mushroom Queen?\u201d Wincing, he added, \u201cOh, sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

She chuckled. \u201cNot at the moment. I\u2019m a den mother disguised as a patient.\u201d She smiled when he furrowed his brow. \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they arrived at the room, Leah handed the juice and jello out to the kids, who were already engrossed in the television program. David leaned against the door frame and watched until she came back and offered him a cup of jello. \u201cWould you like to join us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre these kids from the bus accident?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. There wasn\u2019t any room in the waiting room, so I brought them up here. They were just wandering around down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drawing a child out of the bed, Leah crawled in, and patted the bed for the child to get back in. She sat back and put her arms around the two children on each side of her. \u201cYou\u2019re\u2026ah\u2026Nicole, right?\u201d she whispered to the child on her right.<\/p>\n

\u201cNicki.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning to the child on her left, she whispered again, \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Angela.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Miss Leah. Do you like the jello?\u201d Both girls nodded their heads and settled in next to her while David pulled two boys out of the chair, and then scooped them up on his lap, leaning back and getting comfortable with his jello.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper had gathered his surgical team around the table, and just as the anesthesiologist announced that Marcus was stable, a voice came over the speaker from the viewing room. \u201cDr. McIntyre. We have the court order.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Let\u2019s get started. Gonzo, get a chest tube in. I\u2019m sure there\u2019s already pneumothorax. While you\u2019re doing that, I\u2019m going to try to get the blood out of the way down here so we can see where it\u2019s coming from.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both men worked quietly, each being assisted by a separate nurse. \u201cErnie, let\u2019s get more suction in here,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cGonzo, how are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s a bleeder. Clamp. Okay, that\u2019s not the only one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrap, chest tube\u2019s in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome help me find where this blood is coming from. Spleen\u2019s gotta go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you happen to notice this kidney?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I did. Can you save it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe. It\u2019s about to burst. It could be a crushed ureter causing a back up. Get me a separate suction tube and the Metzenbaums. Let\u2019s see if we can get some of this fluid out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s our major bleeder,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cThe artery\u2019s been nicked. Ernie, give me another clamp and a number ten needle. Let\u2019s see if this stops the bleeding. Once we get out of here, we still have to deal with that rib up against his lung if he\u2019s still stable.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the children in Leah\u2019s room had already dozed off when an announcement came over the television. We interrupt our regular programming for an important announcement. As a result of a bus accident earlier this evening, parents from the Old First Presbyterian Church with children attending the youth basketball game at the YMCA are asked to contact admittance at San Francisco Memorial Hospital immediately.<\/p>\n

As Leah and Dr. Sandler sat quietly, listening to the announcer repeat the message, Gloria entered the room. \u201cTrevor Hall?\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the boys on David\u2019s lap stirred and opened his eyes. \u201cAre you Trevor,\u201d he asked. Helping him up off the chair, David sent him toward Gloria.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrevor, your parents are here. Would you come with me?\u201d The boy wiped his eyes with a fist, and took Gloria\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

Leah shifted in the bed. \u201cGloria, I don\u2019t understand. Where are all the parents?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just found out they\u2019ve been waiting at the church for the bus to arrive. They\u2019ve started coming in now, so it shouldn\u2019t be too much longer. You look a little pale. Are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m tired, but what am I gonna do? I\u2019m already in bed,\u201d said Leah with a weak smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cNurse Brancusi, how is it in emergency?\u201d asked Dr. Sandler.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still have about fifteen children down there, but they\u2019ve all been taken care of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we should take these down so Ms. Haverty can rest,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n

Leah waved her hand. \u201cNo, it\u2019s alright. They\u2019re asleep. There\u2019s no point in waking them until their parents arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Gloria turned to leave, she looked back at Leah. \u201cAlright,\u201d she said hesitantly. \u201cBut I\u2019m sending someone up to check on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Removing his gown, Trapper leaned back against a wall in the OR and closed his eyes. Gonzo sat on the anesthesiologist\u2019s stool and bent over with his head in his hands. \u201cHow long?\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing at the clock, Trapper said, \u201cFour hours, not counting setting his fingers and leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think his chances are?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s lucky. He has an extra kidney and lung if the others fail. We\u2019ll have to keep a close watch on him. That lung could collapse again. How\u2019d the kidney look after you aspirated it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe color wasn\u2019t good. We\u2019ll just have to wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d said Trapper, pushing himself away from the wall. \u201cLet\u2019s see if anyone\u2019s waiting for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two doctors dragged their feet leaving the OR, and when they came to the surgical waiting room, Jaeger lay back in his chair with his son curled up in the chair beside him. Leaning over him, Trapper touched his shoulder. \u201cMr. Jaeger.\u201d<\/p>\n

With sleepy eyes, Jaeger got to his feet. \u201cHow is Marcus?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a lot of internal damage, but we managed to get it all fixed. Now, whether the injured organs respond remains to be seen. We\u2019ll be watching him closely. Were you able to get in touch with his father?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and he faxed a consent form in to your administrative offices. I take it you got it. He\u2019s flying in. He\u2019ll be here tomorrow.\u201d Looking at his watch, he corrected himself. \u201cRather, today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t wait on the consent,\u201d said Dr. Gates.<\/p>\n

Jaeger looked shocked. \u201cIsn\u2019t that illegal?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax,\u201d said Trapper, smiling. \u201cWe got a court order.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a condition is life threatening, yes. Marcus wouldn\u2019t have survived if we\u2019d waited any longer,\u201d explained Trapper. \u201cHe\u2019ll be in recovery for awhile, and after that, we\u2019ll keep him sedated so he doesn\u2019t move around. Why don\u2019t you and your son go home and get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jaeger offered his hand. \u201cThank you, Dr. McIntyre\u2026Dr. Gates.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the two surgeons headed for the locker room, Ernie called from down the hall. \u201cGonzo!\u201d They stopped and turned. \u201cGonzo, I\u2019m glad I caught you. I was just about to go home and get some sleep. Gloria asked me to ask you to look in on Leah Haverty. It seems she\u2019s the one who corralled all the children who were alright. She kept them in her room all night watching television until their parents arrived. David Sandler tried to get her to take something to help her rest, but she refused.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSandler? What was he doing here?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was on his way out when he intercepted Leah on her way to her room with a tray full of juice and jello.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe raided the frig?\u201d asked Gonzo, laughing.<\/p>\n

Ernie smiled. \u201cIt seems so. Those children were well cared for. But Leah\u2019s day was probably much too much for her. She spent several hours working with Mark, and then had a session with Dr. Matthews.\u201d She looked sideways at Trapper. \u201cAnd as I understand it, she had dinner outside the cafeteria\u2026catered from Antonio\u2019s Restaurant with a certain Chief of Surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo moved his eyes over to Trapper, raising his brows, prompting Trapper to raise his hands. \u201cShe\u2019s been cooped up in this hospital for weeks now. Besides, Matthews wanted to treat her for depression, and she refused the medication, so I thought I\u2019d get her away from her room for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning to Ernie, Gonzo said, \u201cI\u2019ll go see her as soon as I get cleaned up. Go on home and get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper leaned in to kiss Ernie\u2019s cheek. \u201cAs usual, my dear, you were wonderful last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

A smug smile appeared on Ernie\u2019s face as she turned to leave. \u201cI made some coffee for you. I\u2019ll see you two tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once showered, Gonzo and Trapper stood across from each other, dressing. \u201cSo Trapper. Catered dinner from Antonio\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you usually take your dates to Antonio\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re implying that it was a date, you\u2019re way off.\u201d Shrugging, he added, \u201cI was just trying to help her forget where she is for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper entered Leah\u2019s room behind Gonzo, who was pointing at the chair. \u201cWhat\u2019s he doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErnie said he intercepted Leah in the hall,\u201d answered Trapper. \u201cI guess he stayed.\u201d Trapper shook his shoulder. \u201cDavid, wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2026oh, Trapper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Leah had all those children in here. I thought I\u2019d give her a hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo stood at the end of the bed, looking at Leah\u2019s chart. \u201cThe children have been gone for awhile. And you\u2019re still here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to make sure you heard her sleeping,\u201d he said, standing and reaching for his jacket. \u201cShe wheezes every now and then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking David by the arm, Trapper pulled him over to the bed. \u201cGonzo, I wanted to talk to you about Matthews anyway. Leah doesn\u2019t want to see him. Based on what she said, I don\u2019t think he\u2019s right for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this is convenient,\u201d said Gonzo, smiling. \u201cI suppose you were going to suggest Dr. Sandler.\u201d Arching an eyebrow, Trapper gave a short nod. \u201cHow do you feel about that, David?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s she seeing Eric?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome by my office, and we\u2019ll fill you in,\u201d answered Trapper.<\/p>\n

Trapper reached over and felt Leah\u2019s forehead, causing her to stir. \u201cShe\u2019s a little warm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah opened her eyes and closed them again, moving her arm up to cover them. \u201cIt\u2019s this room, isn\u2019t it? It draws people in by class. First, it was a day care full of children. Now it\u2019s a medical convention\u2026or golf. It could be a golf outing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving to the side of the bed, Gonzo pulled his stethoscope out of his jacket pocket. \u201cRoll over on your side. I want to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d she asked, complying.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019m your doctor, and this is what doctors do,\u201d he replied, chuckling. \u201cMm hm.\u201d He moved the stethoscope and listened again. \u201cMm hm.\u201d Looking back at the chart, he said, \u201cTemperature is a little elevated. I\u2019m going to order a chest x-ray.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d she said anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe nothing. It could be a mild infection, and if it is, I\u2019ll prescribe antibiotics to take care of it. On the other hand, it could be that you did too much yesterday.\u201d She smirked. \u201cA room full of children?\u201d said Gonzo admonishingly. \u201cA few weeks after heart surgery?\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned her head away, and seeing Trapper\u2019s raised brows, she growled. \u201cThey were very good children. Ask Dr. Sandler.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true. They all sat quietly, ate their jello and watched TV.\u201d<\/p>\n

Placing his hand above her head, Trapper leaned over her. \u201cThat may be true, but before you became a nursemaid to a bunch of nine-year-olds, you took dinner dishes to my office, walked back down to emergency, wandered around collecting lost souls, and then walked them back up here after which you brought a tray full of juice and jello in when you\u2019re not supposed to be lifting anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked into his eyes stubbornly. \u201cIt\u2019s all your fault again,\u201d she said with a slight smile meant only for him to see. \u201cYou should never have invited me to dinner. If you hadn\u2019t, I wouldn\u2019t have ventured out of my room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper caught the smile and returned it. \u201cGuilty. In the future, I shall endeavor to leave you bored and depressed in your room.\u201d Before he straightened, he mouthed, \u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid, help yourself to some coffee and make yourself comfortable,\u201d said Trapper, pouring himself a cup.<\/p>\n

Gonzo held the pot out toward him, but David shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t want to trade one vice for another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVice?\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cCoffee is not a vice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Sandler poured a glass of water and went to the sofa. \u201cAre you drinking it because you\u2019re thirsty, or because it makes you feel comfortable?\u201d asked David.<\/p>\n

Looking over at Trapper with a dismayed expression, Gonzo answered, \u201cNevermind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper pulled out a drawer and leaned back, propping his leg up. \u201cDavid, now that you\u2019ve met Leah Haverty, what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

David gave Trapper a blank look, remaining silent for a moment. \u201cThink? Well, she doesn\u2019t seem as hunnish as everyone says.\u201d Trapper glowered. \u201cOh, you\u2019re not talking about that. Well\u2026she seemed normal\u2026grounded. She had seven children in her room, and she was calm and easy-going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s only that way around children, David. Here, look at her file.\u201d Gonzo passed her file over.<\/p>\n

As David read it, his face went through a wide range of changes. First, his eyes widened. Then his mouth opened, and he ended with a cringe and a shudder. \u201cHeart transplant. She\u2019s been through some physical as well as mental trauma. It\u2019s been what\u2026\u201d He looked back at the file. \u201c\u2026four years. She seems pretty well-adjusted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not well-adjusted\u2026not yet anyway,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cShe needs help getting there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been four years. People usually adjust as much as they\u2019re going to in that amount of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe problem is she\u2019s never tried to deal with it. She buried herself in her work, she isolated herself from everyone who knew her, and she intentionally alienates herself from everyone else so she doesn\u2019t have to deal with closeness and loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like the woman I met last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid, she almost didn\u2019t have surgery to repair her heart because she wasn\u2019t sure she wanted to live. Does that sound well-adjusted to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo stepped in. \u201cThe truth is she\u2019s somewhere in the middle. She started dealing with it with Matthews, but something about him\u2026well\u2026she stopped making progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s understandable. Eric works from a standard set of rules and assumptions. It doesn\u2019t always work, especially with people who are particularly strong-minded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, she\u2019s that,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cI\u2019d say more like bullheaded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to her tomorrow. I think she\u2019ll probably sleep all day today. She looked tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s one more thing you need to know, if you haven\u2019t already read it,\u201d said Gonzo, sitting next to him. He moved some pages over and pointed to a specific paragraph. \u201cRead that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026well, that could make you crazy.\u201d Gonzo and Trapper both glared at him. \u201cI don\u2019t mean she\u2019s crazy. I just mean that getting her husband\u2019s heart would be hard to deal with. There would be all kinds of\u2026guilt. Of all her injuries…let\u2019s see\u2026collapsed lung, broken\u2026wow\u2026broken bones. In her face? Ribs, hip, arm, collar bone. She lost a kidney? It\u2019s a wonder she\u2019s alive. No wonder she hasn\u2019t dealt with the emotional part. She spent most of the time recovering from all this.\u201d He rose to leave. \u201cCan I borrow this? I\u2019d like to go over it more thoroughly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d said Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, and Trapper. I need to talk to you, too,\u201d said David as he chewed on the end of a pencil.<\/p>\n

Trapper shot up from his stretched-out position. \u201cMe? Why me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard the nurses talking about your catered dinner with her. It seems to me she\u2019s stopped trying to alienate you. It could be unfortunate for both of you if she\u2019s subconsciously or even consciously trying to replace a broken emotional link to the feelings she still has for her husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper cocked his head. \u201cWhy would that be unfortunate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it could never be the same. She\u2019d keep comparing you to her husband, and you\u2019d never be able to live up to him. Not that you\u2019re not\u2026\u201d David nervously bit into his pencil. \u201cI mean you would never be able to live up to what her husband meant to her. No one could\u2026except her husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

Standing at the window in her room, Leah turned around at the sound of a knock at her open door. \u201cDr. Sandler, please come in.\u201d He stepped in and closed the door behind him. \u201cUh oh. Is this a session?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you think that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, besides you closing the door, you have a file about an inch thick in your hands. Looks like mine,\u201d she answered, smiling. \u201cActually, Dr. McIntyre told me he would talk to you about taking over my….\u201d<\/p>\n

When she didn\u2019t finish, David asked, \u201cYour what? I mean, what would you call it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, despite what everyone says, I do think about my husband\u2026and my children\u2026everyday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me guess\u2026when the day is done, you\u2019re not working, you\u2019ve taken care of all the personal things you needed to, all the dirty dishes from dinner have been washed, and you\u2019re going to bed\u2026and there\u2019s nothing else to occupy your mind. And you don\u2019t sleep very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said nothing, folding her lips into a tight line and turning back to the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould it help to know that\u2019s normal? Would it make a difference if I told you that four or eight or twelve years from now, you\u2019ll occasionally lapse back into it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying I shouldn\u2019t think about them?\u201d she asked, crossing her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all. But I am saying it shouldn\u2019t be jeopardizing your health. And trying to recover from heart surgery without good sleep\u2026you\u2019ll end up in the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, you\u2019re an intelligent woman, and I really don\u2019t have to tell you this. Well, maybe a reminder. You can\u2019t fix it. John and JJ and Beth died four years ago. And you can\u2019t fix it. It\u2019s not your fault, and there was nothing you could have done to prevent it. I can help you deal with the loss, but we\u2019re not going to talk about guilt right now because there\u2019s no reason for you to feel guilty.\u201d He pulled the over-bed table around, setting the file he was holding down, and taking a prescription pad out of his jacket pocket. \u201cThis is a prescription for something to help you doze off. It won\u2019t put you to sleep. It will just make you drowsy so you can fall asleep. I want you to take one half an hour before you go to bed…not right before you go to bed, not with your dinner\u2026half an hour before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not going to do me any good here,\u201d she said without turning to face him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have it on good authority you\u2019re going home if your echocardiogram goes well today.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time she spun around. \u201cYou\u2019re letting me go home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t I?\u201d David asked with a completely mystified look. \u201cAre you suicidal?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she answered sheepishly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think so. Do you have a way to get back to the hospital? I don\u2019t know if Gonzo wants you to drive yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can take a cab.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. I\u2019ll see you tomorrow at one in my office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Leah watched him leave her room, wondering if his seemingly intermittent scattered thinking was act or personality. Either way, it was quite disarming.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper and Gonzo walked down the hall together discussing their common patients. \u201cTrapper, I have Leah scheduled for an echo this afternoon. You did remember to talk to her about?\u201d he asked, looking warily over at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I did, and she agreed as long as you stop if she asks you to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to get your opinion on Mr. Atchison\u2019s scans. There\u2019s no doubt he\u2019s got a mass in the left lung, but it may not be operable. We may have to take the lung.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, but after we take a look at Marcus Jones. Ernie said his father is here. Evidently, he hasn\u2019t left the boy\u2019s side since he got in.\u201d The two men turned the corner into the hall leading to ICU.<\/p>\n

Mr. Jones was on his feet as soon as the two doctors walked through the automatic doors. Both went to the nurse\u2019s station first, asking if there had been any changes before they entered Marcus\u2019 room. \u201cMr. Jones?\u201d said Trapper. \u201cI\u2019m Dr. McIntyre and this is Dr. Gates. Your son had multiple crush injuries. We were told he ended up under the pile of children when the bus rolled over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCrush injuries?\u201d asked the distressed father. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I don\u2019t know what you mean. I mean, I understand you mean he got them because of the weight on top of him, but I don\u2019t know what qualifies as a crush injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA crush injury is anything that can be contributed to heavy weight,\u201d explained Trapper. \u201cMarcus had a collapsed lung caused by a broken rip piercing the outside membrane of the lung. His kidney wasn\u2019t crushed, but the ureter leading from that kidney to the bladder was, causing urine to back up in the kidney. Dr. Gates removed the crushed portion of the ureter and reattached the exposed ends. Your son has a catheter and a bag, and we\u2019ll monitor that kidney to make sure there is no permanent damage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if you find damage?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll determine the best course of action based on the significance of the damage. It could be that the kidney that will heal on its own over time. His spleen was severely lacerated sufficient that it required removal. The spleen helps in the filtering of blood and the production of blood cells\u2026all redundant functions, so he\u2019ll be fine without it. The remainder of the damage in his abdomen was some blood vessel damage which we repaired. We repaired a nick to the superior mesenteric artery that supplies blood to the pancreas and the intestines. Do you have any questions, so far, Mr. Jones?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down at his hands, Jones replied, \u201cI\u2019m afraid I don\u2019t know what to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. \u201cIt does sound complicated, doesn\u2019t it? Bottom line, we think we saved his kidney, but we\u2019re watching it closely just in case it can\u2019t correct itself. He doesn\u2019t necessarily need his spleen, and the rest of the damage was like little cuts here and there that we\u2019ve sewn up. Now his lung\u2026lung injuries can be a little tricky. Lung tissue is extremely fragile. We moved the rib back to its normal place. Then we used a combination of sutures and surgical glue to repair the lung tissue. We\u2019ll be watching it closely as well. A re-collapse of the lung is common, but as you can see,\u201d said Trapper, raising the sheet covering Marcus and referring to a tube coming out of his chest, \u201cwe\u2019re prepared to re-inflate it without requiring any additional surgery. Now, he hasn\u2019t regained consciousness because we\u2019re keeping him sedated. Your son has three broken fingers,\u201d Trapper said, pointing to the boy\u2019s right hand, \u201cand as you can see, we have his leg in a cast. His tibia was broken as well. Marcus is going to be in a lot of pain, and we\u2019d like to give the repairs we\u2019ve done time to begin to heal before he starts moving around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long will you keep him sedated?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least to the end of the week. We\u2019ll bring him off slowly to see how he does, and as he comes off the sedation, we\u2019ll slowly add some pain medication.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Dr. McIntyre\u2026Dr. Gates. I don\u2019t know what I would do if I lost my son. His mother died two years ago in a car accident. Alan Jaegar told me you didn\u2019t wait for consent\u2026that you got a court order. I didn\u2019t know you could do that, but I\u2019m so glad you did. He said you told him Marcus wouldn\u2019t have survived if you had waited.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome, Mr. Jones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, call me Mike. I have a feeling I\u2019m going to be here for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you need anything, just ask the nurse at the desk. They\u2019ll also be coming in frequently to check Marcus\u2019 condition, and if they think there\u2019s a problem, they\u2019ll page me or Dr. Gates. One of us will be by in the mornings and late afternoons. And Mr\u2026.Mike, there\u2019s a lounge just down the hall with some sofas. While Marcus is sedated, you should take time to rest. It won\u2019t do him any good if you let yourself get run down. When we start taking him off the sedation, he\u2019ll need you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaving through the automatic doors, Gonzo asked, \u201cAre you ready for Leah\u2019s echo?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy shouldn\u2019t I be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe had an appointment with David this morning. Wasn\u2019t she a wreck after her appointments with Eric?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid isn\u2019t Eric.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Four\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cErnie, have you seen Gonzo?\u201d said Trapper, stopping at the nurse\u2019s station on his way to Leah\u2019s room. \u201cHas he already released Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he did,\u201d she answered, \u201cand when he went to escort her out, she was already gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGone?\u201d Ernie couldn\u2019t tell if his expression meant surprise or concern\u2026or both.<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm,\u201d she replied, nodding her head. \u201cHe\u2019s looking for her now\u2026in the basement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Ernie,\u201d he said, walking toward the elevator and pushing the down call button.<\/p>\n

When the doors opened, he met Dr. Sandler coming out. \u201cTrapper, I was just coming to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan it wait?\u201d Trapper asked with his hand on the elevator door, preventing it from closing. \u201cI was just going to find Leah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it can\u2019t wait. I just came up from there, and she\u2019s fine. She\u2019s gathering some work to take home, and Mark and Gonzo will help her bring it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper laughed nervously. \u201cWell then, I\u2019d like to, at least, walk her out. Who\u2019s taking her home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark\u2019s driving her home, and I\u2019d prefer you didn\u2019t see her out.\u201d When Trapper furrowed his brow and sucked in the side of his mouth, David continued. \u201cYour office or mine?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cocking his head and grimacing, Trapper considered David\u2019s question for a moment. He realized David was talking about a session, and knowing he should hear what David had to say, he decided he\u2019d prefer his own office. At least he would be comfortable in familiar surroundings. Trapper motioned down the hall.<\/p>\n

Going straight to the coffeemaker, Trapper offered coffee to David before he poured himself a cup. David shook his head and took a celery stick out of his pocket, sticking it in his mouth.<\/p>\n

Sitting in his desk chair, Trapper leaned over on the desk, rather than leaning back and propping his leg up.<\/p>\n

David took the chair in front of the desk and sat back, crossing his legs comfortably. \u201cWhy does this bother you? This isn\u2019t so much about you as it is Leah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Leah?\u201d Trapper asked as he twirled his coffee cup on the desk, finally bringing it up to his mouth for a sip.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, since Gonzo delayed releasing her until he got a clear chest x-ray, I\u2019ve had a session with her every day for the last four days. \u201cWhat is she to you, Trapper? Is she just a patient, a cause, a friend\u2026or is she becoming something else?\u201d<\/p>\n

Exhaling loudly, Trapper leaned back, but kept his hands on his desk. \u201cHow would that make a difference?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, aside from working through the loss of her children, the loss of her husband will be different and in some ways, more devastating for her. She had a very\u2026deep relationship with her husband, emotionally and physically. Now that he\u2019s not here and she\u2019s starting to deal with it, she might just look for a way to replace what she\u2019s missing. One day, she\u2019ll realize she can\u2019t. After that comes the guilt\u2026feelings of cheating on him. She\u2019s not ready to be more than a patient or a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning his chair, Trapper stared at his sofa in thought. What did she mean to him? Was it more than friendship? The more comfortable she became with him, the more he saw her as the type of woman who would interest him\u2026intelligent, insightful, compassionate, and certainly passionate about her work and the relationships she allowed herself. \u201cWhat do you want me to do?\u201d he asked solemnly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can honestly say she\u2019s just a friend, you don\u2019t need to do anything different. But if you feel something more, or even just think you might feel something more, I\u2019d like you to keep your distance for awhile. At least until I\u2019ve had time to work her through some of this. If you do see her and she\u2026\u201d he sucked on his celery stick and looked away, searching for the right way to say what he needed to say\u2026\u201doh hell, if she comes on to you, you need to stop it before it goes anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper still stared at the sofa. \u201cWhy would you think I might feel that way about her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know anything until this conversation.\u201d Trapper sighed and took another sip of his coffee. David continued, \u201cI asked the question because I think she thinks you\u2019re treating her as more than a friend. She\u2019s terrified.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf me?\u201d asked Trapper, facing David.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Of herself. She can\u2019t resolve the way she thinks of you with her feelings for her husband. She\u2019s still very much in love with him, and even though her head knows he\u2019s not here, her heart isn\u2019t quite there yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Mark for bringing me home. I talked to HR, and they said Dr. Gates approved part-time paper work. That means you\u2019ll have to deal with the cabling and the missing equipment. I\u2019ll be seeing Dr. Sandler twice a week, so I\u2019ll bring you what I have completed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, I can come and pick it up. In fact, why don\u2019t I just pick you up the days of your appointments? Then you won\u2019t have to hire a cab.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking into his eyes, Leah studied him. She didn\u2019t feel as comfortable around Mark since Dr. McIntyre mentioned that Mark might have feelings for her. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t want to have to start depending on anyone. I\u2019m a big girl. Besides,\u201d she said, casting her eyes down, \u201cDr. Sandler has given me a lot to think about, so I can use the time in the cab to mentally prepare for my sessions with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was odd that Dr. McIntyre wasn\u2019t there to see you off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d she said, looking down at her clasped hands. \u201cHe\u2019s a busy man. And he\u2019s not my doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark thought that answer was a bit aloof. \u201cOkay then. Is there anything else you need? Do you have groceries?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but then, I usually don\u2019t have a lot of food in the place. It\u2019s alright. I can have what I need delivered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, what if something goes wrong while you\u2019re here alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark, stop. Dr. Gates wouldn\u2019t have released me if he didn\u2019t think I was beyond any danger. I\u2019m healing. I know I\u2019m healing because my incision is itching like crazy. Besides, I\u2019ll be talking to you on the telephone on a regular basis. I\u2019ll need you to go to the installation sites and check on things for me. Now go back to work. I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he hugged her as he normally would, she stiffened, and when he felt it, he took it as fear of being left alone. He lingered with his arms around her, stroking her back with his hand until she pulled her arms between them and stepped away. Searching her eyes, he didn\u2019t find what he had hoped for. His brows furrowed, and his mouth opened slightly; a look that made her feel guilty.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m still a little sore,\u201d she said with a quick, apologetic smile, hoping the explanation would be enough.<\/p>\n

He met her eyes one more time, and then dropping his gaze, he hastily made his way to the door. \u201cCall me if you need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Mark,\u201d she said, fading at the end. The door had closed before she finished.<\/p>\n

Wrapping her arms around herself, Leah slowly looked around the living area of her apartment, suddenly feeling very alone.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper had just walked into his office and set his briefcase on his desk when a page came over the hospital PA system. \u201cDr. McIntyre to ICU. Dr. McIntyre to ICU.\u201d Quickly slipping off his jacket, he grabbed his hospital coat and rushed out the door.<\/p>\n

As he hurried into ICU, a nurse came out of the room. \u201cDoctor, his breathing is labored and his blood oxygen levels have dropped significantly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has this been going on?\u201d asked Trapper as he moved the earpieces of his stethoscope to his ears and leaned over Marcus to listen to his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout ten minutes. We were about to start paging Dr. Gates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMike, Marcus\u2019 lung has collapsed, and he\u2019s not getting enough oxygen with just the other lung. Nurse, get a ventilator in here along with a tube package.\u201d Turning back to Mike, Trapper put an arm around his shoulder and guided him out of Marcus\u2019 room. \u201cI\u2019m going to intubate him. That means, he\u2019ll have a breathing tube down his throat that will be attached to a machine to help him breath. It will re-inflate the collapsed lung. We\u2019ll leave it in for a few days to allow the lung tissue to heal more completely before we take it out, and before we take it out, we\u2019ll lower the assistance he\u2019ll be getting from the machine to make sure he\u2019s breathing easily on his own. I need you to stay out here while we do this. Once it\u2019s in, you can come back in. A respiratory therapist will be assigned to him to answer any questions you have about the machine and breathing apparatus and to monitor him. She\u2019ll make sure the machine stays on the correct settings, and she\u2019ll make sure the tube itself is clear.\u201d Trapper met the man\u2019s fearful eyes. \u201cMike, this isn\u2019t completely unexpected, and it, in no way, changes his prognosis.\u201d Once he got a nod from Marcus\u2019 father, he followed the nurse pushing the machine into the room, going straight to the sink to wash his hands and arms. \u201cGloves. Alright, pull the bed out so I can get behind it, and get him flat. Get me a laryngoscope with a number two Miller blade. Now, tilt his head back\u2026and here we go. There\u2019s the epiglottis. Tube. That went in easy. Now the cuff.\u201d Straightening up, Trapper withdrew the laryngoscope. \u201cAlright, let\u2019s see how we did.\u201d Stepping back to the side of the bed, Trapper listened to both sides of the boy\u2019s chest and his abdomen. \u201cMusic to the ears,\u201d said Trapper, smiling. \u201cSet the ventilator at fifty percent and call me with his O2 levels in fifteen minutes. And call respiratory therapy and get someone assigned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peeling off his gloves, Trapper stepped out of Marcus\u2019 room. \u201cMike, you can go in just as soon as the nurses get everything cleared out. A respiratory therapist will be up shortly to answer any questions you have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Dr. McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squeezing Mike\u2019s shoulder, Trapper smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me about your first two days at home,\u201d Dr. Sandler said, writing something on his notepad.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t said anything. What are you writing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe question,\u201d he answered ingenuously.<\/p>\n

Leah chuckled. \u201cAlright then. Let\u2019s see\u2026it was quiet. I got some work done.\u201d Turning away, she tried to hide her oncoming tears. \u201cUh\u2026can we reschedule for another day?\u201d she asked quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright to say it was too quiet. After all, you\u2019ve been in this place for weeks\u2026and it\u2019s not usually that quiet here. What did you do at home before your surgery?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ate, I bathed, I played my guitar, and I read\u2026a little. I watched people, and I went for long walks.\u201d She looked beyond him and smiled, picturing her last visit to Leo in her mind. \u201cI ate lots of fresh crab.\u201d Snapping back from her reverie, she said, \u201cBut I wasn\u2019t there but a few hours out of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? Where were you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere. In my office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the basement. In the dark.\u201d No answer. \u201cNo one\u2019s come to see you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what you want?\u201d Again, she was silent. \u201cLeah, I\u2019m not here to tell you what you should and shouldn\u2019t want or do. My job is to help you find what you want\u2026what will make you happy. Can you tell me the last time you felt happy? And if not happy, I\u2019ll settle for good. Okay, you\u2019ve stopped talking to me altogether. Don\u2019t think you\u2019re leaving early. I can ask questions the entire hour. And I promise you, you will go home and think about them, so it\u2019s not a waste of my time.\u201d She shook her head slightly, and then rubbed her temple with her fingers. \u201cWhen was the last time you enjoyed something without thinking about John and the children?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDinner\u2026with Dr. McIntyre the night of the bus accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd before that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyes slowly drifted off to the side. \u201cPescadero,\u201d she said barely above a whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose it was pleasant enough that I just didn\u2019t think of them for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that you\u2019ve said it, how does that make you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cContrary to what you might think, I don\u2019t think of my children and my husband every minute of every day. That\u2019s one reason I work so much. So I don\u2019t dwell on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you invite some of your friends over to your apartment for dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have any friends, Dr. Sandler. I have acquaintances. And certainly none that I\u2019d feel comfortable inviting to my apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019re the Mushroom Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n

She raised her head and looked straight at him. \u201cIce Queen suits me better,\u201d she said angrily and looked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy children?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI miss being able to comfort my own children\u2026to make them laugh\u2026to make them feel s\u2026\u201d she choked a sob back. \u201cI suppose I feel like the ultimate failure. I always prided myself in being a good mother. I didn\u2019t over-indulge them, I made them brush their teeth twice a day, I made them wear sunscreen outside, I made them eat their vegetables. And we had fun doing all those things. But I couldn\u2019t keep them safe.\u201d Taking a deep breath, she pulled a tissue out of the box on the table next to her and wiped her eyes. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re going to tell me I shouldn\u2019t take an interest in other people\u2019s children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see anything wrong with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026you don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, all those parents are lucky someone\u2019s willing to spend time with their children when they can\u2019t. And as long as you know the difference\u2026that they\u2019re someone else\u2019s children, why not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why am I here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, it\u2019s not the loss of your children you need to learn to deal with. You\u2019re doing that. But you haven\u2019t even begun to deal with the loss of John. Well, you have, at least you think you have\u2026or maybe you don\u2019t know you have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop. What are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you and John have friends?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course we did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you suppose you don\u2019t have adult friends now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur friends didn\u2019t know how to handle what happened. They had no idea what to say, and it had been such a long time since they tried\u2026because I was in the hospital for so long, I guess they just stopped trying. Anyway, I didn\u2019t go back to the house. I didn\u2019t go back to the lake house. I found work elsewhere, and I only stayed in one place long enough to get a job done, and then I\u2019d go somewhere else. And it would have been the same here if McIntyre hadn\u2019t found my pills on my desk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you angry with him for that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. No.\u201d She bowed her head. \u201cI was. I\u2019m not mad at him anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you consider John a friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. He must not think of me that way. After all, he didn\u2019t say goodbye when I left, and he hasn\u2019t called to ask how I am. He kept me grounded while I was here. He was just doing his job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you really think that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Sandler, I\u2019m a very logical person. I have to be because of what I do. Why don\u2019t you just say what you\u2019re thinking instead of beating around the bush?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. What are you going to do when you\u2019re faced with romantic feelings from another man when you\u2019re still dealing with feelings for your husband?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, she answered, \u201cMy husband is dead. I can\u2019t feel his lips on mine. I can\u2019t feel his hands on my skin. I can\u2019t feel him making love to me.\u201d Tears welled in her eyes, and she whispered, \u201cI can barely remember his voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe that. When you go to bed at night, you can\u2019t sleep because you still feel him. You don\u2019t want to stop feeling him. What you want is someone to make you feel again. Only when everything is said and done, you\u2019ll feel guilty\u2026like you cheated on John. So you don\u2019t risk it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Sandler, you underestimate me. I know perfectly well I can\u2019t cheat on a dead man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pointing to his head, Dr. Sandler said, \u201cYou know that here. But do you know that there?\u201d he said, pointing to her heart.<\/p>\n

She glanced up at him angrily, and then looked away, trying to calm the conflicting voices in her head. Reaching down beside her, she picked up her purse and stood, and without looking back, she left his office.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah sat on a bench in front of the hospital, waiting for her cab. She had managed to leave the program designs she brought with her on Mark\u2019s desk while he was away. She wasn\u2019t prepared to face him again after their parting conversation her first day home. And why not? What if he did have romantic feelings for her? He was attractive, had a wonderful personality, and they certainly had things in common. No, she couldn\u2019t even bring herself to imagine being with him. He would always be a kid brother. But how was she going to explain that to him without hurting him?<\/p>\n

Her deep sigh was easily seen by the doctor sitting on a bench across the plaza who watched her as she waited for her cab. She didn\u2019t look forward or even around her. She avoided the possibility of meeting the eyes of anyone walking by her. He\u2019d stayed away as Dr. Sandler had asked, at least long enough, he thought, to understand his own feelings for her. Now watching her, he was second guessing himself. Still, he got up and walked across the plaza, sitting next to her on the bench.<\/p>\n

She looked the other way, aware that someone sat down next to her, but without knowing or caring who. Then she sniffed the air, and slowly turned. \u201cDr. McIntyre. I\u2019d recognize that smell anywhere,\u201d she said, smiling. He looked at her with raised eyebrows and a slight opened-mouthed smile. \u201cIt\u2019s a nice smell,\u201d she clarified.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s my favorite patient?\u201d asked Trapper, chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not your patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen there\u2019s no reason we can\u2019t be friends, is there?\u201d She smiled tentatively as she looked down. \u201cHow are you doing?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know,\u201d she answered, looking across the parking lot. \u201cI seem to be a little lost without my work to keep me busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Dr. Gates said you could do some desk work.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked back at him, squinting in the bright sunlight. \u201cDesk work, yes. At home. All by myself. I\u2019m afraid I\u2019m finding that I\u2019m not very good company. Besides that, I think too much lately. If I could just do\u2026something\u2026anything that would get me out of my apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTaking a walk would be a good starter. And then I think I\u2019d like to go explore those places I never bothered exploring\u2026like Pescadero,\u201d she said, blushing and smiling at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be a little too much this soon. Leah, you had surgery on a transplanted heart. You know the risks of rejection, but you\u2019re also more susceptible to infections. For instance, you\u2019ve already had one that Dr. Gates was able to take care of fairly quickly. But that might not always be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I doomed to be cooped up for the rest of my life?\u201d she asked, somewhat distressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessarily, but you need to give yourself time to heal. And three months might not be long enough this time. I have no idea how you managed that the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was in a wheelchair because of my hip, so I really couldn\u2019t get into much trouble. And I had to ride a bus for the handicapped, so I didn\u2019t have to do anything but sit in my chair. My left arm and shoulder were in a cast and a brace, but I could still write since I\u2019m right-handed. I just needed something to occupy my mind, and Dr. Avery felt that work was saving me from debilitating depression.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see no reason you can\u2019t work, but you can\u2019t be the person you were before this surgery. The stress of that kind of environment alone could cause more problems. And you can\u2019t work sixteen hour days. You have to find time to relax\u2026and get some exercise.\u201d He knew he\u2019d upset her by the way she turned her upper body away, rather than just her head. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to preach, but you needed to hear that while you still have an open mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, she turned back and gave him a forced smiled that eventually relaxed into something genuine. \u201cHave you had lunch, Dr. McIntyre? You see, I haven\u2019t had lunch, and I\u2019m starved. Only, I don\u2019t have anything at the apartment to eat, and it will take awhile to get something delivered.\u201d Her look changed to almost pleading. \u201cI\u2019ll buy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Trapper said, \u201cI know just the place where you can get something that won\u2019t clog your pristine arteries. I\u2019ll drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait. What about the cab?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019ll be someone else who needs a cab out here in a matter of minutes. Trust me.\u201d Standing and holding his arm out to her, Leah hesitantly wrapped her arm around his and let him lead her to his car where he opened her door and held her hand as she got in.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what\u2019s this healthy place you\u2019re taking me for lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChez McIntyre.\u201d Trapper heard the breath she sucked in. \u201cRelax. It\u2019s just lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing her eyes, she exhaled as quietly as she could and stared out her window for the remainder of the drive, looking forward only when she felt the car slow, turn and stop. As they waited for the garage door to open, she looked up and was taken by surprise. \u201cYou live in a Painted Lady?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm,\u201d he grunted. He drove in, and then showed Leah into the house. \u201cYou know, I was just as surprised at your apartment in the old cannery building right across from the wharf. There\u2019s usually a waiting list a mile long to get in there\u2026and you got a rooftop apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a sublease. The woman I lease from got married and moved, but didn\u2019t want to give up a prime piece of real estate just in case it didn\u2019t work out. The only catch is that I have to leave at a moment\u2019s notice if she decides marriage isn\u2019t for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on into the kitchen. I\u2019ll let you earn your keep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, she said, \u201cAnd just how do you know I can cook?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t, but it doesn\u2019t matter. Everything we need is already cooked. How do you like stuffed tomatoes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat depends. What are they stuffed with?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChicken salad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re in luck. I like tomatoes and chicken salad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper pulled chicken, vegetables, mayonnaise, fresh herbs and two boiled eggs out of the refrigerator, setting everything on the counter. Next, he produced two cutting boards from behind the toaster, and two knives out of a drawer. \u201cGrab something and chop.\u201d He placed a bowl between them, and picked up a knife. \u201cHow are the sessions with David going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Sandler?\u201d Trapper nodded. \u201cWell, better than Dr. Matthews. She smiled as she chopped celery. \u201cDr. Sandler is\u2026how do I say this? His thinking is a little disjointed. I get the feeling he never learned to temper what he actually thinks before it comes out of his mouth, at least, not completely. But it\u2019s actually very charming\u2026and sometimes funny.\u201d She stopped chopping and looked ahead of her in thought. \u201cHe\u2019s easy enough to talk to\u2026until he hits a nerve. Is this enough celery?\u201d
\nPeering over from the chicken he was chopping, he said, \u201cYep. Put it all in the bowl.\u201d She moved the celery away and picked up an onion. \u201cWhat nerves does he hit?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at him and smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re a nosey doctor, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sniffling, he answered, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to answer, you know. This isn\u2019t right. You\u2019re chopping the onion, and I\u2019m the one who\u2019s crying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen your mouth. You\u2019ll stop crying. Better yet, do you have a candle handy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper stopped chopping, wiped his hands on a towel, and left only to return a minute later with a candle and matches. \u201cWhere do you want it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight there,\u201d she said, pointing behind the bowl.<\/p>\n

Resuming his chopping, Trapper said, \u201cYou were saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas I?\u201d she asked teasingly before she continued. \u201cHe said the way I\u2019m dealing with the loss of my children is fine as long as I remember the children I see belong to someone else. But he thinks I\u2019m going to have a much bigger problem dealing with John.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving the chopped chicken into the bowl, Trapper separated several different sprigs of herbs from their bunches and began to chop again. \u201cAnd why would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thinks if I become involved with someone else\u2026\u201d She stopped chopping and lowered her head. \u201cHe thinks the guilt will be too much for me. He thinks I\u2019ll compare someone else to John, and it will never be enough.\u201d She brought the knife down harder than she had intended. \u201cAt least, until I manage to get John out of my system. The only thing is I don\u2019t know how I\u2019ll ever get John out of my system without there actually being someone else. And I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever stop loving John just because there\u2019s someone else in my life.\u201d After dumping the onion in the bowl, she picked up the water chestnuts, and chopped quietly for a moment before she stopped again. \u201cThe truth is I\u2019m lonely,\u201d she said faintly. \u201cAnd I need to take care of some things that I never did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to sell the house in LA. But I\u2019m afraid to go back. An entire life with John and the kids is still in that house\u2026their clothes, the kid\u2019s toys, John\u2019s skis and bicycles. What do I do with those things?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems to me you have the topic of your next session with David.\u201d Trapper dumped chopped eggs into the bowl and looked over at her board. \u201cThat\u2019s enough water chestnuts. Plates are in the upper cabinet to your right, stainless is in the drawer right in front of you, and glasses are back there,\u201d he said, nodding behind him, \u201cnext to the frig.\u201d While Leah set the kitchen table, Trapper added mayonnaise, olive oil and vinegar to the bowl along with salt and pepper and mixed the salad. He loaded up two tomatoes, bringing them to the table. \u201cWhat would you like to drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWater is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a pitcher of ice water out of the refrigerator, he poured both glasses and sat at the table next to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMm. This is really good, Dr. McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper.\u201d She glanced over at him with her mouth twisted. \u201cLook, you\u2019re in my kitchen having stuffed tomatoes for lunch. Don\u2019t you think that warrants a friendship?\u201d Looking up at the ceiling, she chuckled and nodded.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Mike,\u201d said Trapper as he walked into Marcus Jones ICU room while looking at his chart.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, the nurses said something about an infection early this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

Still reading the chart, Trapper said, \u201cHis temperature is elevated. Most likely an infection has started in his lungs since he\u2019s been on his back for awhile. Nurse,\u201d he said, addressing the young woman who was waiting at the door of the room, \u201cget someone up here from respiratory therapy. I want to get culture through his tube.\u201d Trapper wrote something in the chart, closed it and pushed his glasses up on top of his head. \u201cMike, this is most likely the beginning of pneumonia. It\u2019s not unusual for patients confined on their backs to get pneumonia. Because they aren\u2019t moving, small pockets of fluid can collect at the bottom of the lungs, and if it sits too long without adequate movement, it can harbor bacteria we normally breathe in from the air. We\u2019ll go ahead and start him on a wide-spectrum antibiotic now, and when the culture comes back, we\u2019ll adjust if necessary. After we take the culture, the top of the bed will be raised to a more upright angle, and I\u2019ll have him turned every hour so that he\u2019s laying more on his sides. That should clear it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike gave him a worried, almost defeated look.<\/p>\n

\u201cMike, with the injuries Marcus sustained, this doesn\u2019t surprise me. The important thing is that the staff is keeping a close watch on him, so we can catch these kinds of things early enough to successfully treat them.\u201d Slowly sitting down in the chair next to Marcus\u2019 bed, Mike nodded solemnly. \u201cIs there someone you can ask to spell you so you can get some rest and take care of your regular daily tasks?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Alan Jaeger is coming in for awhile today. I need to go home and pick up a change of clothes and the mail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d Trapper looked up when the respiratory therapist entered the room. He caught the nurse\u2019s attention and nodded toward Mr. Jones. When Mike left the room, the therapist set the packages required for the culture on the bed next to Marcus and handed Trapper a bronchoscope. \u201cAlright, we\u2019re going to go right down the tube to collect a specimen. Go ahead and disconnect the ventilator. This shouldn\u2019t take more than a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

True to his word, Trapper made quick work of the culture, and by the time Mike came back into the room, the therapist was walking out the door with the cultures and the bronchoscope. \u201cMike, does Marcus have any drug allergies?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s allergic to penicillin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper wrote in Marcus\u2019 chart as he spoke to the nurse. \u201cStart him on a ten day course of erythromycin, one hundred milligrams by injection today, and fifty milligram injections starting tomorrow. And let me know as soon as the results of that culture come in tomorrow.\u201d He turned back to Mike. \u201cThe culture will take at least twenty-four hours to grow. I\u2019ll let you know the results tomorrow. In the meantime, try to relax. This is something we can take care of fairly easily,\u201d he offered with a reassuring smile.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

As Trapper walked down the hall toward his office, Gonzo fell in line next to him. \u201cThe oncologist is here to discuss Mr. Atchison\u2019s chest x-rays. You interested?\u201d<\/p>\n

Both men changed direction. \u201cSure. Who\u2019s the oncologist?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBart Henry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll want to scrub, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all. He\u2019s one of the few who will scrub, and he\u2019s pretty good at catching problems while the patient is open. Last time I performed surgery for one of Bart\u2019s patients, we ended up doing eight biopsies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is that good?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause we avoided having to do additional needle biopsies or having to go back in. He can see the tissue first hand without having to wait for the perfect view on an x-ray.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they pushed open the door of the x-ray room, Dr. Henry was already there, looking at the x-rays. \u201cBart, how the hell are you?\u201d asked Trapper, taking Dr. Henry\u2019s offered hand with his other hand on the oncologist\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersonally, John, just fine. But these x-rays worry me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBart, this is Dr. Gates. He\u2019s the surgeon you\u2019ll be scrubbing with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Gates, John speaks very highly of you. As I understand it, you grew up in a MASH unit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you can impress Trapper John, you have to be damn good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think about Mr. Atchison\u2019s lung?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

The three men looked up at the x-rays on the light box. \u201cThe mass itself looks like it\u2019s confined to just this lobe,\u201d said Dr. Henry, pointing at an x-ray. And I don\u2019t see any evidence of growth in the other two lobes, but I\u2019ll want biopsies of both. But take a look at this one. Do you see the problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm,\u201d grunted Gonzo. \u201cThe lymph nodes in the mediastinum are enlarged.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll want biopsies from those as well. You might as well do it while you\u2019re in there. There\u2019s no point in waiting for a needle biopsy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019re looking at a lobectomy and multiple biopsies,\u201d said Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but be prepared for a pneumonectomy, just in case. Sometimes you can tell by the tissue color the cancer has spread before it shows up on an x-ray. In this case, the tumor will be a very dark red to almost black where the normal tissue will be a healthy pink. If we see the same colors as the tumor in the other lobes, it\u2019s just a matter of time before the tissue will grow big enough to be seen in a picture. And with Mr. Atchison\u2019s age, I\u2019m not sure he\u2019ll survive a second surgery so soon after the first if a biopsy comes back positive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what if we see similar coloration in the other lung?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

Turning, Dr. Henry walked just past Gonzo and reached back to put a hand on his shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019ll close him up, and we\u2019ll make him as comfortable as possible. John, will you be assisting?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat will depend on the schedule. I do have other surgeries scheduled for the next few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get it scheduled and let you know when, gentlemen,\u201d said Gonzo as the two older doctors left the x-ray room. Gonzo took another moment to look at the x-rays, then pulled them down and turned off the lights.<\/p>\n

\u201cBart, would you happen to have a patient named Carlotta Costa? She\u2019s being treated for breast cancer,\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do, but she\u2019s not here. She\u2019s over at Bay General. Why?\u201d Dr. Henry asked as they boarded the elevator.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m asking for Leah Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Henry snorted. \u201cThat woman walked in from out of the blue, demanded a meeting with me, and asked what I intended to do about Carlotta. Well naturally, I told her there wasn\u2019t much I could do but refer her to county. The Costa\u2019s had no insurance. She asked what treatment would cost, and when I told her, she sat down at my desk and wrote out a check for the full amount. Then she said if I needed more to let her know at the number on the check.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened then?\u201d said Trapper, chuckling. \u201cI apologize. It\u2019s not really funny, but\u2026well\u2026that\u2019s Leah; sharp-tongued and to-the-point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was speechless, and before I recovered my tongue, she had already marched out of my office and disappeared. But whether she was abrupt or not, she saved Carlotta\u2019s life. Carlotta\u2019s last test results were on my desk this morning. She\u2019s completely clean. Of course, she\u2019ll have to have follow-ups, but for right now, she\u2019s off any restrictions. I\u2019m not seeing her again for six months.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a wide grin, Trapper said, \u201cThat\u2019s great news. Leah will be happy to hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe will? I just assumed she paid because there was some reason she had to,\u201d Bart said, stepping out of the elevator on the main floor and turning toward the front doors.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. When Leah introduced me to Leo Costa and told me about Carlotta, she said she did it for the Costa\u2019s two children. She said they needed their mother. You\u2019d be surprised just how gracious she can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand. Why would she do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause she lost two children of her own. Did you know John Lewis? He was killed in a car accident four years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I did. John sent me several patients with synovial cell sarcoma. And I remember the accident. But what\u2019s that got to do with Ms. Haverty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah Haverty is Leah Lewis, John\u2019s wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Well, that might explain it.\u201d He shook John\u2019s hand. \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you, John. I\u2019ll see you again in a few days.\u201d Trapper waved as Dr. Henry walked into the parking lot.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wandering into Trapper\u2019s office, Gonzo sat dismally on the sofa and just stared forward. Trapper, who was sitting in his desk chair, staring out the window, didn\u2019t even turn around, lost in his own thoughts. After five minutes of silence, both men got up for coffee, and as they prepared their cups, Trapper asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just got out of surgery. Atchison\u2019s chest is full of cancer. We had to close.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHas Bart already left?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. He went up to the seventh floor to work on Atchison\u2019s protocol. As soon as he\u2019s stable, he\u2019ll be transferred up there. I was surprised you didn\u2019t scrub in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a situation with Marcus Jones. There was blood in his urine this morning. The kid\u2019s gonna lose his kidney.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning away from each other, both men went back to their former seats.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least he can still live a normal life with the other kidney,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cYou win some, you lose some.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah Haverty was early for her appointment with Dr. Gates, and her appointment with Dr. Sandler was several hours away, so she wandered into the cafeteria for a light breakfast. As she went through the line, deciding on mixed fruit, she noticed a man sitting at a table, staring despondently into his cup of coffee. \u201cDo you know how long that man has been here?\u201d she asked the cashier.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver an hour. His coffee has to be cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you add another cup of coffee to my bill then,\u201d she said, still watching the man. His fixed gaze into that cup was painfully familiar. \u201cExcuse me. May I join you,\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Looking up with red eyes, he replied, \u201cI\u2019m afraid I\u2019m not very good company at the moment. But you\u2019re welcome to use the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sat down across from him, and taking his coffee cup out of his hands, she slipped the replacement in.<\/p>\n

He looked up, and opened his mouth to say something, but rather offered a slight forced smile and resumed his coffee vigil.<\/p>\n

Watching him for a few minutes, she knew whoever was here that this man loved wasn\u2019t doing well. \u201cSometimes it helps to get it out. Trust me. I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up again and with an expression close to contempt, he replied. \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTry me. If I really don\u2019t know, I\u2019ll leave you alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike thought why not tell her. It would be an easy enough way to get rid of her. \u201cMy son\u2026he was injured in a bus accident. He has a collapsed lung they can\u2019t seem to keep inflated, a damaged kidney that they told me today they\u2019d have to take, and a ventilator that\u2019s causing pneumonia, but has to stay on to keep his lung inflated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember the bus accident. I was a patient here when it happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, what were you in for?\u201d he asked, disinterestedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeart issues. Dr. McIntyre, the Chief of Surgery here, fixed the one in my chest. Dr. Sandler\u2019s still working on the other one.\u201d Mike looked up with creased brows. \u201cI don\u2019t want to bore you with the gory details, but I do want to give you something.\u201d She reached over to his hand, pried it from the coffee cup and squeezed, and with a single tear rolling down her cheek, she looked him in the eye. \u201cAs long as there\u2019s life, there\u2019s hope. Hold on to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike watched as Leah stood, took her tray to the conveyor, and left the cafeteria. Lowering his eyes to the chair she had occupied just seconds before, he nodded, took a long drink of coffee, and headed back to Marcus\u2019 room.<\/p>\n

Leah walked right by Trapper as he came down the hall from his office. \u201cLeah?\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

She stopped, but before she turned, she wiped her eyes and put on a smile. \u201cDr. McIntyre, how are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we decided it would be Trapper. Touching her shoulders, he bent slightly to see her face. \u201cHey, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d she said, unconvincingly, trying to hold back tears. One escaped.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on. Let\u2019s go to my office,\u201d he said, putting an arm around her shoulder, and turning her back down the hall. When they arrived, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she whispered. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. There was a man in the cafeteria who looked like he had already given up. But his son is alive. He can\u2019t give up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reaching around her, Trapper gently guided her head to his chest and held her as she cried. \u201cDid he say who he was?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly regaining her composure, she answered as she dabbed her eyes, \u201cNo, but he did say his son was injured pretty badly in the bus accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. Mr. Jones.\u201d<\/p>\n

She lifted her head to look him in the eye. \u201cIs his son one of yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he going to live?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will. His injuries are no longer life threatening, but he has a ways to go. Mr. Jones is terrified of losing him. The mother was killed in a car accident a few years ago, and Marcus is his only child.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. And the world just got a little smaller,\u201d she said, handing the handkerchief back. \u201cDr. McIntyre, thank you again, but I have to run. I\u2019m going to be late for my appointment with Dr. Gates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to Trapper?\u201d he asked, holding his hands out to his sides.<\/p>\n

She sighed. \u201cThat\u2019s going to take some getting used to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s a start.\u201d As she turned to leave, he asked, \u201cLunch?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stopping, she took a deep breath. \u201cSure. But it will have to be in the cafeteria. I have an appointment with Dr. Sandler early this afternoon, and then I have to go downstairs for a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll stop by the exam room on my way to the cafeteria,\u201d he said. When she was gone, Trapper looked down at the handkerchief still in his hand and smiled.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

She knocked on the office door and stuck her head in. \u201cLeah, come on in,\u201d said Dr. Sandler as he closed a file on his desk, and stood. \u201cCome on and sit down.\u201d He motioned to a chair on the other side of his office, and once she was seated, he sat in an identical chair opposite her. \u201cHow are you today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I just came from an appointment with Dr. Gates, and he said a few more good checkups, and he\u2019ll release me to go back to work with limited responsibilities.\u201d David looked quizzically at her. \u201cThat means I can\u2019t go crawling around looking for wiring harnesses under the floor.\u201d This time his eyebrows creased. \u201cNever mind. He also said I couldn\u2019t work extra hours anymore, and that you had to release me as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you\u2019re ready to be released?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled and looked down at her clasped hands. \u201cDr. Sandler, I realize you\u2019re not ready to cut me loose, but I see no reason I can\u2019t work while I\u2019m seeing you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pushed his lower lip up and nodded. \u201cHow\u2019s your appetite?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m eating if that\u2019s what you\u2019re asking. In fact, I had lunch with Dr. McIntyre today in the cafeteria.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn mentioned he took you home for lunch several weeks ago. He said you talked about cleaning out the house in LA. You had questions?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou doctors have a conspiracy here, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her head. \u201cI never went back to either house, and both houses are full of\u2026their lives\u2026our lives\u2026together. It\u2019s just something I\u2019ve been thinking a lot about lately, and I thought maybe that was a sign that it was time\u2026to go back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you do, I don\u2019t want you to go alone. Take someone with you who you think can be supportive. It won\u2019t just be cleaning out the house. You\u2019ll be letting another piece of them go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d she whispered. \u201cI just don\u2019t know how to begin\u2026how to choose what I keep and what I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suggest that if you have doubts about any piece of it, you keep it, even if it turns out to be a lot of stuff. You can always rent a storage unit, and then you can go back from time to time and revisit your decisions.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy children grew up\u2026\u201d She stopped and held her breath. \u201cI was going to say they grew up in that house, but they didn\u2019t really grow up at all, did they?\u201d She took timorous breath. Aggravated by her lack of control, she jerked a tissue out of the box on the table next to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a parent\u2019s group that meets every other week over in the hospital annex. These are parents who have lost children. I\u2019d like you try it. If you don\u2019t feel comfortable, you don\u2019t have to go back. But if you decide you need some support, you\u2019ll know who and where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed nervously. \u201cDr. Sandler, I\u2019m not exactly the type who likes large get-togethers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are people who can give you ideas about cleaning out their things\u2026about letting go. Most of them have already done it. Some are in the process, and some, like you, haven\u2019t started.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll think about it,\u201d she said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood enough. Now, how are you sleeping?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat depends on what happens on any particular day. I guess I have the most trouble when I\u2019ve spent the day in my apartment doing nothing in particular. But Dr. Gates said I could start walking again\u2026as much as I want, but without exhausting myself. So hopefully, that will help. And I still owe Dr. McIntyre a fishing trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFishing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, fishing,\u201d she said, chuckling. \u201cHe\u2019ll be surprised, I think. I used to go fly fishing with John\u2026waders, basket, the whole nine yards. I even used to make a mean fly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour spending more time with him, aren\u2019t you?\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose. He called me one evening I just happened to be a mess, and he came over and pulled me kicking and screaming out of my apartment and took me to a drive-in movie,\u201d she said, grinning from ear to ear. \u201cI hadn\u2019t been to a drive-in since I was in college.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpecify, Dr. Sandler.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you spend time with anyone else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her smile faded. \u201cHe\u2019s the only one who asks. Besides, Dr. McIntyre gives me straight answers when I ask about my future\u2026my future physically. I know the possibility of living to a ripe old age is\u2026greatly reduced.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I\u2019ve been thinking about my mortality more lately since I was so close to death recently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt one point, you weren\u2019t sure you wanted to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to die. I just didn\u2019t know I didn\u2019t want to die.\u201d<\/p>\n

What happened that convinced you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She knew all he wanted was for her to say it out loud, but still he was becoming annoying. Her next words came out a sharper than she had intended. \u201cI almost died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you thought about John lately?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Sandler, I told you, I think about all of them every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. What started you thinking about John today?\u201d She stared absently forward. \u201cLeah?\u201d he said, waving his hand in front of her face. She glanced at him, then away, remembering earlier in Dr. McIntyre\u2019s office. \u201cWhat are you thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shifted uneasily in her chair. \u201cI really don\u2019t want to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see that. Talk about it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI met a man in the cafeteria this morning. His son is here\u2026in bad shape. He\u2019s one of the kids from the bus accident. This man looked like he had given up, even though his son is still alive, and\u2026it upset me. When I left the cafeteria, Dr. McIntyre saw me walking down the hall, and\u2026I ended up in his office, crying on his shoulder. Well, it wasn\u2019t his shoulder. He held me, and while he was holding me, I wasn\u2019t thinking about anything but the man and his son, but when I left his office\u2026I remembered how John\u2019s arms felt around me. I remembered feeling\u2026safe. The same way I felt\u2026\u201d David could barely hear the rest. \u201cIn Trapper\u2019s arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you realized this, what did you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

She bowed her head. \u201cLike I had betrayed John.\u201d Another tear slowly made its way down her cheek and dropped onto her lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, John\u2019s dead. You can\u2019t betray him.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mark looked over Leah\u2019s cube wall. \u201cHey,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cI saw your car in the parking lot, so I thought I\u2019d see if you were down here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in, Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark pushed the sliding door aside and stepped inside Leah\u2019s cube, going past the chair right up to the desk. She turned from pulling some books out of her overhead cabinet, and when he saw her eyes, he became concerned. \u201cLeah, what\u2019s happened?\u201d he said, leaning over her desk.<\/p>\n

She took a step back. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing\u2026really,\u201d she said, moving the books into her briefcase. She glanced up at him, and gave him a contrite smile. \u201cI just got out of a session with Dr. Sandler.\u201d An unaccustomed silence fell between them. \u201cSo have I been keeping everyone busy enough?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark thought for a moment, and then snorted. Never since he\u2019d know her had they had trouble making conversation. \u201cWe have plenty of work to do, yes. As a matter of fact, you\u2019ve managed to give us enough to warrant some overtime.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled as she closed her briefcase, and handed him another pile of papers. \u201cRead through this and let me know what you think of the new designs. Oh, and go over the surgery restriction rules carefully. I don\u2019t necessarily agree with the hospital board, but they\u2019ve decided that Slocum will be only point of contact for lifting surgical restrictions in case of an emergency. And go over the rules from The Joint Committee for continuing federal and state accreditation, and the items that will trigger an audit by the insurance commission. I\u2019m giving you update authority on the databases, the same as mine, while I\u2019m out. Read those rules carefully, and don\u2019t do anything that will put the hospital at any risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy now? We\u2019ve been fine without having your level of access?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you read those designs, you\u2019ll understand. They\u2019re the last of the edits on the databases. If the blanket updates go in wrong, you\u2019ll have to manually fix them, and the only way to do that is to go native in the database.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was that odd silence again.<\/p>\n

Leah took her briefcase and stepped around the desk. \u201cCall me if you need anything, Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d he said, grabbing her arm. \u201cAbout the day I took you home\u2026\u201d She stopped, facing away from him and holding her briefcase with both hands on the handle. \u201cLeah, you know how I feel about you. I\u2019ve felt that way for a long time; even before you married John. It doesn\u2019t matter if you don\u2019t feel the same way. I just want to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She hung her head. \u201cMark, I appreciate that you want to help. But I really don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything you can do. I have to work through\u2026the things I\u2019ve never tried to deal with until now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I can\u2019t help, how can Dr. McIntyre? You keep saying he\u2019s not your doctor. So what is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

She closed her eyes and turned to face him, but couldn\u2019t look him in the eye. \u201cHe\u2019s\u2026become a friend, I guess\u2026who just happens to have a great deal of knowledge about my physical condition and how my emotional condition affects me bodily.\u201d With a short, flippant laugh, she finally looked him in the eye. \u201cThese doctors, they all talk. Dr. McIntyre knows when I need to be rescued from myself. That\u2019s all he\u2019s doing. He may not\u00a0officially<\/em>\u00a0be my doctor because he and I were at odds in the beginning, but in reality, Dr. Gates doesn\u2019t do anything concerning me without discussing it with him first.\u201d Rubbing her forehead with her fingers, she changed the subject. \u201cLook, I\u2019m going to Los Angeles next week, so I\u2019ll be out of touch. I\u2019m going to try to get the house emptied so I can put it on the market.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI supposed Dr. McIntyre is going with you to help,\u201d Mark said bitterly.<\/p>\n

Agitated, she took a deep, calming breath before she answered. \u201cAs far as I know, Dr. McIntyre doesn\u2019t even know I\u2019m going. Nurse Shoop has offered to go with me. It seems she lost her husband some time back and had to deal with his things. I think she can offer some objectivity. Now, if you\u2019ll excuse me, I need to get out of here before Dr. Gates finds out I\u2019m down here. I really don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be happy.\u201d She turned and walked out of her cube and to the elevator without looking back.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah!\u201d called Ernie, stopping her just as she was stepping out the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cErnie, are you on your way out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am. I\u2019ll walk with you,\u201d she answered, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not going far. Dr. Gates still won\u2019t let me drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to tell you I got the time off, so I\u2019ll be ready to leave for Los Angeles Monday afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah bowed her head. \u201cErnie, I know I didn\u2019t start out on the right foot with you. I appreciate you helping me with this. I think once I walk into the house, I\u2019ll be quite lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Ernie touched her arm. \u201cI expect we won\u2019t get through much the first day except maybe a box or two of tissues. But once you get started, it\u2019ll get easier. Do you have plans for the weekend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I\u2019d try to make a list of some of the things I\u2019d like to keep. Beyond that, I\u2019m just going to try to relax. Dr. Gates said I could start walking, and there\u2019s some people I haven\u2019t seen in several months that I\u2019d like to check in on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie looked through her purse. \u201cI\u2019m going to have to go back upstairs. I think I left my keys on my desk.\u201d Looking out the doors, she said, \u201cYour cab is here. You\u2019d better go on before someone else grabs it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Ernie,\u201d said Leah, smiling as she walked out the door.<\/p>\n

Upstairs, Ernie found her keys on her desk where she suspected, and as she stood waiting for the elevator to go back down, Trapper joined her. \u201cDo you have plans this weekend, Ernie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really. I just have to pack for next week. You?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing definite. Gonzo said Leah can get some exercise now, so I thought I\u2019d see if she wanted to take a walk on the wharf. There\u2019s someone she needs to see. Pack?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat may not be a bad idea. I\u2019m going with her to Los Angeles next week to help her clean out her house. She said she was going to spend the weekend making a list of the things she knew she\u2019d want to keep,\u201d said Ernie, stepping on the elevator with Trapper behind her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound like you think that\u2019s a bad idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she\u2019s going to be dealing with the house all next week. I would think it would be better if she didn\u2019t dwell on it this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, I\u2019ve got some very definite plans for the weekend,\u201d he said, smiling as they stepped out of the elevator just as Mark walked by them toward the front doors.
\n\u201cMark,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cHave a nice weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stopping, Mark slowly turned and stared at Trapper with what appeared to be a barely controlled sneer before he continued on without saying a word.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not like Mark,\u201d said Ernie with raised eyebrows. \u201cWhat was that about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper snorted. \u201cTerritory.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah sat at the small patio table on her rooftop deck, looking out over the buildings lining Jefferson Street, wondering why Sandler felt it necessary to bring up romantic feelings. There was no one in her life right now for whom she had feelings, and even though Mark did, she didn\u2019t share them. She barely had friends, or rather people she might call a friend. How did he expect her to resolve her feelings for John when there was no need because there was nothing to replace them?<\/p>\n

When her telephone rang, she looked back over her shoulder and considered answering it, but decided against it. She had some thinking to do. She had to remember all the things in the LA house that she might want to keep; those things that were special\u2026more important than most of it.<\/p>\n

John\u2019s attorney had all the important papers\u2026marriage license, birth certificates, mortgages, and investment accounts, so she didn\u2019t have to worry about those. She began to think of her earliest times with John\u2026before the kids came along, and how bound and determined she was to record everything. She wrote photographs, pictures and videos on the previously blank notepad. Next was her private box containing all the letters and notes John had ever written to her.<\/p>\n

The phone rang again, and she turned for a moment and glared at it, then turned her attention back to her list. Her jewelry included items that had belonged to her mother and John\u2019s mother as well as pieces John had given her over the years.<\/p>\n

Laughing, she remembered her kitchen. Though she couldn\u2019t take it with her, it brought back the memories of John ripping the kitchen out three times before he felt he got it right, fussing and fuming the entire time while she maintained a difficult smile because through it all, she had loved her original kitchen most; something she never told him.<\/p>\n

Every morning after he got called to the hospital the night before, she\u2019d wake up to a red rose in a bud vase on her night table. She wrote down \u2018bud vase.\u2019<\/p>\n

Mentally going through the children\u2019s things would be difficult. Other than the photos and videos, much of what they had were their clothes and toys. She had their memory books that she had religiously kept up-to-date, containing locks of their hair at different ages and all the teeth the tooth fairy ever paid for. How odd a feeling to have a physical piece of her children at the same time she couldn\u2019t touch them. Moving her hand to her chest just above her heart, she realized she had a physical piece of them all. Even in death, John was still taking care of her. Silent tears began to flow. Setting the pencil down, she bowed her face into her hands.<\/p>\n

She had no idea how long she had sat crying into her hands. The phone had rung several times, and now someone was persistently knocking at her door. She didn\u2019t budge until the next knock came with a voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, it\u2019s Trapper. I know you\u2019re in there.\u201d He knocked again. \u201cLeah!\u201d he called a little louder.<\/p>\n

Pushing the chair away from the table, she rose and walked to the door, leaning on it with her lips at the crack where the door was latched. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d she said feebly.<\/p>\n

Holding the knob, Trapper moved closer to the door and said quietly, \u201cI know what you\u2019re doing. I don\u2019t think you should do it alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d she said, choking back a sob.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so. Open the door. Please.\u201d He heard her throw the bolts, but the door didn\u2019t open. Turning the knob, he pushed, taking one step inside and looking around before he entered and closed the door behind him. He walked to the patio table, and looked down at the notepad, reading her list and taking a deep breath, letting it out through his nose.<\/p>\n

Leaning on the half-wall of the roof-top deck, she watched the lights of the city slowly brighten as the sun sank in the sky. She didn\u2019t flinch when he put his arms around hers, grasping each of her wrists in front of her. Closing her eyes, she let herself feel the strength of his hands and arms, the warmth of his body against her back and the comfort of his breath moving across her cheek. Was she taking advantage of Trapper by letting him get this close? Was she cheating on John for allowing this John to console her?<\/p>\n

Moving his lips close to her ear, he asked in a quiet, deep, soothing voice, \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t answer his question, but rather answered her own. She couldn\u2019t cheat on John because John was dead. She couldn\u2019t betray the trust and love her children had for both of them because they were dead. And this John in this moment made her\u00a0feel<\/em>. She turned in his arms and looking into his eyes, she moved her hands to either side of his face, tiptoeing until her eyes closed and her lips met his only for a second. They were soft and warm, and his breath was sweet, and she found herself pressing her lips against his, opening her mouth and giving him the gentlest touch with the tip of her tongue.<\/p>\n

Trapper hadn\u2019t moved; he hadn\u2019t moved his hands from her waist nor had he stepped back away from her. When she looked back into his eyes, he met hers with understanding, and even now, he didn\u2019t let her go.<\/p>\n

Her eyes slowly dropped, her head slightly bowed, and her hands moved to his chest even as his chin rose imperceptibly, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and his eyes followed hers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have no reason to be sorry,\u201d he answered as softly.<\/p>\n

Holding on to his jacket lapels, she snorted. \u201cDr. Sandler was right. I wanted to feel something\u2026tangible\u2026again. I\u2019m afraid I\u2019ve used you.\u201d<\/p>\n

His expression settled into a satisfied smile. \u201cDid it help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think it did,\u201d she said, chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back into his eyes, she said, \u201cIn my mind, I wasn\u2019t kissing John. I was kissing you. And I don\u2019t feel guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took both of her hands from his lapels and kissed them, then turned back into the apartment with his arm around her. Stepping backward one step, he took the notepad from the table. \u201cHave you started packing yet?\u201d She nodded. \u201cPut this in your suitcase. You won\u2019t need it again until you arrive at the house. We have plans for the weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, really?\u201d she said, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm. Now go change into your little black dress. We\u2019re going to get some fresh crab, and then we\u2019re going to a little blues club I know where local guitarists provide the entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n

She headed for her bedroom, but stopped and cocked her head before she turned. \u201cHow do you know I have a little black dress?\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning, he answered, \u201cDoesn\u2019t every attractive woman have a little black dress?\u201d<\/p>\n

She disappeared into the bedroom, but left the door open. \u201cTrapper, make yourself at home. There\u2019s tea, juice and milk in the frig. Glasses are in the cabinet next to the frig.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pouring himself a glass of tea, Trapper wondered back out to the deck and watched people moving up and down Jefferson Street, some dressed for the evening, some dressed to spend the evening on the street. Twenty minutes later, he was still people-watching when Leah came out of her bedroom, dressed in a long-sleeved, knee-length, midnight black jersey tube dress that clung to every curve of her body. She had dressed it up with a long double strand of white pearls and stiletto heels. \u201cTrapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned and froze, sucking in the side of his mouth as his eyes slowly moved from her eyes to her legs and back up. Setting the glass he was holding on the kitchen table before he reached her, he motioned toward the door. \u201cShall we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, she walked out the door, handing him the key, and as he walked down the stairs behind her, he noticed there were no lines underneath her dress. There was no zipper on the dress. There wasn\u2019t even a back seam which made the whole look very smooth.<\/p>\n

When they reached the sidewalk, Trapper held her hand.<\/p>\n

She stopped walking. \u201cI am a big girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling lasciviously, he chuckled and answered, \u201cNo doubt about that. But you walk much too fast for those heels. You\u2019ll break your leg.\u201d He looked at his watch. \u201cOn second thought, we need to hurry.\u201d Grabbing her hand, he pulled her next to him, placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her quickly down the sidewalk, turning left at Taylor where the seafood vendors were. There was still a crowd even though some of the vendors had already closed.<\/p>\n

When they stopped in front of Leo\u2019s spot, Leah looked up, opening her mouth wide in surprise. \u201cCarlotta, what are you doing here? I thought you had to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leo walked up behind her without her seeing him, and when she turned, he took her face in his hands and kissed each cheek. With tears in his eyes he said, \u201cMy Carlotta is free of the cancer. She doesn\u2019t go back for six months.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throwing her arms around Leo\u2019s neck, Leah laughed. \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful news!\u201d<\/p>\n

By this time, Carlotta had rounded the case, bringing her children with her. Speechless, she and Leah held each other, crying together at the good news. Trapper and Leo each picked a child up, and the oldest, five-year-old Lorenzo, leaned over for his own hug.<\/p>\n

Turning to Trapper, Leah asked as she wiped her eyes, \u201cHow did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCarlotta\u2019s oncologist is a friend of mine,\u201d he said, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome, come,\u201d said Carlotta, pulling Leah behind their space where a table was set with candles, crab, salad and wine. They ate dinner in the moonlight with the lights from the covered sidewalk casting a yellow glow their way and Italian music drifting out of Alioti\u2019s Restaurant just down the sidewalk.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, Carlotta and I were worried. We haven\u2019t seen you for weeks. When Dr. McIntyre came by to ask us to stay tonight, he told us you haven\u2019t been well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah covered his hand. \u201cDid Dr. McIntyre tell you what was wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. He said that would be up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking over at Trapper, she winked. \u201cI had to have heart surgery, Leo. There was a weak spot on my heart that Dr. McIntyre and another doctor fixed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re her doctor? I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeo, he\u2019s not my doctor. Dr. Gates is my doctor. But Dr. McIntyre is Chief of Surgery at San Francisco Memorial where I was a patient, so he assisted Dr. Gates.\u201d
\n\u201cSo you\u2019re not\u2026\u201d Leo said, moving his finger back and forth at them.<\/p>\n

Laughing, Trapper smiled over at Leah and answered, \u201cWe\u2019re friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor now,\u201d Leo said with raised eyebrows, nodding his head mockingly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-One\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper took the hand he was holding and draped it over his arm as they walked down the sidewalk toward the night club he had mentioned earlier that evening. Familiar with the direction they were heading, she wondered if it was the same nightclub she had frequented when she first arrived in San Francisco before she became so busy on her current project. He had mentioned local guitarists. It had to be the same place.<\/p>\n

When they arrived, Trapper paid their cover charge and the two were escorted to a table in the center of the club; not right next to the stage, but several tables back. The club band was already playing. \u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind the middle,\u201d said Trapper, leaning in to her ear. \u201cIt gets rather loud right up front.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled as she took the seat he held for her. \u201cIt just so happens I prefer the middle in the back myself, but this is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been here before?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I used to come here when I first arrived in the city. I stopped when the project work picked up.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the waiters watched them until they were seated, and then went up to the side of the stage, disappearing behind the wings. He and another man leaned out, looking into the crowd and pointing. The waiter went back to his job, but the other man behind the wings stepped out, and walked to their table. \u201cMrs. Lewis, it\u2019s good to see you back,\u201d said the man with a thick British accent, almost yelling. \u201cYou were a favorite here. May I ask why you stopped coming by?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease join us, Reggie,\u201d she said loudly, smiling. \u201cThis is Dr. John McIntyre. Dr. McIntyre, Reginald Rose.\u201d The two men shook hands. \u201cReggie owns the club.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen you here before, Dr. McIntyre, though not recently. I\u2019m happy you decided to return, which brings me back, Leah, to why you left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWork. I just got very busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I offer your usual\u2026on the house, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Reggie,\u201d she said with a bright smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for you, Dr. McIntyre?\u201d Trapper looked at Leah with raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n

Covering his hand with hers, she shook her head and leaned toward him. \u201cIt won\u2019t bother me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He offered her a smile, and then ordered. \u201cI\u2019ll have a naked martini\u2026two olives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back in a few moments,\u201d said Reggie, turning and hurrying to the bar.<\/p>\n

\u201cMartini? I figured you more as a wine kind of guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, martinis and I go way back to a place where we made our own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling and gazing beyond the table, Trapper remembered his MASH days. \u201cCaptain Hawkeye Pierce and I used to make the perfect martini.\u201d She gave him an inquisitive smile. \u201cIn Korea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were a surgeon in the war?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm,\u201d he answered, nodding, but offering no more. Moving his chair next to hers, Trapper put his arm around her and leaned in, speaking in her ear. \u201cYou were a favorite here?\u201d She turned away, scratching her neck, but he turned her face back to his, the warmth of his breath causing a pleasant tickle that made her smile. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what. If you tell me what Reggie meant by that, I\u2019ll give you one free personal question.\u201d A waiter delivered their drinks along with a bowl of mixed nuts, chex and pretzels while Reggie stood on stage, talking to the club band\u2019s guitarist and pointing into the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh dear,\u201d she said, biting the end of her index finger nervously. \u201cI think you\u2019re about to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and gentlemen, for those of you who\u2019ve been coming in to listen to some good blues guitar for awhile, you\u2019ll remember a little lady who got up here every weekend and emptied her heart right on this stage. For those of you who are new, you\u2019re in for a real treat. Lady Leah Lewis is with us again tonight.<\/p>\n

Waving her hand and shaking her head, she smiled and blushed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like she\u2019s gonna need a little coaxing. Everyone put your hands together and get her up on this stage.\u201d The veteran patrons all turned and clapped, and when she continued to shake her head, they began to stand, whistling and chanting until Trapper finally nodded and motioned toward the stage. Leaning in, he yelled, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t sound like they\u2019re going to let you slide,\u201d then stood, whistling and clapping right along with them.<\/p>\n

Standing, she turned to him and shouted, \u201cTraitor!\u201d before she made her way through the crowd to the stage. \u201cI apologize for my appearance,\u201d she said, prompting a round of whistles and catcalls. Holding up her hands, she continued, \u201cThis isn\u2019t exactly what I\u2019d prefer to wear while playing guitar.\u201d Removing her pearls, she pointed to Trapper and tossed them over the front tables. Taking a guitar from the band guitarist and removing a pick from the strings just under the nut, she turned toward the amp, and played a riff, setting off another round of whistles and applause. Making some slight adjustments to the tuning keys, she played another, nodded to the band and turned to the mike. \u201cLittle Boy Blues.\u201d<\/p>\n

She started slowly with clear, clean notes, playing typical slow, low blues. Then she made the strings talk just before her fingers flew over the frets to a build up that screamed pain. After another quiet moment, she exploded into a climax that brought tears to her eyes. Trapper watched as she played with her eyes closed, as she finessed the strings into a story of excruciating sorrow and anger to exhaustion, defeat, and then a slow, quiet fall to mere existence. Not only did she make them feel her heartache with the music, she showed it to them on her face, and when she was done, she turned away from her appreciative fans for a moment to wipe her eyes. Handing the guitar back to the band\u2019s guitarist, she accepted a hug and whisper in her ear. She left the stage and avoided looking out, but waved and nodded as she made her way through a crowd that appeared to respect her evasion, several of them reaching out to touch her, offering some softly spoken words of commiseration.<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s arms were open when she reached him, and she stepped into him and buried her face in his chest as his arms surrounded her. \u201cWhy don\u2019t I take you home?\u201d he said, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket for her.<\/p>\n

She looked up at him, sniffling, and while he wiped the wetness of her tears from her face, she smiled. \u201cThank you, but no. I\u2019d like to stay and listen. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d he asked with some concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, the older crowd here is used to this. This is probably why they like me so much here. Most of what you see in blues clubs these days are people who have studied blues and are technically adept at it. But they don\u2019t feel their music. This club invites guitarists who play to express themselves, and you may not like all of the music itself, but you\u2019ll surely appreciate the stories. Taking the handkerchief from his hand, she wiped her nose one more time before she turned to sit down. \u201cI may need this again tonight.\u201d Trapper cocked his head with a surprised smile as he resumed his position beside her. \u201cOh, I\u2019m not playing again. They know they only get one out of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the club band played, Trapper leaned in and asked, \u201cWhat is that you\u2019re drinking?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCranberry juice. It\u2019s supposed to be good for my kidney, and since I only have one, I should take care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a slight smile, he narrowed his eyes. \u201cWelcome back to the land of the living.\u201d They sat and listened to the music the rest of their evening without saying much, Trapper with his arm around her and Leah eventually leaning into his side. They left after several hours of listening to good blues. As they walked back to her apartment, he placed his jacket over her shoulders, and put his hands in his pockets. \u201cMark told me you played the guitar the day he trained me on that box taking up valuable space on my desk.\u201d She creased her eyebrows. \u201cYou asked how I knew you played in the elevator. Don\u2019t you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Yeah, I guess I did,\u201d she said, chuckling. \u201cAnd by the way, you should just admit that you like your computer. My trending reports don\u2019t lie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper smirked, and then chuckled. \u201cHe said computer programming and music go hand in hand because of the logic involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true. Computer programmers tend to be good mathematicians, and mathematics is the basis of all sound. Pythagoras regarded one, two, three and four\u2026only those four numbers\u2026as the source of all perfection. And the closer you get to those numbers in music, the more pleasing the sound to the human ear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep. Every chord depends on harmonics and frequency, both of which are described in mathematical terms.\u201d Trapper smiled. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m boring you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not boring me. You\u2019re just\u2026over my head. Listen, I thought we could go out on the boat tomorrow and do some fishing. If you like it, we can stay out and come back in Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm. Overnight on a boat? How big is this boat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sleeps four, and it has a galley and a bathroom. All you need to bring are your clothes, your toiletries, your guitar, and maybe a good book to read while you relax and soak up some sunshine. I\u2019ll take care of everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy guitar?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I thought I\u2019d bring my guitar so you can teach me some blues riffs,\u201d he said as he rounded the corner toward her apartment.<\/p>\n

She laughed. \u201cYou\u2019ve been holding out on me. I don\u2019t know, though, Trapper,\u201d she said, glancing back up at him apprehensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, if you don\u2019t want to go fishing, then we\u2019ll just have to drive up the coast to Sea Ranch and spend the weekend. You are not going to spend the weekend working on that list. You\u2019ll be in LA for what, a week?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite,\u201d she said, mounting the stairs to her apartment.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019m not leaving you alone in your apartment with that list this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stopping in front of her door, she went through her clutch looking for her keys, and when she pulled them out Trapper took them from her and unlocked her door, pushing it open. He dropped the keys in her hand. \u201cTrapper, it was a lovely evening, especially since I had started it with\u2026anyway, I did forget\u2026until now. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking both of her hands in his, he kissed her knuckles, and with a half smile and a sparkle in his eyes, he said, \u201cAny time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout tomorrow,\u201d she said, looking at her hands in his, and slowly pulling them away. \u201cI\u2019m not sure\u2026I mean, I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop worrying,\u201d he said, rolling his eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s just a fishing trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper climbed the stairs to Leah\u2019s apartment dreading the amount of luggage he knew he was going to have to lug down the stairs. It never failed that when he traveled with a woman, she packed for every contingency plus enough clothes for an extra week. Leah\u2019s door was wide open.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah?\u201d he called in. Worried that something might have happened, he stepped in without waiting for an answer. He looked in the kitchen, walked out to the patio, and finally started toward the bedroom. \u201cLeah? Are you here?\u201d He spun around when he heard her answer at the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to go to my storage to find a smaller bag. My suitcase is way too big for a boat trip. Good morning,\u201d she said with a smile as she walked past him into the bedroom.<\/p>\n

Following her, he stopped at the bedroom door and watched her pack. \u201cIsn\u2019t it a little dangerous to leave your apartment open when you\u2019re not here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really. I figured you\u2019d be here any minute, and I didn\u2019t want you to think that I wasn\u2019t here because I didn\u2019t want to go. Besides, my storage room is right down below the stairs. I saw you come up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Puckering his lips, he raised his brows and nodded as he watched her pack, not so much at her explanation, but at the way she was packing. She threw in a change of clothes, a sweatshirt, a swimsuit and cover, flip flops, a brush, three or four tubes and bottles, a book, and a lady\u2019s wallet. Taking her sunglasses from her night table, she put them on, and then pushed them back on top of her head, taking her hair back at the same time. \u201cMy guitar is on the sofa. Would you mind getting it? I just need to close the slider and get my hat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slinging the duffle strap over her shoulder, she disappeared into a closet, returning with a sun hat, and by the time he had the guitar, she was headed for the door. He watched her go, chuckling at first, his chuckle turning into an all-out laugh. \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d she asked as he took her keys and locked her door, putting the keys into his pocket.<\/p>\n

He looked at the guitar case, holding it out, and pointed to the duffle. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever gone anywhere with a woman, even just for an overnight, without a small load of luggage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, well, that would depend on where I was going, and this weekend, I don\u2019t really see a need for much more than this. After all, we will be on a boat\u2026fishing, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d he said enthusiastically, taking the duffle from her and following her down the stairs. He opened his trunk, laying her duffle on top of his bag.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood grief,\u201d she said. \u201cIt thought this was for one overnight. What\u2019s all this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pointing, he said, \u201cThat\u2019s tackle, and that cooler is for fish. You do want to bring back some fresh fish, don\u2019t you?\u201d She nodded, smiling. \u201cThese are cooking utensils, and these are rods.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just leave this stuff on your boat?\u201d she said, looking over everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it\u2019s not my boat. I\u2019m borrowing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d she said, opening the passenger side door of the car, and lowering the seat to put her guitar in the back. \u201cThere\u2019s another cooler back here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we do need something to go with our fish, don\u2019t we?\u201d he said, grinning and holding her hand as she stepped into the car. Closing the door, he smiled all the way to the other side. \u201cHere we go.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Trapper parked the car at the dock, Leah asked, \u201cHow far down is the slip?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the way at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping out of the car, she went back to the trunk. \u201cAlright then. Load me up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you don\u2019t. You\u2019re not supposed to be lifting anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to carry all this stuff down to the end of the dock by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. I\u2019m going to get a loading cart. You stay here and guard the booty,\u201d he said with a snarl in his best pirate voice. She covered her mouth with her hand, hiding a grin at his cheesiness. With the cart loaded and the car locked, they made their way down the dock.<\/p>\n

\u201cPulling is as bad as lifting. What are you going to do when I hook a big fish?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bring it in for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no. If I hook it, I\u2019m bringing it in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at her over his sunglasses, he said, \u201cWe\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper stepped up on the boat, turning and pulling Leah up. Next, he unloaded the cart and both worked on stowing everything in its place as Trapper gave Leah a tour. On the main deck, a living area was center, opening to the bow where there were two chaise lounges and a table. To aft, the cockpit contained two fighting chairs. Below deck were two cabins with their respective heads and showers, and the galley. Trapper moved their bags to their rooms, and then joined Leah in the galley, putting away the food from the cooler. They climbed up to the fly bridge, and Trapper maneuvered the boat out of the slip. Standing side by side, they slowly left the marina for the bay.<\/p>\n

Trapper took the boat all the way out and brought her speed up to a steady cruise, heading southwest under the Golden Gate Bridge. \u201cCome \u2018ere,\u201d he said, pulling Leah in front of him. Moving his arms under hers, he placed her hands on the wheel with his over them. \u201cDo you feel the resistance?\u201d She nodded. \u201cThe swells tend to pull her, so you have to apply a little force. The trick is to watch the compass and maintain that heading.\u201d He removed his hands from the wheel and stepped away from her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait! Where are you going?\u201d she said apprehensively.<\/p>\n

He grinned. \u201cI\u2019m just going to turn on the other instruments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat other instruments? You can\u2019t leave me up here alone!\u201d she shouted mildly frantic. \u201cI don\u2019t know how to drive a boat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning over her shoulder, he gave her a rather smug smile. \u201cYou\u2019re driving one,\u201d he said, kissing her cheek. \u201cI just have to turn on the circuits. All the instruments are up here. The radio, the weather receiver and the radar have extra sets in the main cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what if another boat comes?\u201d she yelled, turning and seeing that he was gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay to the right,\u201d he shouted from the bottom of the ladder.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay to the right, he says,\u201d she mumbled tersely, holding the wheel so tight her knuckles turned white. Studying the panel next to her as her eyes darted from the ocean in front of her to the instrument panels around her, she started flipping switches. \u201cRadar, sonar, antennae, navigation\u2026depth, speed, wind speed\u2026fish finder? This thing finds fish for you?\u201d she yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it does,\u201d said a calm, deep voice behind her that caused her to jump. \u201cI see you\u2019ve been flipping switches. You left out the AIS,\u201d he said, flipping that switch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAutomatic identification system\u2026required by the Coast Guard on a vessel this size.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded. \u201cIs thirty-five miles per hour enough?\u201d she asked, pointing to the navigation console.<\/p>\n

Trapper broke out in a high-pitched chuckle. \u201cThat\u2019s not miles per hour. That\u2019s knots.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gave him an embarrassed smile. \u201cI knew that\u2026somewhere\u2026in the deep, dark recesses of my mind.\u201d Still chuckling, he stepped into her side, wrapping one arm around her and putting his other hand on the wheel, relieving her of steering duty. \u201cAnd what about a fishing license? I don\u2019t have one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you do. I added you temporarily to mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why you need a fishing license to fish in the ocean anyway. It\u2019s not like the state stocks the ocean\u2026or does anything to maintain it. And what if you fish in international waters? They don\u2019t own those fish even if they think they own the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a little late to that party,\u201d he answered, pulling her closer into him.<\/p>\n

Watching his eyes move from right to left and back to center, she decided she didn\u2019t mind his arm around her since he wasn\u2019t really paying much attention to her. But when he turned and looked her square in the eye, she instantly cast her eyes down, suddenly feeling uneasy. Gently pushing away, she said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t I go get some drinks? What would you like?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a better idea. I\u2019ll bring up a variety for the frig up here.\u201d Grabbing her hand, he put it on the wheel underneath her menacing gaze. \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he said with an animated glare. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he came back up with a bag full of bottles and cans, she waited until he had stocked the small refrigerator to say anything. The wind and boat noise made it hard to hear unless they were standing right next to each other. He walked up behind her and caught her hair in his hand, moving it away from her ear and leaning in. \u201cI\u2019ve got orange, apple and cranberry juice, root beer, Sprite, Pepsi, beer and water. I also brought some tea bags and coffee, and some wine. What can I get you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re only staying one night, aren\u2019t we? Why so much?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the wind and the sun, whether it\u2019s hot or not, you will get dry out here. It\u2019s easy to get dehydrated. I expect we\u2019ll drink most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cRoot beer. It\u2019s been a long time since I\u2019ve had one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoot beer it is,\u201d he said, returning her smile. He grabbed himself a beer and traded her root beer for the wheel.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow far are we going before we stop?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that far. Just a little further south out of the shipping lanes.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know how to fish?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you ask me that question before you arranged this little trip?\u201d she asked with a puckish smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it didn\u2019t matter until now.\u201d<\/p>\n

She huffed and looked away. \u201cI\u2019ve never used a casting rod.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat other kind of rod is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA fly rod.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper had been slightly bent, addressing Leah as she sat in one of the fighting chairs. Now, he stood up straight, and arched a brow in surprise. \u201cYou fly fish?\u201d<\/p>\n

She lifted her chin rather arrogantly. \u201cYes. I tie flies, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, forget everything you know. Salt water fishing isn\u2019t anything like it,\u201d he said, turning and picking up a long salt water rod and reel. He took a breath before he began his explanation, but she interrupted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t you use a fly rod surf fishing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes, but we\u2019re on a boat, remember?\u201d he said, raising his eyebrows. \u201cNow, as I was saying\u2026\u201d Trapper explained the use of each rod and reel, and then went through the bait and what each rod should be used for. When she yawned, he stopped abruptly.<\/p>\n

Covering her mouth with her hand, she said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I feel like I\u2019ve been up forever. What time is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Scowling, Trapper looked at his watch. \u201cIt\u2019s eight.\u201d<\/p>\n

She yawned again. \u201cBreakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n

He folded his lips into a straight line and blew out his nose. \u201cI tell you what. Why don\u2019t you go fix us some breakfast while I get these lines baited and ready?\u201d Laughing, she eased out of the chair, sliding by him when he stubbornly refused to move out of her way. \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut a man on a fishing boat and he becomes a fishing fiend,\u201d she said, still laughing as she went down into the galley. Fifteen minutes later, she returned with a fresh pot of coffee, two cups and forks, a bowl of fruit, nuts and berries, toasted and buttered English muffins, and sliced cheese. \u201cDr. McIntyre, I\u2019m impressed with your shopping prowess.\u201d Hovering over her, he raised his brows and gave her an expectant glare. \u201cWhat?\u201d she asked puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre?\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting her lip, she answered meekly, \u201cTrapper.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a satisfied grin, he moved a table within reach of the two fighting chairs, relieved her of her burden, and then motioned her back over to her chair. \u201cWe\u2019re going to start by teaching you how to cast from your chair. You don\u2019t have to cast far; just enough to get your bait away from the back of the boat. We\u2019re letting the boat drift, so the line will go out on its own. Once it\u2019s out about twenty feet, you\u2019re going to lock your reel like this,\u201d he said, showing her the lock and setting it. \u201cAnd then you wait until you get a bite. You\u2019ll probably feel some small nibbles first. Don\u2019t set the hook until you get feel a strong bite. Any questions?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens if it\u2019s a really big fish? Won\u2019t it pull the rod out of my hands?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. You\u2019re rod will be attached to your harness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, won\u2019t a really big fish pull me out of the boat?\u201d she asked with wide eyes.<\/p>\n

He laughed. \u201cYou\u2019re harness will be attached to your chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

She tilted her head down to see where the chair was attached to the boat, and satisfied, she looked back up with an agreeable smile and a quick nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour chair, my dear,\u201d he said, taking her hand and helping her in. \u201cI\u2019m going to leave the foot board up so that your knees are bent. I don\u2019t want you landing a fish so big you need to stand and use your body weight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens if I get one that big?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll stand behind you and help you with the rod.\u201d When she pouted, he smirked. \u201cTake it or leave it.\u201d She acquiesced and sat back in her chair. \u201cLean up so we can get your harness on.\u201d Slipping the harness around her, he reached around and fastened it in front, and then showed her how to fasten the harness to the chair. Walking in front of her, he lifted the rod and slipped it into the rod holder between her legs. Next, he reached down between the chair and the rod holder, grabbing the end of a strap that was dangling from her harness. \u201cThis end fastens onto the rod like this,\u201d he said, showing her where to attach the strap to the rod. \u201cYour harness doesn\u2019t hold you back in the seat. It\u2019s designed to stop you from coming completely out of the chair, but gives you room to lean back and forth. That allows you to reach your bait bucket on your right, your tools on your left, and your coffee on the table. It also allows you to cast. Now, sit tight while I get my harness on.\u201d<\/p>\n

She watched as he prepared himself, but rather than sitting in his chair, he picked up another rod and walked back to her. \u201cYou\u2019ll have a second rod here on your chair. This rod will be weighted to drag or almost drag on the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re interested in bottom feeders?\u201d she asked, grimacing.<\/p>\n

Leaning against her chair, he asked teasingly, \u201cYou do like sole?\u201d She smiled agreeably. \u201cAnd halibut?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, I get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you see play in the tip of this rod, you\u2019ll unhook the rod in front of you and move it to the rod holder over there,\u201d he said, pointing to the far arm of her chair, \u201cand you\u2019ll move this one center, and bring the fish in. I\u2019ll show you how to remove the hook the first time, and then we\u2019ll talk about what we can keep and what we have to throw back, and if we keep it, which well to put it in.\u201d<\/p>\n

She blew out of her mouth and frowned. \u201cMaybe I should just watch you fish. Ocean fishing is complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot on your life. Besides, you\u2019re almost ready to fish. I just need to show you how to cast.\u201d<\/p>\n

After her first few casts left her bait on the deck of the boat and Trapper\u2019s chin propped on his hand, patiently watching, she finally cast it over the back and into the water. Casting her second rod seemed much easier, and he shook his head and chuckled his way to his chair after watching her victory dance in front of hers.<\/p>\n

Glancing over to make sure her harness was secured to the chair, he fastened his own, and cast his two rods. She sat eagerly anticipating a bite with both hands on the center rod, looking over at Trapper and smiling occasionally. After twenty minutes, her shoulders slumped, she let her rod lean forward on its own, reached back for a cup of coffee and speared a piece of fruit on a fork. \u201cAt least, when I\u2019m fly fishing, I\u2019m moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPass me one of those, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCoffee or fruit?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long is this going to take?\u201d she asked as she passed him a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll start getting bites after the chum spreads out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChum?\u201d she said, passing a fork bearing a strawberry and a chunk of cantaloupe.<\/p>\n

He took a sip of coffee and whistled. \u201cThat\u2019s hot. Ground up fish. I threw a chum line in while you were practicing your casting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t that cheating?\u201d she said with a mischievous smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at it this way. The ocean is big body of water, so it stands to reason the fish are fairly well spread out, right?\u201d She shrugged. \u201cThe chum will attract them, but you still have to get them to take your bait,\u201d he said, winking. \u201cAnd speaking of taking your bait, your other rod is twitching.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d she said in a little squeal, dropping her cup and fork on the table. She closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself, unfastened her center rod, moving it to her left, and then moved the bending rod to the center rod holder, attaching the strap.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, move your hands further up on the rod, lean forward, and now pull back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know this isn\u2019t a big fish?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it\u2019s not really bending the rod that much. Now, as you lean forward again, reel in some line.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the time she got the fish to the boat, Trapper was out of his chair ready to bring it up on deck. \u201cThis is a halibut. Come over here, and I\u2019ll show you how to figure out if we can keep it.\u201d They measured the fish, determined how many they could catch, and then put the fish in one of the two live wells. Putting his arm around her shoulders and walking her back to her chair, he asked, \u201cHow does it feel to bring in your first fish?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled and blushed at the same time, her eyes sparkling with excitement. \u201cIt was fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Now go bait your rod and cast again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBait my rod?\u201d she asked warily as she followed him back to his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, bait your rod. I showed you how,\u201d he said, fastening his harness to his chair. Just as he secured his rod, the tip bent. \u201cGot something here,\u201d he said, straining to pull the rod back and laughing. \u201cIt\u2019s a big one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShould I do something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch\u2026and learn.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was late afternoon by the time Trapper and Leah secured their fishing gear and headed down into the galley to prepare dinner. Leah washed their breakfast and lunch dishes while Trapper went up to retrieve the salmon he had caught earlier in the day from the ice well. When he laid the fish on a plank on the counter, she frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy the long face?\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and crooked her jaw as she leaned her elbow on the front of the sink. \u201cYou hit that fish between the eyes with a club. Did you have to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I had to do that,\u201d he said, smiling. \u201cSalmon won\u2019t survive in a live well, and they go bad quickly, so you put them out of their misery, and then put them on ice. My dear, you are going to eat like a queen tonight,\u201d he said cheerfully, as he headed up to the deck with his fish and knives.<\/p>\n

She finished the dishes and pulled out vegetables to roast with the fish, cutting them all into chunks. Then she went out onto the deck where Trapper was cleaning and filleting the salmon. \u201cYou have a practiced hand, doctor. Almost like a skilled surgeon.\u201d She smiled and offered him a drink of her wine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis\u2026\u201d he said, waving his hand over the dissected fish, \u201cdoesn\u2019t bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Scowling, she said, \u201cReally. I\u2019ll have you know I\u2019ve cleaned and filleted my fair share of trout, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what was all that business with the bait?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Well, I use flies, and not the insect kind\u2026not\u2026squid. Anyway, after the first one, I did alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled and winked. \u201cYes, you did. I had almost decided against fishing, but you seemed alright with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you have chosen something else?\u201d she said, sipping her wine and offering him another.<\/p>\n

\u201cWomen don\u2019t usually enjoy going out on a fishing boat unless they\u2019re in the company of other women. I think you might be the first woman I\u2019ve brought out who\u2019s actually tried fishing from the chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOther women you\u2019ve brought out? On this boat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not taking that bait,\u201d he said, shaking his head as he cut the salmon into fillets. Would you wrap these fillets in freezer paper as I cut them? We need to get them in the freezer, except for the last two.\u201d He turned and smiled. \u201cThose are for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

After the salmon were on the grill along with the vegetables, Trapper pulled two hoop nets up over the side of the boat, and pulled out four good-sized lobsters. He put two in the well on the bow of the boat, and took the other two down to the galley where Leah was making rice pilaf to go with the salmon. She didn\u2019t look up from her work, and Trapper was able to pull the lobster pot out, fill it with water and put it on the stove to boil before she turned around. Having put the lobsters in the sink with ice, he turned and leaned back with his arms crossed in front of the sink, blocking her view and wearing a mischievous grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you done?\u201d she said, looking from the pot back to him and rising up on her toes to get a glimpse of whatever it was he was hiding.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen, would you\u2026ah\u2026do me a favor and go check on the salmon. It\u2019s time to turn it over. The vegetables need to be turned, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stepped up against him, looking impishly into his eyes before she faked to the right, and then jumped to the left, getting far enough to see what was in the sink before he lifted her and moved her back in front of him. \u201cWhere did you get those?\u201d she said delightedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the ocean,\u201d he said, rolling his eyes.<\/p>\n

She gave him a playful pop on the shoulder, and turned toward the steps, pointing. \u201cSalmon.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Sitting back with both hands on her stomach, she blew out her cheeks, and said, \u201cShame on you,\u00a0Dr. McIntyre<\/em>; tempting me with all that food.\u201d<\/p>\n

He chuckled. \u201cYou didn\u2019t really eat that much; a piece of salmon and a lobster tail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd dill sauce and clarified butter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat kind of stuff once in a while isn\u2019t going to hurt you. And now that Gonzo has released you to walk as much as you want, more choices are right around the corner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore choices?\u201d she asked, reaching forward for her glass of wine.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor exercise. Just because you\u2019re a transplant recipient doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t do much of what you used to do. I do know that John was very active. I imagine you were right there with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled and looked out at the moonlight shimmering on the ocean ripples. \u201cYou know, I haven\u2019t thought about John all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil now? I\u2019m not going to apologize for bringing him up. He was a major part of your life. You have good memories that you should never forget. That doesn\u2019t mean that you can\u2019t live a full life now that he and the children are gone.\u201d He paused and took a sip of wine. \u201cWhat sort of things did you do before the transplant?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe snow skied. We went scuba diving. We hiked\u2026up mountains. We went fishing. We went camping. And when we weren\u2019t doing that because of John\u2019s work schedule, we swam laps. But Dr. Avery told me I couldn\u2019t do all of that anymore. At least, not at the level I was used to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true. Take scuba diving. You shouldn\u2019t do any deep dives because of the pressure, but shallow diving isn\u2019t out of the question. You shouldn\u2019t take the black diamond ski runs, but if you were that good before, blue runs are possible if you\u2019re careful. And as long as you take your time, hiking moderate trails shouldn\u2019t be a problem once you work back up to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHalf the fun came from the company,\u201d she said, frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo find some new company.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting up, she quickly downed her wine. \u201cHey, didn\u2019t you want to learn some blues riffs?\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Late the following afternoon, as Trapper guided the boat back home, Leah sat on the fly bridge in the captain\u2019s chair lamenting as she watched the stark but beautiful nothingness of the ocean slowly become filled with the silhouette of monuments to civilization. Trapper reached back and pulled her up to his side. \u201cThere\u2019s another long face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling timidly, she turned sideways in his arm and put her arm over his shoulders. \u201cI have to admit, Trapper, I had a good time. I can\u2019t remember the last time I had this much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll that, and she brought in the biggest fish, too,\u201d he said, grinning.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really. How much did you say it weighed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, about seventy pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and I thought I was going overboard when it took my bait, even though I knew I was fastened to the chair. That part was a little frightening. But I didn\u2019t land it. I only held on for dear life. It was you pulling that rod back.\u201d He winked and turned back to the view of the Golden Gate Bridge overhead. \u201cSo what are we going to do with all that fish?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a friend who meets me at the dock. He takes the fish, cleans and packages them, and keeps part of the take as payment. We\u2019ve already taken care of the salmon, but I think we\u2019ll keep the halibut, sole and sea bass, and give him your tuna, if that\u2019s alright with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill he sell it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, he said, \u201cNo. He\u2019ll feed his family. I don\u2019t think either of us has room in our freezers for that much fish anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if we trade some of the other for a couple of tuna steaks? Maybe I can return the favor of this weekend by making you some fresh homemade sushi.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know how to roll sushi?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s not that hard with the right equipment. Oh, and I don\u2019t do sashimi. I don\u2019t want to be responsible for someone\u2019s food poisoning.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled. \u201cSmart girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once docked, Trapper introduced Leah to Kelly McKenna who helped haul everything to car, and then went back to the boat to clean it and take care of the fish. Trapper and Leah said their goodbyes, and headed toward home.<\/p>\n

Standing at Leah\u2019s door, Trapper leaned in and set her bag and guitar inside. \u201cNow remember; you are not to look at that list until you get to the house tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry. I\u2019m going to take a shower, finish packing my last minute things and go to bed. If we\u2019re lucky, Ernie and I can get out of here a little earlier than we planned so we can miss the LA rush hour.\u201d They stood silent before Leah said, \u201cThank you again. I really did have a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHad you ever been on a fishing boat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a fishing boat. But there were occasions when we went out with friends on a yacht\u2026for scuba diving or parties. I think I like the fishing better,\u201d she said, chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d tell the guys I have a new fishing buddy, but I think they\u2019d resent me for bringing a woman along on a \u2018no females\u2019 weekend. They all have wives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure I\u2019d feel a little out of place anyway,\u201d she said, holding the edge of the door. \u201cI\u2019ll see you\u2026when I see you,\u201d she said, smiling up at him.<\/p>\n

Trapper returned a look of contentment; of certainty in what he was about to do. He took the step that separated them, raised his hands to her face, lifting it up to his, and first brushed her lips with his, then kissed her gently. Even though he saw some reluctance in her eyes, he pressed his lips against hers while moving his arms around her and drawing her into a tight embrace. Coaxing her mouth open with practiced delicacy, his kiss was deep, intense, yet tender. When their lips parted, she instantly looked down at her hands on his chest, realizing she was lightly pushing. He moved back slightly, but only loosened his hold.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper\u2026I\u2026I\u2019m not\u2026ready\u2026for this,\u201d she stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no pressure here,\u201d he said softly, drawing her to him so that his mouth was at her ear. \u201cI just wanted you to know you have options.\u201d He kissed her temple, lingering there for a moment before he let go and smiled. \u201cGood night.\u201d<\/p>\n

The corners of her mouth twitched upward in a hesitant smile. \u201cGood night,\u201d she whispered, closing the door when he turned away. With her forehead on the door, she raised a trembling hand to her lips while her other hand felt for the locks and threw the bolts one by one.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper sat in his office reviewing the charts of his patients. He\u2019d release Mrs. Baxter after he checked her sutures one more time. When he got to Marcus Jones\u2019 chart, he sat back and read. His fever had broken over the weekend, and Gonzo had started easing him off the ventilator. At the rate he was going, the tube would come out in a few more days, and then Trapper would start reducing the sedation. As soon as he was off the ventilator, he\u2019d order another lung x-ray. The incision where he had removed the kidney had been red, so he had ordered a topical antibiotic to fight off the local infection. It seemed Marcus was well on his way to recovery now.<\/p>\n

When the telephone rang, Trapper didn\u2019t answer immediately while he finished reading the last paragraph. Then he reached for the phone and pushed the flashing button. \u201cDr. McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Trapper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErnie!\u201d he said, laying the chart on his desk to give her his full attention. \u201cHow\u2019s it going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot very well, I\u2019m afraid. Monday, she only managed to collect some things she had on a list. The rest of the day, she sort of drifted from room to room. There are so many pictures of all of them hanging everywhere, so I spent the day packing those up for her. She took a few things from the children\u2019s rooms and spent the rest of the day crying, and after that, she\u2019d get up every now to go find something she remembered. Tuesday, she sat on the bed in the master bedroom most of the day, looking around the room. Today, she\u2019s packed a few boxes; her jewelry, things out of the safe, John\u2019s awards and certificates, some files where she kept the children\u2019s art and awards and their refrigerator art. But she called an estate auction house, and she\u2019s speaking to them now, so I assume she\u2019s going to have them sell the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure that\u2019s a good idea just yet. Maybe you can suggest she call David and discuss it with him before she decides.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s an excellent idea, Trapper. I\u2019ll do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen are you planning to come back up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re leaving tomorrow around noon, so that will put us back there around seven tomorrow evening. I\u2019ll be back at work Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank goodness. Dottie\u2019s driving me nuts,\u201d he grumbled. \u201cWould you remind Leah she has appointments with Gonzo and David Friday? I\u2019m afraid she might decide to hide at home after this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will. Hold on just a minute.\u201d There was a pause with muffled voices in the background. \u201cTrapper, Leah wants to speak with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Creasing his brow, he removed his glasses and laid them on the desk. \u201cShe does?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, hold on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, kiddo. How are you holding up?\u201d he asked, leaning back in his chair.<\/p>\n

Her voice was faint and unsteady. \u201cI\u2019m afraid I\u2019m not getting much done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou knew it would be hard,\u201d he said in a deep, calming voice. \u201cThe house has been there for awhile. There\u2019s no reason it can\u2019t wait until you\u2019re better able to deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am dealing with it. I just spoke to a representative from an auction house that will come in and inventory everything, so I\u2019ll have a list. They\u2019ll ship everything to storage in San Francisco, and then I can take my time going through the list. That way, I can go ahead and put the house on the market.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s probably a good idea, but I have to admit; I didn\u2019t think you\u2019d be thinking so clearly.\u201d<\/p>\n

She snorted. \u201cI\u2019m really not when it comes to the things they left behind. But I\u2019m paying a mortgage on a house I have no intention of ever seeing or living in again. I don\u2019t have to be completely coherent to know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErnie said you\u2019ll be home tomorrow evening. Do you want some company?\u201d<\/p>\n

She was quiet for a moment before she answered and even then, her voiced was subdued. \u201cTrapper\u2026you have to stop rescuing me from this. I need to go through it all, however bad it might be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to go through it alone,\u201d he quietly replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have appointments Friday. I\u2019ll see you then, okay? Trapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

Puckering his lips, he decided he shouldn\u2019t push it, especially over the phone. \u201cI\u2019ll see you Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBye,\u201d she whispered and hung up the phone.<\/p>\n

Trapper looked at the receiver and hovered it over the cradle of the phone for a second before he let it drop. He stared at it for a moment, and then got up and slowly fixed himself a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Thursday evening, Ernie helped Leah move boxes from her car into her apartment. \u201cWhere shall we put these?\u201d asked Ernie, standing in the door with a box in her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver here, I think. Next to the laundry room,\u201d Leah answered as she set a smaller box on the floor against a wall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Setting the box she carried down, Ernie said, \u201cI\u2019ll go bring up another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s alright, Ernie. I\u2019ll get one of the boys in the complex to help. There\u2019s really only one more that I don\u2019t want to leave in the car, and it\u2019s small.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two ladies walked back down to the parking lot, and stopped at Ernie\u2019s car. After unlocking her car door, Ernie turned and gave Leah a long, concerned look. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019ll be alright this evening? I can stay for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for going with me, Ernie. I\u2019ll be alright. I\u2019m just going to relax, and then go to bed early. I have to be at the hospital at eight tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t feel like I did much for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve it or not, you did just by telling me what you went through after Muncie died. The first time I walked around the house, I couldn\u2019t see how I was going to let anything go, but as we went through it all, you talked about what you did first, and then what you ended up doing, and that made all the difference in the world. It made me think in the long term and stop dwelling on what I\u2019d lost. I can\u2019t keep everything. I know it. And there\u2019s really no reason to. It\u2019ll just sit in a storage unit until I\u2019m old and gray, and then it will become someone else\u2019s problem\u2026only there\u2019s no one else to inherit it.\u201d Stepping forward, she hugged Ernie, and Ernie returned the hug just as tightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome by the nurse\u2019s station tomorrow and let me know how your appointments went.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will. Listen, if you happen to talk to Trapper, tell him I\u2019m okay. I have a feeling he\u2019s going to look for an excuse to drop by, and I\u2019d rather not have any company tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping into her car, Ernie closed the door and rolled down the window, taking Leah\u2019s hand and squeezing it. \u201cI\u2019ll tell him when he calls. I\u2019m sure he will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah waved as Ernie backed her car out of the parking space and left the lot. Opening her car door, she took out a small box, locked the car and climbed the stairs to her apartment. She set the box on the coffee table in front of the sofa, and then went back to throw the bolts, but stopped midway at the sound of a knock on her door.<\/p>\n

Bending her head so that her forehead met the door, she took a moment to take a deep breath, and blow it out slowly. \u201cWho is it?\u201d she asked in an annoyed tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Mark. I just wanted to see how you\u2019re doing and if you need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

She let her head fall backward and looked up at the ceiling, laughing to herself in frustration. Turning the bolts much harder than she had just thrown them, she stopped for another calming breath before she opened the door, and managed to present a smile. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Mark, and I have everything I need. I was just going to relax; reflect for a little while and then go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you angry with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing her eyes, she realized she was stiff as a board and let her shoulders drop a little. \u201cNo, I\u2019m not angry with you. Come on in.\u201d She stepped aside, holding the door open while Mark entered. \u201cHave a seat,\u201d she said, motioning toward the sofa. After she closed the door, she settled in front of him, sitting on the coffee table with her legs crossed, and leaning forward with her arms loosely crossed on her knee. \u201cMark,\u201d she started, scratching her neck before she looked up at him, \u201cYour feelings have put both of us in an awkward position. I don\u2019t like the uneasiness that\u2019s developed between us. I considered you my best friend; someone I could talk to about anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can I, knowing how you feel about me? Some of the things I might say to you could hurt you, and maybe I\u2019ve already hurt you. But Mark, we would never work. I may only be a few years older than you, but I\u2019m much older mentally and emotionally. At your age, you should be thinking about a wife and having children. I\u2019m way beyond that.\u201d Bowing her head, she said sadly, \u201cEven if I could start over, I don\u2019t see that it\u2019s possible. Having lost my children, I don\u2019t think I would ever risk that kind of hurt again by bringing more children into the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that. It could just be too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not hearing me. I can\u2019t. Heart recipients don\u2019t have children. It\u2019s too risky. And even if I was inclined to do so, I simply can\u2019t. I had my tubes tied a couple of years back. Besides that, you should be going out and having a life beyond what you do for a living. The longer you wait on me, the more time you\u2019ve lost. You\u2019ll be waiting on me until we\u2019re both too old and decrepit to do anything but sit in a rocker all day. And then, there\u2019s your job. Do you really want to be working for me the rest of your life just so you can stay close? You\u2019re ready to do it all on your own. You don\u2019t need me anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark sat still, just listening with his head slowly lowering. He looked back up into her eyes. \u201cAm I hearing that one of us will be leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Not immediately. But when this implementation is done, I\u2019m recommending that you be given your own project and your own staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll put us in different cities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we can call\u2026or write. But I won\u2019t be seeing you under any circumstance other than as friends or co-workers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark nodded and stood. \u201cI\u2019ll take what I can get.\u201d Walking toward the door, he stopped and turned. \u201cI know you won\u2019t like this question, but I have to know. If Dr. McIntyre wasn\u2019t in the picture would it be different?\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed. \u201cIf we only had a crystal ball.\u201d Walking to him, she took his hands in hers. \u201cNo. Whatever I feel for Dr. McIntyre, and I have no idea what that is\u2026sometimes it\u2019s frightening more than anything\u2026anyway, whatever that is, it wouldn\u2019t change that fact that I don\u2019t have those kinds of feelings for you. I do love you, but not that way. And if you think about it, it just supports what I told you about where each of us is in our lives. He\u2019s older, he\u2019s mature, he\u2019s settled, and his children are in college.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s like John was.\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting the inside of her cheek, she looked away for a moment. \u201cNot quite. John and I were still very much involved with our children and were going to be for some time. Our extracurricular activities were designed around them. Besides having each other, our children were our lives. Dr. McIntyre is beyond that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s John, and he\u2019s safe.\u201d Her brows creased. Her confidence, shaken. \u201cLook, I\u2019m not saying this for the sake of this conversation, but more so for you to think about what is right for you. Are you prepared to give up what you currently do for children? And if not, is he going to stick around when he realizes he has to share you?\u201d He bent down and kissed her forehead. \u201cI\u2019ll see you in the next couple of days. You look good. I\u2019m betting Dr. Gates will release you to come back to work,\u201d he said as he walked through the door, closing it behind him.<\/p>\n

Leah threw the bolts again and leaned back against the door. She hadn\u2019t really considered where things were going with Trapper. Maybe it was time she did.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday morning, Trapper stood at the window looking out as Ernie told him about the past week. \u201cMaybe I should come back later. You seem a little preoccupied.\u201d<\/p>\n

He grimaced and waved her back down in her chair as he sat down in his desk chair. \u201cI heard every word you said. It\u2019s just that there\u2019s nothing I can do about any of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Ernie replied, \u201cUnfortunately, there\u2019s not much any of us can do. She has to handle it in her own way. She\u2019s coming in today. Why don\u2019t you talk to her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm? \u201cI\u2019ll do that.\u201d When Ernie left, he got back up and looked out his window. Leah was just arriving.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah walked through the front door of the hospital and looked at her watch. Her appointment with Dr. Sandler wasn\u2019t for another half hour, so she went to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee. There, sitting at the same table as before, she saw Mike Jones, but this time, instead of hanging his head, he was reading a newspaper and actually drinking his coffee. \u201cHello,\u201d she said, standing next to the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d he answered with a smile. \u201cWould you like to sit down?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said as she took a seat. \u201cYou look better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son\u2026he\u2019s off the ventilator, and he\u2019s awake. Well, some of the time. He\u2019s still on pain medication.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what does his doctor say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe says it appears that Marcus will make a full recovery\u2026except, of course, he can\u2019t grow back his kidney, but he says people go on with one kidney all the time.\u201d His mood saddened. \u201cMarcus hasn\u2019t chosen to believe him.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at her watch again. \u201cI have an appointment in a little while, but I\u2019d like to see Marcus, if you don\u2019t mind. Maybe I can offer some words of encouragement. Kids tend to listen to anyone\u2026everyone\u2026 other than their parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Mike and Leah walked into Marcus\u2019 room, he was looking toward the window. \u201cMarcus,\u201d called his father. The child didn\u2019t respond. \u201cThere\u2019s someone here to see you.\u201d Marcus turned his head toward the door, looked at Leah, and then dropped his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Marcus. My name is Leah.\u201d She waited, but his demeanor didn\u2019t change. \u201cWhat\u2019s got you so down? Your dad tells me you\u2019re on your way to being all better. You have getting out of this hospital to look forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t make a difference if I can\u2019t do the things I used to,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I see. You know what I did last weekend? I went deep sea fishing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething I\u2019ll never be able to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Why do you think that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I only have one kidney. And my lung is weak. I can\u2019t do those kinds of things anymore. \u201d<\/p>\n

Walking to the other side of the bed and standing between Marcus and the window, she crooked her finger at Mike, beckoning him closer to the other side of the bed. She leaned over to look Marcus in the eye. \u201cI\u2019m going to let you both in on a little secret.\u201d Turning her back to them, she raised her shirt and showed them the scar across one side of her back. \u201cThis is a lot like what your incision will look like when it\u2019s healed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marcus looked up to her face, and blinked, then looked back at her scar before he looked over at his father. \u201cYou mean they took your kidney, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not all they took. She turned around and unbuttoned the top three buttons of her blouse, revealing the tops of the vertical scars on her chest. \u201cThey took my heart, too, and gave me someone else\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper had just entered Marcus\u2019 CICU room, but hearing a familiar voice, he stopped just on the other side of the curtain.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s not all. I broke my hip, and my collar bone, my arm, and a couple of ribs, and those injured my lung which collapsed\u2026several times before they could keep it inflated,\u201d she said, running her finger over the bandages around his torso and smiling. \u201cAnd I went deep sea fishing last weekend. And I might just go hike up a mountain this weekend. Or go ride a bike on the beach. That is, if my doctor releases me. \u201cYou see, I had open heart surgery just a little while before the bus accident.\u201d
\nMarcus\u2019 mouth was wide open and his father was grinning ear to ear. \u201cReally? You aren\u2019t lying, are you?\u201d Marcus asked with a smile.<\/p>\n

That was Trapper\u2019s cue to step in. \u201cShe\u2019s not lying,\u201d he said, grinning. \u201cEvery word she said is true, except maybe what she\u2019s going to do this weekend,\u201d he said with narrowed eyes on her. \u201cDr. Gates hasn\u2019t released her yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe point,\u201d said Leah, \u201cis that you need to start taking getting better seriously because you still have a lot of basketball games ahead of you. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d he said excitedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I have an appointment, so I have to go. But don\u2019t you be giving Dr. McIntyre any trouble. I\u2019ll find out if you do,\u201d she said, pointing at him.<\/p>\n

Mike stepped around the curtain with her while Trapper stayed to examine Marcus. \u201cLeah, I don\u2019t even know your last name. But thank you. I haven\u2019t seen him smile since he woke up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a lucky man, Mike. Take care of him.\u201d She smiled and left for her appointment.<\/p>\n

Still smiling, Mike shook his head and watched her go before he stepped back around the glass, where Dr. McIntyre had just finished looking at Marcus\u2019 abdominal incision. \u201cThe redness has faded, but I want to keep some antibiotic ointment on it just to be sure. I\u2019m leaving instructions for the nurses to get you out of that bed and into a wheelchair so you can move yourself to your new room. You, young man,\u201d he said, ruffling Marcus\u2019 hair, \u201care being paroled from maximum security.\u201d Looking up at his father, he added, \u201cMike, I\u2019ll stop by after he\u2019s settled just to make sure he doesn\u2019t jar anything in his new wheels.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Dr. McIntyre,\u201d Mike said, grinning. \u201cAnd would you thank Leah for us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll have a chance to thank her yourself. If I know her, she\u2019ll be looking in on you,\u201d he answered, smiling down at Marcus.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah thought it odd that she had to wait in Dr. Sandler\u2019s waiting room for her appointment. She expected to see someone come out before she went in, but when he opened the door, inviting her in, no one left. She stepped inside and stopped as Dr. Sandler closed the door behind her. She hadn\u2019t expected anyone else to be in the office.<\/p>\n

The man stood and approached her with his hand extended. \u201cLeah, it\u2019s so good to see you again. You\u2019re looking well.\u201d<\/p>\n

She knew her hand felt limp in his hand, but at the moment it didn\u2019t matter. \u201cAlbert. It has been awhile.\u201d She felt numb. It was as if the whole nightmare had suddenly come back with a blinding force. When Dr. Sandler realized she was swaying, he took her arms and guided her to a chair.<\/p>\n

Taking the seat next to her,he asked, \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn one of our earlier sessions, you expressed some anger toward John; that it appeared he had made arrangements to ensure that if something happened to both of you, you were to be saved if a choice had to be made. You mentioned John\u2019s attorney. I asked Mr. Shaeffer if he could meet with us to discuss that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, I\u2019m sorry it\u2019s taken me this long to get here, but if I can help, I\u2019m happy to.\u201d<\/p>\n

She covered her mouth with her hand. \u201cTalk about a blindside\u2026Dr. Sandler, I don\u2019t know if I can\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Sandler shared your thoughts with me about John\u2019s will and the decisions that were made. Let me explain what happened, and then if you have questions, I\u2019ll answer them as best I can. There was nothing specific in John\u2019s will about survival of a tragedy like yours. In fact, John\u2019s will was pretty standard and straight-forward. Upon his death, you inherited everything. The will also set up a trust that would pay all legal and accounting fees in regard to the properties and investments for the rest of your life and would pass the same down to the children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen where did this business about giving me John\u2019s heart come from?\u201d she said angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, John and I were friends for many years; even before you were married. We\u2019d discussed at length what he wanted for you and the children if something happened to him many times. When the children were brought in, they were already gone. There was nothing I could do for them. And when they brought John in, the first thing they asked me was if he had signed a donor card. They did that because he was already brain dead. I couldn\u2019t do anything for him. But you, Leah, you were still alive even though you were in bad shape. They had to resuscitate you in the helicopter on the way to the hospital, and then while they were trying to stabilize you, they had to do it again. Once they finally got you stabilized, you went to the operating room and died on the table, and somehow, they were able to get your heart started again. They told me your heart wouldn\u2019t survive another defibrillation, and that\u2019s when all the fighting for John\u2019s heart started.<\/p>\n

The people who handled organ donations acted prematurely and had already found a match for John\u2019s heart from the waiting list. They had contacted that person\u2019s doctor, who in turn, contacted the proposed recipient. They were stopped for awhile when I refused to sign the forms, and when they decided they didn\u2019t need my permission because John had signed a donor card, I went to court to halt the transfer because you needed a heart. By some twist of fate, John was a match for you, and you got it. The hospital\u2019s legal team had already determined that you had first right to his heart, so they went ahead with the transplant. There were several lawsuits after that, but they ended quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you think I\u2019d want to go on without them?\u201d she asked, looking at him with tear-filled eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn had always told me that you kept him young. You were always so happy; so full of life. I had always told John that if something like this happened, I\u2019d do what I could. At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do; the best thing to do. John would have wanted you to go on, but he never imagined that something might happen to the children at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Leah walked to David\u2019s window and looked out for several minutes before she turned around. Even though her face was wet with tears, she smiled. \u201cI know that time wasn\u2019t the easiest time for you, Albert. You did the best you could under the circumstances. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah and Albert shared a warm embrace before he left. \u201cCall me if you need anything,\u201d he said. \u201cAnything at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the door closed, Dr. Sandler stood and put his hands in his pockets. \u201cWe have a few more minutes. Do you want to talk about the house?\u201d<\/p>\n

She snorted. \u201cYou were right. I called an auction house that will take inventory, give me a list and then put everything in storage here in San Francisco. I brought a few things home, some of which I have no idea what I\u2019m going to do with. But the house will be empty so I can sell it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure that\u2019s what you want to do with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she said definitively.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

The one thing Trapper hated about his job, other than losing a patient, was the endless paperwork that came with the Chief of Surgery title. Any excuse to walk away from the piles of charts he had to review was always welcome. Today it came in the form of a phone call. \u201cTrapper, I\u2019m on speakerphone with Dr. Reyes from pediatrics. We\u2019d like a consult on a unique case. Frankly, we have several options and none of them are great. Can you join us in the conference room up in pediatrics?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPediatrics and gynecology is an odd combination. I can\u2019t wait. I\u2019m on my way.\u201d Entering the room, he nodded to the two doctors sitting at the conference room table. Dr. Howard Davies, from Obstetrics and Gynecology stood, shook Trapper\u2019s hand and introduced him to Dr. Angela Reyes from pediatrics. \u201cLet me guess,\u201d said Trapper. You have a female child with reproductive problems. Somehow, that just doesn\u2019t sound right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Davies slid the child\u2019s chart across the table. \u201cHer name is Maria Sanchez. She\u2019s six years of age, and her follicles are developing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d said Trapper with some disbelief in his response. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen some fairly young adolescents enter menarche, but not a six-year-old. \u201cDid you check her pituitary?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two doctors looked at each other and smiled. \u201cDr. McIntyre, Dr. Davies said you were good, but I didn\u2019t expect you to come up with the answer immediately,\u201d said Dr. Reyes in a moderate Hispanic accent. \u201cShe has a gonadotrophic adenoma that\u2019s causing the production of high levels of FSH, but normal levels of LH for a six-year-old.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich means none,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cSo if her follicle stimulating hormones are high, she\u2019s producing eggs, but with a lower LH, the follicles don\u2019t release them. Polycystic ovaries.\u201d Dr. Reyes nodded. \u201cHow long has this been happening?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer parents just brought her in early this week with symptoms of a kidney infection and abdominal pain. They said she\u2019s been nauseated for the last week and thought she had a bug, but that was the first they had noticed any problems. What we found was hydronephrosis of her left kidney. Her ovary condition has been there for some time because the membrane that turns the follicles into cysts has made her ovaries grow to four times their normal size,\u201d said Dr. Davies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ovary is blocking the ureter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Dr. McIntyre,\u201d said Dr. Reyes. \u201cThe reason we asked you for a consult is that we have to determine in what order to correct all the problems. Removing the tumor is the long term solution, but she\u2019s in danger of the ureter rupturing. There\u2019s also the possibility of irreversible kidney damage. And then, there are her ovaries. Can we save them or will she become infertile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning back in his chair, Trapper took a deep breath. \u201cThings never get easier around here, do they? Alright. She can live a productive life without a kidney, and she can still have children without one of her ovaries. Is there any sign of blockage on the right side?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Davies took the chart that Trapper slid back over the table. \u201cNo. Not yet, but if the ovary continues to grow, there will be. We have to do something fairly quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow close are we to the same problem on the other side?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can slow the growth of the other ovary by puncturing the cysts and releasing the eggs. That should give her time to recover from surgery sufficiently before we remove the adenoma and allow the hormones to rebalance,\u201d Davies answered.<\/p>\n

Resting his clasped hands on his chin, Trapper thought a moment before he gave them his opinion. \u201cOf course, it will depend on the condition of the kidney when you go in, but if it can be saved, I\u2019d take the ovary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Reyes and Dr. Davies both let out a relieved breath. \u201cThank you, Trapper,\u201d said Dr. Davies. \u201cWe wanted another opinion before we proceeded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoward, I wouldn\u2019t mind seeing this first hand. Do you have an assistant yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Davies smiled. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t. I still have to discuss this with the parents before I schedule it. I\u2019ll let you know when as soon as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good.\u201d Trapper leaned over the table, offering his hand to Dr. Reyes. \u201cDoctor, it was nice to meet you.\u201d Turning to Howard, he took his hand and clasped his arm. \u201cHoward, it\u2019s been awhile since I\u2019ve assisted you. I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper walked into his office in a sour mood, stopping to look at the two people on his sofa before he closed the door. His silence on his way to his desk and continuing after he took his seat, caused Gonzo and Leah to look warily at one another. \u201cYou want to ask him, or should I?\u201d asked Leah, looking at Gonzo first, then cutting her eyes over to Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a six-year-old girl with polycystic ovaries,\u201d he grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re kidding,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cPituitary?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean\u2026polycystic ovaries?\u201d asked Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means she\u2019s producing eggs, but she\u2019s not ovulating, so the follicles become cysts that increase the size of the ovaries.\u201d Moving his glasses from his head to his eyes, he added, \u201cWe have to take the ovary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor kid,\u201d lamented Leah. \u201cThat\u2019s probably a restricted surgery. You need to make sure you get Slocum\u2019s approval before you do the surgery.\u201d Trapper kept his nose buried in a chart. \u201cTrapper, did you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard,\u201d he answered crankily.<\/p>\n

Standing, Leah headed for the door. \u201cWell, I was going to see if you were available for lunch, but considering your frame of mind, I think I\u2019ll just go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raising his head, Trapper hurried out of his chair and around his desk, grabbing her hand. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he apologized, covering her hand with his other hand and putting on a smile. \u201cLunch sounds wonderful; just the thing to take my mind off a child with reproductive issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind. I asked Gonzo to join us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling sweetly at her, he turned to Gonzo with the same smile, but menacing eyes. \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Going through the line, Gonzo carefully watched what Leah put on her tray; two boiled eggs, a bowl of cut melons and grapes, and a container of milk. \u201cIs that all you\u2019re eating?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have that many good choices here,\u201d she said. \u201cI don\u2019t usually eat beef, and their chicken here is like jerky. The fish is overcooked because it sits under those hot lights, and their vegetables are hit and miss. And I don\u2019t want a salad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once they were all seated, Trapper looked at her tray. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with her food?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s anemic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked skeptically at him. \u201cShe had fresh crab, fresh salmon, fresh lobster, and vegetables along with it last week. How can she be anemic?\u201d Twisting her mouth and bowing her head, she wished she could disappear.<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk her what she ate before you took her fishing\u2026and over the weekend.\u201d Both men looked expectantly at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t had an appetite with everything that\u2019s been happening, that\u2019s all,\u201d she said, looking down at her plate. She grudgingly took a bite of fruit.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going back to work until your blood work is normal.\u201d Gonzo lifted his sandwich for a bite. \u201cThat\u2019s three square meals a day,\u201d he said with a mouthful.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen\u2019s your next appointment?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

She frowned. \u201cFriday. How am I going to change it by then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStick with me, kiddo,\u201d said Trapper, grinning.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper stood at the nurse\u2019s station laughing with Ernie and Gloria about the fishing trip when they heard him paged, \u201cDr. McIntyre call pediatrics. Dr. McIntyre call pediatrics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie dialed and handed the receiver to Trapper. \u201cThis is Dr. McIntyre. I was paged. Damn!\u201d he swore under his breath. Trapper handed the receiver back to Ernie and turned toward the elevator.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is it?\u201d asked Gloria.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the Sanchez girl,\u201d he said when he turned around after stepping into the elevator.<\/p>\n

When he arrived in pediatrics, a nurse directed him straight to Maria\u2019s room where her mother and father stood in a corner, obviously upset. Dr. Davies was already there examining the child. \u201cTrapper, feel this,\u201d he said, referring to her abdomen. As Trapper palpated her abdomen, Dr. Davies continued. \u201cWhen the nurse came in, her temperature was already elevated, so this started between about eleven last night and around five this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Feeling the rigidity, Trapper responded, \u201cWe can\u2019t wait. She\u2019s got urine spilling into her abdomen, and if we don\u2019t get in there and stop it, we\u2019ll be dealing with sepsis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get it scheduled on an emergency basis,\u201d said Dr. Davies.<\/p>\n

Turning to leave, Trapper said, \u201cI\u2019ll go change. Call Ernie and let her know which OR.\u201d<\/p>\n

Howard nodded, and turned to Maria\u2019s parents for their consent.<\/p>\n

As Trapper came out of his private bathroom wearing his scrubs, Ernie walked into his office. \u201cDr. Davies called. He\u2019s having trouble getting Maria\u2019s surgery scheduled because it\u2019s a restricted surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue. We don\u2019t do oophorectomies on a six-year-olds. Tell him to call Arnold to approve it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold is on a yacht somewhere in the Pacific Ocean with a group of his cronies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, can we contact him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis secretary is trying, but so far, no luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell Howard to send someone to all the departments to get what he needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe department\u2019s procedures don\u2019t allow them to accept anything anymore without the proper authorization codes. I\u2019m sure you can go to all of them, but that could take hours, Trapper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grabbing his receiver, he dialed Mark Hansen\u2019s extension. \u201cMark. Dr. McIntyre. I need your help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need\u00a0my<\/em>\u00a0help,\u201d said Mark contemptuously.<\/p>\n

Hearing the disdain in Mark\u2019s voice, Trapper breathed in heavily through his nose. \u201cYour\u00a0system<\/em>\u00a0is preventing us from saving a little girl\u2019s life. Knock that chip off your shoulder and get your ass up here. Now!\u201d He slammed the phone down and glared toward Ernie.<\/p>\n

Ernie turned to leave. \u201cRemember, Trapper. You catch more flies with honey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark was there in a matter of minutes. \u201cMark, I don\u2019t have time for chest-thumping over a woman. Right now, I have a little girl who is going to die soon if we can\u2019t get her into surgery. It\u2019s a restricted surgery, and Slocum isn\u2019t available to authorize it, so I need you to tell me how to get around your system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glowering for a moment, Mark decided that, indeed, a child\u2019s life was more important right now than his dislike for one of Leah\u2019s surgeons. \u201cLet me think for a minute.\u201d Pacing back and forth in front of Trapper\u2019s desk, he thought aloud. \u201cI have access to Slocum\u2019s authorization codes. But it has to be accompanied by his ID, and I don\u2019t have his password and his passkey. I could reset his password, but I have no way of knowing his passkey. So what in the system triggers a surgery restriction? An edit between the surgery codes and the patient\u2019s age. Can\u2019t change the codes, but can I change the age? The age comes from the eligibility files from the fed or the insurance company and gets stored on the database. The upload occurs every night\u2026\u201d he raised his head and went to Trapper\u2019s computer, sitting in Trapper\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n

Trapper had watched and listened as Mark went through his thought process; a process that seemed logical and productive to Trapper, so he didn\u2019t interrupt. Now he stood behind Mark, watching over his shoulder. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think if I can edit the age in the database and resubmit the request, it will bypass the surgical restriction logic. It\u2019s not working though. It won\u2019t let me change the date of birth to something older.\u201d He stopped and thought again. \u201cI can\u2019t space it out, because it\u2019s a numeric field. But\u2026we have zeros on the database now for patients who have just been entered, but haven\u2019t been in the system long enough to retrieve the eligibility in the nightly batch cycle. Trapper watched him enter zeros in the date of birth field, and resubmit the request. Forgetting his anger at Trapper for a moment, he turned wearing a triumphant smile. \u201cIt worked. It\u2019s scheduled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper squeezed both of Mark\u2019s shoulders and said, \u201cGood work, Mark,\u201d before he flew out of his office.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Reaching over for the flowers and bottle of wine in the passenger seat, Trapper checked himself in the rearview mirror of his car, stepped out and straightened his jacket. When Leah opened her apartment door at his knock, he was standing there cradling the bottle of wine in one arm, the flowers in his other arm, wearing one of the most charming smiles she had seen on him, and looking every bit the dashing, handsome Chief of Surgery of a major San Francisco hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood evening, Dr. McIntyre. Won\u2019t you come in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFormality?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the one wearing a suit jacket.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are for you,\u201d he said with a dimpled grin, handing her the flowers. \u201cWhere can I put my jacket?\u201d<\/p>\n

Heading for the kitchen to retrieve a vase, she said over her shoulder, \u201cHang it in the closet by the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

She watched him remove the jacket as she arranged the flowers in the vase on the kitchen counter, admiring how he looked in his light blue, knit, v-neck shirt and gray slacks. The shirt clung to him, showing the muscle definition in his arms and chest and more of his tanned skin than she had previously seen. Smiling, she made herself blush at her next thought; how fit he looked for a fifty-one year old man.<\/p>\n

He went into the kitchen and kissed her cheek. \u201cWhere\u2019s your corkscrew?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTop drawer next to the frig,\u201d she said as she took the flowers to the table on the patio.<\/p>\n

Looking across the cabinet as she turned on a stove burner and poured olive oil into a pan, he saw she had onion already julienned next to raw spinach and some kind of lightly floured meat sliced into strips. A pan was already simmering on a back burner, and when he brought her a glass of wine, he peeked over and found new potatoes boiling in the pot. \u201cI see you have lots of iron here, but what\u2019s this?\u201d he asked, pointing to the meat.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalves liver. I hope you like liver. I didn\u2019t think to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it will be fine,\u201d he said with a tentative smile.<\/p>\n

With wide eyes, she said, \u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry. I can fix something else.\u201d<\/p>\n

But when she started to take the pan off the burner, he put a hand on her arm and stopped her, smiling. \u201cI\u2019m willing to try it. I don\u2019t believe I\u2019ve ever had liver prepared this way. Besides that, with the amount of iron in liver, it\u2019s just what the doctor ordered.\u201d He edged closer. \u201cAh\u2026listen. I don\u2019t mean to be indelicate, especially while you\u2019re cooking dinner, but are you having any other\u2026problems\u2026since you\u2019ve been getting more iron?\u201d<\/p>\n

She chuckled quietly while moving the onions to the pan. \u201cI won\u2019t be embarrassed if you won\u2019t. Yes, earlier in the week. But I started drinking more water and that seems to have done the trick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Now, what are you doing this weekend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I thought I\u2019d look for another car. I\u2019m going to sell the Mustang.\u201d<\/p>\n

Setting his wine glass on the counter, he took the spatula she was using to stir the onions out of her hand, then took both hands in his and turned her to face him. \u201cAre you sure you want to do that? Besides being John\u2019s baby, that car\u2026\u201d he chuckled and shook his head, \u201c\u2026is a really nice car.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned up the corner of her mouth. \u201cYou interested?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking away for a moment, he wore an engrossed smile and a furrowed brow as he entertained the idea, but laughed as he shook his head. \u201cNo. Maybe when I was younger, but not now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on. It is fun to drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a motorcycle when I want to have that kind of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

She huffed and turned back to her pan. \u201cWhat was that remark about being younger?\u201d<\/p>\n

Changing the subject, he said, \u201cI\u2019ll make you a deal. I\u2019ll go with you to look at cars\u2026\u201d Stepping behind her, moving his arms under hers and clasping his hands in front, he finished, \u201c\u2026if you\u2019ll accompany me to the symphony Saturday evening.\u201d Propping his chin on her shoulder, he cocked his head so he could see her face from the side. \u201cYou\u2019re eyes are smiling. Does that mean \u2018yes\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leaning with his arm on the half-wall of the deck, Trapper watched as Leah looked up to the night sky. \u201cThat was the best liver I\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n

She snorted. \u201cI would be inclined to think you were lying if you hadn\u2019t had seconds.\u201d She turned to face him. \u201cThank you. Thank you for the whole week. I just hope it works.\u201d Closing her eyes, she said, \u201cI would love to hear Dr. Gates tell me I could go back to work on Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you feel any different?\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded. \u201cOh yes. I\u2019m not as tired, and I\u2019m not dragging myself to bed at nine o\u2019clock at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good. The symphony doesn\u2019t end their performance until around ten.\u201d<\/p>\n

They looked at each other for a moment, and this time Leah closed the gap, stepping closer, but not stepping into him. He moved his hand around her waist and drew her the rest of the way in. Studying her eyes; eyes that didn\u2019t move away, he couldn\u2019t find the reluctance he had seen before, but rather cautious acceptance.<\/p>\n

As if reading his thoughts, she leaned against him. \u201cIt\u2019s not that I don\u2019t think about John when we\u2019re close. I do in a sad sort of way. But I don\u2019t feel guilty anymore. I don\u2019t feel like I\u2019m cheating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving closer, so that his nose was beside hers, he gave her a small kiss. When he felt her hands move up his arms, he kissed her lightly again, and again, staying close, waiting for her to grant him access, and when she did, he took full advantage.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gonzo stood at Trapper\u2019s office window, watching as Trapper and Leah walked with an arm around each other from Trapper\u2019s car to the hospital. When Trapper entered his office, he stopped, looked at Gonzo standing at the window, and then proceeded to his desk, laying his briefcase down before he removed his jacket.<\/p>\n

Moving his hands to his hips, Gonzo glared. \u201cTrapper? I saw you and Leah get out of your car and walk into the hospital with an arm around each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper shrugged on his white coat, smiled and shook his head. \u201cNot that it\u2019s any of your business, but it\u2019s not what you think. I left her place last night before eleven, and picked her up this morning for her appointment because you haven\u2019t released her to drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is my business. She\u2019s my patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at his watch, Trapper matched his aggravated tone of voice. \u201cIf she\u2019s your patient, you\u2019d better get out of here. You have an appointment with her in three minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d said Gonzo, heading for the door. \u201cBut if I find\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Creasing his brow, Trapper interrupted him. \u201cDr. Gates. Go examine your patient, and if you find a problem, let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo found Leah at the nurse\u2019s station. \u201cGloria, would you call Dr. Sandler and ask him to come to exam room four. I\u2019d like his opinion as to whether Ms. Haverty is ready to go back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow Leah, if you\u2019ll come with me, I\u2019ll take a look at your incision before Dr. Sandler gets here, and then we can start on your blood work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following Gonzo into the exam room, she waited at the door before she sat on the examination table as she normally would. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Dr. Gates?\u201d<\/p>\n

With his attention on her chart, he answered without looking up. \u201cWhy would there be anything wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but you\u2019re a little short today, and it has nothing to do with your physical stature.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up with a defiant smile. \u201cSpeaking of being short, are we sliding back into our old ways?\u201d<\/p>\n

She puffed up into her old rigid posture as if she was being challenged. \u201cDr. Gates, let\u2019s not play games. If your aggravation has anything to do with me, I want to know about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, he said, setting the chart down on the exam table, and then leaning on it. \u201cI think Dr. McIntyre could be jeopardizing your recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

She let out a short, loud laugh, throwing her head back in astonishment. \u201cLet me tell you what Dr. McIntyre has done for me. He\u2019s gotten me out of my apartment where I used to do nothing but work, sleep and sulk, and into the sunshine. He helped me with my diet so that today\u2019s blood work would show that the anemia is gone. He\u2019s taught me how to laugh again, and he\u2019s unselfishly helping me to emotionally accept the fact that my husband is gone. And I say unselfishly, because he\u2019s sacrificing his own emotional well-being to do that, given the outcome is uncertain.\u201d She curtly handed him the chart before she sat down hard on the exam table. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you stick to my physical condition and let Dr. Sandler worry about my emotional condition?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d he barked. \u201cUnbutton your blouse.\u201d<\/p>\n

She complied. Pressing the scarred over area, he asked if it was tender. \u201cA little, but nothing like it was. It\u2019s more like the feeling of new skin on any scar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get your echo done before Dr. Sandler comes in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still fuming, she said, \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, Dr. Gates, I\u2019d rather do that Monday morning. I can come in before work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wait? And what makes you think I\u2019m releasing you today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have no reason not to release me once Dr. Sandler is here. And at the moment, I don\u2019t feel like letting you run your hands all over my chest,\u201d she said angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright then, let\u2019s get your blood work done. The phlebotomist ought to be here by now.\u201d Just as he finished his sentence, she knocked on the door. When she had taken enough blood, she left as Dr. Sandler entered.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, Dr. Gates. The air in this room is thick,\u201d he remarked, stopping just inside the door enough that the door could close behind him. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that Dr. McIntyre might be\u2026moving too fast,\u201d said Gonzo calmly, but finishing quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoving too fast?\u201d yelled Leah.<\/p>\n

Sandler held his hands up. \u201cThere\u2019s no reason to yell. Dr. Gates is just concerned, as am I. So Dr. Gates; what do you mean by moving too fast?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Gonzo turned away in frustration, but turned right back. \u201cDavid, he took her out overnight on a fishing boat, and he\u2019s seen her every evening this week. He was with her last night, and they came in this morning together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, and let\u2019s not forget he\u2019s going with me to look for a new car, and he\u2019s taking me to the symphony this weekend,\u201d she added sarcastically, crossing her arms. \u201cYou know, Dr. Gates, you sound jealous, though I have no idea why. I\u2019m not sure I even like you right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not jealous,\u201d he said loudly. \u201cI\u2019m worried that you\u2019re taking on too much too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah looked away as Dr. Sandler stepped forward with his hands in his pockets, leaning to see her face. \u201cAre you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I what?\u201d she snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you taking on too much too soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Deflating, she turned to Dr. Sandler, and lowered her eyes. \u201cNo,\u201d she answered softly. \u201cI don\u2019t think I am.\u201d Wringing her hands, she continued, \u201cLook, you\u2019re both his friend. I don\u2019t feel comfortable talking about him behind his back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not talking about him. We\u2019re talking about you,\u201d said David.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Maybe I have some emotional attachment to Trapper. But he\u2019s not\u2026pushing. And he makes sure I know where my head is before he does anything. When we went out on the boat, he taught me how to fish from a fighting chair, we had fresh fish and lobster that we caught for dinner, we played our guitars, and we talked. We even talked about John. He said I should remember all the good times regardless of where I was or what I was doing in the present. It was very\u2026friendly, and it was the first time\u2026\u201d she smiled. \u201cIt was the first time I really enjoyed myself without feeling like I shouldn\u2019t because John and the kids weren\u2019t there. It was fun. Is that so bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Not at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued quietly. \u201cWhen I\u2019m with him lately, it\u2019s not that I don\u2019t think about John. I do, but it\u2019s more in terms of letting him go than feeling guilty. Trapper makes me feel\u2026human\u2026again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sandler turned to Gonzo. \u201cShe\u2019s probably saner than the rest of us. I see no reason from a mental and emotional perspective why she can\u2019t go back to work.\u201d He looked back at Leah. \u201cWith normal hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conceding, Gonzo shrugged while a smile formed. He let out a slow breath. \u201cAre you going to stay to hear the results of your blood tests?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she said without a hint of anger in her voice, jumping down off the table. \u201cI have a young man to see who\u2019s going home in a few days. I\u2019m having lunch with Trapper before he takes me home, and I\u2019m going down to my office to tell them I\u2019ll be back on Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget the echo you promised Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d she said, smiling. \u201cDr. Sandler,\u201d she said as she exited the room on her way to Trapper\u2019s office. His door was closed, so she knocked, and hearing an invitation to enter, she stepped inside. \u201cOh, Dr. McIntyre, I didn\u2019t mean to interrupt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in, Leah. There\u2019s someone I\u2019d like you to meet. Leah Haverty, Melanie McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah smiled and offered her hand. \u201cHow do you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m well, thank you. I\u2019m Trapper\u2019s wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

A nervous smile took over Leah\u2019s face as she forced her head to turn to Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cEx-wife,\u201d he quickly explained, smiling.<\/p>\n

Trying not to be obvious, she let the breath out she had been holding. \u201cWell, Mrs. McIntyre, it\u2019s nice to meet you.\u201d She turned back to Trapper. \u201cI just need your car keys to get the gift for Marcus. I\u2019m on my way to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling the keys out of his pocket, he dropped them in her waiting hand. \u201cCome back for me. I want to see the look on the kid\u2019s face when you give it to him.\u201d She nodded, smiled and left.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is she?\u201d asked Melanie.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe leads the team of technical people who are installing our new computer system. She\u2019s also a patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? What\u2019s she in for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo she\u2019s your patient?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she\u2019s Gonzo\u2019s patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d He turned up one side of his mouth into a half smile and looked at her from under his brow. \u201cJohn McIntyre, I\u2019ve only seen that look once before.\u201d She walked over to him and kissed his cheek. \u201cI hope it works out. Ciao,\u201d she said, smiling before she left his office.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah waited outside Marcus\u2019 room until Trapper came out to get her. When she entered, she couldn\u2019t help but smile. Marcus was sitting up, exercising his hand with his father\u2019s help. \u201cHey, are you wiggling them yet?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Marcus shook his head. \u201cNot wiggling yet, but watch,\u201d he said as he slowly closed his hand and opened it again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you were worried you wouldn\u2019t be able to use it again. I told you Dr. McIntyre wouldn\u2019t let you down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s your heart?\u201d asked Marcus.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good. If my blood tests come back normal today, I get to go back to work Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re happy about that?\u201d said Marcus, looking at his father. \u201cMy dad hates his job.\u201d Mike blushed and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I\u2019m one of those lucky people who enjoys her job, so yes, I\u2019m happy about going back.\u201d Leah sat on the side of his bed. \u201cListen, I have something I wanted to give you before you go home,\u201d she said, setting the box next to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

With wide eyes, he asked, \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to open it to find out,\u201d said Dr. McIntyre. \u201cMiss Haverty made it easy, so you can get into it with one hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marcus pulled the end of the big bow and flipped the top off the box. \u201cA basketball!\u201d he said excitedly.<\/p>\n

Trapper took the box off the bed. \u201cThat\u2019s not just any basketball. Turn it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Dad, look!<\/p>\n

When Mike looked over his mouth fell open. \u201cMiss Haverty, he can\u2019t accept that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike, hear me out before you say that,\u201d she said, turning to Marcus. \u201cThat basketball belonged to my son, JJ. He got it for his eighth birthday. You see, his father was the team doctor for the Rams, and he knew the team doctor for the Lakers really well, so he would fill in when their doctor had to be out of town. They gave him this ball in appreciation, and he gave it to JJ.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDad, look! Magic and Kareem signed it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike took the ball from Marcus and handed it back to Leah. \u201cThis ball is worth a lot of money. We can\u2019t accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMike, I could never sell this ball. It\u2019s too special. The accident that killed my husband and children happened shortly after JJ\u2019s eighth birthday. If I keep it, it\u2019ll just sit in a box and collect dust. I\u2019d rather someone have it who will appreciate it the way I know JJ would have.\u201d Holding the ball out to Mike, she added with tears in her eyes, \u201cPlease, Mike. It would give me great pleasure to know another child is enjoying this ball.\u201d<\/p>\n

Handing it back to Marcus, Mike nodded, and the child looked at it for a minute before he held it back out to Leah. \u201cWould you sign it for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, Marcus. That will devalue it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t want to sell it. I\u2019m going to keep it forever. I just want to remember where it came from.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper left the room and returned quickly with an indelible marker. \u201cHere you go,\u201d he said, handing the marker to Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you want me to do this? This ball is already very special like it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

She wrote, in four lines,\u00a0From JJ to Marcus; Never give up; With much love; Leah Haverty Lewis.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty<\/strong><\/p>\n

Knocking on the door, Trapper didn\u2019t wait for an answer before tried the knob. \u201cLeah?\u201d he called, sticking his head in the door. When he heard her voice call from the bedroom, he walked to the cracked bedroom door. \u201cAre you decent?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Come on in.\u201d She turned to see him enter with his tuxedo on a hanger in one hand and his dress shoes and toiletry bag in the other. \u201cAre you moving in, Dr. McIntyre?\u201d she asked with an amused smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I just thought it would give us more time if we need it if we didn\u2019t have to go to two different places to dress for the symphony.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea. Closet\u2019s through there,\u201d she said, pointing at a door.<\/p>\n

He disappeared through the door for only a minute and returned. \u201cDo you have any idea what kind of car you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she snickered, pulling her hair back in a ponytail and looking in the mirror one last time. When she turned, his arms wrapped around her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I suggest we go to a used car lot,\u201d he said, just before he kissed her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm. Hm,\u201d she giggled. \u201cBut I don\u2019t want a used car.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning her toward the front door with his arm around her, he replied, \u201cYes, but a used car lot usually has a big selection of different makes, models and manufacturers, so you can get an idea of what you want, and then we can look at new cars.\u201d<\/p>\n

She dropped her car keys in his hand when they walked out the door. \u201cWhat\u2019s this for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can take my car, so I can trade it in when I find something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no. You\u2019ll never get what that car is worth as a trade in. You need to do a private party sale.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do I do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou list it in the classifieds,\u201d he answered, opening her car door for her, and holding her hand as she stepped in.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

While Leah dressed in her bedroom, Trapper got into his tuxedo in the living area. Even so, the bedroom door was open so they could hear each other. \u201cI don\u2019t see why I couldn\u2019t go ahead and buy it,\u201d she said loudly so he could hear her.<\/p>\n

He laughed as he struggled with his tie. \u201cI just thought you needed to think about it. It was quite a departure from what you\u2019re used to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, what you think I\u2019m used to isn\u2019t my car. I\u2019m really not particularly comfortable in it. It attracts too much attention,\u201d she said, lowering her voice as she walked into the living area. \u201cI don\u2019t care for all the young kids trying to get me to race at traffic lights either.\u201d Trapper didn\u2019t say anything. He simply gazed at her reflection in the mirror over the small entry table. \u201cAre you having trouble with your tie?\u201d she said, stepping against his arm and moving her hand across his back. \u201cTurn around. Let me help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMidnight blue is your color. You look stunning.\u201d His compliment came with an admiring look.<\/p>\n

\u201cHush. Hold your chin up. It\u2019s been awhile since I\u2019ve done this,\u201d she said, working on his bow tie. \u201cAnd you look quite debonair yourself,\u201d she added with a demure smile.<\/p>\n

Trapper wore a double-breasted black tuxedo with a matching vest and white shirt with cufflinks. She wore a silk-lined lace tank-style top with a slender shawl skirt lined in silk charmeuse and a Venice lace border hanging down to her silver cross-strapped heels that complimented the silver embroidery on the skirt. Along with her diamond and sapphire jewelry, the blue of her dress made the blue of her eyes quite prominent. To top it all off, her hair was swept up on her head and fashioned with small, dangling pin curls.<\/p>\n

Draping her black silk shawl over her shoulders, he held his arm out to her. \u201cShall we go? The limo is waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

She grabbed her clutch off the small entry table, and took his arm. \u201cLimo?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, my dear. This kind of luxury requires a luxury automobile.\u201d<\/p>\n

She chuckled. \u201cI can see why you questioned a Jeep CJ. I suppose we\u2019d look rather odd in it tonight, wouldn\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Their driver stood at the ready and opened the car door, closing it behind the couple once they were settled in the back seat. When they arrived at the hall, the driver let them out right in front, and as they entered, Trapper guided her into a room where couples dressed as elegantly as they were milling about, greeting their friends and acquaintances and sipping champagne.<\/p>\n

Trapper introduced Leah to several of his fellow physicians and their wives, and while he talked shop, the wives coaxed her to the other side of the room where they talked about life married to a hospital doctor, especially a surgeon. Leah listened and smiled politely, remembering the way it often was with John. \u201cLeah, Trapper said you work at the hospital. What do you do there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t really work for the hospital. My company is installing their new computer system, and I lead the team that\u2019s doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you probably have no idea what being married to a Chief of Surgery is like. I remember John\u2019s wife, Melanie. That\u2019s why they ended up divorced. She just couldn\u2019t deal with his erratic schedule interfering with everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ve met Mrs. McIntyre. She\u2019s seems happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, just be prepared. It\u2019s an adjustment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not so sure it\u2019s that bad. I get calls at all hours to troubleshoot problems with the system, so Dr. McIntyre and I might actually see more of each other at the hospital. Besides that, there\u2019s really nothing to be prepared for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell him that. He seems quite taken with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flashing a quick smile, Leah excused herself and went back to Trapper, who pulled her next to him as he continued his conversation about the possibility of computer-assisted surgeries. \u201cEveryone, this is Leah Haverty, a computer engineer. What do you think about this talk of robotic surgery?\u201d<\/p>\n

She cocked her head, and glared at him for bringing her into a medical conversation with no warning. Luckily, she kept up with all the advancements in computer technology. \u201cI will tell you that several prototypes are being tested and refined now, but they\u2019re still several years away from introduction into hospitals. Once they are, you can bet that surgeries using robotics will be much more precise and less error prone. If you think about it, it makes sense. Basic instructions for many types of surgery can be pre-established with the surgeon inputting precise instructions for his specific patient. A robotic arm will carry out those instructions with exact precision where a human hand might waver, shake or otherwise be less controlled. It\u2019s just a matter of time, gentlemen, when robotics will be a part of a surgeon\u2019s daily life. In fact, at some point in the future, you might actually be doing surgeries remotely.\u201d<\/p>\n

They all laughed. \u201cYou are joking, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling confidently, she answered, \u201cNo. I\u2019m not. Once I get the new system installed at San Francisco Memorial, it will already be time for an upgrade. Computer technology is advancing so quickly, that by the time you decide on computer equipment and carry it out the seller\u2019s door, it\u2019s already being replaced with the latest, greatest thing. What you just bought is obsolete in a matter of weeks, even days. I have some wiring harnesses that were new technology only a few months ago. I can\u2019t get them anymore. I have to upgrade to new ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, where did you meet this young lady?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah and I met over a disputed computer\u2026\u201d He arched an eyebrow, and glanced down at her. \u201c\u2026on my desk. The computer is still there, and it\u2019s proven itself useful if we can just get used to new procedures. It forces us to follow government regulations and those rules that allow us to maintain our accreditation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, I don\u2019t see how well that\u2019s going to work when we put people in that kind of position who know nothing of medical, much less surgical procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah bit. \u201cYou\u2019d be surprised what I know,\u201d she said with a stony gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cOliver, Leah knows more about the procedure codes from the regulatory and insurance standpoint than either one of us. And she probably knows a lot more about the procedures themselves than you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still giving Oliver a hard look, she said, \u201cYes. I do. My last name is actually Lewis. My husband was a recognized orthopedic surgeon in the LA area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn Lewis?\u201d asked Oliver.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. John Lewis. Trapper, is it time to go in?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Trapper bowed his head slightly. \u201cDoctors, if you\u2019ll excuse us, we don\u2019t want to miss a single note tonight.\u201d He had gotten tickets in the center of the new Symphony Hall at the same level as the stage, so going in a few minutes early would prevent them from having to step in front of people already in their seats.<\/p>\n

After they were seated, Leah leaned against Trapper, so she could speak quietly. \u201cI apologize.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d he asked with furrowed brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a bit short with Oliver. I hope I didn\u2019t embarrass you in front of your friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s mouth opened slightly as she shook his head. \u201cOliver is one of those doctors who doesn\u2019t even appreciate women in surgery. Strong women upset him,\u201d he said, chuckling. \u201cBut then, you\u2019re used to that, aren\u2019t you? As I understand it, there aren\u2019t many women in your industry in your position.\u201d<\/p>\n

She twisted her mouth. \u201cMark told you that, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Straightening in her chair, she asked, \u201cSo besides the orchestra, who are we seeing tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLuciano Pavarotti,\u201d he answered with a wide grin.<\/p>\n

An instant broad smile appeared on her face just as the lights began to dim. \u201cI\u00a0love<\/em>\u00a0Pavarotti,\u201d she said, perhaps a little too loudly as quiet chuckles sounded all around them. Barely in control of her excitement, she reached for Trapper\u2019s hand, entwining her fingers in his and eliciting another big smile from him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty-One<\/strong><\/p>\n

Climbing the stairs to her apartment, Leah and Trapper laughed at their conversation about the performance at the Symphony Hall. On her way to the deck, she twirled to look back at Trapper and beckoned him to follow her outside. \u201cI can\u2019t believe it. I never thought I\u2019d ever get to hear Luciano Pavarotti.\u201d Moving his arms around her waist, he watched her eyes, her smile, her exhilaration. \u201cCan you believe it?\u201d she said excitedly. \u201cSix high Cs.\u201d Realizing he was watching her, she settled down and put her arms around his neck. \u201cThank you. Today was absolutely perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a chuckle, he said \u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d on his way to a kiss. Looking back into her eyes, he smiled at first at her willingness to continue, but his smile was short lived. He knew this was too fast for her own good, even if she didn\u2019t. She didn\u2019t have far to go to kiss him back, and when she did, all signs of hesitation had disappeared. Her arms wrapped tightly around him as she brought herself up on her toes, her fingers tangling with the curls on the back of his head, and her kiss\u2026he couldn\u2019t resist accepting and participating.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should be going,\u201d he whispered, giving her another quick kiss.<\/p>\n

The disappointment in her eyes told him he would have to tread lightly. He couldn\u2019t deny to himself that he wanted her, but what he wanted didn\u2019t matter at this point.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d she asked, sounding almost like a little girl who couldn\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n

Taking her hands from around his neck, he kissed them and held them against his chest. \u201cLeah, I want you to listen carefully to what I have to say. You\u2019re caught up in the moment from a perfect day, a perfect evening, and now a perfect opportunity. Too perfect. Before I would ever think about taking advantage of the\u2026perfectness\u2026of the situation, I need to be absolutely sure that you aren\u2019t rushing into something you\u2019ll regret tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stepped back, no longer able to look him in the eye. \u201cI\u2019ve made a fool of myself, haven\u2019t I?\u201d Trapper shook his head, but she continued. \u201cI thought you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving a finger to her lips, he put a hand at the small of her back and pulled her back into him, holding her firmly. \u201cI do. I am. But we are not going to rush this considering where you\u2019ve been. You simply need more time.\u201d She bowed her head, but he cupped her chin in his hand, bringing her face back up to his. \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d After kissing her tenderly one more time, he gathered his clothes and toiletry bag before opening the door. The way she was standing there where he\u2019d left her, her shoulders wilting, her hands hanging limply at her sides, and the melancholy in her eyes, he had to fight the growing need within him to go back to her. \u201cI\u2019ll call you tomorrow.\u201d She cast her eyes down, offering him a slight smile as she looked back up at him. Then he was gone.<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t move, thinking about what might have happened. How\u00a0would<\/em>\u00a0she have felt afterwards? She couldn\u2019t answer that question. Perhaps he was right after all.<\/p>\n

Trapper waited in his car for her apartment to darken before he pulled out of the parking space. He wasn\u2019t sorry for leaving her tonight. He knew she wasn\u2019t ready. Smiling, he realized this was the first time he had willingly gone home to a cold shower.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sitting at his desk, Trapper looked up as Gonzo came into his office and went straight to the coffee maker, pouring himself a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp yourself as long as you are,\u201d Trapper said sarcastically.<\/p>\n

Smiling aloofly, Gonzo said, \u201cThanks,\u201d on his way to the sofa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you had an appointment with Leah this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did. She\u2019s already come and gone. Well, not gone. She\u2019s in her office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked up. \u201cHow\u2019d the echo look?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerfect. Not even a hint of any abnormalities. But she was in a bad mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBad mood?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. She didn\u2019t smile, even after I plied my boyish charm. She just wanted to get it done and leave, like she had something else more important to do, only whatever it was, it didn\u2019t seem like it was anything good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning back, Trapper rubbed his chin. \u201cSomething\u2019s going on. I called her yesterday at her apartment. She didn\u2019t answer. She didn\u2019t stop by here this morning, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you have fight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. We had a great evening Saturday.\u201d Thinking aloud, he muttered to himself, \u201cOnly I didn\u2019t stay. She wasn\u2019t angry when I left. Maybe a little disappointed, but not mad.\u201d Standing, he resumed his conversation with Gonzo, \u201cMaybe I should go downstairs and see what\u2019s going on.\u201d Before he rounded the desk, his telephone rang. \u201cMcIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, I need to see you in my conference room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, good morning to you, too, Arnold. What\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust get up here,\u201d Arnold growled before he hung up the phone.<\/p>\n

Trapper looked at the receiver. \u201cI wonder what problem he has that he\u2019s about to dump on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking out with Trapper, Gonzo commented, \u201cEveryone\u2019s in a bad mood this morning. Maybe I\u2019ll go back to the Titanic and hide.\u201d They parted company at the elevator.<\/p>\n

When Trapper opened the door to the conference room, he stopped in his tracks. Arnold was sitting at the head of the table looking at paperwork with a scowl on his face. Leah sat on the far side of the table, her back straight as an arrow, wearing her black skirt and jacket and a white shirt. Her hair was even up in the tight bun he hadn\u2019t seen since her collapse. Sitting beside her was Mark, who looked strangely uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, sit down,\u201d barked Arnold, motioning to the chair across from Leah. \u201cMs. Haverty, would you please explain why we\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Mr. Slocum.\u201d She leaned back in her chair and looked straight ahead of her, but avoided Trapper\u2019s eyes. Speaking calmly and matter-of-factly, she began, \u201cMy job here is to create a secure environment that enforces the policies and procedures of this hospital and the rules of the regulatory agencies that govern it. What I mean by a secure environment is that no one outside this hospital or within this hospital except those in authority, and then only following the prescribed procedures, can jeopardize the accreditation status or cause the hospital to seem complicit in any fraudulent matters. I wanted to try to catch up on my audit reports before I came in this morning, so I spent the better part of yesterday reviewing the computer activities that transpired while I was away. I was extremely disturbed to find that not only the accreditation of the hospital has been put in jeopardy, but the hospital is in danger of being accused of fraud. Our computer system has been hacked, gentlemen, and it was not from an outside source, but rather from a member of my staff and a high-ranking member of the hospital staff.\u201d She looked at Mark. \u201cMr. Hansen, you deliberately changed the personal health information of a patient; to be exact a date of birth. This action caused an exception in the audit reports that go to The Joint Committee, the California Department of Health, and the state Insurance Commissioner. Mr. Slocum, if you haven\u2019t already, you will be hearing from each one of those entities. They\u2019ll be breathing down your neck in a matter of days, if not hours. Dr. McIntyre, the intrusion was perpetrated on your computer, so that naturally implicates you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, do you have an explanation?\u201d asked Arnold.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a perfectly valid explanation,\u201d he answered coolly. \u201cWe have a patient\u2026a six-year-old girl who required immediate surgery to remove an ovary and repair a ruptured ureter. If we hadn\u2019t performed the surgery, she would have gone septic in a matter of hours. Because it was reproductive related surgery on an underage child, it was a considered restricted and required approval. The only one who could approve it was you, Arnold, but you were on a yacht somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and out of contact. I asked Mark to find a way around the system, and he did. He saved that little girl\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that, Dr. McIntyre,\u201d said Leah. \u201cYou have no idea how long it would have taken for that child to become critical from sepsis. You could have waited for Arnold to contact the hospital, which he did that evening.\u201d She turned to Mark. \u201cWhat did I tell you when I gave you native access to the databases?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said not to put the hospital at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, what could I do? Dr. McIntyre told me this child\u2019s life depended on me finding a way around it. She would\u2019ve died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not your job to protect the lives of the people in this hospital. That is the hospital\u2019s responsibility. Your job is to protect the business of this hospital\u2026to prevent risks to its accreditation and risk of law suits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow wait just a minute,\u201d said Trapper, leaning forward and glaring at Leah. \u201cIt was my job to ensure that we did what was necessary to prevent what could have led to the child\u2019s death. It was my responsibility, and I did what was necessary to save her.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time, she coldly looked into his eyes. \u201cThe day you came back from your consultation with her doctor, what did I tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Twisting his mouth, he let out a heavy breath and looked at her from under his brow. \u201cYou told me it was a restricted surgery, and that Arnold\u2019s approval would be required.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo why didn\u2019t you get it when you knew it would have to be done?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked up at the ceiling, realizing he was the one who screwed up. If he\u2019d listened to her then, they wouldn\u2019t be in this mess. \u201cArnold, I take full responsibility for this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah stood. \u201cMr. Slocum, Dr. McIntyre is your responsibility. For our part, I\u2019ll report this to our company, and they will decide what to do for my part in this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou weren\u2019t even here,\u201d said Arnold, surprisingly calm, maybe even penitent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave Mark my access codes while I was out, believing he would act responsibly. I will change access to the databases to only myself for the time being until I hear from the company.\u201d She bowed her head, folding her lips. Watching her closely, Trapper saw her chin quiver slightly before she turned to Mark. \u201cMark, it was Dr. McIntyre\u2019s responsibility to find a way to handle the patient\u2019s situation. He\u2019s not your boss, and he has no authority to ask you to do anything. I\u2019ve hammered your responsibilities into your head for years, and yet you still overstepped your bounds to the point that the very existence of this hospital is in danger.\u201d At this point, she was taking great pains to control her breathing. \u201cGather your things and be out of this hospital within the hour.\u201d Mark\u2019s jaw dropped, his hands went to the arms of his chair, and he pushed himself up, facing her. Without looking him in the eye, she said quietly, \u201cYou\u2019re fired.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper came out of his chair so fast it rolled backward and slammed into the wall. \u201cLeah! This is not Mark\u2019s fault!\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned back to him with fire in her eyes. \u201cHe\u2019s put two companies at risk, McIntyre! He\u2019s not here to save your patients. He\u2019s here to protect the hospital, and he didn\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Arnold held up his hands. \u201cIf this is anyone\u2019s responsibility, it\u2019s mine and the board. Leah, you warned us that having only one person with that kind of authority put the hospital at risk. We didn\u2019t listen to you because, frankly, we never thought the situation would occur. It hasn’t up to now. I\u2019ll deal with The Joint Committee, the DOH, and the Insurance Commission. And I\u2019ll make sure we have the appropriate people available to authorize restricted surgeries in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suggest you give that authority to all of your medical department heads,\u201d said Leah. \u201cNow, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have to put together a report of the breach for my company and for your board. Mark, come with me. I have to escort you out after you gather your belongings.\u201d She held out her hand. \u201cI need your hospital badge.\u201d Mark slowly unclipped it from his lapel and handed it to her, after which, they left the conference room.<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold, you can\u2019t let her fire him,\u201d Trapper said angrily.<\/p>\n

Slowly sitting in his chair, Arnold rubbed his forehead. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t work for me, Trapper. I have no say in the matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I do,\u201d snapped Trapper, turning and leaving the room. He got to the elevator just in time to board it and push the button for the third floor. Standing in front of Leah and facing her, he moved his hands to his hips and said firmly, \u201cYou and I need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked up at him sadly. \u201cDo you think I want to do this? This is what happens when you\u2019re the boss. I have to think about the risks to my own company in addition to my client, and the first thing both would want to hear is that the person who committed the offense is gone. It\u2019s standard procedure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door opened behind Trapper. He stepped out, but held the door open, reaching in and grabbing Leah\u2019s arm. \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I have a choice?\u201d she said, trying to pull her arm away. \u201cMcIntyre, let me go,\u201d she said, looking around her to see if anyone had noticed him pulling her down the hallway.<\/p>\n

When they went by the nurse\u2019s station, Ernie and Gonzo stood by, watching and giving each other a disturbed look. They fell in line with Mark, who was already following Trapper and Leah down the hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet go of me,\u201d she said loud enough for people to stop in the hall and watch as Trapper had her up on her toes rushing down the hall. They entered ICU, and after that Trapper shoved her through the door of a patient\u2019s room, turning her and pushing her close to the glass that separated them from the Sanchez child. Leah tried to turn away, but Trapper held her there.<\/p>\n

Leaning into her ear, he said quietly, but sternly, \u201cTake a good long look, Leah. That\u2019s a six-year-old child in there. That\u2019s the life you claim you\u2019re not responsible for.\u201d<\/p>\n

She felt a sudden sick chill that seemed to move through her with the sensation that her blood was draining from her body. Trapper heard her let out a timorous breath, watched her face change to a woeful, wet mess as her hands moved flat against the glass. \u201cI can\u2019t do this anymore,\u201d she whispered between soft sobs.<\/p>\n

Trapper had no time to react. Someone grabbed his collar and pulled him back out of the room. He found himself against the wall face to face with Mark. \u201cWhat kind of cruel game are you playing, McIntyre? You know she can\u2019t handle this!\u201d Mark yelled.<\/p>\n

Trapper had just enough time to move his arms up between Mark\u2019s, knocking his away and breaking his hold on Trapper\u2019s collar before Gonzo stepped between them, pushing Mark backward. The two men looked poised to fight, but Gonzo didn\u2019t move. \u201cThis is a hospital. If you two want to fight, take it outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie had sidestepped the melee, entering the room. \u201cOh no,\u201d she said, moving her hand to cover her mouth. She went back into the hall before any of the men had moved. \u201cThis isn\u2019t the time or the place for a fight,\u201d she said scornfully. \u201cLeah\u2019s gone. She must have gone out the side door.\u201d The men stood still for a moment, letting what Ernie said sink in. \u201cWell, don\u2019t just stand there! We have to find her!\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving his hands to his hips, Trapper flared his nostrils, drawing his mouth in. \u201cGonzo, take the stairs down to the first floor and check the parking lot. Mark, get down to the basement and see if she\u2019s in her office. Ernie, check the ladies room. I\u2019m going to the loading docks. Maybe she\u2019s going out the back way. Meet back in my office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah had, indeed, gone out the side door of the room. She looked back at Mark and Trapper, locked into what apparently was going to be a fight before she ran down the hall, hopping as she went to remove her heels. The service elevator door had opened just before she got there, so she was able to step on quickly, pressing the button for the basement until the doors closed.<\/p>\n

Once in the basement, she turned toward the loading docks. There was only one man there, and he just watched as she ran to the big door of a bay and scrambled down onto the pavement, then ran across the back lot and through the bushes to the street. She stepped in front of a cab, causing the driver to slam on his breaks, and as he yelled out his window, she laid her hands on the hood, and ran to the side, opening the door. Stepping in, she barked directions as she closed the door. \u201cJust go! Hurry!\u201d The driver turned and glared at her. \u201cLook, I\u2019ll pay you five hundred dollars to just go!\u201d With that, he turned and squealed the tires as he left.<\/p>\n

Trapper ran to the edge of the bay, looking out and just catching a glimpse of the back of a speeding cab. He turned back to the man on the loading dock. \u201cDid you see a woman in a black suit go through here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYessir. She ran across the parking lot and almost got hit by a cab. Then she got in and left. She musta been in a big hurry the way that cabbie spun out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heading back toward the elevator, Trapper slammed his open hand against a packing box.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty-Three\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah stood at the cabbie\u2019s window, trying to convince him to wait for her. \u201cLook lady. My pay is directly dependent on my fares.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m paying you five hundred dollars today. Surely that will beat what you would normally make in a couple of hours.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cYou have to wait anyway for me to go upstairs for the money. Here\u2019s my driver\u2019s license. You hold on to it until I get back. I just need to throw some things in a bag and get some money. Five minutes tops.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright lady,\u201d he apathetically agreed. \u201cI\u2019ll wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

Running into her bedroom, Leah picked up the duffle she had used for the fishing trip still on her bedroom floor. She threw in a couple of changes of cloths, a pair of tennis shoes, her toiletries, several sets of keys, her checkbook, her address book, and the contents of her safe into the bag, and then ran back down to the cab. \u201cAlright, can you take me to the Jeep dealership off 101?\u201d<\/p>\n

When the cab pulled into the parking lot at the dealership, Leah had already taken the money she had promised him out of her duffle. \u201cThis is probably more than you get paid in a day,\u201d she said, handing over the cash. \u201cAnd it\u2019s enough for you to forget you ever saw me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you in some kind of trouble, lady?\u201d asked the cabbie with a concerned look.<\/p>\n

Looking away, she said, \u201cNo. I\u2019m leaving, and there are some people\u2026\u201d She had to fight for control. \u201cThere are some people who won\u2019t want to see me go.\u201d She gave him a smile before she exited the car. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking into the showroom she looked around for the salesman who had helped her before, and then went to the receptionist. \u201cExcuse me, but I\u2019m looking for Daniel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll page him for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a few minutes, the salesman appeared. \u201cDaniel, did you go ahead and run my credit? I\u2019d like to buy the Jeep I looked at if it\u2019s still here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still here,\u201d he said, guiding her to his office, \u201cand your credit is stellar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, because I need to rush this. I need to leave in no more than twenty minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll take that long to complete the loan papers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll write you a check. You can call my bank to verify it\u2019s good. And I don\u2019t have time to dicker with the price. We agreed on a price Saturday, and that\u2019s all I\u2019m going to pay,\u201d she said, handing him a check for the amount Trapper had negotiated. In the next twenty minutes, she signed the paperwork, changed her clothes in the ladies room and left in her new Jeep.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper was the last to get back to his office. When he stepped in, he knew by the look on everyone else\u2019s face that they had not found her. He shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer car is still in the parking lot. She can\u2019t go far,\u201d said Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe can rent a car,\u201d said Trapper, sitting behind his desk. \u201cWe need to make a list of the places she might go. There\u2019s her apartment. Maybe the blues club on Taylor and Powell at the wharf.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer house in LA,\u201d said Mark. \u201cI don\u2019t think she\u2019d go there, but we should check. She has a house near South Lake Tahoe somewhere on Fallen Leaf Lake, but I don\u2019t know the address.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have much to go on,\u201d said Ernie. \u201cI\u2019ll go call the rental car companies and see if I can get any information.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark headed for the door with her. \u201cI\u2019ll go by her apartment and the club on Powell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting on the corner of the desk, Gonzo watched for a moment as Trapper\u2019s eyes searched the air, trying to figure out where else she might have gone. \u201cTrapper, why don\u2019t we call the police? They can put out an APB.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would we tell them? She left work unexpectedly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. We\u2019ll tell them she\u2019s a heart patient, and we\u2019re concerned about her health. It\u2019s not a lie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Call the police. I\u2019ll call the children\u2019s hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the day dragged on, Trapper stayed at his desk, waiting for return calls. He\u2019d called the children\u2019s hospital, but she hadn\u2019t been seen there. He thought about calling the airport, but he had no idea where she would have gone, and that made finding a possible flight impossible.<\/p>\n

Ernie struck out with the rental car companies, and Mark\u2019s news was no better. \u201cYou know, Dr. McIntyre, we wouldn\u2019t be looking for her if you hadn\u2019t dragged her into that room,\u201d Mark said heatedly. \u201cYou knew that would upset her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper had been sitting back in his chair chewing on the arm of his glasses trying to think. He glanced over at Mark. After a deep breath, he responded soberly, \u201cI\u2019ve already taken responsibility for this mess. But I\u2019m not going to apologize for taking her to see the child who might have died if everyone had stuck to the rules. When you\u2019re in a business that deals with life and death, the rules can\u2019t be that unbending. I knew it would upset her. She should have been upset. Besides that, I was trying to save your job.\u201d He took another deep breath. \u201cI never imagined she\u2019d run away.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next day, Arnold came to Trapper\u2019s office. \u201cI have some news about Ms. Haverty.\u201d Trapper immediately closed the chart he was viewing, needing to hear something\u2026anything about her. \u201cShe\u2019s resigned her position with her company, claiming full responsibility, and it appears she\u2019s absolved Mark of any wrongdoing. She didn\u2019t go through with his termination. In fact, she recommended him to take her place here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t they try to talk her out of resigning?\u201d asked Trapper anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey didn\u2019t have the chance. She left a message late last night when she knew there\u2019d be no one there to answer the phone. They don\u2019t want her to leave. They asked us to call them if we heard from her and said they\u2019d do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper nodded defeatedly. \u201cThe police put out an APB, but without knowing where she went and how she went, they weren\u2019t hopeful she\u2019d be found. They also asked the LAPD and the Eldorado County Sheriff to do the same. One of the deputies in South Lake Tahoe knew which house on Fallen Leaf Lake was hers. He reported back that it didn\u2019t look like the house had been lived in for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning over on the desk, Arnold saw the worry on Trapper\u2019s face. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go home? Gates can cover for you here. If we need you, we\u2019ll call.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Arnold, but no. If she calls, she\u2019ll call here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Late that afternoon, Gonzo and Trapper saw someone at her car as they were heading out to the Titanic. \u201cDon\u2019t look now, Trapper, but someone\u2019s trying to get into Leah\u2019s car,\u201d said Gonzo, stopping to watch.<\/p>\n

Changing direction, they both went over to the car. \u201cYou mind telling me what you\u2019re doing?\u201d asked Trapper a bit brusquely.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that it\u2019s any of your business, pal, but I\u2019ve come to pick up my car.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour car? I don\u2019t think so. This car belongs to a friend of ours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, mister, it just so happens that a friend of mine sold me this car yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked sideways at the man. \u201cWhat\u2019s your friend\u2019s name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah Lewis. I\u2019m her mechanic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou saw her yesterday?\u201d The man nodded. \u201cWhen\u2026what time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Before lunch sometime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, we haven\u2019t been able to find her since she left the hospital yesterday morning, and we\u2019re concerned about her. Did she say anything about where she was going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a word. But she was driving a new Jeep, so I figure she might be heading up to the mountains. She always talked about the trips she and her husband used to make up to Lake Tahoe. They used to camp a lot, too, so I figure that\u2019s why she bought a Jeep. Now, if you don\u2019t mind, I gotta get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

They stood and watched the man drive the car out of the parking lot. \u201cCamping,\u201d said Gonzo, thinking out loud. \u201cWe should call the State and National Park Service and let them know to watch out for her.\u201d Nodding, Trapper turned toward his car. \u201cHey, where are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo a car dealership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper returned from the car dealership with only a little information about the Jeep which he shared with all the law enforcement agencies and the park service, but it didn\u2019t make much difference. No one could find her, and after the morning she left, no one had seen her. Three more days had passed, and it was becoming more and more likely no one would find her until she wanted to be found.<\/p>\n

Trapper was at the hospital every day, performing all the necessary functions of a Chief of Surgery, but he retreated to his office and stayed, waiting for his phone to ring. Today, Ernie and Gonzo brought in sushi for lunch and joined him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long are you going to wait?\u201d asked Ernie. \u201cAt some point, you need to get on with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking over the sushi on his plate, Trapper pushed his glasses up on his head, and smiled. \u201cAre any of our patients going without the appropriate medical care?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMedical care, no. Care in general, yes. You.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo took another piece of sushi off the tray they\u2019d brought in. \u201cErnie\u2019s right. You have to stop waiting for this phone to ring. It Leah wants to talk to you, she\u2019ll find you.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the phone rang, they all stopped in the midst of biting or chewing or drinking and watched the light blink on the phone. It rang four times before Trapper finally answered it, and when he did, there was nothing on the other end but silence. Sitting on the edge of the sofa, Ernie and Gonzo mouthed, \u201cIs it Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though nothing had been said, Trapper nodded and waited until the person on the other end hung up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you say anything?\u201d asked Ernie with angst and annoyance in her voice.<\/p>\n

Trapper smiled. \u201cShe\u2019ll call back once she\u2019s collected herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know it was her and not just a wrong number?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt like her.\u201d<\/p>\n

The phone rang again, Trapper picking it up after the first ring. \u201cMcIntyre.\u201d Again, there was silence. \u201cTell me where you are,\u201d said Trapper quietly. \u201cI\u2019ll come to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her voice was almost a whisper. \u201cWhy would you want to? You must think I\u2019m some kind of monster.\u201d<\/p>\n

He answered so that his smile could be heard in his voice. \u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019re a monster. If you were, Maria Sanchez wouldn\u2019t have affected you the way she did. What I do think is that we need to find a balance between how you\u2019ve defined your job and the reality of working in a hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to do that. I quit,\u201d she said sadly. \u201cThat job is the way it is. It\u2019s not changing.\u201d Trapper swore he heard a small whimper. \u201cI\u2019m the one who\u2019s changed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t change. You just found what you\u2019d lost. Your company doesn\u2019t want you to quit, and neither do I.\u201d All he heard was a sniffle. Leaning back, he tucked the receiver between his shoulder and ear, his voice deep and husky. \u201cWhere are you?\u201d Gonzo and Ernie looked at each other hopefully when Trapper quickly sat up and wrote something down. \u201cWhere is this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s in Glenbrook on the east side of Lake Tahoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m on my way. It\u2019ll take about five hours. Wait for me\u2026Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a long pause before she answered, \u201cI\u2019ll be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty-Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

Driving through South Lake Tahoe, Trapper stopped at the shops just before Stateline to buy a bouquet of flowers. He stood on the sidewalk, looking at the bouquet when he realized he didn\u2019t remember most of the trip there. The ride up Highway 50 along the American River had always been one of his favorites, but today, he had been preoccupied. What was he going to say when he got to Leah that would make a difference? He hadn\u2019t really thought this through, instead acting on a knee-jerk reaction to her disappearance. What if it was him who needed to be there more that she needed him there? Shaking his head, he got into his car and pulled out on the road.
\nWhen he turned down the road into Glenbrook, he was met by a gate guard. \u201cYour name, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn McIntyre. I\u2019m here to see Leah Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have a Haverty on my list.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah Haverty Lewis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lewises are residents. They won\u2019t be on this list. Wait one moment, please.\u201d The guard went back into the gate house and made a phone call. In another minute, the gate began to open. Handing Trapper a card, the guard explained the use of the code written on it before Trapper proceeded through the gate. He found the driveway to the house and slowly drove down its slope to a rustic two-story redwood and rock-clad house set back in the trees near the shore of the lake. Taking the flowers from the passenger seat, he made his way up the curved walkway to the front door and just looked at it for a moment; a beautifully carved, heavy redwood door. Maybe it should\u2019ve been David Sandler standing at this door. With some trepidation, he raised his arm and knocked.<\/p>\n

Leah had been pacing in front of the three wide French doors that led out to a deck looking over the lake. Though he sounded more worried on the phone than anything, she thought he might still be angry about what had taken place in Slocum\u2019s conference room. Maybe it had been a mistake to tell him where she was. Perhaps she should have just disappeared as she had four years ago. She stopped pacing and turned, hearing a knock on the front door. Maybe he would leave if she didn\u2019t answer. No, he was tenacious, and he had come all this way. He wouldn\u2019t just walk away. She had thought he might care for her, and he had said as much; not in so many words; just four little ones. \u2018I do. I am.\u2019 But he had been so angry.<\/p>\n

Hearing nothing, Trapper knocked again. He knew she was in the house; the guard had called before he was allowed to pass through the gate. \u201cLeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing on the other side with her forehead against the door, she heard him call. His voice sounded anxious. She pushed the handle down and pulled the door open. For a moment, they simply looked at each other. In that moment, she saw only compassion in his eyes even as he saw the pain of the conflict between her job and her heart rise to the surface and erupt in a torrent of tears. Wrapping his arms around her, he moved her away from the door, kicking it closed behind him, and held her there until she found composure.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she said, wiping her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright. I imagine you\u2019ve been doing a lot that in the last few days. These are for you,\u201d he said, handing her the flowers.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you bring luggage?\u201d she asked, sniffling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t I go get that while you take care of the flowers?\u201d He kissed her forehead before heading out the door and coming back in a matter of minutes. \u201cWhere should I put this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUpstairs. Except for the master bedroom at the end of the hall, you can have any room you like. I would suggest the first one on the back side of the house. It opens onto a deck and has a beautiful view.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he came back down, Leah was just moving the flowers to a table in the living area. \u201cDid you have a chance to get something to eat? We\u2019re only a couple of hours away from dinner, but I can make you a sandwich if you\u2019re hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking her hand, he pulled her into another hug. \u201cI\u2019m not hungry. I was worried.\u201d They stood in the center of the living area for a moment, just holding on. \u201cDo you feel like talking?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was kinda hoping we could just forget about it and move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s a good idea,\u201d said Trapper, moving away just enough to see her eyes. \u201cIf you don\u2019t deal with it now, it might be another four years before you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go outside. It\u2019s a beautiful day.\u201d The two strolled hand in hand out the middle French door to side-by-side deck chairs where Leah had a variety of magazines and books stacked haphazardly on a side table along with an empty glass and a plate covered in what looked like what was supposed to have been lunch.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you been eating?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t start that, please. There\u2019ve been extenuating circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t afford extenuating circumstances.\u201d Patting her knee, he said, \u201cStay put. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d When he returned, he carried a glass of milk and a container of mixed nuts. \u201cEat the almonds and pecans.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took a pecan from the jar, nibbling on an edge thoughtfully. \u201cDo you understand now why my staff was in the basement?\u201d<\/p>\n

Thinking for a moment, Trapper smiled. \u201cSo you didn\u2019t have to see what went on in the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we didn\u2019t have to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

She moved to the edge of her chair and turned to him. \u201cTrapper, a company like mine has to insulate itself from those life and death situations in order to do what they have been chartered to do. Companies like mine are there to enforce rules and regulations and policies and procedures, and if we can\u2019t do that, keeping the function of the businesses out of it, entities like The Joint Committee or the insurance commissions won\u2019t approve our products that are supposed to ensure enforcement. That\u2019s why we work with the decision makers of a company to make sure things like what happened at your hospital don\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still think you were hiding behind how you\u2019ve defined your job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t define my job. My company defined it, and that\u2019s why I\u2019ve done it this way. I\u2019ve never had a problem keeping my job and the life and death decisions of a hospital separate simply because I didn\u2019t involve myself in it. I should never have been a patient at your hospital\u2026were my job was. I met your patients. I met\u2026you,\u201d she said more quietly. \u201cI\u2019ve lost my objectivity, and that\u2019s why I quit. And since someone had to take the fall, my quitting took care of that, too.\u201d She slumped back in her chair. \u201cThe saddest part of all this is that I could have entered the authorization codes.\u201d Sitting forward, Trapper looked pointedly at her. \u201cI don\u2019t know why that surprises you. I have access to everything in that system while it\u2019s being implemented. If I had been there and you had come to me instead of Mark with the situation, I would have entered the codes. I would also have resigned because I had no authority to do that, but at least the audit reports wouldn\u2019t have shown anything abnormal, and the hospital would have avoided any censure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper snorted and looked out at the lake, biting the inside of his cheek before he faced her again. \u201cThen what is this all about? Why did you run away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about the conflict between doing my job and my inability to think about the life of a child because of my job as you said. But it\u2019s also about firing Mark; something that the job demanded, and then you being so angry at me for doing my job.\u201d She dropped her forehead into her hand. \u201cYou were angry, Mark was angry, Dr. Gates was standing between you to stop the two of you from fighting, and I was\u2026done with it all.\u201d She stood and went to the deck railing. \u201cI should have fought harder when the board decided there\u2019d be only one person with that kind of authority. I knew it was a mistake then. That started everything. If the system had been completed, and we were gone, Maria Sanchez might have died. If Maria had died because I did my job, I don\u2019t think I could live with myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pushing himself up from the chair, he went to stand beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders. \u201cThere are a lot of \u2018ifs\u2019 in all of this that didn\u2019t happen. Every one of us did things we regret now\u2026you, Arnold\u2026me. The point is, we learn from our mistakes and move forward. Running away\u2026that\u2019s a step in the wrong direction.\u201d He leaned forward to see her face, but she turned away. \u201cYour company wants you back, you know. You should at least talk to them. Now that Arnold has listened to your recommendation, this situation won\u2019t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t happen at San Francisco Memorial. But what about the next hospital?\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning up the corner of his mouth, he said, \u201cYou don\u2019t let it happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t respond, but rather looked out over the lake and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you want to go back to work?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? That was my first day back. Look what the job turned me into. I don\u2019t need to work. John took care of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper turned her to face him. \u201cYou need your job. You\u2019d go crazy without it. More to the point, I\u2019m not ready to leave my job, and without me to entertain you, what would you do all day?\u201d he said, trying to hold back a grin. He let it show when he saw her eyes roll, her head turn and a smile tug at the corner of her mouth. Tilting his head and shrugging slightly, he finished, \u201cYou just need to control the job instead of letting it control you.\u201d Both looked down at his stomach when it growled. \u201cMaybe we\u00a0should<\/em>\u00a0go find something for dinner,\u201d he said, chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know just the place.\u201d He looked at her with raised brows. \u201cChez Haverty. I hope you like leftovers.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty-Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sitting on a stool at the kitchen cabinet, Trapper propped an elbow on the counter and rested his chin in his hand. \u201cCan I do something to help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you with salads?\u201d she asked without turning around.<\/p>\n

He jumped up off the stool and headed for the refrigerator. \u201cInstead of telling you, why don\u2019t I just show you? What do you have in here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s spinach and some other greens, carrots, gorgonzola cheese, and a champagne vinaigrette dressing. And on the counter on the other side, you\u2019ll find pecans and dried cranberries. No wait. The nuts are still out on the deck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking out to the deck, he retrieved the nuts and came back. \u201cBowl?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the cabinet right in front of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd a knife?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrawer,\u201d she said, pointing.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

A mist had surrounded the lake in the early evening, making the sunset appear in muted colors; pinks and mauves fading to slate blue along the fringes of the lake and enshrouding the mountains that surrounded it. It was the perfect backdrop for dinner by candlelight. Leah had prepared salmon croquettes from leftover salmon along with a homemade asparagus risotto that rivaled Antonio\u2019s and Trapper\u2019s dark greens salad. As Trapper poured white wine into two glasses, he smiled at the sound of the lake water lapping at the boulders protruding here and there from the lake near the shore. It was a peaceful sound. He could understand why she chose to come here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought your house was at Fallen Leaf Lake. No one seemed to know about this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was the first property we bought here. We used it for several years for ourselves, but then bought the house on Fallen Leaf Lake because it was quieter there. Motorized boats aren\u2019t allowed on that lake. When we moved, this one became a vacation rental.\u201d She took a bite of a salmon cake. \u201cI always liked this one more. John preferred the other house. Anyway, I had the management company cancel all the future rentals. They\u2019ll be offering the other house for rent as soon as it\u2019s ready. The auction company that\u2019s cleaning out the LA house will also clear the Fallen Leaf Lake house, and then it will be furnished for a rental. Some of that stuff will come over here\u2026antiques from the area that I wouldn\u2019t want to disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re keeping this one for yourself. Are you going to have time to use it?\u201d<\/p>\n

She set her fork on her plate, and reached for her wine glass. \u201cThis will be my home if I choose to be among the ranks of the unemployed,\u201d she said sadly. \u201cAnd if I return to work, it will remain my private vacation home\u2026not to be rented. If I\u2019m not supposed to work all the time, I should have some time to enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t sound like you want to stay unemployed.\u201d His plate cleared, he moved his wine glass next to hers, and then moved his chair, sitting and draping his arm across the back of hers. \u201cWhat would you do with yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning back underneath his arm, she smiled when he moved his hand down to her shoulder. \u201cBelieve it or not, I did quite a few things when the children were small. I worked part-time for awhile when they were babies, and I quilted and embroidered. I was very health conscious, so I had a vegetable garden and canned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn LA?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe house sits on a half acre. I had plenty of room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s look had slowly turned skeptical. \u201cDid you raise chickens for fresh eggs and milk the cow every morning?\u201d She smirked and turned away, bringing forth a high-pitched laugh from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad I amuse you,\u201d she said as she rose from her chair and began to gather the dinner dishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d he said, back-peddling. She left for the kitchen. \u201cCome back here!\u201d he called, turning in his chair. When he realized she wasn\u2019t going to stop, he went after her.<\/p>\n

Giving him an incensed look, she turned her back to him to load the dishwasher. \u201cIs it so hard to believe that I can do things other than build computer systems?\u201d<\/p>\n

He brought over the serving dishes. \u201cWell, you play the guitar quite well,\u201d he said with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t count. Music and computers\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026go hand in hand,\u201d he finished, raising his hands defensively. \u201cI was only kidding about the chickens and cow.\u201d She snickered, and he leaned over her shoulder. \u201cI heard that.\u201d Closing the dishwasher, he took her hand and drew her into him. \u201cWhen are you going to call your company?\u201d<\/p>\n

She pushed, but he didn\u2019t let go. He glared down upon her with raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t call now. No one is there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can call now. Your boss is waiting for a call\u2026\u2019anytime\u2019, he said. He just wants to hear from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she dropped her forehead on his chest, his hands went to her arms. \u201cLeah, it wasn\u2019t my intention to make this harder for you. But you\u2019re not the same person you were when I first met you, and you can\u2019t afford to go back to that. You have every right to define the difference between your right and your wrong. If that\u2019s what you need to go back, fight for it.\u201d She sighed and looked up, glancing into his eyes before she looked beyond him, questioning in her mind if it was worth the fight. She could walk away easily enough, but did she really want to? Trapper reached for the cordless phone, holding it out to her. \u201cI\u2019ll finish cleaning up while you call.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, she took the phone and walked back out to the deck as Trapper looked on. She stood at the rail, considering the phone, then dialing. Waiting for an answer, she looked out over the lake at the sliver of moon that had just begun to rise over the far mountains, and just as she was about to hang up, she heard a \u2018hello.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cDoug, it\u2019s Leah. I\u2019m fine. I\u2019m in South Lake Tahoe.\u201d Sagging on the railing, she inhaled deeply at the distress in his voice. \u201cI know it was short notice. I had intended to follow it up with a formal letter, but\u2026too many people have been trying to change my mind. Yes, I know\u2026you, too. Leave of absence? No, I don\u2019t want leave. I just had leave. Doug, it doesn\u2019t matter that it was medical. I\u2019m ready to go back to work\u2026with a couple of changes.\u201d She straightened. \u201cReally? Well, I want to be able to push back while we\u2019re discussing requirements and specifications. If I think they\u2019re making a bad decision, I want the autonomy to delay the project until I can get some agreement on major points. He did? Mr. Slocum wasn\u2019t really the one who objected. It just seemed no one else on the board wanted to be bothered with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, you can have whatever you need. You\u2019ve been successful at this long enough for me to trust your judgment,\u201d said Doug. \u201cI would love to have you oversee all the related industry projects.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I don\u2019t want that. I need to be close to the work. And I\u2019d like to be more stable. I need to be able to call somewhere home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Finish up what you\u2019ve started, and then we\u2019ll discuss your choices for your next assignment\u2026before you are assigned. Fair?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFair enough. There\u2019s one more thing. Mark Hansen is ready to work without a net. He needs his own team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t want one.\u201d<\/p>\n

She held her breath for a moment. She never thought he\u2019d turn down a promotion. \u201cI don\u2019t understand. He\u2019s been with me for fourteen or fifteen years. He\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he\u2019d only stay at San Francisco Memorial If you came back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t understand, Doug. I don\u2019t think I can work with him anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two of you are the best team I have. Do you realize that you as the architect and Mark as the technical lead are more successful than any other team in the company? You just need to keep it on a business level and convince him to do the same. I think if you tell him he doesn\u2019t have a choice if he wants to stay with the company, he\u2019ll bite.\u201d When Doug didn\u2019t hear an answer, he asked, \u201cOr has it become personal for both of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s always been a friend, Doug\u2026ever since we left college.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s always felt the same way, Leah, even when you were married to John.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he came to me back then, wanting to move to another team. I told him to deal with it, and he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. He\u2019ll go back to dealing with it. John was in his way before. Now as I understand it, Dr. McIntyre is in his way.\u201d<\/p>\n

She scowled. \u201cHow do you know about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt pays to know what\u2019s happening with your employees, Leah. Don\u2019t worry how I know. Just remember that I do. Now, when will you be back?\u201d There was silence on the line. \u201cOh, come now. Don\u2019t tell me you\u2019re thinking about it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a few days. I\u2019ll call you when I\u2019m back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood enough. I\u2019ll talk to you then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning on the door frame, Trapper had heard most of her side of the conversation. \u201cDoes that mean we have a few days?\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned, but didn\u2019t look at him, rather she twisted her mouth with a thoughtful air. \u201cHe said he knew about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe? What does he know about me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t say, but he referred to you in the almost the same light as John. I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m comfortable with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does it matter if he knows about me\u2026us, if that\u2019s what you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s spying on me\u2026he\u2019s intruding in my personal life, and he has no right to do that. I don\u2019t know if I want to work for him.\u201d Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her, lingering a moment before he moved back. He said nothing, but smiled. Raising a suspicious eyebrow, she asked, \u201cWhat was that for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we stop talking about work? We\u2019ll deal with it when we get back. Right now, I have a few days off that the hospital owes me, and I\u2019d like to spend it relaxing\u2026with you.\u201d Cocking his head, he looked sideways at her. \u201cOf course, if that\u2019s alright with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnless you want to go to a casino, bar or restaurant, there isn\u2019t much to do around here at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see a beach bathed in moonlight.\u201d Taking her hand, Trapper headed for the steps leading to a walkway that meandered toward the water\u2019s edge. When they walked out onto the beach, he moved his arm around her. They walked silently down the beach until they turned back toward the house. \u201cDo you really have any idea what you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were right. I need to work. I wouldn\u2019t be happy quilting or knitting all day. And I have to admit\u2026these last few weeks I\u2019ve enjoyed life out of the basement.\u201d She stopped walking and turned to face him. \u201cHow did you know? I\u2019ve been a project for you from the very first day, haven\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking over her head, he smiled and pulled her against him. \u201cHow do I say this without getting myself into trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth would be nice,\u201d she said, moving her arms around him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm. Yes, well, in the beginning, maybe. Once I found you were a heart patient, you weren\u2019t a project. You were a patient, and then somewhere in there\u2026sometime after Sandler took over your case, it all changed.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked him in the eye. \u201cWhat am I now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Caressing her cheek, he bent his head, and held her tightly as he gave her a fiery kiss. \u201cDoes that answer your question?\u201d She dropped her gaze and shivered. \u201cAre you cold?\u201d When she didn\u2019t answer, he turned her toward the house. \u201cLet\u2019s get you inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper closed and locked the French door behind him while Leah went to lock the front door. He followed her up the stairs and stopped at his bedroom door, but she took his hand and led him down the hall to her room. \u201cLeah, I came here because you disappeared, and I was worried. I didn\u2019t come with any expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper,\u201d she whispered as she rose on her toes to touch his lips with hers. \u201cIf I never do this, I\u2019ll never know.\u201d Reacting to her kiss and the warmth of her sweet breath on his face, he moved his arms around her, lifting her and carrying her into the bedroom.<\/p>\n

No words were necessary the rest of the night, their passion spoken with their eyes, their mouths, their caresses, the insecurity of her scars allayed by his tender kisses. As the moon shone through the open glass doors, the sheer curtains rose, fell and fluttered in the crisp breeze, casting vague, undulating slivers of light and shadow that moved in time with their bodies.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty-Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

Waking up like clockwork before first light, he turned over. When he did, he expected her to be there, but barring him, the bed was empty. Looking around, he saw a white shrouded figure outside the French doors of the bedroom at the rail of the deck. Then he heard it; a sound that made his heart seize; a soft, sad cry that caused him to curse himself and bury his head in his hands when he swung his feet out of the bed to the floor. Pulling on his jeans, he walked out onto the deck, standing behind her. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t see the sunrise from here. It mostly casts long shadows on the lake; shadows that perform an odd ballet moving around the boulders in the water.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m talking about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis?\u201d she said, wiping her face. \u201cThis is me\u2026saying goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s jaw dropped slightly before he crooked it and let out a quiet, nervous breath.<\/p>\n

She heard him and reached back, searching for his hand and clutching it reassuringly. \u201cThis is me letting John go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes, he breathed a sigh of relief. He moved against her back and squeezed her shoulders. \u201cI\u2019ll leave you to it.\u201d He showered, and then went downstairs to make a pot of coffee, smiling when he heard the water of the shower running.<\/p>\n

She came downstairs dressed in jeans and a tank top underneath a loose sweater that hung off one shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t mean to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

His kiss stopped her. \u201cDon\u2019t apologize for dealing with those feelings. I don\u2019t expect you to say goodbye to John. You shouldn\u2019t.\u201d Passing her a cup of coffee, he continued, \u201cI hope you get to place where you can smile instead of cry at the memories.\u201d She smiled up at him as she sipped her coffee. \u201cHow are you?\u201d he asked, searching her eyes for the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you mean?\u201d she said, avoiding his gaze.<\/p>\n

Setting his coffee cup on the counter, he turned her face up to his with a finger under her chin. \u201cRegrets?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone,\u201d she said, looking into his eyes with a touch of a smile on her lips and a conviction that told him she was sure of her answer. She set her cup on the counter next to his, moving her arms under his and stepping into him. They shared a slow, deep kiss that left each of them wanting more. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to getting on with life\u2026again,\u201d she whispered, enjoying his warm breath on her cheek as he kissed his way to her jaw.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s nice to hear,\u201d he said, nuzzling her neck. \u201cWhere do we start?\u201d<\/p>\n

She backed away, dragging a finger from his lips to his chin, leaving him smiling affectionately at her. Taking her coffee, she rounded the far counter and sat on one of the stools while he leaned forward with his elbow on the counter across from her and his chin resting in his hand. \u201cHave you been over Kingsbury Grade?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I usually come through here in winter, if at all. I prefer Mammoth for skiing, and if Tioga Pass is closed because of snow, I go to Carson City from here and hit 395. But I\u2019ve never stayed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI figured as much. You\u2019ve missed a spectacular view of the Carson Valley. I thought we\u2019d drive up the grade after we have breakfast at Harrah\u2019s. After that, I\u2019d like to go out to Fallen Leaf Lake. I want to get some of my things out of the house that I know I\u2019ll want here before it all gets stored in San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took her free hand and kissed it, looking at her warily. \u201cAre you sure you want to do that now?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to do it alone. And you\u2019re probably the only other person who will be up here for some time. But if it will make you uncomfortable, I\u2019ll wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not worried about me.\u201d Taking her cup, Trapper turned around to the sink and rinsed both cups. \u201cWhat are we getting?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, my downhill skis and cross-country skis and snowshoes, my hiking boots, some camping gear\u2026and the boat\u2026maybe some of the antiques if we have room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a boat?\u201d asked Trapper, taking her hand and heading to the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the garage. I\u2019ll put it in the garage here. I\u2019m sure it needs a tune up. Are you in a hurry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I worked up an appetite last night,\u201d he said smiling naughtily while holding his hand out for her keys.<\/p>\n

Twisting her mouth into an amused grin at the same time she blushed, she gave him a sideways look. \u201cYou don\u2019t know where we\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the gentlemanly thing to do, and I do know the way to Harrah\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

She scoffed. \u201cI know what you\u2019re doing. You just want to drive my new car.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a car. It\u2019s a Jeep,\u201d he said, holding her by the waist as she climbed up into the passenger seat.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

After breakfast at Harrah\u2019s, Trapper relinquished the keys on Leah\u2019s argument that he needed to be able to look around so he wouldn\u2019t miss anything. When they arrived at Daggett\u2019s Pass, she pulled into a clearing on the side of the road. \u201cHave you ever seen anything so beautiful?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper rose, placing a knee on his seat, looking over the Jeep\u2019s windshield. \u201cThis rivals the view up on Monitor Pass,\u201d said Leah, grinning at the awed look on Trapper\u2019s face. He looked at her with a sheepish smile, and turned back to the view of the Carson Valley. \u201cOh no. Don\u2019t tell me you\u2019ve never been over Monitor Pass. Oh. Maybe not if you only come out in the winter. Monitor Pass is usually closed, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is it that you never have a camera when you need one?\u201d asked Trapper as he climbed out of the Jeep and walked to the edge of the clearing, standing with his hands on his hips.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a camera at the Fallen Leaf Lake house. We can get it and come back if you\u2019d like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper moved his arm around her when she joined him at the side of the clearing. \u201cWe\u2019re only about five hours away from San Francisco. We\u2019ll be back, won\u2019t we?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat depends entirely on your schedule, Dr. McIntyre. I can\u2019t believe you\u2019ve never stopped here.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t get much time off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot true. You get it. You just don\u2019t take it. This road just happens to stay open in the winter, so you have no excuse. However, the road around the west side of the lake doesn\u2019t, so we\u2019re going to see Emerald Bay before we go out to the house, if that\u2019s alright with you,\u201d she said with raised brows.<\/p>\n

Turning back toward the Jeep, he answered, \u201cMy dear, since you\u2019re driving, I\u2019m obliged to follow.\u201d He stole a kiss before he helped her up into the driver\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n

On the way to Emerald Bay, Leah pointed out all the historic and view-worthy spots along the way. \u201cTaylor Creek is where we used to fly fish for trout, though you have to check with the park service here regularly. It\u2019s not always open to fishing, especially when the Kokanee salmon are spawning. It\u2019s a beautiful sight. The creek is chock- full of red fish. And it was convenient for us because Taylor Creek flows between Fallen Leaf and Lake Tahoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow far can you get up this road in winter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey actually don\u2019t plow much farther than this, and they don\u2019t plow our road either, so when we came out in winter, we used snowmobiles. There\u2019s a parking lot right at the beginning of our road. We\u2019d leave the car parked there and walk to the house the first time in, and then we\u2019d have our snow mobiles. I need to have those moved to the other house, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling along the side of the road where it was widened for parking at Emerald Bay, Leah announced, \u201cWe\u2019re here.\u201d Once out of the Jeep, she took Trapper\u2019s hand and walked him beyond the barrier wall out to the top of Lower Eagle Falls, pointing out at the bay. \u201cFeast thine eyes on a sight that approaches Heaven itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked out for a moment before he gave her a scrutinizing look. \u201cWhy does that sound familiar?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you ever watch Bonanza?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot religiously, but yes. JT wanted to be Little Joe and Melanie swooned over the oldest son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how Ben Cartwright described the lake in the pilot. I\u2019d swear that shot of the lake was at Emerald Bay. The other side of the lake in the picture was too close to be anywhere else, and you can see a similar view from Bliss State Park back the way we came.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is absolutely beautiful. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve seen anything quite like it. The water is so blue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDown below is another one of those historic places; Vikingsholm. It\u2019s a small castle at the very end of the bay. And behind us is a campground and trail to the upper falls and another gorgeous small lake, Eagle Lake. That trail leads you into the Desolation Wilderness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking across the road, Trapper cocked his head and looked back at Leah. \u201cYou said you like to hike. Have you ever been up that trail?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled sweetly up at him. \u201cYes. I\u2019ve been up that trail many times. I could never get tired of it, and there are so many directions you can go, you\u2019d be hard pressed to see everything in a lifetime. The Wilderness is full of small lakes, and the terrain is starkly beautiful. You\u2019re up above the tree line in many places, and the surface is mainly granite up there, so not many trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you what. If you start exercising and get your hiking legs up to par, I\u2019ll let you take me up there,\u201d he said, returning the smile.<\/p>\n

She bit her lip. \u201cUh\u2026have you ever been up there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I would suggest that you exercise as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not in bad shape,\u201d he said, creasing his brow and patting his stomach. \u201cI get exercise. Gonzo and I run almost every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou run on flat ground around a park. You need to start running up hills.\u201d She turned back to the view of the lake. \u201cIt\u2019s always hard to leave here. I should have thought to bring a picnic lunch. We could eat right here in the middle of the stream before it falls over the side.\u201d Turning to him, she moved her hands to his sides. \u201cBetter yet, if the guy who used to take care of my boat is still here, we can take the boat to him this afternoon and try her out tomorrow. We\u2019ll bring her into the bay. That way, you can see the castle down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave her a quick kiss. \u201cDeal.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty-Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

The road to the house on Fallen Leave Lake was a narrow winding road, so the going was slow. When they arrived at the house, Leah pulled into the short drive way and stared for a moment.<\/p>\n

Trapper watched her, her eyes moving from the front door to each window. \u201cAre you sure you want to do this now? We can come up again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swallowing hard, she turned the Jeep off. \u201cNo. I\u2019m fine,\u201d she said as she jumped out. She went to a side door off the garage, unlocking it, and reaching in she hit the button for the garage door opener. Once the door was open, she walked in, going over the boat to see if the trailer was still in good enough shape to pull it. When she got to the back of the garage, she stopped.<\/p>\n

Trapper had been behind her, looking over the boat as well, and when she stopped, he leaned over her shoulder to see her face. She was white as a ghost with her mouth agape, looking up at the back wall. He followed her gaze and found a row of skis neatly hanging on the wall from the longest to the shortest with matching gloves, bibs and boots hanging beside the skis.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah?\u201d Drawing his lips into a tight line, he exhaled heavily as he took her arms and turned her around, walking her out of the garage. He helped her up into the Jeep, and leaned in front of her, fastening her seat belt. \u201cWe\u2019ll do this another time,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

She smiled weakly while looking off at nothing. \u201cNo. I really don\u2019t see it getting any easier. But would you mind taking care of the skis?\u201d Trapper smiled and gave her a single nod. \u201cOur names are above our sections. I would like everything in my section\u2026that\u2019s alpine and cross-country skis, my snowshoes, and my bib, boots and gloves. I also want the set of parabolic skis in JJ\u2019s section. You can put the skis in the boat, and the clothes in the back of the Jeep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where will you be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the house,\u201d she said with a sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to wait until I take care of the skis.\u201d It only took a severe look from Trapper to make her close her eyes and nod.<\/p>\n

After loading the skis, they walked through the front door together. Trapper\u2019s eyes were drawn up into the open rafters where stuffed black bears sat, dangled or lay sprawled out on the beams. A rock fireplace soared to the ceiling, and hanging next to it was an enormous old hornet\u2019s nest. The walls were adorned with antique straight wooden skis and a pair of old snowshoes with leather straps, a set of ice cutting equipment and other implements used for mining and cutting lumber. There were also odds and ends from the old hotels that at some time in the past had graced the shores of the big lake. The firebox itself contained a crane that swung in and out from the left wall. On the pot hooks attached to the crane were a kettle and a larger pot, and on the hearth next to the firebox stood a large iron kettle full of wood and a Dutch oven.<\/p>\n

The room was decorated with rustic furniture, tables and rugs in various places on the hardwood floors. Skylights in the ceiling along with windows all the way around the room made it very bright without any artificial lighting. The view out the back windows across the lake made the room seem cozier; the other side of the lake could be easily seen with the mountains soaring up and still topped with snow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see why John liked this house,\u201d said Trapper as he turned to view the entire room.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s only one problem with this house now that I\u2019ve decided to trade. I can\u2019t rent it in the winter. It\u2019s too difficult to get to. I\u2019m not sure many people from the valley would own snowmobiles or would be willing to walk in to get mine. And then there\u2019s the extra liability and repairs that go with letting renters use mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why are you switching? Other than the antiques and\u2026\u201d he looked up, \u201c\u2026the bears looking down on you, I don\u2019t see a huge difference other than the view. They\u2019re both rustic, this one probably a bit more so, but this one feels more like home than the other. And the view is just a matter of preference; the big lake or the smaller one with the mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou like this house better, don\u2019t you?\u201d she asked, looking up and around.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I like is beside the point. I think you need to give this more thought. Why don\u2019t you wait until some of it is cleared out before you make a decision? The auction house can clear Beth and JJ\u2019s room, and they can certainly remove John\u2019s things from the master. Change the furniture around some, or get new furniture, and it won\u2019t feel like the same room. Or use a different room if it bothers you that much.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and walked toward the fireplace, then turned all around, looking at all the things she had collected specifically for this house. Walking into the kitchen off the side of the big room, she looked around at all her things hanging or sitting on the top of the cabinets. This kitchen had been hers to redesign when they bought the house, and she loved every nook and cranny of it. All her pots, pans, utensils, dinnerware\u2026everything really, was meant for this house alone. When Trapper caressed her shoulders, she didn\u2019t jump even though she hadn\u2019t heard him follow her in. His hands felt warm, familiar and comforting. \u201cMaybe you\u2019re right. I do love the way this house is nestled into the forest. I love to see the mountains around the lake. And I remember enjoying the walks here\u2026into the forest or down Taylor Creek\u2026the peace and quiet; the serenity.\u201d Turning, she leaned into him even as his arms moved around her. \u201cI could store the snowmobiles, so we could pick them up on the way in. That way, we wouldn\u2019t have to walk in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe?\u201d he asked, studying her.<\/p>\n

Glancing up at him, she smiled and laid her head on his chest. \u201cI don\u2019t know of anyone else I\u2019d invite up here, and I\u2019m not sure I would attempt to come up here in winter alone.\u201d Gently pushing away from him, she said, \u201cLet me just get my wetsuit, fins and snorkel. While I\u2019m doing that would you hang the ski stuff back on the wall?\u201d she finished, wincing.<\/p>\n

He rolled his eyes. \u201cI used to think you weren\u2019t like any woman I had ever met.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had already started up the stairs. \u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it said it\u2019s a woman\u2019s prerogative to change her mind?\u201d he yelled up as she disappeared at the top. He shook his head, chuckling and went back out to the garage.<\/p>\n

She avoided looking into the children\u2019s bedrooms as she walked to the end of the hall where the master bedroom took up the whole end of the house. Slowly stepping into the middle of the room, she looked around. She smiled, remembering how John had declared that he lost his watch on the way back to LA at a point when it was too late to turn around and go back. And there on his night table lay his watch where he\u2019d left it and forgotten. She picked it up and put it in her pocket. Not that she had thought about keeping it, but rather she had thought about it being stolen. It was a nice watch; a Rolex, and she didn\u2019t want it to disappear. She wanted the disposition of it to be her decision. Opening the closet door, she stood for moment admiring how organized it was; John\u2019s clothes on the right, hers on the left. Their eveningwear hung together across the back wall. Leaning into his clothes, she took a deep breath and shed a tear. John\u2019s scent was gone, replaced by mustiness.<\/p>\n

Trapper had already re-hung the skis and hitched the boat to the Jeep, but didn\u2019t go back into the house. He was leaning back against the Jeep when Leah came out with her wetsuit and accessories.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said as she stowed her swimming gear in the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to interrupt,\u201d he said, brushing her hair back away from her face. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

She took a deep breath and smiled. \u201cI think so. I took this,\u201d she said, showing Trapper the watch. \u201cI didn\u2019t take it because I wanted it. I took it because I didn\u2019t want it to be stolen.\u201d Moving her fingers to her lips, she choked back a sob. \u201cNo. I didn\u2019t want the decision of what to do with it to be stolen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper pulled her into him and kissed her temple. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to explain. I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Pulling out of the driveway toward the main road, Trapper asked, \u201cWhere to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a gas station just past the light at the Y on the right. Bert\u2019s Caf\u00e9 is next to it. You can pull in between them. My friends, Bueno and Marty, own both. Bueno is the man who took care of our boat all those years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah asked for Bueno at the gas station and was told he was at the caf\u00e9. When they entered, Leah saw Bueno seating another couple, so she and Trapper waited at the front counter. The caf\u00e9 was small with only a space across the long side for seating; a booth on either side of a narrow aisle.<\/p>\n

Bueno came back to the counter and reached down for a set of menus before he looked up. His face brightened slowly as recognition took hold. \u201cLeah, it\u2019s been ages. How are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, she accepted a hug and a kiss on her cheek. \u201cI\u2019m fine Bueno. This is a friend of mine, Dr. John McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded at Trapper. \u201cWell, where\u2019s John and the kids?\u201d His smile slowly faded at the pained expression on her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Bueno,\u201d she said sadly after taking a deep breath. \u201cDo you remember the accident down Highway 50 that involved a car and a log truck\u2026about four years ago?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I? It closed the road for two days it was such a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Leah began to wring her hands, Trapper took Bueno to the side, speaking quietly. \u201cShe and her family were in that wreck. She\u2019s the only one who survived.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Bueno whispered. \u201cShe\u2019s still having a hard time, isn\u2019t she?\u201d Trapper nodded. \u201cMarty will want to see her, but I\u2019ll tell her this before she comes out of the back.\u201d Turning back to Leah, he said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t we get you seated, and I\u2019ll go find Marty. She\u2019ll be so happy to see you.\u201d Once they were seated on the same side of the booth, Bueno placed their menus on the table and offered them coffee, which they both accepted, before he disappeared into the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Trapper. I don\u2019t think I could have explained that.\u201d<\/p>\n

He moved his arm around her shoulders and kissed the side of her head, opening a menu in front of them. \u201cWhat\u2019s good?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything. And the servings are huge, so maybe we should split something. You pick. I\u2019m not very hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBurgers?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHomemade buns, handmade patties\u2026huge.\u201d<\/p>\n

She elbowed Trapper gently in the ribs when she saw Bueno and Marty coming down the aisle. Leah stood, and Marty greeted her with a long hug. \u201cLeah, it\u2019s been much too long. It\u2019s so good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarty, you haven\u2019t changed a bit. And you\u2019re still here. Last I heard, you two were looking to retire,\u201d said Leah. \u201cJoin us, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Motioning for Marty to sit down, Bueno said, \u201cIf you know what you want, I\u2019ll go ahead and get your orders in. We can talk while you wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper closed the menu. \u201cHow about your favorite burger and fries? Leah tells me they\u2019re huge, so we\u2019re going to split one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Marty,\u201d said Leah. \u201cThis is Dr. John McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holding his hand out across the table, he gently squeezed Marty\u2019s hand. \u201cJust call me Trapper, Marty. It\u2019s nice to meet you both,\u201d he said with a bright smile.<\/p>\n

After shaking hands with Trapper, Bueno excused himself. \u201cI\u2019ll put your order in and be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you still at Fallen Leaf Lake, Leah?\u201d asked Marty.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I still own the house, but I was thinking about swapping the rental for it. I thought I would be more comfortable in the Glenbrook house, but we just came from Fallen Leaf Lake. I have no idea what I\u2019m going to do now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bueno came back with a fresh pot of coffee and two more cups. \u201cYou know, if you need anything at all while you\u2019re here, you come to us. Trapper, Leah and John were among our regulars. Of course, they always split the burgers, too. Most people do. What brings you back, Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe houses, mainly, but I just needed to take some time off. I was going to go through the house, but\u2026I put it off. We did bring the boat with us, though. You think you\u2019ll have time to give it a once over this afternoon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bueno turned to look out the window. \u201cIs it here? Oh yeah, there it is. Sure I can. John always took good care of it. I may need to drain the tanks, but there shouldn\u2019t be anything wrong with it. I\u2019ll have it ready for you tomorrow morning before we open. So are you two old friends? You say you\u2019re a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wouldn\u2019t say we\u2019re old friends,\u201d Trapper replied. \u201cLeah and John were in LA, and I had only met him a couple of times at medical conventions. Leah\u2019s installing a new computer system at my hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you still in LA?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Leah answered, smiling. \u201cI\u2019m in San Francisco right now. Trapper is the Chief of Surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChief of Surgery, huh. After listening to John all those years, I imagine that\u2019s more than a full-time job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper chuckled. \u201cIt is. But it has it’s rewards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marty had been holding Leah\u2019s hand across the table, and moved to touch Trapper\u2019s arm. \u201cHow did you end up with that nickname?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking over Marty and Buenos\u2019 heads, he gave them a half-laugh. \u201cIt\u2019s a long, embarrassing story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t even know it,\u201d added Leah.<\/p>\n

A waitress came to the table with their food, placing a plate almost completely covered by the burger and a basket of fries in front. Looking down at the burger, Trapper arched an eyebrow. \u201cI told you it was huge,\u201d said Leah, laughing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to go back to work and let you two heat your lunch,\u201d said Bueno, standing and waiting for Marty to slide out of the booth. \u201cEnjoy your burger,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks. We\u2019ll see you before we leave. I still have to give you the key to the boat,\u201d said Leah. She picked up the steak knife that accompanied the burger and held it out to Trapper. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you do the honors,\u201d she said, laughing again.<\/p>\n

He cut it in two and placed a half on the empty plate the waitress left them, moving it over in front of Leah. When he bit into his half, he rolled his eyes and then closed them. \u201cOh my. This is the best burger I\u2019ve ever tasted.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty-Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

After leaving Bueno with the boat keys, Trapper unhitched the boat, and Leah drove toward Glenbrook. \u201cIs there anything specific you\u2019d like to do before dinnertime\u2026gambling, sightseeing\u2026anything?\u201d she asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would you do if you were alone?\u201d he asked louder than normal because of the wind noise of the open Jeep.<\/p>\n

She shouted back. \u201cNow that I have my wetsuit, I\u2019d swim. It\u2019s about time I started exercising. Or maybe christen the four wheel drive of this Jeep.\u201d A quick grin took over Trapper\u2019s face, making her laugh. \u201cIt looks like we\u2019re going down the side of a mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing down a mountain road isn\u2019t really going to test this thing, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho said anything about a road?\u201d she answered, still laughing.<\/p>\n

Trapper sucked in a cheek with wide eyes. \u201cYou realize the mountains here are steep\u2026rocky\u2026treed.\u201d<\/p>\n

She just laughed as she turned up Kingsbury Grade again. When they got to the pass, she turned toward Heavenly ski resort, but slowed down, looking down the side of the mountain, and when she found what she was looking for, she turned the Jeep over the side of the road and down the mountain. Trapper\u2019s hands went up to the roll bar even as he let out a yell one might hear on the big drop of a roller coaster.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is actually an old road.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere? I don\u2019t see anything that looks remotely like a road,\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s called Jack\u2019s Road. Before the Van Sickle toll road was built, which is the old Kingsbury Grade, this was the only road down into the valley which at the time was called Jack\u2019s Valley. That was, oh, around a hundred and fifty years ago. It was probably a little better road back then, but not by much.\u201d She stopped and looked around as if she was lost.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Trapper anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to go up there\u2026to the top of that hill,\u201d she said, pointing. \u201cI\u2019m just looking for the clearest track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked ahead of them and turned back to her with his nostrils flared. \u201cClearest\u2026there is no clear track.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure there is\u2026up between those two trees it\u2019s clear all the way to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a rock face,\u201d he said, chuckling nervously.<\/p>\n

Moving the shifter into first gear, she popped the clutch and shot up the hill, threading between the two trees and spinning the tires all the way up the rock face. When she reached the top of the hill, she looked back at Trapper. His eyes were squeezed closed, and his knuckles were white from holding onto the roll bar so tightly. By the time he let go of the bar and opened his eyes, she was out of the Jeep and scrambling to the top of a boulder, looking almost straight down into the valley. \u201cCome up here with me, Trapper. The view is breathtaking.\u201d Climbing carefully up the boulder, he realized there was a sheer drop from both sides and the front of the boulder. \u201cNow, tell me this view isn\u2019t worth the ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

He glared at her. \u201cThe view is most definitely not worth that ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t even looked!\u201d Biting her bottom lip, she slowly sidled up to him, lifting her eyes to see his. \u201cWould it make it better if I said you can drive the rest of the way down?\u201d<\/p>\n

Crooking his jaw, he shook his head incredulously and moved his hands to his hips. \u201cWe could\u2019ve been killed on the way up here,\u201d he said, seething.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really. That\u2019s what the roll bar is for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been up here before, haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She chuckled. \u201cYou bet. This is the sweetest spot to watch the sunset, and then count stars. We\u2019re beyond the light pollution from Heavenly, and there aren\u2019t many lights in the valley to obscure the starlight. The only reason I\u2019m not begging you to stay is because I haven\u2019t been out here for a long time, and I\u2019m not sure the road still goes all the way through. I don\u2019t want to get caught in the dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twisting his mouth, he looked at her for a moment and breathed deeply. \u201cI\u2019m driving out of here. And we are going to take it slow.\u201d She frowned and nodded. \u201cAnd the next time we come up here for a picnic, we\u2019re wearing helmets.\u201d When she moved to throw her arms around his neck, he caught them before she took them both off the side of the boulder. \u201cDown there,\u201d he said with an arched eyebrow, nodding toward the Jeep.<\/p>\n

Arriving at the Jeep, Leah threw her arms around Trapper\u2019s neck, and both laughed, clinging to each other in a warm embrace followed by a kiss as intense as the hug. They climbed in the Jeep, and Trapper backed it up, but stopped before he pulled forward, looking down the rock she had driven up. He gave Leah a sideways glance before looking back down the rock face.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a trick to this,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm. I\u2019ll have to keep the wheels rolling on the rock face. If I hit the duff with the wheels locked up, I\u2019ll slide, and I won\u2019t have control, so I won\u2019t be able to steer through those two trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raising her eyebrows, she nodded. \u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want me to drive? At least if I don\u2019t do it right, it will be me wrecking my Jeep\u2026not you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smirked. \u201cJust hold on.\u201d Using the brakes off and on to get down the rock face, he let up off the brakes right before they hit the pine needle covered ground and rolled through the trees. Without stopping, he shifted gears, giving Leah a quick pretentious smile and continuing down the hill. In another half hour, he pulled out on the newer Kingsbury Grade. \u201cWhere to now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we\u2019d drive through Genoa, and then head out to Gardnerville for dinner at a Basque restaurant. Have you ever had Basque food?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but I\u2019m not sure how authentic it was. I have a friend in San Francisco who\u2019s Basque. I took care of him while he was at the hospital as a patient, and after I released him, he brought in some Basque food.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Genoa, they stopped in front of a building touted to be the \u2018Oldest Thirst Parlor in Nevada.\u2019 \u201cIs that true,\u201d asked Trapper, walking arm and arm with Leah toward the building.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true. The bar was built in the early eighteen hundreds, and it\u2019s functioned as a bar non-stop ever since.\u201d They stepped into the darkness of a single room with only three tables plus the bar. The rest of the room was occupied by a pool table. \u201cThere were gunfights here, though no one was ever killed. Up there on the antlers is Raquel Welch\u2019s bra. A good number of country singers have played in this bar, and several movies were shot here.\u201d Sitting on a bar stool, Leah patted the stool next to her. \u201cWe have to have a beer so you can say you\u2019ve been here and had one.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they drank their beers, Trapper studied the mirror behind the bar in front of him. \u201cThat\u2019s original, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. That mirror traveled around the horn and got here by covered wagon. If you get right up on it and shine a flash light into it, you can see the diamond dust it\u2019s made with. The chandeliers above us are original, too, but were converted to electric at some point. And you can say you drank at a bar that Sam Clemens frequented as well as President Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, Carol Lombard and Clark Gable among others. Clark Gable used to come here for high-stakes poker.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Trapper had a chance to look around, they drove to Gardnerville where they dined in a Basque restaurant. The proprietor, Belasco Zornoza, who had known Leah since she and John had arrived at the lake, insisted the two join his family for a traditional Basque meal. Belasco and Trapper laughed all through dinner, and afterword, Belasco proudly showed Trapper rubbings of hundred-year-old Basque aspen carvings.<\/p>\n

On the way home, Trapper asked Leah about those rubbings. \u201cI\u2019d like to take some back. Do you know where I can buy them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can do better than that. I can take you to a grove of aspen where you can make your own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have thought that was a highly guarded secret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is, but I happened upon some in Hope Valley. It was in the fall, and I was walking through the aspen there taking pictures. We have quaking aspen here. They turn bright yellow in the fall, but what makes them so sought after for pictures is what the wind does to them. The leaves don\u2019t blow like other trees. They sort of wobble in the wind, and the way they catch the light, they look like they sparkle in yellow. Belasco confirmed that was one of the groves where his rubbings came from.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be dark by the time we get back to the house, and we\u2019ll be on the lake tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can go home through Hope Valley. The road comes out near Placerville, so we can take Highway 50 from there.\u201d She bowed her head while her hands fidgeted. \u201cI\u2019ll be going home either that way or by I-80 anyway. I don\u2019t want to drive 50 by the river.\u201d Trapper reached over for her hands and smiled reassuringly as he waited for the gate to open at Glenbrook.<\/p>\n

As they entered the house, Leah asked, \u201cWould you like something to drink; maybe some hot tea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be nice,\u201d he said, bringing the hand he was holding up to his lips and kissing it.<\/p>\n

Turning into him, she placed her hands on his chest, prompting him to move his arms around her and rest his hands on her behind. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you sit out on the deck? The stars ought to be bright tonight. I\u2019ll be out with hot tea in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled and kissed her gently, then watched her go to the kitchen before he left for the deck. Sitting in one of the reclining deck chairs, he clasped his hands behind his head and enjoyed the view while he thought about the day. It had started pleasant enough, but he had been prepared for the worst when he saw her face upon their arrival at the house. When she saw the neatly hung sets of skis, he was sure they would spend the rest of day at the Glenbrook house. She had recovered from their time at the Fallen Leaf Lake house more quickly than he thought possible. The rest of the day was quite enjoyable. She had shown him so many sights in the area, and there seemed so much more to see and do, he was beginning to regret that they had to go back day after tomorrow. Well, he had to go back. She really didn\u2019t, but would she?<\/p>\n

\u201cHere we go,\u201d she said, setting a tray on the table between the two lounge chairs. \u201cThis is one of my two favorite times of day here. The other is early morning. How do you take your tea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have honey?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Honey it is. Any milk?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2026no.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever tried it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d she said, passing his cup of tea to him, and then making her own. She held her cup in front of him. \u201cI want you to try this.\u201d He cut wary eyes toward her. \u201cPlease.\u201d Taking a small sip, he grunted, and handed the cup back. \u201cWell?\u201d Lifting his cup, he smiled without a word.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. That\u2019s the way it\u2019s going to be. You know, you can say you don\u2019t like it. It won\u2019t hurt my feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, he took her free hand. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d She raised her eyebrows. \u201cI don\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harrumphing, she swung her feet up on the lounge chair and leaned back, sipping her tea.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Forty-Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper lay on his back, watching the dancing shadows created by the sheers blowing in the breeze, seeing Leah as wisps of motion, dancing among them. She was a chameleon, shifting from one personality to another in the changing parts of her life. She was a capable, astute businesswoman in her chosen field tough enough to deal with male egos, she could be as elegant as any woman he\u2019d ever known, she had a vulnerable side she hid for so long, and now he discovered she had a love of adventure. She was also a very passionate woman. Though she was subdued their first night together, maybe even a little frightened at a very personal experience she hadn\u2019t known for over four years and with a man with whom she had never shared that part of her; a man other than her husband, she had allowed him to love her. Afterwards, she said she was letting her past go, and if her love making this night was any indication, she had indeed let that part go.<\/p>\n

As she lay next to him with her head upon his shoulder and a hand upon on his chest, he knew she wasn\u2019t sleeping. Her breathing wasn\u2019t deep, her body wasn\u2019t completely relaxed and he could feel her eyelashes moving occasionally against his skin. \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you asleep? You should be exhausted.\u201d He rolled toward her, moving his free arm over her and drawing her into him.<\/p>\n

She shifted, straightening her legs and moving her head so she could see his face. \u201cI\u2019ve never sleep very well\u2026unless I\u2019m exhausted,\u201d she answered softly. \u201cI guess I\u2019m not as tired as you thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you sleep?\u201d he asked, kissing her nose. \u201cI can give you something to help you, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t sleep because of nightmares\u2026usually. I\u2019ve been avoiding sleep for so long I guess I do it automatically now. But I don\u2019t think that\u2019s the problem tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it then?\u201d he whispered as he nuzzled her neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not looking forward to going back. I mean\u2026\u201d she stopped talking when his lips found hers on his way to the other side of her neck. \u201cI like the technical aspect of what I do, but I\u2019m not looking forward to dealing with all the rest; Doug, Mark\u2026and you in your capacity as a department chief.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enveloping her, he kissed her so fervently she felt the same heated rush she had felt earlier that night. \u201cWe have another day and night before we have to go back,\u201d he said, breathing deeply. \u201cI intend to see that you enjoy every minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

When Trapper opened his eyes, he knew she was gone before he even looked over. He didn\u2019t feel her. Flying up out of the bed, he grabbed his robe and looked out on the deck, in the bathroom, in each bedroom. He ran down the stairs to the kitchen, and when he didn\u2019t find her there or in the living room, he went to the garage and stopped, taking a deep breath. Her car was still there. So was his. But she was nowhere in the house, and it was still dark outside.<\/p>\n

Walking out onto the deck, he stood at the rail and listened for awhile, but only heard the water lapping at the boulders and the wind blowing the boughs of the trees and the leaves of the shrubs. He had no idea where she could\u2019ve gone, and the longer she was gone, the more concerned he became. He was startled out of his thoughts when a loud scream came from the trees above and to the right of him; shrieks so loud and strange, he shrank back. As he was moving away from the trees, he spotted movement in the water ahead of him and watched as a something dark and sleek glided smoothly through the water toward him. Between the screaming above him and the water critter in front of him, he thought about standing on the inside of the French doors, but when the lake creature slowly rose, he squinted and realized the creature was a person\u2026 with womanly curves, wearing a snug wetsuit.<\/p>\n

As she walked out of the water, she pulled the zipper down the front of her wetsuit and began to pull her arms out as she made her way to the deck. By the time she was up on the deck, the top of the wetsuit hung limply at her waist, leaving her top half bare. Leaning back on the rail with his arms crossed, he watched admiringly as she went by him to a towel she had laid over the back of a chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you grinning like a Cheshire cat?\u201d she asked, grinning back. \u201cThis is nothing you haven\u2019t seen before.\u201d She proceeded to peel the rest of the wetsuit down, stepping out and hanging it over the rail.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomehow it doesn\u2019t quite look the same as it did in the OR,\u201d he replied, chuckling<\/p>\n

After brushing her hair out, she went to him, untying his robe and moving in against him. \u201cWhy are you so cold?\u201d he asked, pulling his robe around her and encircling her with his arms. \u201cI thought the wetsuit was supposed to keep you warm.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does for the most part, but not completely. And then when I get out of the water, what warmth I had wears off quickly with nothing on, especially this early in the morning. But you\u2019re warm, so problem solved,\u201d she said, snickering at his shiver as she moved her arms around him underneath the robe, pressing into him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry if I worried you again. I thought you\u2019d still be sleeping when I got back.\u201d<\/p>\n

He jerked when the shrieking in the trees began again. \u201cWhat the hell is that?\u201d he asked, moving one arm up to her shoulders as if protecting her from the unknown.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax. It\u2019s reproductive physiology at its finest, though it\u2019s not the right time of year for that. Strange,\u201d she said worriedly, looking up into the trees. \u201cMaybe it\u2019s because it\u2019s been a mild year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0it?\u201d he asked again insistently.<\/p>\n

She reached up and pinched his nose. \u201cThe raccoons are gettin\u2019 busy in the trees.\u201d He lowered his head, looking at her from under his brow and flared his nostrils while the corners of his mouth turned up. \u201cDon\u2019t get any ideas,\u201d she said, poking her finger in his chest. \u201cWe\u2019re supposed to be picking up the boat from Bueno this morning, and I still have to take a shower. Now, come on,\u201d she said, taking his hand and pulling him into the house. \u201cWe have to get ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once upstairs, she went straight into the shower and turned on the water. She squealed when she realized he had followed her in. \u201cWha\u2026what are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave her an innocent look. \u201cTaking a shower. You\u2019ve got a two person shower here. What\u2019s the problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have no modesty, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

He was already under the water of the opposite shower head. \u201cYou never struck me as the modest type either,\u201d he said, soaping up. \u201cYou just walked in half naked from the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no problem as long as you\u2019re here to bathe. Otherwise, we\u2019ll be late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reaching out quickly, he dragged her over to his side of the shower, moving his hands behind her and soaping her back as he leaned down for a kiss wet from the water falling over them. With a wicked smile, he asked, \u201cAnd what if I\u2019m not just here to bathe?\u201d Upon seeing her peeved squint, his smile disappeared even as he put the soap in her hand and turned his back to her, leaning against the shower wall. \u201cJust return the favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the bedroom as they were dressing, Leah sat on the side of the bed and rubbed her forehead. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d she said, smiling weakly. \u201cI\u2019m just suddenly tired. I haven\u2019t been sleeping well.\u201d<\/p>\n

He sat on the bed next to her and spoke with quiet concern. \u201cThat may not be the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d he answered calmly, smiling. \u201cHow far did you swim this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, about a mile down the beach, and then the mile back. I was only going to go half a mile, but I felt good, so I kept going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, I told you that you\u2019d have to work back up to what you used to do. Two miles was probably too much.\u201d He studied her for a moment. \u201cI\u2019m driving the boat today. I want you to sit and relax. And before we leave,\u201d he said, standing and walking over to a chair where he had placed his medical bag, \u201cI\u2019m giving you a once over.\u201d When he was finished listening to her heart and breathing, he checked her blood pressure. \u201cAny nausea or dizziness with the tired feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she snapped. \u201cThis is no way to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

He exhaled heavily. \u201cYou won\u2019t have to live like this. You just need to give yourself time to heal. Swimming is a very good exercise to start with, but you can overdo it.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Bueno say to you when you offered to pay for his work on the boat?\u201d asked Leah as she climbed into the boat and took the picnic basket from Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said seeing you again and knowing you\u2019re well was payment enough.\u201d He leaned over the back of the Jeep, taking what he could hold to hand up to her. \u201cHe also said he really didn\u2019t have to do that much.\u201d Smiling up at her, he handed her the wetsuit, snorkel and fins, towels and a duffle containing odds and ends. He went back for the cooler, hefted it out of the Jeep and brought it over to the boat. Before he lifted it over his head, he said, \u201cFor someone who didn\u2019t have friends, didn\u2019t want friends, didn\u2019t need friends, you seem to have a lot of friends.\u201d He growled as he lifted the cooler to the side of the boat. \u201cDon\u2019t try to move it. Just hold it there while I climb in,\u201d he warned. Once in, he took the cooler and set it between the two front seats, sliding it in the pathway to the bow. \u201cIs that everything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Why don\u2019t you untie her and back her in? I\u2019ll meet you over at the dock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper backed the boat into the water, giving it a push off the trailer. When Leah got it started, she slowly backed the boat away from the ramp and waved. Parking the Jeep in the lot near the guard house, he trotted to the dock and found Leah waiting for him. \u201cAlright my dear, sit back and enjoy the ride. Which way to Emerald Bay?\u201d he asked, sitting with one leg underneath him.<\/p>\n

She pointed, and he pushed the control arm down, moving slowly until he was beyond the speed buoys, then bringing her up to speed. Leaning toward her, he shouted, \u201cWhy the deep hull?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a bad storm, the waves here can get pretty big. They can easily swamp a smaller boat,\u201d she yelled back. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you slow down a little and enjoy it? We have plenty of time to go around the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper slowed down, staying several hundred yards away from the busy south shore of the lake. Turning north along the west shore, they saw historic homes in the area of Camp Richardson. \u201cThese old lake homes were certainly grand, weren\u2019t they?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. There aren\u2019t many small ones. The ones that aren\u2019t privately owned are usually open for tours if that interests you. There are also ruins here and near the Fallen Leaf Lake house. There was a large saw mill right down from the house along with an estate. In fact, the pylons you see in the water off the shore at Glenbrook were part of a large pier that served the largest sawmill in these parts. That mill was the one that processed the lumber from the basin that is now under the ground around Virginia City.\u201d She rose on her knees, leaning on the back of the seat. \u201cEmerald Bay is just up ahead. You\u2019ll want to go to the center of the mouth of the bay to enter,\u201d she instructed, prompting Trapper to rise on his knees.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo wake speed, I assume?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

Leah smiled and nodded as she looked into the bay. She\u2019d always loved Emerald Bay more than any other part of the lake. It wasn\u2019t prone to the choppiness of the lake, and the clarity of the water here was better than other areas of shore because the silt from the bottom and the shores didn\u2019t get churned up. The morning sun made the little ripples in the water glisten like twinkling lights. It was early for lake traffic, so they mostly had the entire bay to themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we can go take a look at Vikingsholm or climb up to the tea house on that little island up ahead. Or if you prefer, you can go in and take a look at some of the wrecks on the floor of the bay. The clarity here is extraordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little early in the morning for swimming, isn\u2019t it?\u201d he asked as he looked up at the top of the rock that was Fannette Island.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following his gaze, Leah said, \u201cThat\u2019s Mrs. Knight\u2019s tea house. She\u2019s the one who had the castle built,\u201d she said pointing toward the end of the bay.<\/p>\n

An open-mouthed smile appeared on Trapper\u2019s face. \u201cRemarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis island is the only one in the lake, and the waterfall,\u201d she said pointing above Vikingsholm, \u201cis the only one that falls directly into the lake. And of course, the mansion is touted as one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving no idea what Heaven looks like, I can only surmise this is as close as it gets,\u201d said Trapper, taking it all in. \u201cWhat I\u2019d really like to do is spend some significant time here. That\u2019s time we don\u2019t have today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack there on the right is a boat-in campground. Maybe we can plan some time to come back and camp and do some hiking,\u201d she replied, smiling and receiving a grin and a nod in return. The campground is on the site of the old Emerald Bay Lodge, and the Rubicon Trail runs right through it.\u201d Standing next to him, she watched him look back at Vikingsholm. \u201cYou know, you were standing up there in the middle of the top of that waterfall yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm. I remember,\u201d he said, moving his arm around her and drawing her into his side. He steered the boat around Fannette Island and headed back to the mouth of the bay. \u201cWhat\u2019s next?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you\u2019ll see besides the natural beauty of the lake is mostly old mansions. Lake Tahoe was the playground of California\u2019s rich just before and after the turn of the century. There are even some of their old turn-of-the-century wooden boats left that come out at the end of the summer for the Concours d\u2019Elegance here on the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper took his time moving around the lake, paying careful attention to the manmade as well as nature-made features. When it came time for lunch, he asked Leah where she\u2019d like to stop. \u201cI thought we might stop at Secret Cove. It\u2019s just a little further east from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so special about Secret Cove?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a favorite of the locals for swimming and picnicking, and the only way to get to it is by boat or by a very steep path. It\u2019s also has one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches on the lake, probably because it\u2019s so hard to get to. The people who come here tend to take excellent care of it.\u201d Leah took the wheel of the boat and guided it in, maneuvering around submerged boulders and finally stopping. \u201cWe can drop the anchor here. Trapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing with his hands on his hips looking out toward the beach, he asked puckishly, \u201cIs there something else you particularly like about this beach?\u201d He turned back around to see her sans clothes, sitting on the side of the boat with her legs hanging over.<\/p>\n

She giggled as she dropped into the water, and when she came to the surface, she laughed. \u201cIt\u2019s clothing optional. Would you please drop the anchor and come in? If you\u2019re not comfortable without, you can still wear your trunks. I doubt anyone will care one way or another.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper and Leah arrived back at the marina just as the sun set below the western mountain range. They pulled the boat back to the Fallen Leaf Lake house, loaded the back of the Jeep and then headed for Glenbrook. \u201cYou look tired,\u201d said Trapper before he cranked the Jeep to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong day,\u201d she said with her head laid back on the seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve only eaten once today. I\u2019ll bet your blood sugar is too low.\u201d<\/p>\n

She yawned. \u201cYou only ate once today, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning over to her and turning her face toward his, he said, \u201cI\u2019m not working back up from heart surgery,\u201d and then kissed her lips. \u201cWhere shall we have dinner?\u201d he asked, brushing her hair back away from her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d really just like to go home, get packed and go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can do that after you eat something.\u201d<\/p>\n

She giggled. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t be hungry, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Arching an eyebrow, he grunted, \u201cMm hm,\u201d and kissed her again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Beacon, then. It\u2019s on the way back to Glenbrook. They have an outside deck right by the lake. Turn at Camp Richardson and go all the way to the end of the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was well past dark by the time they arrived at The Beacon. The hostess led them through the interior of the restaurant out to the deck and seated them at a table for two close to the rail where they had a view of the lake licking the shore, but not much beyond that. It was a dark night, the moon having yet to make an appearance. A ghostly fog moved over the water toward them, making Leah shiver.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you cold? Our jackets are in the Jeep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not cold. It\u2019s the way the fog moves over the lake. It seems rather\u2026chilling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s actually something here that scares you?\u201d Trapper asked with a slight teasing smile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not comfortable in the fog alone. Someone or something<\/em>\u00a0could be right on top of you before you knew it. I guess that\u2019s a holdover from San Francisco. I really didn\u2019t care before I moved there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you enjoyed San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, watching it from the relative safety of the deck at my apartment, yes. And during the day, that\u2019s okay, too. But no; I don\u2019t typically go out by myself at night. When I get home from work in the dark, I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper reached across the table and took her hand. \u201cYou what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI get more and more frightened, the closer I get to my door, and when I\u2019m finally inside my apartment, I can\u2019t get the locks thrown fast enough. Then I have to stop and calm down.\u201d Trapper\u2019s smile was gone, his eyes piercing, his jaw set. She met his eyes and saw the same fierce protectiveness she used to see in John\u2019s. \u201cI\u2019ve never really lived alone, Trapper. I left my parents house for college and lived in a sorority house, and from there, I married John. I love the wharf\u2026during the day, and in the early evening, but late at night after everything closes, dark characters come out and roam the streets. Every now and then you hear a scream or what sounds like a gunshot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was under the impression things had gotten better on the wharf.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the wharf was a fairly rough place until it was cleaned up in the last decade. Apparently, there\u2019s still some cleaning up to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was under the impression that a good bit of downtown San Francisco is dangerous at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are some places you generally don\u2019t want to go if you\u2019re alone. I didn\u2019t realize the wharf was still one of them. Maybe you should move away from the wharf\u2026into one of the safer neighborhoods.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cI should wait to find out where my next assignment will be. Even though Doug promised he would talk to me before I was assigned, there\u2019s still no guarantee it will be in San Francisco. But that\u2019s well down the road, and it depends on what the hospital wants to do for turnover.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you decided what you\u2019d like to order?\u201d asked the waiter who had approached their table unnoticed.<\/p>\n

They both picked up their menus and looked quickly. \u201cI\u2019ll have the lamb,\u201d said Leah, \u201cand water to drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe filet, medium rare, and a glass of red Bordeaux,\u201d said Trapper, handing the waiter his menu and continuing the conversation with Leah. \u201cTurnover?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes. We don\u2019t stay there forever. We just implement the system. The hospital will have to hire its own staff for maintenance, and if they\u2019re good enough, the upgrades.\u201d Dropping his gaze, Trapper exhaled. \u201cYou knew I wouldn\u2019t be at San Francisco Memorial forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back up, he took a deep breath and forced a smile. \u201cI did. It\u2019s just\u2026I guess I never thought about it quite the same way\u2026\u201d he reached out to her hand again, \u201c\u2026that I\u2019m thinking about it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their eyes locked for a moment until the waiter set their drinks on the table. Leah sat back and looked away, feeling the warmth of her blush while Trapper absently thanked the waiter as he watched her. \u201cLeah, we have some time to figure this out.\u201d Her smile didn\u2019t quite make it to her eyes. \u201cHey, we had wonderful day,\u201d he said, offering a half smile that got a chuckle out of her.<\/p>\n

“You really don\u2019t expect me to believe that you\u2019ve never gone skinny dipping, do you? Besides, that wasn\u2019t exactly skinny dipping, was it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe the definition is swimming naked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI always thought it had to be clandestine to be called skinny dipping. There is nothing covert going on at Secret Cove.\u201d He gave her a stuffy gaze. \u201dCome on,\u201d she said, returning a sideways glance. \u201cIt\u2019s very\u2026liberating\u2026 don\u2019t you think?\u201d A low rumble started as Trapper stroked his beard trying not to smile. \u201cAdmit it, doctor. You liked it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smirked. \u201cThe company, perhaps. Maybe in warmer water it wouldn\u2019t have been so\u2026breathtaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t blame skinny dipping. It wouldn\u2019t have made any difference whether you were naked or not. Swimming trunks wouldn\u2019t change the water temperature.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took him a minute to acquiesce, but eventually, he offered, \u201cTrue.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took his hand from its position on the table and squeezed it, leaning in. \u201cYou seemed as if you enjoyed it,\u201d she said quietly with raised eyebrows and an impish grin. She waited and watched as he twisted his mouth fighting the grin that was trying to escape.<\/p>\n

Finally, he chuckled and shook his head. \u201cPart of it, yes. Now, can we change the subject?\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d asked Trapper as he stepped into her back and craned his head over her shoulder while his hands rested on her hips.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m writing myself a reminder to call the management company tomorrow before we leave to ask them to arrange for the house to be cleaned and to continue renting it. When I come back, it will most likely be to deal with the other house. And I\u2019m writing another note to make sure I don\u2019t forget my swimming gear.\u201d She set the pencil down on top of the piece of paper she shoved to the middle of the counter, and then turned around, moving her arms over his shoulders. \u201cI\u2019m going to start swimming off Ocean Beach. It\u2019s long, so I can swim up and back, and that will just about do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want you to deal with the house alone,\u201d he said, kissing her forehead<\/p>\n

When she hugged him, laying her head on his chest, he settled his chin over her head. \u201cWe\u2019ll see. Your work schedule isn\u2019t exactly easy to work around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not the schedule. It\u2019s the unscheduled emergencies.\u201d She yawned. \u201cAre you still tired?\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving away, she sighed and frowned. \u201cYes, but it is ten thirty,\u201d she answered, leaning to the side to see the kitchen clock.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll lock up. Why don\u2019t you go on up to bed?\u201d He kissed her and walked her to the bottom of the stairs, sending her up with an affectionate pat on her behind. By the time he joined her in the bedroom, she was already underneath the covers. \u201cYou didn\u2019t waste any time,\u201d he said while undressing. She only grunted. When he climbed into bed and leaned over her, she was sound asleep. He pressed two fingers against her neck to check her pulse and watched her chest move up and down, deciding that she was, indeed, just sleeping. Pulling the sheet and blanket over him, he snuggled up against her and was soon asleep himself.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leaning over the back of Leah\u2019s Jeep, Trapper dropped her duffle behind the back seats. \u201cDid you pack a brick?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said, giggling. \u201cMy wetsuit and snorkeling stuff are in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that everything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep. All we need to do is stop at the fabric store for some muslin and the candle shop for wax. Then we\u2019re off to the aspens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, no.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo?\u201d she said, cranking the Jeep and moving the shifter into reverse.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, young lady, are going to have breakfast. No more skipping meals,\u201d he said, leaning into the Jeep for a kiss.<\/p>\n

She saluted him and answered happily, \u201cSir, yes sir. Then we are going to The Hut\u2026best breakfast in town. Now, if you\u2019ll move, I\u2019ll back this thing out and you can close the garage door. I\u2019ll meet you at the end of the driveway.\u201d<\/p>\n

She waited only a minute until Trapper\u2019s red RX-7 pulled up behind her. Waving, she turned up the hill toward the main road and led him to The Red Hut where they ate waffles for breakfast. The fabric store was closed, so there was no point going by the candle shop for the wax. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Trapper. I didn\u2019t think about it being Sunday. But we can still go see the carvings if you\u2019d like, and when we get home, I\u2019ll call Belasco and ask him where we can find some rubbings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright,\u201d he said with a smile. \u201cWe\u2019ll be back, won\u2019t we? We can try the rubbings then, and if they don\u2019t turn out, then we\u2019ll go back to Gardnerville.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to see them anyway? I brought a camera back from the Fallen Leaf house, so you can take some pictures to show off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLead the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two drove out of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50 and turned left onto Luther Pass Road into Hope Valley. It was much too early for the aspen to be turning yellow, but the grove off to the left was still handsome with its light green leaves quaking in the breeze and its white trunks in stark contrast. Leah and Trapper walked through the fence gate and into the heart of the grove until she stopped and looked up, turning round and round. \u201cWe\u2019re here,\u201d she said, smiling serenely at the sound of the wind whispering through the leaves of the aspen. \u201cLook here,\u201d she said, trotting off in one direction to a tree with a carving of a bird. Trapper walked up behind her and focused the camera, snapping a picture. She pointed behind them and ran excitedly to another tree. \u201cThis one is signed and dated,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Running his fingers over the bark of the tree, he felt where the tree had tried to heal itself over the carving, making the cuts seem deeper. \u201cThis is an old one\u2026eighteen eighty-nine,\u201d Trapper said. \u201cI wonder who he was thinking about when he carved this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis wife, maybe?\u201d Or a girlfriend. She\u2019s rather buxom, isn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Many of the carvings were of names and dates. They had to look carefully for carved figures. When Trapper had a dozen or so, he let the camera hang from the strap around his neck, and reached out for Leah. \u201cCome \u2018ere,\u201d he said, surrounding her with his arms. \u201cHow many people do you think know about this grove?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure some of the locals do, but not many tourists, and the ones who do were probably brought out here by a local and sworn to secrecy. Take it all in, Trapper. These individuals are very old, and they\u2019re dying. And when they do, the Basque carvings die with them.\u201d Trapper took several more pictures of the grove before they left.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper and Leah were back at her apartment by six in the evening. Taking her duffle from the back of the Jeep, he escorted her up to her apartment door where she found a note taped to the door.<\/p>\n

She pulled it off and read it to herself. \u201cOh no.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Marilyn. It didn\u2019t work out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat didn\u2019t work out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember I told you that I\u2019d have to give up my apartment if the woman I leased from decided married life wasn\u2019t for her?\u201d He nodded. \u201cWell, I guess she\u2019s decided married life isn\u2019t for her. I have a week to get out.\u201d She dropped her hand to her side and fell back against the door. \u201cNow what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper pulled the key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. \u201cShall we?\u201d he said, motioning for her to lead the way inside. He deposited the duffle on her bed, and went back out of the bedroom to find her leaning on the half wall of the deck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to miss this place,\u201d she said sadly.<\/p>\n

He moved his arms around her and stood against her back. \u201cI thought you were frightened living on the wharf.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not frightened up here. Look at the view.\u201d Sighing, she added, \u201cI don\u2019t want to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to be able to get all this out by next week?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning back against him, she placed her hands on his arms crossed in front of her. \u201cThe furniture isn\u2019t mine. It\u2019s hers. I have a few boxes, my clothes and some odds and ends. A couple of trips in the Jeep ought to do it. I guess I\u2019ll move into a hotel until I can find another place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy go to a hotel? Stay with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He loosened his hold as she turned in his arms to face him. \u201cI\u2019m not sure that\u2019s a good idea.\u201d Taking a deep breath, he exhaled loudly as he pursed his lips. \u201cTrapper,\u201d she said, moving her hand to the side of his face and running her thumb over his lips, \u201cWe\u2019ve had some wonderful days away from our normal lives. I\u2019m not sure living under the same roof, even for a few days, when both of us are returning to our jobs at the same hospital with two completely different sets of priorities is something we need right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t agree. You can have a separate bedroom, and with you working normal hours, the likelihood of us seeing that much of each other outside the hospital is slim because,\u201d he chuckled, \u201cmy hours are not normal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you just hear what you said? You\u2019re standing here telling me that I should stay with you because I won\u2019t see you. Is that how you\u2019ve arranged your life since your divorce? Not that I\u2019m even thinking about marriage myself, but if we\u2019re going to continue this\u2026whatever this is, I would certainly want see you away from the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

He dropped his hands to his sides, and she stepped away. \u201cIt\u2019s already started, hasn\u2019t it?\u201d she sighed. \u201cWe\u2019re not even back at work yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took her hand and pulled her back into him. \u201cAre you giving up before we even get started?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said emphatically, looking into his eyes. I\u2019m just\u2026scared, I guess, that our jobs will ruin this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving a hand to her cheek, he smiled. \u201cWe just have to give it a chance\u2026and work out the rough spots as they come up. Now, will you please consider occupying my spare bedroom instead of moving into a hotel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I can\u2019t find a place in the next week, I\u2019ll…\u201d she winced uncomfortably, \u201c\u2026stay at your place\u2026until I can find something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Now, we still have a few hours left. What shall we do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping into his arms, she slowly moved her arms around his neck, and began swaying back and forth, smiling up at him. \u201cWe could put on some slow music.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd dance,\u201d he said as he began to move with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we could order dinner in and spend the rest of the evening here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding slightly, smiling, and hovering his lips near hers, he whispered, \u201cAnd have a last hurrah before it\u2019s finally over,\u201d before he slowly and tenderly kissed her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething like that,\u201d she said softly, touching his lips, her mouth opening to his next kiss.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty-One<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Trapper!\u201d yelled Gonzo who was just coming out of the Titanic as Trapper was exiting his car. Trapper continued toward the hospital as Gonzo trotted to catch up. \u201cHow\u2019d it go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d what go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTahoe? Leah? Is she coming back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s coming back. In fact, there\u2019s her Jeep,\u201d Trapper replied, pointing across the parking lot.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what about you two?\u201d asked Gonzo, almost tripping over the curb.<\/p>\n

Trapper stopped. \u201cDidn\u2019t anyone ever tell you not to kiss and tell?\u201d he asked with furrowed brows, and then continued to the hospital. Gonzo stood still with a smile slowly appearing on his face as he watched Trapper go.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah stopped short just as she stepped into her cubical. An arrangement of flowers sat in the middle of her desk. She thought to herself that this wasn\u2019t business as usual as she had hoped her return would be treated. Taking a deep breath, she set her briefcase aside, and removing the card stick from the flowers, she wilted a little when she saw who they were from. She winced when she heard a throat being cleared behind her, and slowly turned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome back,\u201d said Mark with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mark. They\u2019re beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re really more of a \u2018thank you\u2019 for saving my job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling, she moved around her desk and sat down in her chair, running her hands over the arms and inwardly smiling at the feel of being in charge again. \u201cMark, part of me feels that I owe you an apology and part of me doesn\u2019t. You know I had to do what I did. You quite visibly ignored policy.\u201d She sighed. \u201cBut the other side of me\u2026the human side\u2026understands why you did it. Please, sit down,\u201d she said, indicating the chair in front of her desk. \u201cI recommended you for a promotion when I left. Why did you turn it down?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou already know the answer to that,\u201d Mark replied, slowly lowering himself into the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to hear it from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. \u201cBesides my feelings for you, I honestly think that us as a team are more successful than we would be split up. I know what you want, and I know how you want it done. Do you really want to train another tech lead to know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at him for a moment before she answered. He was right. It would take a long time and a lot of frustration to train someone else. And considering she had been told to slow down, the added stress of training someone new on top of the job itself was something that Dr. Gates and Trapper wanted her to avoid. However, holding onto Mark for that reason was selfish, and certainly didn\u2019t do him any favors if he ever wanted to advance. \u201cMark, I would agree with your assessment of us as a team, but part of my job is to advance the talent I develop. You\u2019re ready, and staying here working for me could hurt your career.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound like you want to get rid of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want me to be honest?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour feelings for me make me uncomfortable. You and I will never happen, Mark. I don\u2019t want you to stay here because you think it will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both turned when they heard a knock on the side of her sliding door. \u201cI\u2019ll come back later,\u201d said Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, wait. We\u2019re finished,\u201d she said, standing. \u201cMark, I want you to give that some serious thought. I can still get you your own team.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Trapper stepped into the office, the vase of roses he was carrying came into view, causing Mark to stop on his way out. He looked at the flowers, and then looked awkwardly at Trapper before he glanced at Leah and quickly left her cube.<\/p>\n

Trapper twisted his mouth when he saw the flowers on Leah\u2019s desk. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t think he\u2019d\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre those for me?\u201d she asked, grinning and moving Mark\u2019s flowers to one forward corner of her desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome back,\u201d he said, moving around her desk, putting an arm around her and leaning in to kiss her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re beautiful,\u201d she said, smelling them. \u201cPut them on the table, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow does it feel to be back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo tell you the truth, I haven\u2019t done a darn thing. And I have a note here requesting my presence in Mr. Slocum\u2019s conference room in\u2026\u201d she looked at her watch, \u201c\u2026fifteen minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm. I got the same message.\u201d<\/p>\n

She left her office ahead of him, and as they were walking to the elevator, she said, \u201cWhy does this feel like I\u2019ve been called to the principal\u2019s office?\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, Ms. Haverty, this is Donald Barnett from The Joint Committee, and this is Rachel Frost from the Department of Health. I\u2019ve asked the two of you to come to this meeting because you were both directly involved in the incident that produced the audit reports sent to both organizations for non-compliance with restricted surgeries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked at Leah, both taking a deep breath. It seemed that Leah was going to have to face the same subject on her second first day back to work. Apparently, both were going to have to answer questions with the entire hospital board present.<\/p>\n

After everyone was seated, Mr. Barnett from The Joint Committee began the meeting. \u201cWe\u2019re here to discuss the incident where a child received restricted surgery without the appropriate approvals. First let me say that this isn\u2019t an inquest, and we\u2019re not interested in heads rolling. What we want most to hear is that corrective measures have taken place. Now, as I understand it, Dr. McIntyre, you were involved in the restricted surgery, as a surgical assistant. Dr. Howard Davies was the primary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s correct.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what problem did you and Dr. Davies have getting the surgery scheduled?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe couldn\u2019t get it scheduled without the proper authorization. Mr. Slocum was away from the hospital, and there was no one else with the authority to approve the surgery. The computer system prevented us from ordering all the proper equipment, drugs and materials\u2026even scheduling the operating room\u2026without that authorization. The departments are instructed to only fill those orders when the appropriate approval comes to them through the system.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn your opinion, Ms. Haverty, did the system work as it was designed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why was the solution to the problem a system solution? Barnett shuffled some papers before he continued. \u201cA member of your staff changed a birth date in order for the system to allow the scheduling of the surgery?\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. \u201cYes, that\u2019s correct.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow was that possible?\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the conference table, Trapper moved his hand to hers and squeezed before she began the explanation. Everyone sat quietly and listened, and after the details, she summarized. \u201cSo, Mr. Barnett, the birth date field has to allow zeros because new admissions must get their eligibility information, which includes their date of birth from the state and insurance systems. That occurs the evening of their admission, and can\u2019t be done any other way because the outside systems don\u2019t allow real time access. It\u2019s not really a hole in the system. It\u2019s a documented constraint. The system is working the way it was designed. The policy the system supports was flawed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barnett turned to Slocum. \u201cAnd what have you done to correct the policy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will be adding five additional staff members who can authorize exceptions. Dr. McIntyre, our Chief of Surgery,\u201d said Arnold, nodding toward Trapper, \u201cis next in line behind me. After that is our Chief of Emergency Services, and the heads of Cardiology, Neurology and Gynecology and Obstetrics.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you believe that is adequate to resolve the issue, Ms. Haverty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I don\u2019t. I don\u2019t think a non-medical member of the board should have that authority. This is no slight to you, Mr. Slocum, but I think anyone making that decision should have a medical background. I also don\u2019t think you need to go beyond Dr. McIntyre and Dr. Riverside, the Chief of Emergency services. Each of them should have a trained backup to whom they would delegate that authority if both were unavailable. All of the exceptions are surgical, and who better to determine the validity of the exception than Dr. McIntyre and his staff or Dr. Riverside and his staff who make quick, life and death decisions on a daily basis. Both of these men understand the effect of inappropriate surgeries on accreditation. In doing this, it is unlikely that anyone beyond Dr. McIntyre\u2019s staff, and maybe Dr. Riverside will be required to act. That will prevent what you\u2019re most interested in preventing, Mr. Barnett, and that is surgical procedures being performed that have the highest fraud history. This arrangement is already working well in the hospitals where we\u2019ve implemented similar systems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking around the room, Mr. Barnett allowed the individual discussions to come to an end before he asked, \u201cAre there any objections to Ms. Haverty\u2019s recommendations?\u201d He looked around the table. \u201cGood. Mr. Slocum, I look forward to receiving a copy of your hospital\u2019s updated policy documents as I\u2019m sure Ms. Frost will also want.\u201d She nodded. \u201cThis audit is completed. If you have any questions, you know where to contact us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slocum stood. I\u2019d like the board members to stay for a few minutes. Dr. McIntyre and Ms. Haverty, thank you for your time and input.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing in the elevator, Trapper glared at Leah. \u201cThanks,\u201d he said irritatedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d she said, turning and furrowing her brow. \u201cYou know you\u2019re the best judge. Besides that, you\u2019re so darn respected I don\u2019t see anyone questioning your judgment. I, for one, am quite comfortable with it because I don\u2019t believe you would do anything to put the hospital at risk, and I don\u2019t believe anyone will question whether you erring on the side of life is right.\u201d She started to pop her neck, but instead, she glanced up at him and rolled her shoulders. \u201cWould you rather Slocum made those decisions?\u201d
\nHe exhaled heavily with a grimace. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

After silence all the way down to the third floor, Trapper held the door open when he stepped out. \u201cLunch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know yet. I might have to eat lunch at my desk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine as long as you eat lunch,\u201d he said with an arched eyebrow.<\/p>\n

Blushing, she smiled and said, \u201cI\u2019ll eat something. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCall me. If you can\u2019t come up, I\u2019ll bring you a sandwich.\u201d He winked before he allowed the door to close.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper walked through the corridors of the hospital making his final rounds of the day. There had been no unexpected events and no emergencies the entire day, other than the meeting that morning. Everyone seemed relaxed and in a decent mood. He had delivered the promised sandwich along with a pint of milk to Leah, who was busy reading status reports and catching up on equipment orders, program implementations and the physical work of hardware installation\u2026too busy to spend a few minutes to stop and eat her sandwich. She\u2019d hardly noticed him, except to look up and say \u2018thank you.\u2019<\/p>\n

It was coming up on five in the afternoon, when Trapper decided to go back down to the basement and pull her away because based on instructions from her medical team, her day was over. When he stepped off the elevator, he could hear a very loud discussion coming from her cubical. She waved him to a chair when he stuck his head in the door as she held the receiver of her phone to her ear. \u201cI don\u2019t care what you do and don\u2019t have available. Our contract called for N1C wiring harnesses and one-inch, twenty-five pair cables. I\u2019ve only received half of those, and now you\u2019re telling me you can\u2019t get them anymore. That doesn\u2019t change what you agreed to in the contract. Now, I expect to have replacements that are compatible with what we\u2019ve already installed on time. I don\u2019t care if you have to personally drive a truck to Poughkeepsie to get them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens if we can\u2019t get them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019ll be in breach of contract, and you\u2019ll be charged a penalty until we receive them. I can\u2019t backup this implementation to install all new equipment. We\u2019ve already installed seventy-five percent of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to get our legal department involved then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go right ahead. Based on our contract, you don\u2019t have a leg to stand on. My legal department will chew them up and spit them out.\u201d Hanging up the phone, she muttered to herself for a minute as she studied the drawings on her desk. When she had calmed herself, she clasped her hands and propped her chin on top of them, looking across her desk at Trapper. \u201cI wanted to be a programmer when I grew up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can empathize,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cI wanted to be surgeon, but somehow, I became an administrator who dabbles in surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t dabble. You\u2019ve managed to find a balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking beyond her worktable at the desk behind her, he smiled when he saw the empty plate that her lunch had once occupied.<\/p>\n

She followed his gaze and smiled. \u201cI keep my promises.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long did it take you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot long enough. I think I might have swallowed it whole.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Trapper held out his hand to her. \u201cCome on. It\u2019s quitting time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, I can\u2019t. I\u2019ve got to approve these designs and get them assigned tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

He glowered at first. Then he gathered all the paperwork spread over her desk, threw it in her briefcase and stood there, holding the briefcase hostage. \u201cThis is going with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

She walked around her desk and took the briefcase out of his hand. \u201cThank you, Dr. McIntyre, for packing my work for me. I had forgotten that I have an appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAppointment?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I have several appointments this evening to look at apartments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cocking his head, he said, \u201cI thought you were going to stay at my house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I would stay at your house before I would stay in a hotel,\u201d she said as they walked to the elevator. \u201cI did not say I wasn\u2019t going to look for another place.\u201d<\/p>\n

They said goodbye at the elevator and didn\u2019t talk to each other until the next morning.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gonzo followed Trapper to his office after coming out of surgery to repair damage from a bullet. \u201cCan we find out about the guy who came in with him?\u201d asked Gonzo, pulling his surgical cap off.<\/p>\n

Trapper picked up the phone. \u201cWho got him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFerguson, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStanley, Trapper. What happened to the second gunshot victim?\u201d Bowing his head, Trapper breathed deeply. \u201cAlright. Our guy\u2019s going to make it, though life will never be the same for him. He lost most of his colon. Kids these days think guns make them better somehow. Do we have an ID on either one? Alright. Let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t make it to the OR. We still don\u2019t know who they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah stuck her head in the door, wearing a smile. \u201cGood morning.\u201d Upon seeing their greens wet with sweat and the frown on both their faces, her smile faded. \u201cOh. You two look like you\u2019ve been up awhile. Trapper, I just wanted to tell you I found a place, so I won\u2019t need your spare bedroom. See you later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWa-wa-wa-wait just a minute,\u201d he said as she disappeared on the other side of the door. \u201cCome back here!\u201d She leaned back in the cracked door. \u201cCome \u2018ere. I want to hear about this place you\u2019ve found.\u201d Pushing the door open, she closed it behind her and sat in the chair in front of Trapper\u2019s desk. \u201cWell?\u201d asked Trapper with raised brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe real estate agent said she had a friend who lived near the south end of Baker Beach. Her daughter had just recently gotten married and moved out of a pool house they had built down the cliff from the main house so the daughter would have some privacy. You can only see the roof of the pool house from the main house, and it seems people have been coming up from the beach and using the house\u2026illegally, of course. The owner was just interested in someone living there to prevent any further damage. She interviewed me last night, and offered me the house for low rent for where it is and utilities. I couldn\u2019t turn it down. It\u2019s perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas this the first place you looked?\u201d asked Trapper with a concerned look.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d answered Leah, nodding.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure it\u2019s legitimate? It sounds too good to be true?\u201d<\/p>\n

She puckered her lips and narrowed her eyes. \u201cThis is the same agent who found the roof apartment I\u2019m leaving. The paperwork was standard, and it\u2019s all signed. I have no reason not to trust her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the people you\u2019re renting from? Do you know anything about them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Breathing deeply, she glanced over at Gonzo, and then looked back at Trapper. \u201cThey\u2019re empty nesters in their late fifties, and they will be retiring to this home. He\u2019s a lawyer, and she was a stay-at-home mom who does a lot of charity work. She asked for references, and my agent gave her the list we used from my current apartment. She also wanted to know if I dated or if I was in a steady relationship. She didn\u2019t want men coming and going at all hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you tell her?\u201d asked Trapper with a sideways glance. Gonzo sat forward on the sofa, resting his arms on his thighs, paying close attention. Trapper looked up at a quick knock on the door that brought Ernie in. Holding up a finger to Ernie, he looked expectantly at Leah. Leah turned around to see Ernie, glanced back over at Gonzo, and then looked hesitantly at Trapper, who gave her an amused grin. \u201cWe just spent a long weekend together at your lake house. They know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout you and Trapper?\u201d asked Ernie, sitting next to Gonzo on the sofa. \u201cEveryone here has known since your catered dinner, and if not by then, certainly after Trapper left here running after you. Everyone outside the hospital has known since your evening at the symphony.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah blushed, and unable to look Trapper in the eye, she mumbled, \u201cExcuse me,\u201d as she stood and headed for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah!\u201d yelled Trapper, following her out the door.<\/p>\n

Ernie was close behind him. \u201cTrapper, two police officers are at the nurse\u2019s station. They want to speak to you about the gunshot victims.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Trapper got to the nurse\u2019s station, he stopped at the sight of the policemen and watched as Leah turned forward in the elevator. Catching the disconcerted look she gave him just before the door closed, he took a deep breath and turned to the officers.<\/p>\n

Leah had punched the button for the executive suites. She knocked on Slocum\u2019s door, and waited to be invited in. \u201cMs. Haverty, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here. Please sit down,\u201d said Arnold, motioning to a chair in front of his desk. \u201cI want to apologize for putting you on the spot yesterday, but the committee wanted to hear it firsthand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo apologies are necessary, Mr. Slocum. I\u2019m happy to provide them with whatever information they need. The reason I stopped by was to ask you to approve some training time for the personnel who will have exception authority. They need to understand the regulatory ramifications of their decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, of course. I agree that kind of training is necessary. I\u2019m sure Dr. McIntyre and Dr. Riverside understand the idea, but I\u2019m not sure they know the letter of the law. And I\u2019m sure whoever they choose as their backup isn\u2019t even familiar with the basic idea. I\u2019ll talk to them and make sure you have their full cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Slocum. Now, if you\u2019ll excuse me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore you go, Ms. Haverty, I wanted to speak with you about office space.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOffice space?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. In light of your knowledge of regulatory matters, I think it would benefit the hospital to have you more accessible for questions. I\u2019d like to offer you an office here on the executive floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Slocum, there\u2019s no need to spend any money on floor space for my team. During implementation, we need to be near the mainframe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not really spending any more money than I\u2019ll already have to. The board has agreed to add the new position of Chief Information Officer to lead the technical team after turnover, and I thought the staff might be better prepared to deal with the new role if they were already dealing with something similar.\u201d He passed a set of keys over the desk to her. \u201cThe office is yours until the position is filled. You can use it as you wish. I assume you\u2019ll be installing equipment there fairly soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at the keys in her hand, she said, \u201cUh\u2026\u201d before she looked back up. \u201cYes, of course. We\u2019ll install the new equipment within the week, and I\u2019ll make sure you get the updated invoice,\u201d she said, smiling. \u201cBut Mr. Slocum, don\u2019t be surprised if you don\u2019t see much of me up here. I work very closely with my staff, so I\u2019ll still be spending quite a bit of time with them in the basement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Good day, Ms. Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah boarded the elevator, and when the door had closed, she slumped against the wall with her cheeks blown out. When it stopped on the third floor, she straightened back up only to fall back again with her eyes cut up toward the ceiling as Trapper boarded. She gave him a tired look.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeeting with Arnold?\u201d he asked rather flippantly.<\/p>\n

Dangling the keys in front of him, she said a bit acerbically, \u201cI now have an office on the executive floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, really?\u201d he said, chuckling, \u201cBetter you than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sighed, and looked down at the briefcase he was carrying. \u201cI guess I left that in your office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, in your haste to leave. What was that all about?\u201d<\/p>\n

She frowned. \u201cI hope you don\u2019t take this the wrong way, but everyone knowing that I\u2019m seeing you weakens my position as the \u201cIce Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou still want to be the \u201cIce Queen?\u201d he said, slightly grimacing. \u201cHaven\u2019t we all, and by we all, I mean all of your doctors, told you that disposition needed to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how I got things done. Everyone did what I asked when I asked just to get rid of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Trapper said, \u201cYou might try using some of that charm you tend to hide.\u201d They stepped out of the elevator together and walked into her cube. \u201cNow, tell me what my restrictions are at your new place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Murphy was delighted when I told her who you are, where you work and in what capacity. The only restriction you have is that you can\u2019t park on the driveway. You have to park on the street and walk in through my private gate, and you can\u2019t surprise me because you\u2019ll have to call me to let you in. There\u2019s a call button at the gate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still think this is too good to be true. Especially since your last apartment should have been difficult to get.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I say? The agent working for me is good at finding steals. \u201cAlbert Shaeffer, my attorney, found her for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty-Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah busied herself stacking boxes near the door of her apartment. She had packed almost everything, and was taking her time with her breakables and keepsakes. She organized her jewelry in several leather jewelry carriers and placed those in bag she would carry with her. The only thing left that she needed was the promised help. When he was an hour late, she called the hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cGloria, hi. This is Leah Haverty. Have you seen Dr. McIntyre?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes. He\u2019s in surgery. He was on his way out when Dr. Riverside stopped him to help with some car accident victims.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t suppose you know how long he\u2019ll be, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know he\u2019s finished one surgery, and he\u2019s working on his second. If you\u2019ll hold, I\u2019ll call and see if there\u2019s any news.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Gloria.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just as Trapper came out of the operating room, the nurse at the surgical desk, called after him. \u201cDr. McIntyre, you have a phone call.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMcIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, I have Leah on hold. What should I tell her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d he said under his breath. \u201cGloria, can you transfer her here?\u201d He waited and listened to the clicks of the transfer. \u201cLeah? I\u2019m sorry. It was an emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t apologize. I understand. But are you finished?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m on my way to the shower.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you get here quickly? Marilyn will be here any minute, and I\u2019m supposed to be out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to clean up first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo you don\u2019t. Come in your greens and bring your clothes with you. You can take a shower at my place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright then. I\u2019m on my way.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper ran from the stairs to the Jeep, taking a box out of Leah\u2019s hands. \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was unloading a box to take into the pool house. What do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we agreed you\u2019d work up to things,\u201d he said, frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cExercise, yes. Moving, no.\u201d She crossed her arms. \u201cYou have to stop treating me like an invalid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not…\u201d he started defensively, but cut his remark off at the sight of her glare. Though he did worry about her physical condition, he was the first person who told her she should be able to live a normal life. He passed the box back to her with a concessible smile, and then lifted the last two out of the back of the Jeep. Leading the way down the stairs to the pool house, Trapper stopped at the open sliding door for Leah to pass him. As he set the boxes down, he took his first good look around the large single room. \u201cIt\u2019s smaller than your last apartment, but,\u201d he chuckled, \u201cit\u2019s very well-designed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bed sat on a dais two steps up from the main floor on the left side of a semi-circular room. In the middle was the kitchen area with gourmet conveniences and in front and to the left of the kitchen were a leather sofa and two chairs along with modern-styled tables. The only windows in the main room were the sliding doors that followed the curve of the building and went from one side of the room to the other, opening to a narrow deck that was cantilevered over the cliff. The second room in the pool house was what Trapper considered to be a luxury bathroom on the right side of the small building that lead to a large walk-in closet and a laundry room. The separate shower and bath occupied an ocean side glass wall. A small door on the far side opened to the end of the narrow deck where the area was enclosed in privacy fencing higher than the rails for privacy. The only traditional element in the pool house was the light-stained wood plank floor. Everything else in the room was covered or upholstered in white or was stainless steel.<\/p>\n

Trapper stood in the middle of the main room, shaking his head. \u201cThere has to be a catch. This rivals The Mark.\u201d Smiling, Leah took a stack of folded clothes toward the bathroom without comment. He followed, standing against the door frame as she tucked clothes in the drawers of the organizers in the large closet. \u201cWhat are you not telling me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, believe it or not, I do function quite well on my own. Any problems that might arise will be taken care of\u2026by me, not you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opening his mouth to argue, he stopped at a \u201chello\u201d coming from the main room. Leah breezed by him. \u201cMrs. Murphy, how are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m well, my dear. I just wanted to see how you were coming along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m officially moved in. Mrs. Murphy, this is the gentleman I told you about, Dr. John McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, I understand you\u2019re the Chief of Surgery at San Francisco Memorial,\u201d Mrs. Murphy said, holding out her hand.<\/p>\n

He took it and bowed. \u201cMrs. Murphy, it\u2019s a delight to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you always go around in your surgery clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I volunteered to help Leah move out of her former apartment, but I had to go into surgery unexpectedly, so I was late getting there,\u201d he replied with a charming smile.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Murphy smiled and turned back to Leah. \u201cI wanted you to know that we\u2019ve replaced the warning signs on the stairs coming up from the beach. We haven\u2019t had a problem in the last few days, and since you\u2019re going to install a monitored alarm system, new locks and a gate on your stairs, I would think the young people who\u2019ve been coming up from the beach will get the message.\u201d She walked back toward the door with Leah following. \u201cNow, if you have any problems, you make sure you call the main house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, Mrs. Murphy. Thank you for stopping by.\u201d At the junction of the stairs going up to the driveway, Mrs. Murphy turned and waved her fingers, prompting Leah to do the same from the edge of the deck. When she came back into the house, she met Trapper standing with his arms crossed and a displeased look on his face. Leah took a deep breath and walked on by him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew locks? New gate? A monitored alarm system? Young people coming up from the beach? You didn\u2019t tell me you were moving into a problem house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t be a problem when it\u2019s all done,\u201d she said, taking another armload of clothes to the closet.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what happens in the meantime?\u201d he shouted to be heard from the main room.<\/p>\n

She slowly rolled from the bedroom wall around the door frame and stopped, leaning on it. \u201cTrapper,\u201d she started, but folded her lips, looking for the right words. \u201cI\u2019m not looking for your approval or protection. My living situation is my decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s smile was forced, his nostrils flared, and he sucked in a breath as he bowed his head, looking at her from under his brow. \u201cThen I\u2019ll leave you with your decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stopped him as he walked briskly to the door. \u201cTrapper, wait. I didn\u2019t say that very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou came in loud and clear,\u201d he said, continuing to the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper,\u201d she called, but he was already out the door. She hesitated only a moment, but when she ran after him, he was already at the street gate. By the time she ran up the stairs and up the sidewalk to the gate, he was in his car. Pushing the gate open, she stood on the sidewalk, yelling after him as he pulled out. Her jaw dropped as she watched his car disappear around a corner, and for a moment, she was frozen in place, wondering how it had gotten so bad so fast. Then she got angry, and spun around, kicking the gate with her bare foot. Yelping, she fell to the ground holding her foot, her toe bloody from the impact with the gate.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper noticed Leah\u2019s Jeep wasn\u2019t in the parking lot when he arrived at the hospital the following morning, and he was running late, so she should\u2019ve already been there. He hadn\u2019t slept at all, remembering Leah standing on the sidewalk yelling after him. But taking that pool house knowing there were problems\u2026. Surely she knew by now how he felt. Apparently, she wasn\u2019t in this relationship as deeply as he was.<\/p>\n

Leah had taken a cab to work because her foot was so swollen she couldn\u2019t get her shoe on, much less push the clutch of her Jeep. In fact, she could barely walk, so she hobbled slowly on her socked foot to the main floor elevator and went straight to the basement. As quietly as possible, she limped to her desk, breathing a sigh of relief when she finally made it into her chair. As she wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, she picked up the receiver of her phone and dialed. \u201cGloria, it\u2019s Leah. I need a favor. Would you ask Dr. Gates to come down to my office in the basement? It\u2019s important. And don\u2019t\u2026don\u2019t let Trapper find out, please. Oh. Oh hi, Dr. Gates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it I\u2019m not supposed to tell Trapper? And why did you call me Dr. Gates?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just sounds\u2026odd\u2026calling my doctor Gonzo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this is an official request. What did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026I hurt my foot yesterday, and it\u2019s swollen. I can barely walk on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be right down.\u201d<\/p>\n

She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped when she heard a click and looked at the receiver before she put it back in the cradle. It wasn\u2019t five minutes before Gonzo showed up in her cube with a wheelchair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we could be a little more discreet than that,\u201d she said, eyeing the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you hurt your foot?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather not say,\u201d she said, looking away.<\/p>\n

Kneeling down behind the desk, Gonzo put her foot on his bent leg and gently pulled off her sock. When he saw the dark purple coloring over half her foot, he whistled. \u201cWhat\u2019d you kick?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know I kicked something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe end of your big toe and your toenail have exploded. That kind of injury only comes from an impact\u2026like you\u2019d get if you kicked something\u2026maybe barefoot?\u201d he said, glancing up at her. \u201cAnd based on your request not to tell Trapper, it must have involved him.\u201d She let out a plaintive sigh. \u201cThat bad, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was awful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo gingerly slipped her sock back on and pulled her up out of the chair. \u201cCan you put any weight on it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA little, but it hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bending, he scooped her up and placed her in the wheelchair. \u201cWe\u2019re going to get your toe cleaned up, and then, we\u2019re going to x-ray. Based on the bruising, you just might have broken a bone.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty-Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

As Gonzo pushed Leah\u2019s wheelchair off the elevator on the third floor, Ernie and Gloria watched from the nurse\u2019s station. \u201cGloria, is there an empty exam room?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Exam three.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing? He\u2019s standing right there,\u201d whispered Leah frantically.<\/p>\n

Trapper was busy looking over a chart and signing some paperwork, but stopped to see who was going to the exam room. When he saw Leah, he turned back around and continued writing out orders on the chart.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, what happened to Leah?\u201d asked Ernie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea,\u201d he answered without looking up.<\/p>\n

Ernie and Gloria looked perplexed at each other. \u201cAren\u2019t you going to find out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper didn\u2019t acknowledge the question, but rather finished his entries in the chart, handing it to Gloria. Moving his glasses to top of his head, he turned and watched Gonzo wheel Leah into the exam room and started back toward his office. He got halfway down the hall before he stopped, shook his head, and turned back the way he had come. He avoided looking at Ernie and Gloria as he passed them on the way to the exam room and pushed the door open slightly, peering in. Grimacing at the sight of her foot, he slowly entered the room. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably a broken foot,\u201d answered Gonzo.<\/p>\n

Leaning against the wall by the door, Trapper asked, \u201cWhen did this happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah looked at Gonzo with a mixture of annoyance and resignation, and when Gonzo nodded toward Trapper, she bowed her head and quietly said, \u201cAfter I watched your taillights go around the corner yesterday I kicked the gate.\u201d<\/p>\n

He wanted to say something to the effect that \u2018that was stupid\u2019, but instead he said, \u201cWhat did the gate ever do to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing over, she could see there was no laughter in his eyes. \u201cI was trying to apologize, but you didn\u2019t want to hear it.\u201d Raising his chin, Trapper crooked his jaw.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what. I\u2019ll just leave. You two can discuss it while you fix her foot,\u201d said Gonzo, pointing at Trapper before he peeled his gloves off, tossing them in the trash on his way out of the room.<\/p>\n

Moving to the end of the exam table, Trapper pulled on a pair of gloves and studied her foot.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, it\u2019s more of an explanation than an apology.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up at her for an instant, and then began cleaning her toe. \u201cI\u2019m listening. You might want to lie back while I do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

She was relieved that she didn\u2019t have to look at him as she tried to explain. She kept her eyes on the ceiling instead. \u201cI apologize for saying it so badly and upsetting you, but I do not apologize for what I was trying to say. Ow,\u201d she said, jerking her foot back. He grabbed her ankle and pulled her foot back down. \u201cOW!\u201d she yelled, sitting back up. \u201cAre you punishing me?\u201d<\/p>\n

He rolled his eyes and kept working. \u201cThis is going to hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop!\u201d she shouted, pulling her foot away from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLie down and be still. I have to remove the pieces of the nail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clasping her hands on top of her, she cringed as she continued her explanation. \u201cTrapper, other than the last few years, I\u2019ve never been on my own. And I handled the last four years so well, I caused a hole to form in my heart,\u201d she snorted. \u201cBut before that, there was always someone else taking care of me. While I was married that was okay because I had the children to take care of, so I didn\u2019t mind John doing everything else.\u201d She flinched and waited for that particular pain to pass before going on. \u201cI don\u2019t know why I couldn\u2019t say this right before, but it\u2019s really very simple.\u201d Sitting up, she finally looked at him. \u201cI need to learn to depend on me before I let myself become dependent on someone else again.\u201d Trapper stood still for a moment, hovering his tweezers over her toe. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean I don\u2019t appreciate what you do for me, but you\u2019ve got to let me make all those stupid mistakes that are supposed to make me wise in my old age.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike kicking a gate?\u201d Trapper straightened up and leaned with both hands on the end of the exam table. \u201cI can\u2019t stand by and watch you make mistakes that could get you seriously injured or killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper\u2026\u201d she said, melting with sudden understanding. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t put myself in that position. Regardless of how Mrs. Murphy seemed, Mr. Murphy said that the damage had been done to the locks on the sliders. People from the beach were spending time on the deck and furniture admiring the view and using the kitchen. But there was never anything violent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why all the security?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Murphy was confused. Mr. Murphy was going to have a monitored alarm system installed anyway, whether I rented it or not, and he had to fix the locks, so he\u2019s putting better ones in. My part was the gate. I didn\u2019t want people wandering up on the deck since there are no curtains on the sliders. I asked that the monitoring for the alarm system be part of my rent because I do have valuables in the house. I don\u2019t pay any utilities directly either. It\u2019s all included in the rent. When I asked for the monitoring to be added to the rent, Mr. Murphy said he was just happy someone was living in there, and that\u2019s why he gave me the house for what I was paying at the other place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this?\u201d he said, indicating her foot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPardon me,\u201d he said with a quick glare before he leaned back over her foot.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at you. At me,\u201d she said softly, laying back down on the bed and closing her eyes.<\/p>\n

Trapper considered her foot, and as he moved to the head of the exam table, he muttered, \u201cMaybe I should concentrate on saving you from yourself.\u201d She flinched at the unexpected kiss he placed on her lips. When she opened her eyes, he was still there, and after another kiss, he chuckled as she twisted her mouth and looked away. \u201cYou should be ashamed,\u201d he admonished before he went back to her foot. \u201cI have to wonder, though, why Murphy was so willing to give you that house when he could have gotten a lot more for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper,\u201d said Gonzo as he walked into Trapper\u2019s office and plopped down on the sofa. \u201cYou might want to put a guard on Leah\u2019s door. She\u2019s determined to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing the chart he was reviewing, Trapper asked, \u201cWhat room is she in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c402.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to her. Did you start the antibiotic?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. She refused. She wanted me to give her pills so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo she could go home,\u201d interrupted Trapper, standing and heading toward the door. As he walked down the hall toward her room, he prepared himself for the discussion he knew would take place. By the time he opened her door, his confidence was showing. Unfortunately, she wasn\u2019t there. He went to the nurse\u2019s station. \u201cThe patient in 402\u2026where is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she\u2019s not there,\u201d he snapped. Shaking his head, he went to the elevator and pushed the button for the basement. He walked into her office and stood in front her desk with his hands on his hips, looking at her back.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Trapper,\u201d she said without looking around. He said nothing. \u201cI know it\u2019s you. I hear your breathing.\u201d She finished typing on her keyboard and spun around in her chair. \u201cI don\u2019t know anyone who breathes as deeply and evenly as you, especially when you\u2019re angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I\u2019m angry, but why do you suppose I\u2019d be angry?\u201d he asked with an insolent smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be any number of reasons,\u201d she said as she studied her diagrams, and then wrote something on a chart. \u201cIt could be because I left my room. It could be because I refused the IV. It could be because I\u2019m sitting at my desk, and my foot isn\u2019t propped up.\u201d She looked up and smiled. \u201cIt could be all three.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cocking his head, he looked hard at her, and then looked around for a wheelchair. \u201cHow did you get down here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI walked. This is a walking cast, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is,\u201d he said, moving around her desk. \u201cBut you\u2019re not supposed to walk on it until it\u2019s completely dry. If you\u2019ve compromised it by walking on it, you\u2019ll have to get another one.\u201d Reaching across her, he picked up her phone and dialed. \u201cThis is Dr. McIntyre. I need a wheelchair in the basement. Yes, the basement. Just take the elevator all the way down, and when you get off in the basement keep going straight until you can\u2019t go any further.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not leaving without my paperwork.\u201d Logging off her computer, she quickly gathered all the papers into a neat pile, the pens, pencils and rulers in a bundle which she bound with a rubber band, and a book that had been lying open on the side of her desk. She picked it all up and held it against her.<\/p>\n

On the way back up to her room, she let out a heavy sigh. \u201cWhy do I have to stay here tonight? Why can\u2019t I go home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be because your cast isn\u2019t set. It could be because you can\u2019t go down the stairs to your studio. It could be because you need an IV antibiotic.\u201d He leaned over the back of the wheelchair and spoke in her ear. \u201cIt could be all three.\u201d Stopping at the nurse\u2019s station before he rolled Leah into her room, he said to the nurse, \u201cDr. Gates ordered an IV antibiotic for Ms. Haverty. Let\u2019s get it started.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pushed her into her room and locked the wheels of the chair, then took her work from her and set it on the over bed table. \u201cWhere\u2019s your gown?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate hospital gowns,\u201d she answered, pulling the gown out from under the sheets on the bed. \u201cWhy do they have to open in the back? You doctors do more in the front.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause in an emergency, they\u2019re easier to remove,\u201d said Trapper calmly. \u201cNow let\u2019s get you in the bed,\u201d he said, helping her up out of the chair.<\/p>\n

Sitting on the side of the bed, she began to undress. When it came to her slacks, Trapper helped her work her pants leg over her cast while the nurse readied the IV. When Trapper had her under the sheet, he nodded at the nurse, but Leah refused to give her an arm. \u201cI\u2019m not sick, and my toe is not infected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper smiled, sat down and took her hand. \u201cDo you remember our talk about infections after your heart surgery?\u201d She gave him a cool glance. \u201cEven a slight infection could turn into something much worse just because you\u2019re a transplant patient. An infection that starts in your toe could kill you. There may not be an infection, but we won\u2019t know until we get your blood work back. This\u2026\u201d he said, nodding toward the IV bag, \u201c\u2026is preemptive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t I read somewhere that using an antibiotic too often will cause it to be ineffective?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. So you not only listened, you gave it some thought.\u201d Lifting her hand, he kissed it. \u201cYou\u2019re a long way from that, kiddo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPage for Dr. McIntyre. Page for Dr. McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d He turned back as he was leaving the room. \u201cAnd I expect you to be hooked up to that IV.\u201d Just as the nurse finished with the IV, he stuck his head back in the door. \u201cI\u2019ve have to go. Hold dinner for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping out of the elevator outside emergency, he headed for the nurse\u2019s station, but was intercepted by Dr. Riverside who pulled him along down a side hallway. \u201cStanley, you\u2019re white as a ghost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait until you see this, John. It\u2019s more\u2026frightening\u2026than anything I\u2019ve ever seen. I don\u2019t even know how to begin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Creasing his eyebrows, Trapper gave Stanley a baffled look. With everything Stanley had seen come into the emergency room in his career, Trapper couldn\u2019t imagine anything that might throw him. Stanley practically shoved him into an exam room. The sight laid out in front of him made him stagger, and for a moment he stood motionless at the horror before him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the only one.\u201d<\/p>\n

With shock written on his face, Trapper jerked his head toward Stanley. \u201cAnother one like this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Stanley lead Trapper to the next exam room, and entering, Trapper let himself fall back against the wall. \u201cAre these\u2026. What caused this?\u201d Pushing himself away from the wall, he moved forward and stood over a person so wadded up and mangled, he didn\u2019t know if it was a man or woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were found in a garbage truck\u2026the kind with the compactors. The police don\u2019t think they were conscious when they went in. No one heard any screams,\u201d answered Stanley.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet Gonzo. He should be at the Titanic. I\u2019ll be in the other room,\u201d said Trapper hoarsely. \u201cAnd tell him before you show him.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty-Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper understood what Stanley meant when he said he didn\u2019t know where to start. This person\u2019s limbs were folded in more directions than he could count, some of the bones penetrating the torso, and the head bent to the side with a arm wrapped all the way around it. \u201cVitals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPulse one-forty-four. We can\u2019t get a blood pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we know if he\u2019s conscious? I can\u2019t get to his eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t made a sound or moved since he\u2019s been on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would think not. Is his pulse holding?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Let\u2019s try to get these clothes off first so we can see where all these broken bones went. Then we\u2019ll get some x-rays. If his pulse changes, I want to know stat. I\u2019ll be in the other room.\u201d Gonzo came in and stood off to the side open-mouthed as Trapper checked the other patient. Taking a deep breath, Trapper said, \u201cTake in all in Gonzo, and then get over it. We have to figure out a game plan for these two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s two like this?\u201d Gonzo asked, still stunned from the view. He shook it off and stepped up to the table. This one\u2019s eyes were unobstructed, so Gonzo bent down and spoke. \u201cI\u2019m Dr. Gates. You\u2019re at San Francisco Memorial Hospital. Do you understand me?\u201d The head moved only slightly and the eyes blinked. \u201cDon\u2019t try to move. Blink twice for \u2018yes\u2019 and once for \u2018no.\u2019 Do you understand?\u201d The patient blinked twice. \u201cWe\u2019re going to examine you to determine a course of action. I\u2019m going to give you something for pain.\u201d A tear rolled out of his eye as he blinked twice. \u201cAre you allergic to anything?\u201d One blink. Speaking over his shoulder, Gonzo said, \u201cGet me some morphine and a syringe.\u201d When the nurse handed him the bottle and syringe, Gonzo pushed the needle into the top of the bottle. \u201cI\u2019ll start him with four milligrams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer,\u201d said Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you find any ID in her clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Nothing. Find out what you can from the other one, and if he\u2019s conscious, start him on morphine. I\u2019ll meet you outside at the counter,\u201d said Trapper, leaving the room.<\/p>\n

When Gonzo found him, Trapper was writing notes in a chart. \u201cStanley,\u201d he called. \u201cFind out what you can from the policemen who came in with them\u2026a name\u2026anything. We\u2019ll have to do quite a bit of surgery. Gonzo, I\u2019m putting two teams together. I\u2019ll want you to lead one of them. Gloria, would you contact these doctors?\u201d he asked, passing her a piece of paper with a list of names. \u201cTell them we\u2019ll need their services immediately and to meet us down here. We\u2019re not moving them until we have a consult. I don\u2019t want to take them to x-ray but once.\u201d Turning to Gonzo, he asked, \u201cDo you know anything more about the other one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he\u2019s male, but there was nothing to identify him in his clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we can assume they know each other. Come on. Let\u2019s get started with a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, doctors, you see what we\u2019ve got. Edwin, Marty, you\u2019re the bone doctors. It would seem to me that we\u2019ve got to unfold them first before we do anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d agree with that, Trapper,\u201d replied Dr. Edwin Fry, one of the orthopedic surgeons. \u201cThe bones are already broken, so straightening them out isn\u2019t going to make them any worse. They need to be sedated before we do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we should go ahead and move them to an OR,\u201d said Dr. Marty Applebaum, the other orthopedic surgeon. \u201cIf we work on them in the same room, we could share the issues between the two of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cGet the sedation started. I\u2019ll go get the OR reserved. Do we need any special equipment?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rubbing his forehead, Dr. Applebaum said, \u201cWe\u2019re going to need an awful lot of hardware. I\u2019ll go with you and make the arrangements.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Arnold Slocum paced outside the surgery suite waiting for Trapper to come out. When the doors opened, he hurried forward. \u201cTrapper, what\u2019s going on? I hear you have eight surgeons working on two patients in there.\u201d Seeing the look on Trapper\u2019s face; brow furrowed, lips drawn, troubled eyes, he waited patiently for an explanation.<\/p>\n

It took a moment for Trapper to put words together. \u201cArnold\u2026I\u2019ve never seen anything like it; not even in Korea. We have two people, a man and woman, who were found in the back of garbage truck compacted with trash. It looks like someone wadded them up in their hands like a piece of paper and tossed them aside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my. And they\u2019re alive?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper gave him a cross look.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course they are. Are we going to be able to do anything for them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to try. The woman has been conscious. We\u2019re working on x-rays now.\u201d Trapper turned to leave, but stopped. \u201cArnold, you should be prepared for reporters. Some followed the ambulance and police to the hospital. They got some pictures as the victims were rolled into emergency, so I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll be asking questions.<\/p>\n

\u201cVictims?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold, they didn\u2019t throw themselves into a garbage truck,\u201d said Trapper acerbically with his hands out to his sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I suppose not. I\u2019ll take care of the reporters. Just have someone keep me informed.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ernie stuck her head in the door of Leah\u2019s room after Leah pressed the call button. \u201cErnie, I didn\u2019t know you were on this floor tonight. Come in,\u201d invited Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not really. I just found out about your foot. I hear you kicked a gate.\u201d Leah looked away and blew her cheeks out. \u201cSo it\u2019s true. How bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I\u2019ve seen it that well, but Gonzo and Trapper both say I exploded the end of my big toe and toenail and broke my first metatarsal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling, Ernie said, \u201cThat\u2019ll teach you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah pointed to her over bed table where a tray of food had been delivered moments before Ernie came into the room. \u201cTrapper was supposed to have dinner with me. Have you seen him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be in surgery for awhile. You should go ahead and eat without him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBad, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnspeakable is more like it. Turn on your television. You\u2019ll probably see it on the news.\u201d Ernie squeezed Leah\u2019s hand. \u201cI have to go back down. We\u2019re waiting for the orthopedists to finish before we go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Ernie closed the door, Leah pushed the button for the TV, and then flipped the channel to a news station. \u201cTwo bodies were removed from this garbage truck this morning when an employee of the refuse company began cleaning it out. Reports from the police say the people were badly mangled, but still alive. These pictures taken outside the emergency room at San Francisco Memorial Hospital show just how badly mangled one person was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my God,\u201d said Leah out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold Slocum, the hospital administrator had this to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two people who arrived at the hospital earlier today are being treated by eight members of our surgical staff led by our Chief of Surgery, Dr. John McIntyre. At this point, they\u2019re still in surgery. I don\u2019t have any news as yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Slocum, have the victims been identified?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they haven\u2019t. One is male. The other is female. That\u2019s all we know at this time.\u201d Arnold turned and went back inside the hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time of this interview, the police either didn\u2019t know or weren\u2019t providing the identity of the victims, but were continuing to investigate. We hope to have more details on our ten o\u2019clock newscast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah pushed the button that turned the television off, wondering how Trapper managed to stay sane after seeing all that he\u2019d seen in his career.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Now pull the leg back down,\u201d said Dr. Applebaum. \u201cNo wait. Trapper, you need to evaluate this. We have bone penetration just below the xiphoid process above the liver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet those pictures up on the light box,\u201d said Trapper as he examined the other end of the bone. How much bone are we talking about Marty?\u201d Stepping back to the light box, both men looked at the x-rays.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely long enough to lacerate the liver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have any more penetration in the immediate area. Once you pull the leg down, we\u2019ll get some suction on it, and I\u2019ll make the incision. If it\u2019s lacerated, you\u2019ll have to wait until I can repair it.\u201d Trapper turned back toward the table. \u201cHow\u2019s she doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s stable, Trapper. But I\u2019m on a fifth unit of blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe probably won\u2019t have any of her own blood left by the time we\u2019re done. Ernie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here,\u201d she said ready to move her tray in place.<\/p>\n

Standing mid-table, Trapper did a visual check of his equipment and implements. \u201cAlright, Marty. Pull.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone heard a wet sucking sound when the bone was pulled out of the tissue followed by multiple cracks and crunches as Dr. Applebaum moved the leg to its normal position. Trapper didn\u2019t notice. By the time the leg was down, he was already making the incision.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrap, when you\u2019re finished with that, I need you to take a look over here,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a perforated heart. The only thing stopping this guy from bleeding out is a bone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eighteen hours later the surgical team stopped working.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty-Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

Barely putting one foot in front of the other, Trapper pushed Leah\u2019s door open and stepped into her room carrying clean greens. \u201cMy dear, I just wanted to let you know that I didn\u2019t forget you last night,\u201d he explained as he walked to her bed and sat down on the side, hanging his head from exhaustion. \u201cWell, I did, but only because I was in surgery all night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I hear,\u201d she said. \u201cHere; have some breakfast.\u201d She moved the over bed table around and in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctors are not supposed to eat their patient\u2019s food.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEat before you fall over,\u201d she said, brushing her hand across his back.<\/p>\n

Stanley pushed the door open. \u201cErnie told me I\u2019d find you here, Trapper. I wanted to tell you not to go to your office. Reporters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy my office?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause Arnold told them you were leading the team working on the garbage truck people. I would just stay right here if I were you. The hospital is crawling with reporters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t stay in a patient\u2019s room. The hospital could be sued,\u201d he said with a weak chuckle.<\/p>\n

Sitting up and rubbing his back, Leah said, \u201cI promise I won\u2019t. You can take a shower, change into your clean scrubs and take a nap right here, and no one will ever find you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to talk to Arnold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell him where you are,\u201d said Stanley, turning to leave. \u201cI\u2019ll bring another breakfast tray in as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWoman, you have no idea how good that feels.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome. Now, eat something, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting up, he pulled the over bed table in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw the pictures on the news. Were you able to save them?\u201d<\/p>\n

After chewing a bite of eggs, he took a slow deep breath. \u201cWe lost the man. A bone had perforated his heart, and once we took it out, we couldn\u2019t stop the bleeding. We decided to give the woman a break before Applebaum, the orthopedist, started trying to put her arms and legs back together. He\u2019s already done her jaw. She\u2019s got a slow bleeder in her abdomen we\u2019ll have to repair first, but I think we got everything else.\u201d Setting the fork down, he pushed the table away. \u201cI don\u2019t see how they survived,\u201d he said, looking at the far wall. \u201cIt was\u2026\u201d Running his hand over his head, he stood and picked up his greens, pointing to the bathroom. \u201cI\u2019m going to get cleaned up. I\u2019ll be out in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears had welled in his eyes. Leah had never seen him this close to breaking down. She had often wondered how he held himself together so well after seeing things no man should ever have to see, much less fix. Now, she supposed he had moments like this periodically. This just happened to be the one that was too much since she\u2019d met him. \u201cTake your time, Trapper. My doctor is too tired to release me anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes, he gave her a slight smile and went into the bathroom. After twenty minutes, Leah was preparing to go in to check on him. The door opened at the same time she stood at the side of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d he asked sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. He can still bite,\u201d she said, sitting back down on the bed. \u201cI was afraid you had fallen asleep in the shower.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head. \u201cJust letting the heat soak into my muscles. Look, I don\u2019t want to kick you out of your bed. I\u2019m going to sleep on the sofa in my office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you\u2019re not. Dr. Riverside said there are reporters waiting for you in your office. You won\u2019t get any sleep. And who said I was abandoning my bed. I didn\u2019t sleep very well last night either after watching the news. Put your dirty greens down and come over here.\u201d<\/p>\n

A crooked smile appeared on Trapper\u2019s face as he dropped his old greens in a chair, and then sat on the side of the bed. Leah squeezed his shoulders and gently pulled him down on the pillow. \u201cJust watch the foot,\u201d she said as he swung his legs up on the bed. She lay back as well with her arm under her head as he settled on his back. Moving her hand to rest on his chest, he covered it with his hand and was soon sound asleep.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ernie and Gonzo slowly opened the door, and stood observing Trapper sleeping as Leah quietly read through the paperwork on her over bed table, occasionally writing a note. She looked up and smiled, moving a finger perpendicular to her lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time to wake him up,\u201d said Gonzo quietly. \u201cWe have to go back into surgery. And before we go, I want to take a look at your cast before I release you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, but let him sleep until you\u2019re finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s awake,\u201d said Trapper, opening his eyes.<\/p>\n

Leaning over him, Leah said, \u201cYou were really tired. You didn\u2019t move at all.\u201d She gave him a quick kiss, and looked back into smiling eyes before she moved away, allowing him to sit up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time is it?\u201d he asked, yawning and moving from the bed to the chair to put his shoes on.<\/p>\n

Ernie looked at her watch before she picked up his dirty greens. \u201cIt\u2019s one o\u2019clock. Jane Doe has been stable all this time, so Dr. Applebaum and Dr. Fry wanted you to get that bleeder corrected before they start working on her again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Trapper went to the other side of the bed and watched Gonzo as he checked Leah\u2019s cast. \u201cIt\u2019s dry, and your blood work looks good, so I\u2019m sending you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to go home. I want to go to my office.\u201d Gonzo\u2019s dissatisfied glare prompted her to comment further. \u201cI\u2019m just catching up on paperwork. If I didn\u2019t need to reference the files in the computer, I would work at home. I don\u2019t see there\u2019s much difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have a way to prop your leg up in your office?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I can use a chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, but remember, you are not to work longer than eight hours a day,\u201d said Gonzo with raised brows.<\/p>\n

When she sighed, Trapper stepped forward, bending to give her a kiss, but before he did he said, \u201cYou keep your promises, remember.\u201d After giving her a loud smack on the lips, he took her hand. \u201cCall down to the OR and find out where we are before you leave this afternoon. If we\u2019re done, I\u2019ll drive you home.\u201d She smiled and nodded, and the three headed for the door.<\/p>\n

Once in the hallway, reporters seemed to come at them from all directions. \u201cDr. McIntyre, can you tell us the status of the two garbage truck people?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGarbage truck people,\u201d he whispered to Ernie with a frown. He stopped and turned, but was intercepted by Dr. Riverside.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, Arnold wants to speak to you before you go back in. He\u2019s getting ready to make a statement to the press.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll meet you outside the surgery suite. Ladies and gentlemen,\u201d said Stanley as he stepped between Trapper and the reporters. \u201cMr. Slocum, the hospital administrator, will be making a statement momentarily.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving Stanley a pat on the shoulder, Trapper, Gonzo and Ernie made haste down the hall to the elevator. Arnold was waiting at the doors to the surgery suite as promised. \u201cTrapper, do you have any more information?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as you know, the man died from complications of his injuries. The woman is stable. We have a small bleeder in her abdomen to repair, but there are no other signs of internal bleeding. We seem to have fixed the rest. As soon as we\u2019re done, the orthopedists will get to work on her legs and arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know if there\u2019s a chance she\u2019ll use them again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t repeat this to the press, Arnold, but my gut tells me no. Every bone and joint in her arms and from her hips down are broken, some in multiple places. She might be able to walk with help, but I just don\u2019t see how she\u2019ll ever get normal mobility back. Have the police figured out who they are?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth of them are scientists from Xanda National Laboratory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cXanda,\u201d said Trapper disgustedly. This isn\u2019t another one of their scandals, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know anything other than their names and where they worked. The police said the feds are involved now and aren\u2019t talking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat. We fix her, and they try to kill her again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you think this was a murder attempt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey didn\u2019t crawl in that truck by themselves, Arnold. It might be plausible for a bum to be sleeping in a dumpster and get picked up by a garbage truck, but two scientists\u2026highly unlikely.\u201d Trapper breathed deeply. \u201cI have to scrub. I\u2019ll let you know if anything changes,\u201d he said, pushing through the double doors. He went directly to the sink next to Gonzo. \u201cYou and I need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur patient in there,\u201d he said, nodding toward the OR. He looked around before he continued and spoke quietly. \u201cIt seems our Jane Doe was a scientist at Xanda Labs. The man was, too. The chances of those two purposely or accidently getting into that garbage truck on their own is slim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore like non-existent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your eyes open. I have a feeling things are about to get ugly.\u201d Both men pushed through the operating room doors with their hands up and were met by Ernie and another nurse with waiting gloves.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. Let\u2019s get this done,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cHow\u2019s her numbers?\u201d<\/p>\n

The anesthesiologist looked over his screens and bags. \u201cNot bad for what she\u2019s been through. She\u2019s stable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking over at the orthopedists who were testing electric surgical drills and saws, Trapper asked, \u201cMarty, is your team ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all here,\u201d replied Dr. Applebaum. \u201cWhen you\u2019re done, we\u2019ll watch her for a few minutes while we prepare the hardware trays. If she\u2019s still stable, we\u2019ll start work. Edwin will work on her right side. I\u2019ll work on her left. That way, she won\u2019t have to be under as long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea. I want two people with her at all times when you move her to ICU, and I want a list of your people, Marty. I don\u2019t want any unauthorized personnel around her room, inside or out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reporters are getting brave.\u201d Extending his open hand, he said, \u201cScalpel.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty-Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Slocum, I\u2019m Darren Allen with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.\u201d The man flashed his badge. \u201cYou have two people in your hospital; a Jason Wright and an Ellen Frank. These two people are of interest to the government. We\u2019re here to ensure their safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, sit down gentlemen,\u201d said Arnold.<\/p>\n

Allen whispered to his partner who immediately went to the door and disappeared. \u201cI trust this office is private. And for the record, Mr. Slocum, this conversation doesn\u2019t leave this room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding wearily, Slocum said, \u201cOf course. So this is murder then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAttempted murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, Agent Allen, it\u2019s murder. Jason Wright died hours ago. Ms. Frank is still in the operating room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Mr. Slocum, I\u2019ll be putting personnel in your hospital for the next few days to guarantee the safety of Ms. Frank until she\u2019s well enough to move. I also want all records concerning her removed from your computer system immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Agent Allen, I\u2019m not the person you need discuss this with. Our Chief of Surgery will speak to the possibility of moving Ms. Frank, and our System Architect will have to discuss removing her records from our system with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to speak to them immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid that\u2019s not possible. Dr. McIntyre is still in surgery, and as I understand it, Ms. Haverty has a broken foot. She was a patient, but she\u2019s been released. I\u2019m not sure she\u2019s still here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFind out, Mr. Slocum. I want them both up here as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cMark,\u201d yelled Leah over her cube wall. \u201cWould you load a CPU, monitor, keyboard and cables on a cart for me, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d he yelled back. After a new minutes, he rolled the computer laden cart into Leah\u2019s cube. \u201cWhere we going?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cTo my office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking puzzled, Mark said, \u201cAren\u2019t we in your office?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSlocum gave me an office on the executive floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would he do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he wants a technical presence up there before he hires his new CIO and staff so people will get used to the idea. I don\u2019t know that I\u2019ll ever use it, but I promised him we would install a machine. You ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

Motioning toward the elevator, Mark waited for Leah to lead the way, and then followed behind her, pushing the cart. \u201cDo I get to hear about your foot, Chester?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. And don\u2019t call me Chester.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they arrived in the executive office, Mark placed the computer on the desk, and then got down on his hands and knees looking for the outlets. Once he found them, Leah dropped his end of the cables over the back of the desk and plugged the other ends into the computer.<\/p>\n

Both looked up when Arnold\u2019s secretary entered the office. \u201cMs. Haverty, I thought I saw you up here. Mr. Slocum needs to see you in his office. It\u2019s urgent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUrgent?\u201d She looked down at Mark, still on the floor. \u201cI hope The Committee didn\u2019t change their minds. Would you test this machine when you\u2019re finished, Mark? I shouldn\u2019t be too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded, and Leah followed Slocum\u2019s secretary to his office, smiling suspiciously at the man standing outside his door. \u201cYou look like one of mine,\u201d she said, chuckling as she entered the office. She stopped when she saw the second man in Slocum\u2019s office dressed in a black suit and white shirt. \u201cMr. Slocum?\u201d she asked, tensing when she heard the door close behind her.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease sit down, Ms. Haverty,\u201d said Arnold. \u201cWe\u2019re waiting for Dr. McIntyre to join us before we start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat could take awhile. He\u2019s still in surgery, and when he\u2019s done with his part, he\u2019s observing Dr. Applebaum and Dr. Fry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know what he\u2019s doing, may I ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slocum leaned back in his chair. \u201cMs. Haverty, this is Agent Allen with the FBI.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFBI?\u201d she said, looking back over her shoulder. She turned back toward Arnold who was making a call to the surgery suite. Picking a piece of string off her skirt, she flicked it onto the floor, speaking to Allen with her back turned to him. \u201cI hate to tell you this, Agent Allen, but everyone in this hospital knows what that team is doing. Most of us saw the victims on television when they were brought into the hospital, and none of us thought they\u2019d survive. What those surgeons and nurses are doing down there is the stuff miracles are made of. If you\u2019re goal is to keep this quiet, you\u2019ve already lost.\u201d Allen\u2019s eyes bore into the back of her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cMcIntyre\u2019s on his way,\u201d said Slocum. He looked at Leah. \u201cHe\u2019s not happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t suppose he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hospital employees asked him how surgery went as Trapper moved swiftly down the hall to the elevator. It wasn\u2019t that he was ignoring them, more that he was about to explode. The agent at the door of Slocum\u2019s office grabbed at his arm to stop him from entering, but Trapper jerked it away and stormed into the office. \u201cArnold, someone had better be dying on your floor.\u201d He stutter-stepped when he saw Leah sitting in a chair in front of Arnold\u2019s desk. Approaching her, he asked, \u201cWhat is going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jerking her thumb to the back of her, she said, \u201cThe Feds are interested in your patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shrugged. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t my idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, I\u2019m Darren Allen,\u201d he said, flashing his badge.<\/p>\n

\u201cFBI,\u201d said Trapper, moving his hands to his hips and looking down at the floor. He took a deep breath before he looked the man square in the eye. \u201cI understand why you\u2019re here, but you\u2019re not doing the patient any favors by interrupting her surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, I appreciate what you and you\u2019re team are doing, but just as soon as she\u2019s stable, she\u2019ll be moved to a military hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she won\u2019t. She can\u2019t be moved. It will kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI assure you, we\u2019ll have the very best of our military doctors to ensure her move doesn\u2019t kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour military doctors can\u2019t guarantee anything, and neither can I. You have to understand the woman is patched together. She has over a thousand sutures inside her, and by the time our orthopedists are finished, probably fifty times that amount on her outsides, not including all the hardware they\u2019ve used to try to save her arms and legs. We\u2019re not even moving her to an ICU room for awhile. One small jostle could tear any number of those sutures.\u201d Trapper raised a hand and pointed his finger at Allen. \u201cYou need whatever information she had on Xanda. If she dies because you move her, your case against Xanda is gone. Leaving her here is your best chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMcIntyre, we have to get her to a secure location.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou try to move her, and I\u2019ll pull every string I can to stop you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men glared at each other in a stalemate for a tense moment until Agent Allen turned his attention to Leah. \u201cMs. Haverty, you will erase all records for Ellen Frank from your computer system.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid I can\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll have my own people do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you won\u2019t,\u201d said Leah, standing and facing him. \u201cThe functions of this hospital are tightly regulated by the computer system; a system required by regulations of the same government you work for. The doctors can\u2019t order her medication or the equipment she\u2019ll need in the ICU room. They can\u2019t reschedule her for surgery, if required, without it. They can\u2019t even order a piece of gauze without that computer system.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen your own computer system could be putting her life at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah crossed her arms and looked away. \u201cI doubt that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, you two. These people were thrown into a garbage compactor. Whoever did that didn\u2019t plan for them to come out alive, and if they\u2019re that intent on shutting them up, they\u2019ll be here in your hospital, and you won\u2019t even know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why don\u2019t you take care of security, Agent Allen, and let us take care of the patient?\u201d asked Trapper almost yelling.<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty, what happens if you change her status to expired?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA dead patient doesn\u2019t require medication or anything else. Her doctors won\u2019t be able to get anything for her. But what we can do is enter her records under an alias.\u201d<\/p>\n

Agent Allen puffed up. \u201cSurely, your\u00a0tightly regulated<\/em>\u00a0system won\u2019t allow that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will flag the record when eligibility isn\u2019t found. It\u2019s not a fatal error because we do get people in here from other countries who have no social security number. That notification goes on a report to be worked manually in the hospital\u2019s business office. I can intercept those reports.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper sat on the side of Arnold\u2019s desk, and the two men watched the antagonistic conversation between Leah and Agent Allen continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho in the hospital has access to the records?\u201d asked Agent Allen, looking for hole he could exploit.<\/p>\n

Looking stoically at him, Leah crossed her arms. \u201cEveryone who works with a patient as well as the business office. I can restrict access to everyone except key personnel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe chance of someone breaking a password increases by the number of key personnel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA person trying to break into the system would need more than a password. They\u2019d also need a passkey which only the owner of a user ID knows. I\u2019m the only person who can override a passkey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you understand, Ms. Haverty. Passwords\u2026passkeys\u2026they can all be broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah looked down at her feet, breathing deeply before she looked back up. \u201cThen we can limit access to Dr. Applebaum, Dr. McIntyre, the attending nurse and myself. I can change our passkeys to sixteen by sixteen bit encryption. Even if someone has a password decoding device, I can program the system to detect it, and if the first three or four strings are decoded, the system will regenerate all sixteen strings, and they\u2019ll have to start over. The system will page me when it has to regenerate the strings, so not only will I know that someone has tried to hack in, I\u2019ll know where they tried. I\u2019ll also be able to provide the new encrypted passkey to whoever got hacked.\u201d She gave him a condescending smile. \u201cI know the government is familiar with the use of decoding devices, but the difference is that while most decoding devices available decode decimal numbers, my encryption is binary. One whole number in decimal is the equivalent of a byte in binary. Each byte is made up of eight bits, and that is the level that I create my encryptions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper and Arnold watched the exchange and glanced at each other with raised eyebrows and smiles at Agent Allen\u2019s sudden discomfort.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t offer to do it if I couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you realize that once the bad guys figure out you\u2019re the key to the computer system, your life could be in danger?\u201d Agent Allen positioned himself between Trapper and Arnold at the desk and Leah, addressing Trapper. \u201cAll of you could be in danger in the beginning, but once they figure out they can\u2019t get past the passkeys, they\u2019ll turn their attention to you, Ms. Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

She folded her lips into a tight line and exhaled loudly. \u201cEllen Franks can\u2019t be moved. I don\u2019t see another choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow wait a minute,\u201d said Trapper, standing and glaring at Leah, then looking back at Allen. \u201cWhat difference does it make if they find her records? Can\u2019t you protect a single room in a hospital? How desperate are these people to keep her quiet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, what she knows could close Xanda down. They\u2019re only work is government contracts, many of them defense contracts specifically dealing with nukes and nuclear waste. Xanda does have competition, so the government has choices. Without those contracts, a billion dollar corporation fails and takes all the suits employed there with it, and some of those will go to prison.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnswer the second question; can\u2019t you protect a single room in a hospital?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can, but you know as well as I do the government always has contingencies,\u00a0Captain<\/em>\u00a0McIntyre. So what we are going to do is change Ms. Frank\u2019s hospital record to show that she\u2019s dead, we\u2019re going to establish a record under an alias with only her ongoing treatment,\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0we are going to limit access to those records using Ms. Haverty\u2019s encryption programs to secure them.\u201d Agent Allen moved his jacket back to place a hand on his hip. He pointed a finger of the other hand at Trapper. \u201cAnd if you give me any problems, I\u2019ll bring you back to active duty. Then if you decide you don\u2019t want to obey orders, you\u2019ll face a court martial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the military got to do with this?\u201d yelled Trapper, stepping into Agent Allen, who stood up straight to face him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll be providing your protection,\u201d he yelled back.<\/p>\n

Moving next to Trapper and squeezing his arm, Leah said quietly, \u201cNukes, Trapper. It\u2019s not Xanda failing that has the government scrambling. It\u2019s the disposition of the nuclear material.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty-Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah sat in a chair in her executive office with an obstinate frown, her arms and legs crossed and one foot tapping the air. Trapper sat in the chair at the front side of her desk listening intently to the questions asked by Agent Allen after he hung up from a phone call and her answers.<\/p>\n

\u201cApparently, Ms. Haverty, you have a high-level government clearance. Redstone Arsenal? NASA?\u201d asked Agent Allen.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first assignment after I went back to work was to create a database of the telecommunications systems at Redstone. In order to do that, an inventory had to be taken of the equipment and cabling, and in order to do that, I had to be on the premises. My second assignment was to update the programs for the interactive displays at George Marshall Space Flight Center, and to do that, I had to work in their control room. Because my company frequently works on government contracts, they actively renew my clearance in the event they need me in that capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this encryption you suggested\u2026it\u2019s something you wrote for the government?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I have always used the standard government encryption on all my government jobs. They didn\u2019t want to pay me for a better encryption solution, so I didn\u2019t develop it for them. The private sector has always thought it was too advanced for their needs. So I developed it on my own while I wasn\u2019t working. I\u2019ve only tested it. I\u2019ve never implemented it in a business application.\u201d She breathed deeply before she continued. \u201cIf I use it here, it will become the property of my company. My contract with them contains an intellectual property clause.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, I understand you live in an active area of San Francisco\u2026across from a park. Does any of your family live with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I live alone. Why are you asking?\u201d asked Trapper suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Applebaum has agreed to stay at a nearby hotel. He has family at home and doesn\u2019t want them to be involved in any problems that might arise from keeping Ms. Frank here. You and Ms. Haverty apparently live alone, but your house is much more exposed than her guest house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting up straight and moving her arms to her desk, Leah asked, \u201cHow do you know I live in a guest house?\u201d<\/p>\n

Agent Allen looked at the floor for a moment as he snorted, and then looked back up. \u201cIt appears you have people watching out for your welfare, Ms. Haverty. We contacted your company and were referred to Doug Manning.\u201d An uncomfortable chill ran down Leah\u2019s spine. Picking up on her dismay, Trapper tensed. \u201cHe told us your office and your home could be easily isolated,\u201d said Agent Allen.<\/p>\n

Her agitation slowly grew into feelings of anger and betrayal. She hadn\u2019t told the company about the office or her new address. \u201cExcuse me for a moment,\u201d she spat as she stood and left the room. Sticking her head in Arnold\u2019s door and finding him gone, she entered, closing the door behind her. She picked up the receiver of the phone and started to dial, but stopped and pushed down the switch buttons. It was Albert who gave her the name of the realtor for the guest house. Instead of dialing Doug\u2019s number she dialed Albert\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, this is Leah Haverty Lewis. I\u2019d like to speak with Mr. Shaeffer, please. Yes, I\u2019ll hold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, it\u2019s good to hear from you. What can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just need some answers, Albert, regarding my home. What prompted you to call me with the name of a realtor when I first moved to San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour boss, Doug Manning, asked me to help you find a nice place that was secure. He called me again only a week or so ago. I just happened to have a friend who was looking for someone to rent their pool house, and you met their qualifications, and of course, I gave you an excellent reference.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know anything about my executive office at the hospital?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but Mr. Manning did mention that he didn\u2019t like you in the basement with no one around you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo me a favor, Albert. If Doug asks you to do anything else for me, would you please let me know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d asked Albert, sounding alarmed.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t be absolutely sure, but it seems Doug\u2019s arranged for my housing, and now it appears he\u2019s arranged for a more visible office. He knows things\u2026private things\u2026about me that he shouldn\u2019t. Have you mentioned anything to him about my portfolio?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, other than to say that you don\u2019t have to work. That\u2019s all confidential. I wouldn\u2019t do that. But do I need to do something about Doug?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt some point, maybe. But for right now, don\u2019t do anything, and if he calls you again, feign ignorance, but let me know what he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, what else does he know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPersonal things, Albert. Things about my close relationships here. He\u2019d have no way of knowing that from where he is\u2026in New York\u2026unless he has someone watching me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want me to find that out for you? I have an excellent investigator.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had no idea what she would do with such information, but it might be good to have, just in case. \u201cYes, Albert. I think I would like you to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cConsider it done. I\u2019ll let you know as soon as we find anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah had been looking out of Arnold\u2019s window and didn\u2019t hear Trapper quietly enter the office. \u201cIt seems you have a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spinning around, her eyes were wide for a moment before she calmed down and hung up the phone. \u201cHow long have you been standing there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLong enough to hear that you\u2019re boss could be stepping over a line. What are you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing at the moment,\u201d she said, moving her hand to her forehead. \u201cWhy is he spying on me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper smiled and approached her, taking her hands in his. \u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s nothing sinister.\u201d Lowering his head, he looked into her eyes, seeing her angst. \u201cHe probably just wants a jump on someone trying to steal you away. You seem to be a hot commodity with government experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gazed at him inconsolably. \u201cWhat has the job got to do with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d he asked, putting his arms around her .<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last time I spoke to Doug, he said he knew about you. Why would he care about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he sees me as someone who could steal you away.\u201d She exhaled and let her head fall back. \u201cThink about it,\u201d he said, pulling her into him. “Without friends\u2026\u201d He bent to whisper in her ear. \u201cOr lovers\u2026he has your full attention; the perfect employee. What does your contract say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking off a chill of a different kind, she answered, \u201cMy contract is on an assignment basis. I have no obligation to the company other than that\u2026except that anything I develop during my tenure belongs to the company as intellectual property. But I find it disturbing that he can find out things about me so easily, and that he\u2019s apparently perfectly willing to share,\u201d she barked, waving her hand at the door. \u201cI really don\u2019t want to work for him anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. Finish your contract, and then leave. I\u2019m sure you can find work somewhere else. You can always use me as a reference, and I\u2019m sure Arnold would give you a reference as well.\u201d He caught her eyes and raised his brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d she said with a slight smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Agent Allen has proposed that instead of me staying at my house, I stay with you.\u201d He winced before he continued. \u201cIt seems that your employer told him we\u2019re an item, so he didn\u2019t think either of us would have a problem. That way, he can put one man in the front and another man on the stairs to the beach, and no one will be able to get to us since the house is fairly isolated on a cliff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou realize that will give us no privacy, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, I think it\u2019s time for you to hang curtains,\u201d he said, leading her to the door.<\/p>\n

When he opened it, two men in black suits were waiting for them outside Arnold\u2019s office. \u201cAgent Allen and Mr. Slocum are waiting for you.\u201d Glancing at each other with portentous looks, both headed for the conference room.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Fifty-Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper sat at his computer, staring at the screen. Once he hit the button, his name would go on a false death certificate; something he knew could be considered perjury if anyone wanted to pursue it. But he had agreed that before he left the hospital, Ellen Frank would expire, and consequently Arnold would hold a press conference that would hit the late evening news. After that, he could only guess what may or may not occur. He pressed the enter button and watched the computer change her status to expired. Then he picked up the phone and dialed. \u201cIs Allen with you?\u201d He heard what sounded like an exasperated breath on the other end.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been standing over my shoulder ever since I started. I keep telling him he\u2019s slowing me down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you tell him my part is done? It\u2019s Arnold\u2019s turn now. How are you coming along?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m almost finished testing, and as soon as I show Agent Allen that it works, I\u2019ll install it and let it configure the new encrypted passkeys. Allen will deliver Dr. Applebaum\u2019s and Ernie\u2019s, and I\u2019ll have yours with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to go by the house and pick up some clothes. Is there anything else I can pick up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no wine, so if you want wine while you\u2019re at my place, you need to get some.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I get white or red?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of each. If you get there first, you can start dinner. There are several choices; just raid the frig.”<\/p>\n

Trapper chuckled. \u201cYou planned it this way, didn\u2019t you? I\u2019ll see you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gathering the files and charts he still needed to review, he shoved them into his satchel, slipped on his jacket and left, first for the wine market, and then to Leah\u2019s house and was followed all the way.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t get in with this decoder,\u201d said Allen. \u201cSo I think your programming will do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah had already started gathering her paperwork, shoving it into her briefcase. \u201cGood, then if you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019m going home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a minute, Ms. Haverty. How did you get to nukes earlier today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you Xanda wanted Ms. Frank dead because she could close the company and send the higher-ups to prison. You zoned in on nukes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on,\u201d she said incredulously. Two plus two equals four, Agent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Allen smirked. \u201cI\u2019m not sure most people would draw that line. Do you drive with that foot in a cast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t. If Dr. McIntyre isn\u2019t available to take me home, I take a cab.\u201d<\/p>\n

Allen made a call. \u201cI need a cab in front of the hospital with one of our guys driving. No, he needs to look like a cabbie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAgent Allen, can I offer you some advice?\u201d she asked as she stopped loading her briefcase.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather you didn\u2019t, but I know that won\u2019t stop you.\u201d He continued putting his decoding equipment away without even looking at her.<\/p>\n

She chuckled. \u201cThe military nurses you have with Ms. Frank are fine. They actually look like nurses. But the men\u2026an idiot could spot them as military a mile away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally paying attention, Allen stopped what he was doing and scrutinized her. \u201cHow do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir posture, the way they carry themselves when they walk, and especially their hair styles scream military. I know the men you have watching Dr. McIntyre and me and my house are not military. They\u2019re FBI\u2026your guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s that bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

She raised her brows and said, \u201cThey\u2019re a dead giveaway,\u201d as she reached over to pick up her ringing phone. \u201cLeah Hav\u2026just a moment. For you,\u201d she said, glaring and passing the phone.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. We\u2019ll be right out,\u201d he said, hanging up the phone. \u201cYour cab\u2019s here. Ms. Haverty, I\u2019ll need your home phone number.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have it in my file,\u201d she said, limping to the elevator.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but I don\u2019t carry your file with me. If something happens here, I may need to contact you to stay away from the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once on board the elevator, she took a business card out of her purse and wrote her home number on the back, then passed the card to him. \u201cThat might be alright for me, but you will not keep Dr. McIntyre away. He takes his patient\u2019s welfare as well as the safety of the hospital staff very seriously. And by the way, here\u2019s your pager.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe encryption software will send a page to my pager and that pager if an entry attempt by a decoder is detected.\u201d Handing him a piece of paper, she continued, \u201cHere\u2019s a list of codes it can send. These tell you the area and the computer where the break-in was attempted. I figured by the time I got the page and called you, and you called whoever you needed to, the hacker would be long gone. This removes the time associated with one of those steps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you get me another one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have it tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Sitting in a chair with one leg crossed over the other and reading through a stapled medical report, Trapper looked up when he heard the sliding door open. He watched as Leah dropped her briefcase on the sofa, walked into the kitchen area, prepared a concoction made up of a powder and glass of water, and then ran her fingers into her hair, massaging her scalp. She gave way to another set of fingers, strong ones, pushing up into her hair from the back and taking over the massage. \u201cIf you keep this up, you can have anything you want. Anything at all,\u201d she purred.<\/p>\n

Moving his hands down, he kneaded her neck and shoulders. \u201cYour muscles are tighter than a drumhead. Did something else happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I just don\u2019t work well with an audience breathing down my neck.\u201d Trapper lowered his hands to her arms, but she implored, \u201cPlease, don\u2019t stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning over her shoulder, he kissed her cheek. \u201cI have to check our dinner in the oven, but I promise I\u2019ll give you a back rub tonight.\u201d She admired him as he bent down and opened the oven. \u201cThis still needs some time. I just put it in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan Allen really bring you back to active duty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy the rules, no. The military can only involuntarily reinstate someone who retired or was separated which means they had further plans for them. I only had three years service, so I wasn\u2019t eligible for retirement. They discharged me before the war was over. I didn\u2019t even see it through to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo he\u2019s bluffing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Now why are you still in your work clothes, Dr. McIntyre?\u201d He looked down at himself and shrugged. His tie was loosened, but everything else he had worn to the office was still intact. Grabbing the tie, she pulled him toward bathroom. \u201cCome with me. I\u2019ll help you change.\u201d<\/p>\n

A crooked smile appeared on his face. \u201cOnly if I get to return the favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leaning over the back of the sofa behind Trapper, Leah passed a glass of wine to him as he read through his medical reports. \u201cThis isn\u2019t fair. If I have to stop working after eight hours, why don\u2019t you? And don\u2019t tell me you didn\u2019t have heart surgery. It seems to me you\u2019re as likely to need heart surgery as me, considering how much you work.\u201d She walked around the sofa and sat next to him, snuggling against his shoulder and biting his earlobe. \u201cDinner was wonderful. What do you call that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her ministrations at his ear didn\u2019t seem to do anything for him. He simply raised an eyebrow and said, \u201cA casserole,\u201d as he continued flipping through his report.<\/p>\n

Sitting back, Leah said, \u201cI suppose if my skin was laid open from my chest to my coochipop, exposing my internal organs, you\u2019d be all over me, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shooting up off the sofa with a disgusted growl, she went to the television and turned on the news while Trapper watched over his glasses wearing playful smile. She returned to the sofa, sitting with her good leg underneath her, and as the news came on, Arnold\u2019s voice caught their attention. Setting his report to the side, he moved his arm around her shoulders, waiting for the program introduction to pass. Gazing at her even as she stuck her chin up in the air and turned away, a restrained smile appeared on his lips. \u201cCoochipop?\u201d<\/p>\n

She opened her mouth to respond, but Arnold was on the television screen again announcing with what seemed like great remorse that shortly after Ms. Frank had been moved from the operating room to ICU, she had succumbed to her injuries. When the reporter asked why investigators were still at the hospital, Arnold said, \u201cAs you know, Jason Wright\u2019s death is being investigated as a murder. Ms. Frank\u2019s case was, of course, being treated as attempted murder which now becomes murder. The investigators will be here for a few more days asking questions of all our staff who were involved in their care, and of course, the hospital is giving them our full cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold excused himself as the camera focused on the reporter. \u201cOur Livermore, California correspondent went to Xanda National Laboratories and spoke to the CEO, Tom Harris.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Harris, as you know, one of the two scientists involved in what the police initially considered attempted murder died the evening they were found in a trash compactor. We\u2019ve just been informed that the second victim, Ms. Ellen Frank, has died as well. Do you have any comment?\u201d<\/p>\n

Showing a surprising lack of emotion, Mr. Harris answered. \u201cMyself and all the staff here at Xanda mourn the deaths of our co-workers and friends, Jason and Ellen. It\u2019s difficult to imagine that someone could do what was done to them to any living being. We will be cooperating fully with investigators working to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Harris, do you feel the attack on the two scientists had anything to do with their work here at Xanda?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems unlikely. They were involved in research dealing with distribution systems for eco-friendly crop pesticides.\u201d Someone whispered in his ear. \u201cPlease excuse me, \u201che said, turning and leaving the reporter with a live camera.<\/p>\n

\u201cApparently, there\u2019s a lot going on at Xanda National Labs tonight,\u201d said the reporter. \u201cWe\u2019ll be here, getting the reaction of laboratory workers for the next few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah stood and turned the television off. \u201cThey don\u2019t seem upset at all, do they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Xanda,\u201d said Trapper, rising from the sofa. \u201cThey\u2019ve been investigated so many times no one really expects them to act otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t recall them ever being involved in a murder investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Mostly cover-ups. But they\u2019ve been getting cockier over the years. Maybe they stepped it up. And speaking of stepping up,\u201d said Trapper, taking one of Leah\u2019s hands and backing toward the dais on which the bed sat.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rolling from one side of the bed to the other between the satin sheets, Trapper and Leah held each other in a lover\u2019s embrace, the relative silence broken only by a sporadic deep chuckle or lilting giggle, and the occasional \u2018oo\u2019, \u2018ah\u2019, moan or growl; sounds that accompany intimacy along with a squeak coming from the bed frame if they moved too quickly. Poised eye-to-eye, they froze when a distinctly different noise pierced those mostly mellifluous sounds. Turning away from each other, both said, \u201cIt\u2019s mine,\u201d as they reached for their pagers on their respective bedside tables. Without another thought of each other, both stood and while Leah headed for the bathroom and clean clothes, Trapper picked up the phone and dialed the hospital.<\/p>\n

Moments later he joined her in the bathroom. \u201cWhat\u2019s yours?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn attempted system breach. Someone\u2019s in the hospital that shouldn\u2019t be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYours?\u201d she asked as she pulled her jeans on.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was Applebaum. There are several people walking the hall in greens that he doesn\u2019t recognize.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t expect anyone to be looking this soon,\u201d she said, leaving the bathroom, grabbing the strap of her purse and heading for the door with Trapper right behind her. \u201cThey tried to hack your computer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy computer?\u201d he said as they made their way up the walkway and through the gate to his car. Trapper opened her door, waiting for her to move her casted foot in, and then went around to the driver\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes perfect sense. Your office is well isolated, especially late at night when there aren\u2019t many people around. Do you lock your office at night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I never needed to. All the file cabinets and my desk are locked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now that you have a computer, you should.\u201d When she saw a frown appear on his face, she moved a hand to his thigh. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t have mattered. If they\u2019re sophisticated enough to attempt a system hack, your door lock wouldn\u2019t have stopped them.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they arrived at the hospital, Allen\u2019s men escorted them the rest of the way to Trapper\u2019s office. They arrived as a man dressed in scrubs, a white lab coat and wearing handcuffs was being led out. \u201cMs. Haverty,\u201d said Agent Allen, who was just rising from Trapper\u2019s desk chair, \u201ccan you find out what he was trying to look at?\u201d<\/p>\n

She took a deep breath and walked around the desk to the keyboard of the computer. \u201cThat seems obvious, Agent Allen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper turned to leave. \u201cWhile you do that, I\u2019m going down to check on the patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s fine, Dr. McIntyre. No one has been in her room except for Dr. Applebaum and the military nurses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you don\u2019t mind,\u201d Trapper answered with a patronizing smile, \u201cI\u2019d like to see for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before he left, Leah and Allen\u2019s pagers went off, prompting them both to look. \u201cThey\u2019re in my computer room,\u201d growled Leah, heading for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait just a minute,\u201d said Allen, grabbing her arm and pulling her back, moving her in front of Trapper. \u201cKeep her here until I call.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Agent Allen left, she tried to follow, but Trapper took her arms. \u201cHe\u2019s right. You need to stay here until they clear the basement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts,\u201d he said calmly, moving his arm around her shoulder and guiding her toward his desk. \u201cAfter doing what they did to Wright and Frank, they\u2019d have no problem getting you out of the way quickly and permanently. Can\u2019t you do what you need to do from here?\u201d Trapper asked, motioning toward his computer.<\/p>\n

She sat down hard in his chair and began typing in commands as Trapper moved behind her to watch. She was typing and moving from one screen to the next so fast, he couldn\u2019t really keep up. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m locking down the tape library and all the tape drives, and I\u2019m disabling all the computer terminals down there.\u201d In another minute, she said, \u201cThere. They can\u2019t get to anything above the floor. Now I just need to bring up the port map and make sure they don\u2019t plug directly into the mainframe ports under the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting on the side of the desk, Trapper asked, \u201cIf you can do all that from here, why were you so anxious to get down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, I have two operators down there at night to mount tapes and take care of any abends\u2026sorry programs that end abnormally\u2026abnormal end\u2026abend. Who do you think pages me when there\u2019s a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper frowned at the sharpness of her response, but let it go, knowing he would be just as worried about his people under similar circumstances. Then he remembered that he did have people in what might turn in to bad situation. Taking a deep breath, he rose from the desk and walked to the door. \u201cExcuse me. I\u2019m going to check on my patient\u2026and my staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not fair. You get to check on your staff, but I don\u2019t get to check on mine?\u201d she said, fuming.<\/p>\n

Trapper held his hands out to his sides. \u201cMy area hasn\u2019t been compromised.\u201d She turned away. \u201cLeah, look at me.\u201d Once she slowly turned back to face him, he said, \u201cThat\u2019s only because you\u2019re doing an exceptional job at protecting the information.\u201d Holding his hand like a gun and cocking it at her, he winked, smiled and left before he could see the corner of her mouth turning up into a proud smile.<\/p>\n

Still, she wasn\u2019t going to sit alone in that office like an obedient school girl. As soon as Trapper had time to turn the corner down the hall, she was on her way to that corner to peer around it. What she didn\u2019t know was that as soon as she left the office, the phone rang with Agent Allen on the other end.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn that woman. Can\u2019t she do anything I ask her without questioning it? You,\u201d he said, grabbing one of his men. \u201cGo up and get Leah Haverty. I need to find out what files were compromised down here. And as soon as the van gets here, get these men loaded and on their way to The Presidio. And page Dr. McIntyre. He won\u2019t be able to do anything for the guy over there, but this one\u2019s still alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the confusion of the melee in the basement, Allen\u2019s guards had left the elevator unattended, so after Trapper disappeared behind its doors, Leah pushed the down button and waited. The man Allen had sent to find her met her when the doors opened to the basement. \u201cWho are you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaverty. Get out of my way,\u201d she answered, shoving past him and limping toward the mainframe. She froze when she saw Hector Ramirez face down on the raised floor. \u201cOh, God,\u201d she whispered, raising a hand to her mouth, her eyes fixed on the figure lying on the floor until she began to look around her. \u201cMike. Where\u2019s Mike?\u201d<\/p>\n

Allen stepped between her and Hector\u2019s body. \u201cMike\u2019s over here. I\u2019ve sent for Dr. McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kneeling down next to Mike who was lying on the floor near the tape shelves, she smiled as she brushed his hair from his forehead. \u201cMike, I\u2019m so sorry. The job description certainly didn\u2019t include getting shot, did it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Ha\u2026Haverty? Is H\u2026H\u2026Hector alright. I heard him yell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHector\u2026\u201d she turned back toward the mainframe and looked at Hector\u2019s still body, \u201c\u2026is being taken care of. Let\u2019s just worry about you for right now, okay? Dr. McIntyre is on his way,\u201d she said softly, taking Mike\u2019s hand. \u201cI\u2019ll wait for him with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty, you don\u2019t have time to wait. I need to know what information they were able to get to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me your jacket, you heartless bastard,\u201d she spat, glaring back over her shoulder at Agent Allen. After she laid the jacket over Mike to keep him warm for he was beginning to shiver, she spoke to Allen without taking her eyes off of Mike. \u201cThey mostly likely didn\u2019t get into anything. I locked everything down from McIntyre\u2019s office.\u201d Allen began to turn away, but stopped at the word, \u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I got to the mainframe ports in time. Where any of the floor panels disturbed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause there are direct access ports underneath the raised floor\u2026in case of an emergency and if we\u2019ve lost the terminals. I need to check under the moved panels.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty, is there room under that floor for someone to hide?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but only in certain places, and even then it would be tight squeeze.\u201d<\/p>\n

Allen didn\u2019t wait for Leah to finish. He was already on his way back to the raised floor, motioning for his men to spread out and be ready, all of them pulling their guns from their shoulder holsters. No one bothered looking to see who had just stepped off the elevator. Trapper saw the commotion and headed toward the mainframe, but a familiar voice drew him to the tape shelves.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, this is Mike,\u201d said Leah quietly as Trapper knelt next to them. \u201cMike, Dr. McIntyre will take good care of you.\u201d Both Leah and Trapper looked up when they heard yelling near the mainframe.<\/p>\n

When Leah stood to go over, Trapper grabbed her wrist. \u201cStay here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twisting her hand to escape Trapper\u2019s grip, Leah protested. \u201cIt\u2019s my job to protect that mainframe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot this time. Allen\u2019s men had their guns drawn when I stepped off the elevator, and with the yelling, you know something\u2019s not right. \u201cYou\u2019re staying right here,\u201d he said in a tone more like an order with an increasingly firm grasp of her wrist.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t take orders from you,\u201d she snapped in a barely controlled rage.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah!\u201d he said through gritted teeth. \u201cYou and I are going to move Mike to your office out of the way of whatever is going on over there.\u201d Taking a deep, calming breath, he nodded his head toward the tape library desk. \u201cHe\u2019s got a shoulder wound, and he\u2019s lost some blood. Get that rolling chair and help me get him into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sneered when she rose to get the chair, and as she turned back with it, a chill ran through her as she watched Allen\u2019s men pull a writhing, kicking person from underneath the raised floor, and then slam him down on his chest, drawing his arms behind him to handcuff him. Agent Allen saw her and motioned her over.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be with you in a moment,\u201d she called back, rolling the chair to Trapper. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just call for a gurney?\u201d she asked calmly. \u201cIt appears the worst is over. Allen wants me on the raised floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper stood, and moving his hands to his hips, he looked up at her from under his brow with a look she was just beginning to recognize, a mixture of ire and apprehension. \u201cWhere\u2019s your other technician?\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving a hand to his chest, bowing her head, and then looking back up into his eyes, conveying her apology and her sorrow, she quietly answered, \u201cHector is dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s mouth opened at the same time he crooked his jaw. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t know.\u201d Then his nostrils flared as his anger rose. \u201cThis ends here.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty-One<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arnold Slocum sat at his desk, looking up at the three people who were talking all at once, alternately arguing and addressing him. Finally, he held up his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop! I can\u2019t understand a word any of you are saying. Please, one at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper, Leah and Agent Allen stood silently, wondering who was going first. It was Agent Allen who eventually spoke. \u201cI guess the first question is did they get any information?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid who get any information?\u201d asked Arnold.<\/p>\n

\u201cSix men broke into the tape library and the raised floor holding the mainframe computer in the basement,\u201d Allen answered.<\/p>\n

Arnold stood and leaned over his desk. \u201cAnd just how did they get in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still working on that. They didn\u2019t use the elevator, so there must be another way in the basement besides the doors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah threw up her hands, turned and sat in one of the chairs in front of Arnold\u2019s desk. \u201cDoes it really matter now? The damage has been done. There\u2019s nothing you can do to change it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat damage?\u201d shouted Arnold who didn\u2019t seem to be getting any worthwhile answers.<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s hand went up to calm Arnold. \u201cThere was a break-in in the basement, but Leah thinks she got everything shut down before they could get any information.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah leaned forward and tossed a cartridge tape on Arnold\u2019s desk. \u201cThat\u2019s all the information on Ellen Frank. I transferred it from the mainframe storage to that tape, and that tape has been locked in my desk. They didn\u2019t get to it. There was a device under the floor they were using to try to copy all the hospital files. I was able to shut the ports down right after they started.\u201d She set another smaller tape on the desk. \u201cThat\u2019s the tape from their equipment. They weren\u2019t able to download much. But what does it matter now? Trapper\u2019s going to have Ellen Frank moved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold,\u201d said Trapper, pausing to take a deep breath before he said his next words. \u201cOne of Leah\u2019s technicians was killed\u2026shot. A second man is being treated for a gunshot wound. He\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes for a moment, Arnold glanced up at Trapper, and then looked to Leah. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ms. Haverty. Who were they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHector Ramirez is the man who was killed. Mike Stanley is the one being treated. They were student interns, gentlemen, who volunteered to stay on while all this was going on, believing they were being protected.\u201d As she spoke, her voice grew louder, and when she finished, she was glaring at Agent Allen. Dropping her forehead into her hand, she continued. \u201cHector was a tape ape\u2026the guy who retrieved tapes from the library and mounted them on the tape drives when there was a restore request. That happens frequently for old files\u2026the system moves them off to tape. Mike is the actual operator. He sits at a console and watches the batch system run and makes sure all the jobs complete successfully. Both were students at San Francisco State. But it doesn\u2019t matter now. You can\u2019t change what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cBut we can make damn sure it doesn\u2019t happen again. Arnold, this isn\u2019t simply a bunch of corporate suits who are afraid of losing their jobs. You don\u2019t kill people over a job. I think Leah was right,\u201d he said, moving his gaze to Agent Allen. \u201cThis is about the nuclear material held at Xanda. For all we know, this thing could be international. Isn\u2019t that right, Agent Allen?\u201d<\/p>\n

Allen raised a defiant chin. \u201cThat\u2019s confidential information.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper scoffed. \u201cIf that wasn\u2019t a confirmation, I don\u2019t know what is.\u201d Turning back to Arnold, Trapper continued, \u201cI\u2019m no longer willing to treat Ms. Frank here at the hospital. I\u2019ve made arrangements to have her moved to Letterman Army Hospital at the Presidio. It\u2019s close enough that Dr. Applebaum and I can still consult, and it\u2019s a fairly new state-of-the-art facility.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just how do you propose getting her there without killing her. We need her alive,\u201d yelled Allen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve already spoken to George Standiver, Lettermen\u2019s Chief of Surgery. She\u2019s been stable for twenty-four hours now, so we\u2019ll be life-flighting her over this afternoon. He\u2019s coming here to examine her before she goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t just send her somewhere else without the proper authorization,\u201d said Allen, now standing right in front of Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgent Allen, I still have friends in the service\u2026good friends who just happen to agree this is bigger than you. This move was authorized by Lt. General Sherman Potter. If you\u2019ve got a problem with it, I suggest you take it up with him. But hurry,\u201d Trapper said in a low voice, looking down at Leah, still sitting in the chair. \u201cHe\u2019s getting ready to retire.\u201d His wink got a crooked smile out of her.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Standing outside Ellen Frank\u2019s ICU room, Trapper discussed her injuries with Dr. Standiver from Letterman as Leah paced back and forth in front of the nurse\u2019s station.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, why are you so nervous about this?\u201d asked Ernie who was looking for Ellen\u2019s chart.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Something just doesn\u2019t feel right.\u201d Leah stopped pacing. \u201cWhat are you looking for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Frank\u2019s original chart. I\u2019ve got Ms. Davis\u2019 new chart here, but I can\u2019t find the old one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop looking. The old paper chart was destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy on earth would they do that? If they wanted to show she was dead, you\u2019d think that a doctor\u2019s signature in a chart would only confirm it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess they didn\u2019t want anyone to have specifics on her treatment. It would be too easy to match that to Ms. Davis\u2019 ongoing treatments. Anyway, the paper chart was destroyed after everything was entered into the computer. I can recreate it if necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking up to them, Trapper asked, \u201cErnie, are you ready? We\u2019ll be moving her up to the helipad as soon as the guards are in place.\u201d Ernie nodded. \u201cLeah, I need a printed copy of her original chart. How long do you think that will take?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly a couple of minutes. I\u2019ll bring it to you while you get her loaded into the helicopter.\u201d Leah left for the print room where it would be quicker for her to use the terminal there to order the print, and then wait for it as it printed.<\/p>\n

Trapper, Dr. Standiver and Ernie walked behind the gurney as Guardsmen moved it from outside the door of the ICU to the elevator. Ellen lay on an air mattress and was surrounded by air-filled cushions designed to insulate her from sudden bumps from the gurney. With her tucked snuggly between the side cushions, it also provided a sturdy enough surface that when she was moved from the bed to the gurney and then to the helicopter, her body was exposed to only a minimal amount of movement.<\/p>\n

Trapper checked her vitals again in the elevator. \u201cShe\u2019s still stable,\u201d he said, looking seriously up at Dr. Standiver who took a deep breath and nodded. \u201cGeorge, you seem a little nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled. \u201cI\u2019ll feel much better when she\u2019s in my hospital surrounded by Guardsmen. Not to slight your efforts here John, but the chances for whoever is trying to kill this woman are nil on the base compared to a public hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo insult taken, George. I agree. She doesn\u2019t belong here.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they arrived on the roof, the Guardsmen held them in the elevator until the helicopter had set down, military sentinels surrounded it, and Letterman Hospital personnel had the interior ready to receive the patient. A line of sentry standing shoulder to shoulder formed from the elevator to the chopper, and the group in the elevator began their journey.<\/p>\n

As Ms. Frank was moved into the helicopter, Leah emerged from the elevator with her file and was escorted by a Guardsman to the chopper. Ducking more so because of the sound and wind created by the propellers than the propellers themselves, she passed the file to Dr. Standiver who had just stepped into the helicopter when a shot rang out. At first, everyone turned toward the shot, but when a shout came for everyone to get down on the ground, Trapper pulled Ernie and Leah into him in each arm and took them down to the surface of the helipad. Leah barely noticed the sound of another shot because the breath had been knocked from her from Trapper\u2019s weight falling onto her chest.<\/p>\n

Guardsmen now surrounded those still on the ground as the door of the helicopter was slammed shut, and the machine climbed into the air at the same time it moved away from the direction of the gunfire.<\/p>\n

Ernie lay still as she listened to the shouts around her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSniper, two hundred yards northeast, edge of roof.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Guardsmen\u2019s own sniper looked, and spotting the distant figure yelled, \u201cGot him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steadying his rifle, he peered through the scope and pulled the trigger in only a matter of seconds, proclaiming, \u201cThreat neutralized.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another yell of \u201cRecover,\u201d sent a number of the Guardsmen down the elevator even as several crouched at the side of the building with scopes looking for more snipers and making sure the one they knew about didn\u2019t get up. Still more Guardsmen swarmed over everyone on the tarmac.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ernie, realizing something was wrong with Trapper, struggled to crawl from under him, but just as soon as she was out, she was swiftly brought to her feet and rushed to the elevator. In another minute, two more Guardsmen came into the elevator, carrying an unconscious Trapper between them, carefully laying him on the floor. Another Guardsman came in carrying Leah in his arms. Blood covered her blouse. \u201cWhat floor?\u201d asked one of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cPush one. Emergency is always on the first floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

By this time, Ernie had shaken off the shock of the moment and knelt next to Trapper, looking for a wound. The front of his shirt was bloody, and she soon found the bullet hole. Then she moved him to his side and found his back soaked with blood. The bullet had gone through from the back to the front. The minute the door opened onto the emergency department, she was yelling out the door, \u201cStanley, Trapper\u2019s been shot!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Riverside and Dr. Gates had been standing at the nurse\u2019s station when the elevator door opened and heard Ernie\u2019s voice come out in what sounded like a tempered shriek. Both men ran into the elevator, kneeling at Trapper first, but looking back up at Leah, still limp in the Guardsman\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

Calmly, Stanley told the nurse who had followed them to get two gurneys and call for an OR. The Guardsmen lifted Trapper onto one, laid Leah on the other, and without anyone realizing, disappeared, their job done.<\/p>\n

Gonzo cut Trapper\u2019s pullover shirt up the middle of the front and examined the wound. He felt Trapper\u2019s back, looking for the entry wound. \u201cI\u2019ll need some middle thorax x-rays.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you looking for,\u201d asked Ernie. \u201cThe bullet went clean through.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErnie, based on where it went through, we\u2019ll be very lucky if it didn\u2019t hit anything major on the way. You go with him. Get him cleaned up, and put some pressure on those wounds. After you get the pictures, go ahead and take him to the OR and get him prepped. I want to take a look at Leah. She\u2019s pretty bloody herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably Trapper\u2019s,\u201d said Ernie, pulling up the side rails of the gurney.<\/p>\n

\u201cErnie,\u201d said Gonzo, looking into her eyes. \u201cThe bullet went through Trapper. It had to go somewhere, and it looks like Leah was in front of him.\u201d Taking Ernie\u2019s hands, he realized she was shaking. He called Gloria over and sent her to x-ray with Trapper. \u201cYou\u2019re staying here for a minute,\u201d he said to Ernie, walking around her, checking her whites. \u201cI don\u2019t see any blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t hit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Gates, I was a nurse in a MASH unit. It\u2019s\u2026just been awhile since I\u2019ve had to hit the dirt. I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Gonzo, smiling. \u201cYou can help me with Leah until they get those x-rays of Trapper. If she caught the bullet, we need to get it out.\u201d They rolled Leah into an exam room. Ernie waited while Stanley and Gonzo search for a wound.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you looking for?\u201d asked Leah, barely whispering.<\/p>\n

Moving her hair away from her forehead, Gonzo leaned over her. \u201cHi, gorgeous. Do you remember what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

As she concentrated, her eyes flew open wide, and she struggled to sit up. \u201cTrapper! Where\u2019s Trapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa there,\u201d said Gonzo as he and Stanley pushed her back down. \u201cHe\u2019s being taken care of. Right now, we\u2019re taking care of you. We have to find out where all this blood came from.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not mine. It\u2019s Trapper\u2019s,\u201d she answered, looking down at her chest and hands. \u201cPlease, Gonzo, I think Trapper was shot. He grabbed me when they told us to get on the ground, but then he just fell on top of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking her face in his hands, Gonzo leaned over her again, face to face. \u201cListen to me. I know you\u2019re concerned about Trapper. He\u2019s in x-ray, and then he\u2019s going into surgery. The bullet went through him, and you were standing in front of him. Some of this blood might actually be yours. Now think. Do you hurt anywhere?\u201d Her eyes darted back and forth as she thought about pain, and in a split second, she was looking at her arm. \u201cYour arm?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t I feel that until now? That…ow\u2026don\u2019t touch it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Stanley pulled a hole in her sleeve apart. \u201cYep, that\u2019s where it went,\u201d he said as he cut the sleeve off. \u201cLooks like it didn\u2019t have much momentum left. It went into the bicep and stopped at the bone. Gates, I can take care of this. Why don\u2019t you and Ernie go take care of Trapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Gonzo turned to leave, but Leah caught his arm. \u201cGonzo?\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled down at her and covered her hand with his. \u201cI\u2019ll let you know what we\u2019ve got before we go into surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah paced in the surgical waiting room. Gonzo had sent word that some repair work would be needed, but he hadn\u2019t been specific. He only said not to worry. She knew both he and Trapper frequently said that to the families of their surgery patients when they simply didn\u2019t know what to tell them. It had been two hours, her arm was throbbing, her foot hurt, her thoughts were scattered, and the one thing she kept coming back to was\u00a0he has to be alright<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Agent Allen stopped to check on Trapper\u2019s condition. Leah was surprised as it appeared Allen was genuinely concerned. But there was also something else there in his eyes\u2026a sense of failure maybe. He informed her that with Ms. Frank now recuperating at an Army hospital, his job was done, but that he wanted to inform her of their findings in the breach in the basement.<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty, I wanted you to know that your basement is secure. They didn\u2019t find another way in physically. They jumped one of the men under my command and replaced him with one of their own. I had never worked with most of those men before, so I nor anyone else recognized the switch. Anyway, this guy let the others in through a side door that had been secured. The alarm on the door had been disabled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to your man?\u201d<\/p>\n

Allen let out a defeated breath. \u201cThey killed him. We found him in a shipping crate over by the dock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Covering her mouth with her hand, Leah studied him. His rough exterior had taken quite a beating. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Agent Allen. It does seem very senseless, doesn\u2019t it? But knowing how they got in might help me better explain to Hector and Mike\u2019s families how two interns got involved in this. Do we know yet just what information we\u2019ve been protecting in defending Ms. Frank?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do, but I\u2026ah\u2026well, it\u2019s classified. I will tell you that Dr. McIntyre was right to call in the Guard. This is much bigger than any of us first imagined.\u201d He smiled as he turned to leave. \u201cListen carefully to the news. If they don\u2019t break the story, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll figure it out. You were already on the right track. And I wouldn\u2019t worry too much about your doctor friend in there. His kind doesn\u2019t go down easily.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah snorted as she watched him go, recognizing the backhanded compliment. The sound of the doors to the surgical suite opening behind her made her turn around. Gonzo was walking toward her removing his surgical cap. She didn\u2019t say a word with her mouth, but Gonzo read her question in her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine. We had to repair a major artery the bullet nicked, but it looks like that was all the damage. It went in just below his heart\u2026missed by only an eighth of an inch, nicked the artery, and then was deflected by a rib which explains how it went a little sideways and hit your arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I see him?\u201d she asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s being moved to recovery. I\u2019ll take you in a few minutes, but Leah, he won\u2019t be conscious for a little while. He\u2019s still under the affects of the anesthesia.\u201d Looking down at her clothes, he said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t I ask Ernie to take you to the nurse\u2019s locker room and find you some greens? You might be scaring the hospital visitors,\u201d he said, pointing to her blood-covered blouse.<\/p>\n

Looking down at her blouse, she brought her hands up to the sides of her head. \u201cI suppose so,\u201d she replied in a shaky voice.<\/p>\n

Taking her hands, Gonzo bent to see her eyes. \u201cHey, he\u2019s made it. He\u2019ll have to take it easy for a little while, but he\u2019s out of danger.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

While Ernie found a set of greens in Leah\u2019s size, Leah stepped into the shower to wash away the blood that had dried on her chest and stomach. Washing was difficult because she had to keep her cast and her arm dry. Tears began to flow down her cheeks even as she asked herself why she was crying. Finally, she leaned back against the shower wall, wrapped her arms around herself and stopped fighting the tears, wondering all the while why she couldn\u2019t maintain control.<\/p>\n

By the time Ernie returned with clean greens, Leah had stepped out of the shower and was drying off. As she dressed, Ernie watched her face; every now and then Leah\u2019s brow would crease, she\u2019d freeze for a moment, and then continue. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d asked Ernie.<\/p>\n

Leah swallowed hard. \u201cYes, Ernie. I\u2019m fine. I\u2019m just\u2026\u201d Her eyebrows wrinkled again. \u201cIt\u2019s just been a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, it\u2019s okay to feel that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUpset that you might have lost him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing straight, Leah covered her mouth as salty drops began to rain down her cheeks again. Ernie hugged her. \u201cI\u2019ve already had my turn. Take your time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty-Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

Standing at the foot of his bed, Leah watched Trapper breathing, comforted, at least a little, by the steady rise and fall of his chest. She looked intently at the screens surrounding him emitting discordant lines, flashes of light and bleeps of sound. Even though Gonzo said he was out of danger, she would feel no better until Trapper opened his eyes. She couldn\u2019t yet put a name on the feeling that was gnawing at her insides.<\/p>\n

Quietly moving to the side of the bed, dropping the rail and pulling a chair close, she sat down, moved her arm out of the sling that held it and touched his hand. It felt cold to her, so she very carefully tucked it underneath the blanket that covered him, leaving her fingers entwined in his.<\/p>\n

Laying her head on the pillow next to his, she lightly stroked his beard with the back of her fingers as she began to silently weep with sudden understanding, her tears soaking into the pillow. \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s more terrifying,\u201d she whispered. \u201cSeeing you shot or realizing how much I love you.\u201d She righted her head and looked closely at his face. In that brief moment after the words \u2018I love you\u2019 came out of her mouth, did she see the corner of his mouth turn up ever so slightly? \u201cJohn?\u201d she whispered. \u201cAre you awake?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a little too soon, I think,\u201d said a voice from behind her she didn\u2019t recognize.<\/p>\n

Sitting up, Leah wiped her face and turned, and when she saw Melanie McIntyre standing inside the curtain surrounding Trapper\u2019s bed, she stuttered. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026sorry\u2026Mrs. McIntyre. Did the hospital call you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Melanie said, \u201cNo. I saw it on the news. I think he\u2019s changed his emergency contact information. \u201cThey said you were injured, too. Are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah was surprised at the constant smile Melanie wore. \u201cI\u2019m fine. It seems the sniper got two for one,\u201d she answered, carefully patting the bandage around her arm. \u201cHas anyone told you anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet. The reporter said that he was in surgery, and I think I can assume it was successful,\u201d she said, pointing to Trapper lying on the bed.<\/p>\n

Leah uncomfortably crossed her arms. \u201cThe bullet went all the way through and got me in the arm. Dr. Gates said it nicked one of his arteries.\u201d Leah stifled the need to cry. \u201cIt missed his heart by only an eighth of an inch.\u201d She noticed the smile disappear as Melanie moved her hand to cover her mouth. It seemed this woman still had feelings for her ex-husband.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my,\u201d said Melanie. \u201cThat was too close, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d Nodding, Leah looked back at Trapper for a moment to gather her wits about her. \u201cYou\u2019ve had a long day,\u201d said Melanie, her smile back in place. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you let me buy you a cup of coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, but I don\u2019t want him to be alone when he wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he won\u2019t be. They\u2019ll baby him here like he\u2019s the most important person in this hospital.\u201d Leah gave her a hesitant look. \u201cThey\u2019re going to run you out of here as soon as he\u2019s awake to get him ready to move to a room. Trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking one more long look at Trapper, Leah finally nodded agreement and followed Melanie out of recovery and to the elevator. \u201cThe cafeteria coffee is much better than this vending machine stuff,\u201d said Melanie as she led the way into the cafeteria. Both women went to the coffee makers and prepared their cups, and once paid for, they opted for an outside table.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. McIntyre\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease call me Melanie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah smiled, though uneasily. \u201cHow much did you hear back in the recovery room?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I heard doesn\u2019t matter. What I see tells the entire story. I knew Trapper was taken with you that first time I met you. I can see now the feeling is mutual.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t really sure until now.\u201d Sitting back in her chair, Leah reverted to her outspoken self. \u201cTo tell you the truth, after both times I\u2019ve met you now, I feel like the other woman. You still love him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Melanie crossed her legs and sat back with her coffee cup in her hand. Pushing her bottom lip up, she nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll always love him. We had two beautiful children together, and he and I had some very good times. But there\u2019s a big difference between you and me. You have an established career, and Trapper is proud of you\u2026of what you do. My career was my children, and once they were gone, I needed to\u2026I don\u2019t know\u2026find myself as they say. The good times were good, but the bad ones were\u2026infuriating. He can be impossible sometimes. Then again, I suppose I can, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah laughed remembering how she and Trapper met. Infuriating was a very accurate description.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose my biggest frustration\u2026the one that pushed us over the edge\u2026was the demands of his job.\u201d Leaning forward, Melanie pointed to herself. \u201cI felt like\u00a0I<\/em>\u00a0was the other woman, only there wasn\u2019t another woman!\u201d She smiled, leaning back again, relaxing at the smile Leah was now wearing. \u201cI think what works for you and Trapper is that you\u2019ve been on equal footing from the beginning. He has his demanding job, and you have yours. On top of that, your jobs are here at the same place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t always be true necessarily. I have a contract to install the new computer system. After that, I move on and turn it over to a new staff CIO.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t asked you to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2026no. I\u2019m not sure he would.\u201d<\/p>\n

Melanie opened her mouth and nodded thoughtfully. \u201cWell, I\u2019d better get going. I came over on a late lunch break. Would you tell him I\u2019ll come by to see him tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking the last sip of her coffee, Melanie rose to leave. \u201cCiao.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah smiled as Melanie walked away, but her smile slowly faded.\u00a0What would I say if he asked me to stay?<\/em>\u00a0She stood to go back into the hospital and quickly remembered how much she ached, so instead of going back to recovery, she found a soft chair in the surgical waiting room and dropped into it, propping her elbows on her legs and bowing her head into her hands.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before Gonzo came in looking for her. \u201cAre you alright,\u201d he said, standing in front of her and looking down.<\/p>\n

At first, she laughed, but her laugh slowly turned into a sob as she shot up out of the chair and limped around Gonzo in a circle. \u201cMy foot hurts, and I can\u2019t even shift it in his cast, my arm feels like it\u2019s having its own mini-fireworks show, my chest hurts, and on top of all that, Trapper could have died. Despite all the security precautions, they shot him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo had never seen Leah lose it\u2026had never suspected that she would ever lose it, but in this case it appeared there was much more at stake\u2026the heart that had closed so completely upon the death of her family had opened and been faced with the possibility of the same kind of pain. He took her by her arms and pulled her into him, letting her cry on his shoulder. \u201cHe\u2019s fine, Leah. He\u2019s awake, and we\u2019re getting ready to move him to a room. But before you see him, I want to take a look at you. You said your chest hurts. Did something happen up on the helipad that made your chest hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper fell on me and knocked the breath out of me. I\u2019m probably just bruised.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to take a look to be sure that\u2019s all it is. I need to take a look at your arm, and I want to do some blood work again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Leah argued. \u201cYou just did blood work and gave me a dose of antibiotics a couple of days ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned her toward the elevator and put his arm over her shoulders. \u201cThat was all before you got shot and had Trapper land on you. You know your condition puts you at greater risk as well as I do, so stop arguing and listen to your doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I just see him before you start poking holes in me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do one better than that,\u201d said Gonzo, winking and smiling. He walked her to the nurse\u2019s desk on the fourth floor where Gloria was working and Ernie was completing Trapper\u2019s chart. \u201cIs he settled yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s resting comfortably, but I don\u2019t understand why you ordered a semi-private room,\u201d said Gloria.<\/p>\n

Gonzo smiled. \u201cLet\u2019s just say it\u2019s for a little mental and emotional health care. Gloria, would you admit Leah? We\u2019re going to be keeping her overnight for some tests. You can put her in the other bed in room 408.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up from her paperwork, Ernie said sternly. \u201cYou know that\u2019s against hospital rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing will come of it if the patients don\u2019t complain. Besides, Trapper isn\u2019t going to feel like doing much of anything for the next few days, and by that time, Leah won\u2019t be a patient, and you can move him to private room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGonzo, you don\u2019t have to break the rules for me,\u201d said Leah, bowing her head tiredly.<\/p>\n

Gonzo snorted. \u201cAnd just where will you be when I\u2019m through poking holes in you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d She sighed and nodded.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty-Four<\/strong>
\nTrapper slept the entire time the phlebotomist was in the room taking Leah\u2019s blood. He slept through Gonzo\u2019s admonishment to her for sitting without propping her foot up. He even slept while she changed into the pajamas and robe she kept in her office out of habit now and through the noise of moving a chair next to his bed close enough to lay her foot on the bottom corner of the mattress.<\/p>\n

All the while, she watched him, waiting for him to open his eyes. Through all that diligence, he saw her first and watched until she raised her head from its bowed position in her hand. Smiling, she took a deep breath of relief and slowly let it out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat bad?\u201d Trapper asked rather hoarsely.<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm,\u201d she answered, nodding slowly. \u201cYou gave me a good fright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try to do better next time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only way you can do better is by not getting shot trying to protect me.\u201d She winced as soon as the words were out of her mouth, knowing they might incite him to be defensive. \u201cBut thank you. You probably saved my life\u2026again.\u201d<\/p>\n

He chuckled and groaned, moving his arms over his chest, his answer of \u201canytime\u201d coming out in a wheeze.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaughing is not on the list of today\u2019s activities.\u201d Moving to the side of the bed, Leah sat down and leaned over him, cradling his head in her hands and kissing his forehead before she laid her forehead on his and closed her eyes, trying to hold back more tears.<\/p>\n

His left side was sore because of the surgery, so his hand remained idle on the bed, but his right hand moved up her back to the nape of her neck where he squeezed before he kissed those tears away. \u201cThat was a lot to go through just to get you to say it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She raised just enough to look into his eyes. \u201cSay what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you said to me in recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were unconscious. You couldn\u2019t have heard anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, he said, \u201cYou called me \u2018John.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting up, Leah sucked in a breath and looked away. \u201cSo I guess it\u2019s time for you to run for the hills.\u201d<\/p>\n

He moved his hand to her thigh and grasped firmly. \u201cNot gonna happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she looked up toward the ceiling, he tugged on her arm, though he wasn\u2019t strong enough to pull her toward him. Even so, he didn\u2019t stop tugging until she was leaning over him again. \u201cWhat happened to your arm?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe shared the bullet,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes, he said in a weary voice, \u201cI thought I was thick enough to stop it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt evidently came from a high-powered sniper rifle. But I\u2019m fine. Gonzo\u2019s keeping me here for observation tonight, so\u2026\u201d she pointed to the other bed, \u201cwe\u2019re roomies.\u201d Brushing the back of her fingers down the side of his beard before she gently kissed his lips, she finished, \u201cYou\u2019re tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we have a lot to talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n

She moved closer to his ear and whispered, \u201cLater. Rest for awhile.\u201d She sat holding his hand until he drifted off to sleep, and then quietly slipped off the bed and wandered into the hall. No one was at the nurse\u2019s station, but when she looked down the hall, it appeared the waiting room was bursting with white coats and uniforms.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d Leah said as she pushed through the crowd watching the television. Standing with Gonzo on one side and Ernie on the other, they listened intently to the breaking news story. It started with federal officers bringing suited men out of the front doors of Xanda National Laboratories handcuffed and leading them to waiting vans.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you can see behind me,\u201d said the news reporter, \u201ca raid has taken place at Xanda National Laboratories here in Livermore. At this time, no charges have been revealed, however, a reliable source tells us that upon what was called a surprise inspection, it was discovered that reactor-grade plutonium scheduled for storage in an undisclosed location has disappeared, possibly heading overseas toward a Middle Eastern country. Our look at Xanda began earlier this week when two Xanda scientists were discovered in a trash compactor in San Francisco literally crushed.\u201d The picture changed to that of the two scientists being rolled into the hospital. \u201cIt had been reported that both scientists died, but since then, we\u2019ve received information that one of the two scientists is alive and recuperating thanks to a team of surgeons at San Francisco Memorial Hospital lead by Chief of Surgery John McIntyre.\u201d A posed picture of Trapper appeared on the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019d they get that?\u201d asked Jackpot.<\/p>\n

Ernie snorted. \u201cProbably from Arnold. He\u2019ll do anything to promote the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have also learned that Dr. McIntyre and a woman who also works at the hospital were shot by snipers during an Army maneuver involving moving a patient to a helicopter on the roof the hospital. We have not yet confirmed the patient was Ms. Ellen Frank, one of the two scientists who might have been trying to inform the government of the missing plutonium. Dr. McIntyre and the woman who was shot are recuperating at the hospital. We\u2019ll stay on top of this story, and let you know the facts as soon as they are available.\u201d<\/p>\n

The newscast returned to the reporter in the studio who added before moving on to the next news story, \u201cEven though the missing plutonium was reactor-grade, it\u2019s still powerful and deadly enough to be used in nuclear weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone started to leave the waiting room, but Ernie and Gonzo stopped and looked at Leah who was absently staring at the television screen. \u201cLeah, is something wrong?\u201d asked Ernie.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d she said, turning. \u201cOh\u2026no. I was just thinking about the break-in in the basement. All the men Agent Allen took into custody looked Middle Eastern.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s over,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cAnd you should be resting.\u201d He moved his arm around her and walked with her to her room. \u201cThe beds here are actually pretty comfortable. And besides, your dinner is coming down the hallway now,\u201d he said, pointing to the food cart.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t eat in front of Trapper if he\u2019s not eating.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s having a light dinner, so you two can eat at the same time and talk over old times,\u201d Gonzo said with an impish grin. \u201cActually, what you can talk about is how the two of you are going to relax while you recover. I\u2019m prescribing no stress and no excitement for at least two weeks. Probably longer for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The head of Trapper\u2019s bed had been raised enough that he could eat on his own by the time Leah got back to the room. Trays were already occupying both over bed tables. Taking the chart hanging on the end of Trapper\u2019s bed, Gonzo read through it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything interesting?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much. Just the normal stuff for a gunshot victim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper chuckled sourly. \u201cTwo and a half years in a war and I was never wounded.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Gonzo said, \u201cI\u2019m heading over to the Titanic. You two eat your dinner and get some rest. Doctor\u2019s orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah moved her over bed tray beside Trapper\u2019s bed and sat in the chair as the two ate dinner together while watching a national news program. The host was briefly discussing the headlines of the day which included the raid at Xanda Laboratories.<\/p>\n

Trapper ate only a little of his dinner before he pushed the table away and lay back, periodically closing his eyes. \u201cYour suspicions were right from the beginning, kiddo. What made you jump on the nuclear material?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAllen mentioned nuclear material, so I made an assumption. I had just read an article in Scientific American that covered the range of nuclear utilization from radioisotopes in medicine to nuclear warheads and everything in between. It posed the question of reusing nuclear waste destined for storage in underground bunkers; if reactor-grade waste material could still be effective for use as weapons, why not other applications?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou read\u00a0Scientific American<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you read all the medical journals, don\u2019t you? I am a scientist.\u201d Trapper raised an eyebrow. \u201cMy curriculum was called computer\u00a0science<\/em>, I studied in the mathematics and\u00a0science<\/em>\u00a0department, and I do have Bachelor of\u00a0Science<\/em>\u00a0degree.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not arguing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour eyebrow is,\u201d she said, giggling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah moved from the chair to the bed and held Trapper\u2019s hand. \u201cWe don\u2019t need to talk right now. How about tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re putting this off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m deferring to your condition. I\u2019d rather talk when you\u2019re not hopped up on pain killers. You tend to drift in and out. Gonzo said he was going to have you up for a walk tomorrow, so he\u2019s expecting you to make a quick recovery. Oh, and before I forget, Melanie was here earlier. She said she\u2019d stop by tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMelanie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, your ex-wife. You do remember her, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper smirked with his eyes closed. \u201cAre you telling me you spoke to Melanie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. We had coffee together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Maybe I\u00a0should<\/em>\u00a0wait until tomorrow to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry. It was actually a nice visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a long silence, Trapper said. \u201cAlright. We\u2019ll talk tomorrow. You just make sure you\u2019re here and nothing else comes up. We\u2019re not putting this off again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning over him, Leah kissed his nose and looked into his sleepy eyes. \u201cJohn, I\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

They kissed, and then Leah adjusted the head of his bed and pillow before she turned his light off and watched him drop off to sleep. She left the over bed tables and chair where they were, crawled into her own bed and turned off the light.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty-Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah squinted at the bright light coming through the windows as Gloria opened the curtains. The greeting of \u201cGood morning, Sunshine\u201d from the other side of the room prompted her to groan and pull her pillow over her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need my own bed. I tossed and turned all night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking the pillow from her and touching her shoulder, signaling her to sit up, Gloria moved the pillow back behind her head and fluffed it. \u201cYou should have called the nurse on duty last night. She could have adjusted the bed to a comfortable position for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t really blame the bed,\u201d said Leah, slowly sitting up and moving her feet over the side. \u201cMy foot and arm both throbbed all night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gloria smiled. \u201cShe could also have given you something for pain or to help you sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019d wind up feeling just like I do now,\u201d responded Leah, smiling back and sliding off the bed. \u201cNo thanks. I\u2019ll be right back. Morning routine and all,\u201d she said, pointing to the bathroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d said a man standing in the doorway. \u201cIs this Leah Haverty\u2019s room?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gloria had moved over to Trapper\u2019s bed and was assisting him in sitting upright. \u201cYes, it is. She just went to the bathroom. She\u2019ll be out in just a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man went to the other side of the room and set a vase of roses on her over bed table under Trapper\u2019s close scrutiny. The man was well-dressed in a three piece suit, probably close to Trapper\u2019s age; maybe a little older. He turned around just as Leah was coming out of the bathroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlbert! What a pleasant surprise,\u201d said Leah, rushing over and tiptoeing to give him a hug. \u201cYou look tired. Did you drive up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard about the shooting on the news last night. I knew it was your hospital, but they didn\u2019t mention your name, so I called and was told it was you. It was too late to get a quick flight, so yes, I drove.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as you can see, I\u2019m fine.\u201d Gloria had quietly left the room, but Trapper was sitting in silence, listening in. \u201cAlbert Shaefer, I\u2019d like you to meet Dr. John McIntyre, Chief of Surgery and bullet stopper extraordinaire. Trapper, Albert is my attorney. He was one of John\u2019s lifelong friends.\u201d The two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, I have some information for you regarding our last conversation. Is there somewhere we can go to discuss it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling and glancing over at Trapper, she answered, \u201cWe can discuss it here. Trapper was the personal reference in our talk over the phone. He knows everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d said Albert, peering over his glasses at Trapper. “Is that why the hospital has a man and woman in the same room?\u201d He dismissed it with a wave of his hand, and looking down at the file in his hands, exhaled heavily. \u201cI hesitate to give this to you. I know how much it will hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah looked warily at him as she watched him flip the pages in the folder before he closed it and held it forward. Still watching his eyes, she took the folder, and when the paper touched her fingers, she felt a foreboding chill. Inside the folder were dates, places, pictures and one name common to everything\u2026Mark Hansen. Her color drained as she shrank into the chair.<\/p>\n

Trapper tried to move closer, but he sucked in a quick breath, and then cursed, moving a hand over his incision. \u201cLeah,\u201d he said compellingly.<\/p>\n

Rising from the chair, she dropped the folder on Trapper\u2019s bed and walked to the window, looking out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d asked Albert.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know yet. Will you be in town very long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI plan to be here several days, but if you need me longer, just let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned her head and smiled. \u201cI will. Thank you for bringing that by, but why don\u2019t you get some rest now. I\u2019ll call this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking to her, Albert kissed her forehead, whispered something in her ear, gave her a reassuring smile and made his way to the door. I\u2019m staying at the Fairmont. Dr. McIntyre, it was nice to finally meet you. Perhaps we can all get together for dinner while I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper nodded. \u201cMr. Shaefer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Waiting for the door to close, Leah opened the closet and took her clothes out, laying them on the bed before she began to undress.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

She took a deep breath and looked the other way.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t been released. We don\u2019t know the results of your blood tests yet.\u201d She turned and without so much as a look, pulled the curtain around her side of the room. Flaring his nostrils, he hit his call button.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Dr. McIntyre?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet Dr. Gates in here. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo appeared in a matter of seconds and worriedly looked at Trapper. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jerking his thumb toward the other bed, Trapper barked, \u201cShe thinks she\u2019s leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTattletale!\u201d<\/p>\n

Stifling a smile, Gonzo walked around the curtain. \u201cIs he right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething\u2019s come up that I need to take care of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only thing you need to take care of is your health,\u201d said Gonzo as he picked her blouse up off the bed and hung it back in the closet, leaving her standing there in her slacks and bra.<\/p>\n

She snatched up her robe, slipped it on and tied it, but as she pulled the curtain back, Gonzo caught her good arm. \u201cIs this problem jeopardizing your work here in any way?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rolling her eyes, she answered tensely, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it going to get worse if you wait to take care of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not,\u201d she said, twisting her mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould a better outcome result if you gave it more thought?\u201d<\/p>\n

She slumped and half-heartedly jerked back toward her bed, sending Trapper into a fit of laughter that quickly turned into groans.<\/p>\n

Plopping down on the side of the bad, she gave him a sarcastic scowl. \u201cThat\u2019s what you get for laughing at my predicament.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said out of breath. \u201cBut you\u2019ve just been handled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone who can handle Leah Haverty is to be congratulated.\u201d<\/p>\n

All three looked toward the door where another man in a three-piece suit was standing. Leah\u2019s lower jaw dropped, but she quickly collected herself. \u201cWhat on Earth are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that any way to greet your boss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah shook her head as she looked incredulously around the room. \u201cI don\u2019t believe this. Everyone is coming out of the woodwork.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper and Gonzo looked at each other, brows raised and tongues in their cheeks at the realization that this was the Doug Manning from New York, Leah\u2019s director.<\/p>\n

Stepping forward with his hand extended, Gonzo said, \u201cI\u2019m Dr. Gates, Leah\u2019s doctor. If you\u2019ll excuse us for just a minute, I need to get her back into bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once Gonzo had the curtain drawn, Doug and Trapper awkwardly smiled and nodded at each other. \u201cSo, you\u2019re Leah\u2019s boss. I spoke to you a little while ago when she resigned and left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. You have me at a disadvantage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m John McIntyre, the Chief of Surgery here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes, you were shot. And you\u2019re her new distraction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper cleared his throat at that remark. \u201cYou\u2019ve come all the way from New York. It must be something important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah\u2019s next assignment. The only thing left to do here is finish up loose ends, and Mark is perfectly capable of doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I ask what her next assignment will be?\u201d Manning reached down to the file lying on Trapper\u2019s bed, but Trapper quickly snatched it away. \u201cSorry. Patient files.\u201d<\/p>\n

A wide, perfect smile appeared on Doug\u2019s face. \u201cI understand. In the same context, I\u2019m afraid I can\u2019t discuss Leah\u2019s work. If she wants to tell you, that\u2019s her prerogative.\u201d<\/p>\n

Matching Doug\u2019s smile, Trapper said, \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stalemate\u2026 for the moment.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty-Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before pulling the curtain back, Gonzo turned to answer Leah\u2019s question. \u201cI\u2019ll release you once I see the results of your blood work\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0it\u2019s all normal.\u201d Trapper and Doug both looked at Leah who was sitting in her bed with the head up, her pillow fluffed behind her, and her blanket pulled up over her lap. \u201cDon\u2019t be too long, Mr. Manning. She hasn\u2019t had breakfast yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes well,\u201d he said, taking a seat in the chair on the other side of Leah\u2019s bed. \u201cI just want to discuss your next assignment with you and get you started. It seems your friends in the federal government were impressed with your work here during the latest crisis. With that and your government clearance, they think you\u2019re perfect for this job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is?\u201d<\/p>\n

Doug looked over at Trapper before leaning closer to Leah. \u201cThey\u2019d like you to head the team going into Xanda Laboratories. Your first order of business will be to reconstruct the data they tried to destroy. After that\u2019s done, you\u2019ll be charged with getting those systems cleaned up, upgraded, documented and running. The government is taking over the lab for the time being.\u201d Doug looked over at Trapper again, who was listening quietly. Clearing his throat, he said, \u201cWe should be discussing this privately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah glanced over at Trapper and smiled. \u201cOh, I don\u2019t think so, Doug. I have nothing to hide from Dr. McIntyre and would ask his opinion anyway. When would I leave?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as your doctor releases you from this hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about my medical condition?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can have your medical records sent to the hospital of your choice in Livermore. I\u2019m sure Dr. McIntyre in his capacity as Chief of Surgery can recommend someone and has the connections to get you situated there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where, exactly, would I live? I would need some time to find a place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in the short term. There is housing on the Xanda campus, and suites are available that were provided to visiting dignitaries. You can have one of those.\u201d Doug leaned back and crossed his legs. \u201cLeah, the government wants you. They have no one else on their list of candidates for this job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shifting her eyes toward Trapper again, she saw the crease of his brow and the almost imperceptible shake of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter everything that\u2019s happened in the last day or so, I need some time to clear my head and think. I\u2019m not going anywhere today, anyway. Can I give you an answer tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn answer? Leah, you don\u2019t understand. This is your next assignment\u2026unless you\u2019re thinking about resigning again,\u201d he added, looking skeptically at her.<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cI just need to get my head on straight again. This experience has been\u2026off putting.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded curtly, but smiled and stood. \u201cI understand. If you get out today, I\u2019m at the Mark Hopkins. Otherwise, I\u2019ll come back by tomorrow. Dr. McIntyre\u2026a pleasure to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLikewise,\u201d said Trapper, smiling cheekily as Manning left the room. Watching Leah bow her head and push her hair back over as she blew out her cheeks, he said, \u201cCome over here,\u201d nodding his head to his side of the room. \u201cIt\u2019s time to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked back at him and grimaced before she threw the blanket off and slid out of the bed, stopping short of sitting on the side of Trapper\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n

He smiled at her wary expression. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you want to talk about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt depends on what you mean by\u00a0this<\/em>. If you\u2019re talking about what I said while you were in recovery, the events of this morning have made that a little more complicated, haven\u2019t they?<\/p>\n

Reaching for her hand, he answered, \u201cNo, not really. What gave you that idea?\u201d He tugged on the sleeve of her pajama top until she was sitting on the bed right next to him. \u201cThere, you see. Gonzo can\u2019t yell at you for not propping your foot up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. He\u2019ll yell at me for crowding you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not crowding me,\u201d he snorted as he moved his arm around her shoulders and drew her into his side. With a playful smirk, he said, \u201cNow, tell me what\u2019s going through that scientific head of yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shifted away, and then leaned back over him. \u201cWe both know how\u00a0I<\/em>\u00a0feel.\u201d Sitting back up, she turned her back to him. \u201cThis job\u2026it\u2019s for the government, and it\u2019s cutting edge stuff. Career-wise, I\u2019d be a fool to walk away from a chance like this. But then I think about Mark betraying me and Doug riding herd over me, and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd? Isn\u2019t that enough?\u201d asked Trapper with furrowed brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be helpful to know\u2026for sure\u2026if there was a reason to stay.\u201d She ran her fingers into the front of her hair, pushing it back again. She didn\u2019t expect his hand to move around her neck, gently pulling her back to him, or his other hand cupping her face and forcing her to look into his eyes; eyes that showed anger\u2026maybe disappointment.<\/p>\n

Trapper looked long and hard into her baby-blues, chagrined at first because she should know how he felt by now, but he softened at the fear he saw and understood she was perched on a narrow ledge when it came to allowing herself to give in to that kind of love again. Moving closer so that they were almost nose to nose, he said softly, \u201cI want you to stay\u2026here\u2026with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against his. \u201cDoug could make it difficult for me to find another job. He has connections all over the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can still take the job he offered if you want. Livermore isn\u2019t that far away. I just don\u2019t why you\u2019d want to knowing that Mark has been spying on you so Doug can manipulate you. You need to get away from those two.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laid her head on his shoulder. \u201cTrapper, I need my work. I\u2019ll go crazy without it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wrapping his arms loosely around her, he pondered. \u201cI have an idea. And all you have to do is go for a walk with me after breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sat up, her curiosity piqued. \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

Raising his eyebrows, he answered, \u201cPatience\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gonzo and Leah both helped Trapper get slowly to his feet. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

Pursing his lips, Trapper said, \u201cGet out of my way, and I\u2019ll show you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo and Leah let go, but Trapper grabbed her hand and draped it over his arm. \u201cNot you. You\u2019re with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, don\u2019t let him go too far. He thinks he\u2019s still forty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThirty,\u201d Trapper shot back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that won\u2019t work,\u201d said Leah. \u201cI don\u2019t see younger men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, forty then,\u201d said Trapper as he shuffled out the door. Looking back over his shoulder, he waited for Gonzo to disappear down the hall. \u201cNow take me to the elevator.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy instructions were to walk you up this hall and back,\u201d she said pointing the way. \u201cNo further.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not like I\u2019m walking any further,\u201d he said, looking sideways at her. \u201cIt\u2019ll just be on a different floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the elevator door opened on the executive floor, Leah hesitated to leave. \u201cWhy are we up here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to talk to Arnold,\u201d he said, heading out the door without her.<\/p>\n

Trailing behind him, she looked around her as she whispered loudly, \u201cWe do have a phone in our room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn private\u2026where prying ears can\u2019t hear.\u201d He stuck his head in the opening of Arnold\u2019s door. \u201cArnold, you got a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold sprung out of his chair and rushed over, taking Trapper by the arm and guiding him to a chair. \u201cWhat in the world are you doing? You should be in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. I\u2019m on my daily walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah slid inside the door and waited until Arnold turned and noticed her. \u201cAnd you, too. You\u2019re both supposed to be recuperating.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold, sit down and listen to me,\u201d Trapper ordered. \u201cHave you had any success in finding your new CIO?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done several interviews, but no,\u201d he answered, slowly dropping into his chair on the other side of the desk. \u201cLeah advised we find someone with a strong recent technical background\u2026that it would save us some money.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning forward, Trapper asked, \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you interview Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe didn\u2019t apply.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping closer Leah stuttered, \u201cUh, Trapper. CIO? I\u2019m technical. I don\u2019t do office politics.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense,\u201d he said over his shoulder, but continued looking at Arnold. \u201cYou do politics quite well. And you have a proven track record. And you already know our system. She\u2019s perfect for the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re right. She is.\u201d His smile was instantly gone. \u201cBut she\u2019s not available. I spoke with Doug Manning a little while ago. He has plans for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper winked. \u201cActually, Arnold, I have plans for him.\u201d The three put their heads together in a discussion that produced an occasional gasp, \u2018you\u2019re kidding\u2019, \u2018he did that?\u2019 and as they went along, more frequent sharp nods and chuckles.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

When their lunch arrived in their rooms, Leah was sitting in her bed, staring at the far wall. The nurse placed her lunch tray on her over bed table, and she muttered, \u201cThank you,\u201d without even looking at her.<\/p>\n

Trapper studied her as he lifted the cover from his plate and set it aside. \u201cWhat part of this are you having trouble with?\u201d he asked as he cut into his chicken.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe spectacle it could become. I don\u2019t need to embarrass them in front of a crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to. If they do what they should, no one but them, you, Arnie, and me will know. Oh, and Albert.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlbert. I need to call Albert,\u201d she said, reaching for the phone. After her conversation with Albert telling him of their plan, she continued her stare at the far wall. \u201cWhy can\u2019t we just tell them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy doing it this way, Doug will have no time to react, and Albert will be there when Doug starts shooting off ways he can prevent you from accepting the position here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll give Albert a copy of my contract when he gets here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat else?\u201d asked Trapper, drawing his lips into a tight line and raising his brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cChief Information Officer, Trapper. I don\u2019t want to be a member of the hospital board.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t like it, you can always resign,\u201d Trapper said, shrugging. \u201cBut this will keep you working until you find something else, and it will give Arnold time to find someone else who\u2019s right for the job\u2026with your help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never find an opportunity like the Xanda job again,\u201d she mumbled. Trapper stopped eating and exhaled. \u201cBut you\u2019re right. I have to get away from Doug and Mark. Trapper, I don\u2019t want to talk to Mark at the party, but I don\u2019t want to see a confrontation between you two either.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled sympathetically. He wanted her away from Doug and Mark. Even so, he hoped he hadn\u2019t pushed her into something she wouldn\u2019t be happy with. Turning to her, he winked. \u201cI\u2019ll be on my best behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty-Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

The party in the executive conference room had already started by the time Trapper and Leah arrived. With everyone stepping out of their way, Leah led Trapper to the seats that were waiting for them, and as soon as they were comfortable with full glasses of champagne in their hands, Arnold\u2019s speech began.<\/p>\n

During his announcement of the successful implementation of the new computer system, Leah quietly answered Albert\u2019s questions about her contract with Manning Consulting while he held a folder containing the contract and a folder with the information about Mark\u2019s spy activities snugly against him.<\/p>\n

Leah and her team were introduced to the board members as well as the staff who were invited to attend. Afterward, a few words were said about Trapper and Leah\u2019s roles in the efforts to save Ms. Frank.<\/p>\n

Just before Arnold finished that part of his announcements, Leah slipped a letter into Doug\u2019s hands signaling Albert to take up a position beside him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy resignation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doug laughed. \u201cThis is hardly the time for jokes.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled and wrinkled her nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the last benefit of all this I\u2019d like to announce,\u201d began Arnold,\u201d is that a candidate for our new position of Chief Information Officer has been approved by the board. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you our new CIO, Ms. Leah Haverty Lewis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doug was a tall man, and when the announcement was finished, it seemed as if he grew a foot. In the midst of the shouts of congratulations and well wishes, he very calmly edged up to Leah and said quietly, \u201cIf you enjoy your career as much as you say, you should reconsider. I\u2019m sure there are clauses in your contract that prohibit you from working for a company where you recently contracted. And I can make sure no one else will hire you. You really don\u2019t have a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Doug. Don\u2019t you remember? We didn\u2019t put a non-compete clause in my contract. And as far as a job\u2026\u201d her sweet smile suddenly left her face. \u201cI have one,\u201d she finished acerbically. \u201cI\u2019m not a cow, and it\u2019s time for you to stop herding me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, I will come after you with one of the best legal teams in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearing his throat, Albert bumped into Doug\u2019s side, casually flipping through the contents of the folder he had presented to Leah just the day before. \u201cMr. Manning, were you aware there are laws against employers surveilling their employees outside the workplace? Laws with some very stiff fines and jail sentences?\u201d Doug fumed when he glanced down at the file.<\/p>\n

Walking up to Doug on the opposite side of Albert, Arnold said, \u201cOne more thing, Mr. Manning. The board has decided not to add the optional turnover you offered in our contract. Your people will be replaced through the end of the month, and will be dismissed as their positions are filled with permanent hospital employees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking from Albert to Arnold to Trapper who was now standing behind Leah, Doug straightened his tie. \u201cLeah, you\u2019ll be hearing from my attorneys.\u201d He turned and left rather quickly.<\/p>\n

Leah covered the hand that reassuringly squeezed her shoulder. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we get you back to a chair, Trapper? I don\u2019t think Gonzo wants you doing so much so soon.\u201d Arnold took one arm and Leah the other as they maneuvered Trapper through the crowd to a chair. \u201cSit tight. I\u2019ll get you a cup of punch,\u201d said Leah.<\/p>\n

Trapper only smiled and nodded. He didn\u2019t want to tell her just how badly he hurt.<\/p>\n

As Leah poured punch for both of them, a hand closed around her arm at the same time someone stepped into her back. \u201cLeah, I need to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before she could react, Trapper was there lifting the thumb of the hand holding her arm and bending it backward until the hand released her. Stepping in front of Leah, Trapper quietly said, \u201cMark, walk away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to\u2026\u201d Mark stopped when he saw Trapper looking menacingly at him from beneath his brows. Clenching his teeth, Mark bowed his head, took a deep breath, and spun around, leaving the room.<\/p>\n

Trapper had been standing rigid, but as soon as Mark was gone, he slumped, moving his hand to his side. Leah stepped underneath his arm, and seeing blood on his shirt, called for Gonzo who was on the other side of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you to take it easy,\u201d scolded Gonzo as he took Trapper\u2019s weight from Leah and led him to a chair. \u201cArnold, would you call for a wheelchair? I need to get him back downstairs and take a look at his sutures.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah waited at the nurse\u2019s station with Ernie and Gloria while Gonzo checked Trapper\u2019s sutures. Gonzo hadn\u2019t officially released her, but she was dressed in her street clothes, expecting to be set free, even though, at the moment, she didn\u2019t want to be let go. Having to stay herself was a good excuse to stay with Trapper.<\/p>\n

Moving an arm across her back, Ernie said, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t that much blood. I\u2019m sure Gonzo can repair it easily enough in his room without having to go back to surgery.\u201d Offering a smile, she got a small one back in return.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d said Gonzo as he approached the counter. \u201cThe sutures didn\u2019t break, but the incision started bleeding again. \u201cI\u2019ve put some fresh bandages on it, and if he stays still it shouldn\u2019t bleed. Leah, he\u2019d like you to stay at the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you releasing me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficially, yes. But Trapper thinks you should stay, and I can justify it if I have to. Your white blood count is a little higher than I\u2019d like it to be, but it\u2019s still within a normal range.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d she asked worriedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means that your immune system is doing its job.\u201d Moving a hand to her shoulder, he added as he looked into her eyes, \u201cReally, it\u2019s fine. Trapper\u2019s worried, that\u2019s all, and I\u2019d rather him not be worried.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you say I\u2019m fine, why would he worry?\u201d<\/p>\n

Exhaling and moving his hands to his hips, Gonzo bowed his head before he looked back up and answered, \u201cHe\u2019s worried about Mark. He\u2019s been following you all this time without approaching you, but based on recent events, Trapper\u2019s concerned he might step things up\u2026that he might confront you\u2026maybe try to do you some harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dropping her forehead into her hands, she groaned. \u201cThis isn\u2019t happening.\u201d After tapping her foot for a moment and stewing, she asked, \u201cIs there any reason I can\u2019t work. I suddenly have a lot more to do, and I need to get started. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cYour people are still here. Can\u2019t they finish without you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Mark is stable enough to do it, otherwise they do need some guidance. Besides that, I have to hire a bunch of people before the end of the month\u2026that\u2019s just two weeks. I need to see Hector\u2019s and Mike\u2019s families\u2026and Mike\u2026I haven\u2019t even gone to see how Mike is doing. And then I need to send a memo out to all departments with procedures on how to request updates to the system, and how their requests will be evaluated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, slow down,\u201d Gonzo said mildly irritated. \u201cDo you remember I prescribed some rest for both of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She slumped and frowned. \u201cI do, Gonzo, but at the very least, I have to get people hired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can make that a little easier for you,\u201d said Arnold, approaching them with a stack of papers in his hand. \u201cHow\u2019s Trapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll live,\u201d answered Gonzo. At the shocked expression on Arnold\u2019s face, he chuckled. \u201cNo, Arnold. He\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold shot Gonzo an incensed glance, then turned his attention to Leah. \u201cThese are all the applications I\u2019ve received for the technical positions. I got quite a few of those today. Look at ones on the top,\u201d he said, smiling.<\/p>\n

Taking the stack of applications and moving them to the counter, Leah began to flip through them. \u201cThese are\u2026\u201d A wide grin suddenly took over her face. \u201cThese are all my people. They\u2019re all applying for their current positions. That means I don\u2019t have to do any immediate interviews\u2026except for the project manager position. Oh. Oh my,\u201d she said, frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Ernie.<\/p>\n

\u201cMark applied for the project manager position. His application is dated today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to consider him, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to give it some thought. Mark already knows the system and the job. It will be hard to find someone who can do better than he can. It says on his cover letter that he resigned from his position at Manning Consulting which means he can\u2019t help finish up here, unless I hire him.\u201d The silence around the nurse\u2019s station was heavy with resignation that this particular problem wasn\u2019t just going to walk away. \u201cWell,\u201d Leah started with a tentative smile. \u201cI\u2019ll just have to think of something, won\u2019t I? Gonzo, is Trapper awake? I\u2019d like to see him before I go upstairs to my new office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone smiled. \u201cHe\u2019s awake, but he\u2019s groggy. I gave him something for pain, so he\u2019ll be in and out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t be long. I just want to let him know I\u2019ll be staying at the hospital until we have some time to talk.\u201d She headed toward Trapper\u2019s room, but turned around and giggled, \u201cCIO. This is going to be fun, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Slowly pushing open the door of Trapper\u2019s hospital room, Leah peeked in. He looked peaceful; as if he was sleeping, but she stepped over to the bed anyway, setting her paperwork on his bedside table. Standing completely still, she watched him. She knew it happened all the time, but it was so hard to believe a man as sturdy; as healthy as Trapper could be downed. High-powered rifles had no purpose in her mind, except to kill. She knew how lucky they had been, and wondered if the sniper had been aiming at the helicopter and Trapper stepped in the way, or if they had been aiming at Trapper. Rubbing her temple she shook the thought away and bent over him, gently taking his hand in hers.<\/p>\n

A smile spread over Trapper\u2019s face before he opened his eyes. \u201cI was afraid you wouldn\u2019t come by before you started your new job.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled in relief as his voice, though quiet, was strong without any hint of hoarseness. \u201cAnd why wouldn\u2019t I come by to see the man with whom I am madly in love?\u201d
\nHis smile grew. \u201cAh, so you can say it out loud now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI might as well,\u201d she said, leaning in close. \u201cI can\u2019t deny it. And I won\u2019t be running away this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, because I don\u2019t think I could come after you for awhile. I just thought you might be inclined to leave me to my rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I did promise Gonzo I wouldn\u2019t stay long. But I wanted you to know that I will be staying at the hospital for now. I\u2019ll just be up in my office going through some applications and getting people hired. The good news is that all of my people from Manning have applied, and they have no contract to deal with. They\u2019ll be easy. The hard part will be to fill the project manager position. I have some ideas, so I\u2019ll be on the phone most of the afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHas Mark tried to see you?\u201d Stiffening, Leah dropped her eyes. \u201cHe has, hasn\u2019t he?\u201d As she studied him, deciding whether to tell him or leave it for later, he said, \u201cIf you don\u2019t tell me, I\u2019m not going to get any rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou devil.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll\u2019s fair in love\u2026\u201d As he had anticipated, his statement not only got a demure smile out of her, but also a slow, deep breath and a blush.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe applied for the project manager position, and he stated in his cover letter that he had resigned from Manning Consulting. But no, I haven\u2019t spoken to him, and I have no plans to do so. I won\u2019t be hiring him for any position here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my girl. Now, get out of here and let me rest before I decide to pull you into this bed with me and bust my sutures.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. I\u2019m leaving. You just remember, though, it was you who kicked me out.\u201d When she bent to kiss him, he moved his hand to the back of her head, digging his fingers into her hair, and making the kiss last just a little longer.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty-Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Feeling guilty, Leah stepped onto the elevator and pushed the down button. She held out little hope that it would be as easy as Mark just going away. At least she hadn\u2019t lied to Trapper. But if Mark was still down in the basement, she had to know the specifics of his resignation. If it was immediate, he\u2019d have to leave. If it wasn\u2019t immediate, she had to dismiss him. Either way, if he was there, she had to escort him out of the hospital.<\/p>\n

Trapper was one step ahead of her. The minute she stepped out of his room, he called Arnold and advised him to have security see that Mark was no longer in the building, starting with the basement.<\/p>\n

When she entered her old cube, Mark was waiting. She halted abruptly, took a deep breath and continued to the desk. Sitting down, leaning forward and clasping her hands in front of her, she said, \u201cMark, as I understand it, you have tendered a letter of resignation to Manning Consulting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how much notice did you give?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone. I quit. But you have my application. There\u2019s really no need to go through an interview.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not hiring you,\u201d she said coldly.<\/p>\n

Shooting up out of his chair, he shouted, \u201cWhy the hell not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause,\u201d she said gazing indifferently at him, \u201cMy attorney hired a detective to find out who was passing private information about me to Doug Manning. They followed me, and while they were following me, guess who else they found following me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t follow you. That\u2019s ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen would you like to explain why you were in every surveillance photo they took?\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold stepped into Leah\u2019s cube with a security officer. \u201cMr. Hansen, you need to come with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Straightening his tie and adjusting his jacket, he said without taking his eyes off Leah, \u201cMs. Haverty and I aren\u2019t finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cYes, we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning to the security officer, Arnold said, \u201cEscort him out of the building. He is not to enter these premises again.\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer moved behind Mark, who stood glaring at Leah. \u201cYou haven\u2019t seen the last of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark, if you come near me again, I\u2019ll get a restraining order,\u201d she said calmly. \u201cNow leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

The security officer put a hand on his shoulder which he shrugged off before he stomped out of the cube.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you alright,\u201d asked Arnold, looking worriedly at Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Slocum,\u201d she began as the corner of her mouth turned up in a half smile. \u201cI\u2019m better that I\u2019ve been in a long while. I just need to collect some manuals and some personal items, and this cubicle will be ready for a new project manager. And I\u2019m going to go ahead with the hiring process for David Stern, one of the programmers. I\u2019d like to use him as a temporary project manager until I find a permanent one, but I need to discuss salaries with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we go up to my office and do that now? I don\u2019t want to delay the turnover any more than we have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

After spending the better part of her afternoon wrangling money out of Arnold for higher salaries for her people, arguing that she considered all of them senior programmers with years of experience, Leah finally got Arnold to agree on her technical salary bands. She had to assure him that less experienced programmers would be sought as she had to add more staff for the growing hospital and computer system.<\/p>\n

Her next order of business was to call a woman she had known at Purdue, one whom she had worked with on occasion and one who was as fierce as she when it came to her system and her standard of work. This was a woman who had also competed for some of the jobs that Leah had managed to win. She knew Frieda Christopher would be after the CIO job from her first day. Even so, Leah called her and asked her to interview for the project manager position, knowing that the job would be done accurately and efficiently. A little job competition didn\u2019t scare her. Rather she looked forward to it as it kept her from getting lazy.<\/p>\n

She wandered tiredly into her hospital room, but stopped at the door, surprised that Trapper was sitting up in bed with patient charts and folders strewn over his over bed table, his glasses on and his nose buried in one of the charts. He jotted something down on a notepad before he looked up and smiled. \u201cYou look tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look better; a lot better,\u201d she said, returning a weary smile as she walked to her bed and set her paperwork down. \u201cI am tired. I really didn\u2019t do that much today, but I feel worn out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should let Gonzo check you out. With that foot and now your arm, you could be inviting problems if you don\u2019t keep your strength up.\u201d<\/p>\n

She grunted before she asked, \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm? Oh, just catching up. I review the charts for all the surgical patients, and I\u2019ve gotten behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not quite finished. I have to go home and pick up some clothes, and I\u2019m going by your place to get some of your clothes, too. There isn\u2019t much left in your office closet. I\u2019ll drop the dirty stuff off at the cleaners. Can I get anything else for you while I\u2019m there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked over the top of his glasses at her. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I like the idea of you going out alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stroking her forehead with her fingers, she responded testily, \u201cTrapper, I can\u2019t live like that\u2026afraid to go out or do anything. All I want is for things to get back to normal, and the best way to do that\u2026is to just do it,\u201d she said, gesturing with her hands waving out beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I could, I\u2019d go with you.\u201d She shot him a defiant glance and looked the other way. \u201cArnold came by this afternoon. He told me Mark had been in your office in the basement, and he said he was angry when he left. What if he\u2019s just waiting for you to leave the hospital?\u201d She loosely crossed her arms and refused to look at him. \u201cWhat are you going to do with a cast on your foot and your arm in a sling? Where is your sling, by the way?\u201d<\/p>\n

She sighed and puckered her mouth. \u201cOkay. What if I got someone to go with me? I can\u2019t just send someone. They won\u2019t be able to get into the pool house without alerting the Murphy\u2019s.\u201d She paused and thought for a moment. \u201cWhat if I take your car? I can\u2019t drive the Jeep anyway. I can\u2019t push the clutch with this cast. I\u2019ll let Gonzo use the Jeep until you\u2019re released, and then you and I can trade. You drive the Jeep, and I\u2019ll drive your car. And for the use of the Jeep, all Gonzo has to do is go with me to get it at the pool house, and then make a stop by your house on the way back. Will that satisfy you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Raising his chin, he twisted his mouth into a thoughtful scowl. \u201cFor now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anything else you need me to get while I\u2019m at your house?\u201d<\/p>\n

He still didn\u2019t like the possibilities or probabilities that presented themselves with her leaving the hospital so soon after Doug\u2019s angry flight and Mark\u2019s confrontation. Continuing his displeased gaze and his scowl, he added, \u201cThe mail,\u201d and left it alone.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cGonzo, thanks for coming with me. I think Trapper would have risked tearing his incision open again if you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I do get the Jeep for a few days in return.\u201d He had been keeping a close eye on the rearview mirror, but glanced at her quickly and smiled. \u201cI\u2019d have done it without the bribe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d she said, grinning. \u201cBut this way, the Jeep doesn\u2019t just sit until Trapper can drive it, I get a car I can drive with this cast, and Trapper and I will both have some clean clothes for the next few days. When do you think you\u2019ll release him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this the turn?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Just pull up next to the keypad. The code is 23857.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Gonzo pulled past the gate into the driveway, he answered, \u201cIf he\u2019ll stay still, I think he can go home in a few days. But I don\u2019t want him by himself.\u201d He stopped the car and turned the key, then looked back at her. \u201cWould you\u2026uh?\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed. \u201cHe can stay here. That way, he won\u2019t have to go up and down those stairs. All we have to do is convince him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that will take much,\u201d said Gonzo, chuckling.<\/p>\n

When Leah had her garment bag packed, Gonzo took it outside to Trapper\u2019s car. Once he had it loaded, he walked back to the gate and peered over, looking up the street, and when he saw what he had hoped he wouldn\u2019t, he stepped backward away from the gate and shook his head. Leah followed minutes later with the keys to the Jeep and her mail. \u201cLeah, I\u2019m going to follow you. Try not to lose me, okay? If anything happens, I want you to just stop, wherever you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

His last words gave her a chill. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019ve been followed.\u201d Watching her tense, he tried to calm her. \u201cJust go slow so I can stay on your bumper. And don\u2019t use any side streets. Stay to the main thoroughfares.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping closer, she said, \u201cLet\u2019s not go by his house. I can take the clothes I have to the cleaners and have them delivered to the hospital tomorrow. I\u2019ll ask Ernie or Gloria to swing by and pick up his mail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea. If this is Mark, he\u2019d know the house isn\u2019t occupied, and this way, we won\u2019t lead him there. In fact, I want you to drive straight to the hospital. I\u2019ll drop the clothes off at the cleaners.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper was still looking at charts when Gonzo and Leah entered the hospital room with her garment bag, her overnight bag and mail. He watched, taking note of everything they were carrying. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Setting her things down on her bed, she limped over to him and gave him a kiss. \u201cWhy would you think anything happened?<\/p>\n

He smiled perspicaciously with raised eyebrows. \u201cAren\u2019t you missing a few things?\u201d Leah gave Gonzo an uneasy glance, and then busied herself with unpacking.<\/p>\n

Rolling his eyes, Trapper focused his attention on Gonzo, raising his eyebrows again and slightly shaking his head.<\/p>\n

After scratching his nose, Gonzo leaned back against a wall. \u201cWe were followed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy whom?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot sure. But Leah\u2019s place is protected, and we didn\u2019t want whoever to follow us back to your place. If it was Mark, he\u2019d know your house is empty at the moment. So I\u2019m going to drop your laundry off at the cleaners tonight and have them delivered here tomorrow, and Leah asked Ernie to drive by your house tomorrow morning and pick up your mail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. This should all settle down in a few days, and I should be going home. Right, doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding innocently, Gonzo mumbled, \u201cMm hm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOut with it,\u201d snapped Trapper.<\/p>\n

After hanging her clothes in the closet, Leah turned back to the conversation. \u201cWe thought it would be better if you stayed at my place for a little while. That way you won\u2019t have to deal with your stairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are steps at your place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but only to get in, and two to get up to the bed\u2026but nothing like your stairs. And that way, I won\u2019t be alone, and you\u2019ll feel better,\u201d she said, ending with a sweet smile.<\/p>\n

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. \u201cCome in,\u201d Trapper said, eyeing Leah severely.<\/p>\n

A young man in a dress shirt, tie and jeans stepped in. \u201cI\u2019m looking for Leah Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Leah Haverty,\u201d she answered as she began to step around the bed, but Trapper put an arm across her, blocking her way.<\/p>\n

Trapper didn\u2019t smile, but rather barked as he looked at the young man with an irritated scowl. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man stepped to the side of the bed, and slightly leaning, he passed an envelope to Leah, who took it and looked at the front. \u201cIt\u2019s blank. Who\u2019s this from?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been served, Ma\u2019am. Have a nice day,\u201d said the young man, turning and hurrying out of the room.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Sixty-Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me out of his damned bed!\u201d Trapper pushed the over bed table so hard it rolled up against Leah\u2019s bed, then threw the blanket off.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, listen to me,\u201d said Gonzo angrily. \u201cYou can\u2019t afford to tear those sutures. Leah\u2019s a big girl. She can take care of herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen find me a wheelchair. The way she flew out of here, someone\u2019s liable to get hurt, and it will probably be her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah had read the papers, cursed at Doug Manning, and then stormed out of the room without answering the calls from Trapper. She went straight to the elevator and went up to her office, slamming the door. It was probably a good thing Arnold\u2019s staff had already left for the day. They might have been shocked by the venom spewing from her mouth. She picked up the phone and dialed, and when it was answered she yelled, \u201cThat sorry excuse for a human being is SUING ME!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d Albert asked calmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBreach of contract and a demand for the turnover of intellectual property.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, calm down. You already know he has no basis for a breach of contract suit. He\u2019s just trying to incite you into making a mistake. Intellectual property is another entirely different thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlbert, I\u2019m sorry I yelled. I\u2019m just\u2026he\u2019s knows he won\u2019t win. He\u2019s just trying to intimidate me.\u201d<\/p>\n

With her back to the door of her office, Leah didn\u2019t hear it open.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like he\u2019s doing a pretty good job, if you ask me,\u201d said Trapper, sitting in his wheelchair with his hands crossed in his lap. \u201cCalm down. No one is going to benefit from you yelling; especially not you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overhearing Trapper\u2019s voice, Albert added, \u201cHe\u2019s right. You should listen to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

She hit the speaker button. \u201cAlbert, you\u2019re on speakerphone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, first thing I need to know\u2026is there intellectual property?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I\u2019m sure he thinks I\u2019ve already started planning the upgrade of the hospital\u2019s computer system, but with everything that\u2019s happened in the last year, I haven\u2019t had time to think about an upgrade. Besides that I\u2019m not just going to come in with the standard upgrade I did under Manning. I\u2019ve sent memos to all the departments asking for their input which is something I never did with Manning. He\u2019s going to argue that I had to have started, I\u2019m sure, because that\u2019s what I\u2019ve always done. The second thing is my encryption program, and he\u2019s correct. I created that and used it while I worked for Manning Consulting. But I have no problem telling him what that is. I\u2019m sure it will be recreated in the next year by someone else anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright then. I\u2019ll come by tomorrow and pick up the papers you were served and read through them just to make sure there\u2019s nothing else there. If that\u2019s all it is, I\u2019ll get us scheduled for a discovery hearing. That should take the wind out of his sails.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s a discovery hearing?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth parties sit with a judge and discuss the merits of the lawsuit. The judge decides if the suit can continue on into a court action. Based on what you\u2019re telling me, Leah, I don\u2019t see how it can go any further. As far as the upgrade, it\u2019s your word against his. He\u2019s got no proof there were ever any plans for an upgrade. And if you give him the information for the encryption program at the hearing, that will take care of that claim. Is your program written down?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot anymore. I wrote it while Ms. Frank was here, but once Dr. McIntyre decided to move her, I uninstalled it and destroyed the listings. It\u2019s all in my head. Should I write it down?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, don\u2019t do that. We may be able to give him a taste of his own medicine with this, and we may get my fees out of him as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling, she said, \u201cI\u2019d love to see that, Albert.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright then. I\u2019ll see you tomorrow morning in your office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hitting the speaker button to end the call, she sat back on the edge of the desk and shamefully looked at her feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeel better?\u201d<\/p>\n

With her lips pinched, she nodded. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlbert\u2019s a good man. He\u2019s been taking care of you for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he has. I don\u2019t want to become a nuisance to him, though. He\u2019s just doing it because he promised John he would.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rolling his chair in front of her, he took her hands in his. \u201cI don\u2019t think so. He seems to care. Now, I\u2019d like you to forget about work and Doug for the evening and push me out to the Titanic. Gonzo\u2019s picking up pizza for dinner, and he has one of the best selections of wine around,\u201d said Trapper, winking.<\/p>\n

As Leah pushed him off the elevator on the main floor and headed for the front doors of the hospital, Trapper asked, \u201cWould you mind if I join you when you meet with Albert tomorrow? I have a question I\u2019d like to ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you ask me, and then I\u2019ll ask him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll ask. But\u2026if you\u2019d rather me not be there\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She stopped pushing and leaned forward over his shoulder, and with a teasing smile, she said, \u201cApparently, I haven\u2019t made myself absolutely clear,\u201d before she planted a long, deep kiss on his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever wondered if\u2026\u201d Trapper whispered in her ear. \u201c\u2026in a wheelchair?\u201d<\/p>\n

She threw her head back in laughter. \u201cI do believe you have earned the rank of dirty old man, Dr. McIntyre.\u201d Stepping back behind the chair wearing a wide grin, she began to push it across the fog-draped parking lot toward the Titanic. \u201cExactly how would that work?\u201d His boisterous laugh echoed through the parking lot and off the front of the building.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Albert knocked on the door of room 408, a room which had become infamous in the hospital corridors and invoked snickers when spoken of. Of course, nothing untoward ever occurred there. After all Dr. McIntyre had been shot and was in no shape for shenanigans. It was just that the two occupants had been known to have racy conversations that sometimes erupted into loud fits of laughter; sounds that inevitably wafted into the halls.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in,\u201d called a deeply masculine voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, you\u2019re looking much better,\u201d said Albert, as he entered the room and went to Trapper\u2019s bedside, offering his hand. In the last few days, Albert had come to appreciate this man\u2019s sense of responsibility and loyalty to his practice, and even more importantly, to Leah. He wasn\u2019t stuffy, rather he was easy going; something he admired that Trapper had been able to retain in his position at the hospital. \u201cLeah, are you there?\u201d he said to the curtained wall surrounding the second bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here. Just getting dressed for work. Don\u2019t let that stop you, though. I know you didn\u2019t finish what you had to say yesterday morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, in order to answer Trapper\u2019s question, I wanted to go over the files once more, and now that I have the full complaint, to see if there\u2019s anything hidden that wasn\u2019t summarized in the papers you were served. With you giving Manning the information for the encryption program, he hasn\u2019t really got a complaint, so if we go to discovery, I\u2019m confident the judge will through the lawsuit out.\u201d He motioned to the chair, silently asking Trapper for permission to sit, and once Trapper nodded, he continued as he sat in the chair and crossed his legs. \u201cI deposed Mark yesterday.\u201d He waited to see what reaction he would get. Trapper slowly turned his head toward Albert with a look of surprise. Activity on the other side of the curtain suddenly ceased for a moment until Leah stepped around the curtain in her slacks, but with her robe on, without makeup, and with her hair carelessly corralled on top of her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI realize you weren\u2019t expecting that, but we were missing a crucial piece of information if you decide to go through with Trapper\u2019s idea. All we have as proof that Doug surveilled you is the detailed list from the detective and the pictures of Mark. That doesn\u2019t necessarily incriminate Doug. He could argue that Mark was acting on his own, and considering Mark\u2019s feelings for you, it\u2019s entirely plausible. Mark spilled his guts. He told me everything in the deposition. He has even provided copies of emails from Doug asking him to find out certain things.\u201d He turned to Trapper. \u201cSome of those things deal with you and your activities with Leah.\u201d Trapper sighed and scratched his ear while Leah remained near the curtain with a folded hand over her mouth, her eyes giving Albert an anxious look as she remembered her casual attitude regarding clothing while at Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we countersue Manning and take this to trial, I think Manning will settle to prevent the bad press that will surely result. He won\u2019t want himself or his company seen in a way that could only hurt his business and his reputation. Because we have illegal surveillance, and that coupled with a frivolous lawsuit; one having no merit designed only to antagonize you, you have a very solid harassment complaint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah made her way to Trapper\u2019s side of the room and sat down heavily on the foot of his bed. \u201cI would sincerely love for all this to just go away so I\u2026\u201d She glanced over at Trapper and smiled weakly, \u201c\u2026so we can move forward. But there\u2019s part of me that wants to teach Doug a lesson. If I don\u2019t do this he\u2019s likely going to pick someone else to groom in his twisted ways. I don\u2019t need the money. I don\u2019t want the money, but I could donate the money to a worthy cause.\u201d Looking up at Albert, she asked, \u201cHow much money are we talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll ask for a million. If he settles, and he probably will, it will likely be for half that.\u201d<\/p>\n

She whistled. \u201cHalf a million dollars could do a lot of good somewhere. Won\u2019t he realize the risk in suing me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t think you have the guts to come after him,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cThink about it, Leah. The man carries his arrogance on his sleeve. He doesn\u2019t think anyone can touch him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith him being so conceited, what makes you think he\u2019ll agree to a settlement if I push back? Even if his attorneys advise it, it\u2019s his choice. What if he just wants to see me squirm?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d said Albert as he stroked his chin. \u201cHe\u2019d be destroying his company. If he doesn\u2019t offer a settlement, we\u2019ll up the ante. I don\u2019t think he\u2019s stupid. He\u2019ll have his limits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning away, Leah asked, \u201cDo I have to give you an answer today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. You have to give me an answer right now. If you don\u2019t, you\u2019ll mull it over until it\u2019s mush,\u201d he said, smiling sympathetically. \u201cSeriously, we have to be quick and decisive. It sends the message that you\u2019re serious; that you\u2019re not going to be bullied.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned to Trapper with big, round eyes to which Trapper responded with an apologetic frown. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you what to do. You have to decide, kiddo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not fair. You\u2019re the one who brought this up. If I hadn\u2019t been for you, we wouldn\u2019t even be having this conversation,\u201d she snapped.<\/p>\n

Leaning forward, he looked lovingly into her eyes, holding her gaze until she closed her eyes and bowed her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I bit. You wouldn\u2019t have brought it up if\u2026 Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Albert. \u201cDo it.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Walking into Leah\u2019s office in his black three-piece suit, Trapper said, \u201cAre you ready? We\u2019re supposed to be at the courthouse in an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you been up to? You are still on medical leave, but for some reason, I get the feeling you\u2019ve been visiting patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper laughed and shook his head. \u201cYou\u2019re a master deflector, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking her black clutch from a drawer, she turned in her chair, removing her pink pig slipper and stepping into her shoe. \u201cI\u2019m ready,\u201d she said, moving up against him, waiting for him to bend his head into a kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should be careful. People will talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are already talking. Did you know there\u2019s a pool?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA pool?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. They\u2019re betting on how long it will last.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. Well,\u201d he said, with an impish smile. \u201cThey may have to wait awhile to find out.\u201d He kissed her again, and then sighed. \u201cAs much as I\u2019d like to continue this non-verbal discussion, we have to go or we\u2019ll be late. I called a cab. I thought it would be easier on both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they walked down the hall to the elevator, Leah asked, \u201cHave I ever told you what that suit does for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean what this suit does for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly.\u201d As Leah continued on, Trapper stopped for a moment, moving a hand to his hip, wearing crooked, naughty smile before he caught up to her. On the way to the courthouse, she held Trapper\u2019s hand tightly in the back seat of the cab.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you nervous?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never been sued before. I\u2019ve never been to court either. Albert says even though Doug rejected a discovery hearing, he won\u2019t go far with this. He\u2019s still trying to intimidate me into admitting\u2026something. Or at least wavering enough to shed some doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking her hand and covering it with his other hand, he responded, \u201cYou have no reason to be nervous. Just tell the truth. You\u2019ll have him wavering.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper escorted Leah into the courtroom when their docket number was called. Albert was already there, waiting for Leah at the front table. Trapper sat in the first row of the gallery right behind her and was joined by Arnold Slocum.<\/p>\n

Turning, Albert motioned for Trapper to sit forward and listen to what he had to say to Leah. \u201cManning waved his right to a jury, thinking we\u2019d do the same. My suspicion is that he knows this judge, so we did not wave your right to jury. That takes any power away from the judge in the decision\u2026no risk of Manning having that judge in his pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that still happen?\u201d asked Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, my dear, you are a brilliant computer scientist, but there are still so many things you are quite na\u00efve about. What happens in judge\u2019s chambers, for instance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pouting, she said, \u201cThanks, Albert,\u201d while Trapper sat back and chuckled to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday we will be filing any last minute documentation, then go through jury selection. You don\u2019t have to stay for that part. The trial for the lawsuit will start tomorrow. But I\u2019d like you to stay anyway. I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll get to jury selection. I\u2019ll be submitting Mark\u2019s deposition into evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone stood when the judge entered the courtroom. Leaning Leah\u2019s way, Albert said, \u201cManning\u2019s watching you very carefully. Once we sit down, I want you to glance over with a slight, but confident smile. He should see he\u2019s not having any success at intimidation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah did what Albert asked, looking over at Doug with one corner of her mouth turned up and her eyes narrowed. Then she crossed her legs and held her chin up, maintaining a comfortable, self-assured smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill the council approach the bench?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah, Trapper and Arnold watched as the attorneys spoke, as Albert handed his new evidence to the judge, and as the judge read quickly through it. It seemed as if Manning\u2019s attorney was arguing, and indeed, their voices raised, but they overheard the judge say the deposition was legally recorded and appropriately witnessed document and could not be refuted. With that, the attorney asked for a moment with his client. As he and Doug conferred, those on Leah\u2019s side of the room watched closely. It was easy to see by Doug\u2019s demeanor and red face that he was unhappy. Eventually, the attorney returned to the bench, and shortly afterward, the judge said, \u201cMr. Manning has agreed to a settlement pending a discovery, so we will dispense with any further motions and get this done.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Albert returned to the table, he whispered to Leah. \u201cThey\u2019re looking for holes. Don\u2019t leave any.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty, Mr. Shaefer has advised the court that the only intellectual property you have that might belong to Mr. Manning is an encryption program. Mr. Detwiler, Mr. Manning\u2019s attorney says there is the matter of a proprietary system upgrade.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at Albert who nodded for her to speak. \u201cYour Honor, I\u2019ll address the upgrade first. There are no upgrade plans for San Francisco Memorial Hospital. Historically, I have planned an upgrade of software and equipment after each initial installation of a system under Manning Consulting, however I don\u2019t agree that an upgrade is always the best course of action. Upgrades were performed as a matter of increasing revenue, not necessarily because it was what the client needed. Since I have resigned my position from Manning Consulting and am now an employee of the hospital, I have a fiduciary responsibility to the hospital, and it simply does not need the standard upgrade. I have solicited input from the department heads as to what they need that would make their applications work better for them, so only software changes are likely. But I\u2019m not driving them. The people who use the systems are. I\u2019ve never done that at Manning because there\u2019s no profit in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about the encryption program?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI used an encryption program I created to protect the hospital systems during what turned out to be a national scandal. Once the danger in the hospital passed, I uninstalled the programs and destroyed the listings. Nothing is written down.\u201d She leaned forward and addressed Doug. \u201cThe difference in my encryption program is the level at which the encryption is performed. Today, the government and black ops teams generally use a device that encrypts passwords and passkeys at the decimal level. My encryption takes those decimal numbers and translates them to binary, so for each set of two decimal numbers, the encryption becomes a sixteen bit number containing only ones and zeros. I used sixteen of those sixteen bit numbers. The only other requirement is a numbering sequence where the progression is calculable to reset any compromised strings. I used a Fibonacci sequence, but any other calculable progressional sequence will work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re willing to give Mr. Manning that information?\u201d asked the judge.<\/p>\n

Sitting up straight, Leah furrowed her brows. \u201cI just did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Why didn\u2019t you give him this information before now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t ask for it. The first time I was aware that he wanted it was when I was served papers. I don\u2019t even understand why he\u2019s so interested in it. If someone hasn\u2019t already figured out a binary encryption, it will only be a matter of time before they will\u2026I\u2019d bet within the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Schaefer, Mr. Manning is offering five hundred thousand dollars to settle this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Honor, when Mr. Manning decided to go to trial rather than an initial discovery, the countersuit became five million at that time. The standard reduction once my client had to walk into this courtroom can only be reduced to thirty percent of the amount of the original claim, in addition to attorney\u2019s fees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what are you basing that amount on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOther than filing a frivolous lawsuit designed to intimidate Ms. Haverty, there is much more to this story than the evidence you see in front of you. The major basis is on what was revealed in Mr. Hansens\u2019 affidavit along with the surveillance information that has also been certified with an affidavit. I do have witnesses that can attest to Mr. Manning\u2019s behavior and threats toward Ms. Haverty.\u201d He turned, indicating with his hand, \u201cDr. McIntyre, Chief of Surgery and Mr. Slocum, Hospital Administrator, both from San Francisco Memorial Hospital. In addition to that, we could go into detail about what is in the deposition and surveillance folders, if necessary. I also request that no gag order be granted as it denies Ms. Haverty her First Amendment rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone looked at Doug who was shaking his head. \u201cMr. Detwiler, please advise your client that if he doesn\u2019t agree to the stated terms, we will go forward with a trial by jury, and we will exercise our First Amendment rights,\u201d Albert added.<\/p>\n

Detwiler looked at Doug, who whispered in his ear. \u201cMr. Manning requests that this not be discussed with the press.<\/p>\n

Albert looked back at Leah, who said under her breath, but loud enough to be heard in the echoic room. \u201cI just want to be rid of the creep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doug sneered, but nodded curtly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll work with Mr. Detwiler to transfer the payment by the end of the week,\u201d finished Albert as he closed his briefcase. The judge slammed the gavel down and everyone stood as he left the courtroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that it?\u201d asked Leah. Albert smiled, nodded and hugged her while Trapper sat back with his hand covering his mouth, amazed at how deftly Albert handled the case.<\/p>\n

Standing, he leaned over the rail and pulled Leah to him, giving her a long embrace. \u201cYou did it, kiddo. We should celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the moment, I just want to get out of this courtroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two walked arm in arm toward the back doors and were met by several camera flashes. Reporters had gathered in the back of the courtroom, shouting questions as they watched the man who took a bullet for his country and the woman he saved walk out. A barrage of questions came at them to which Leah answered after she looked back one more time at Doug with that same confident smile, \u201cNo comment.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy-One<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t that a beautiful sunset?\u201d asked Leah who was wrapped in Trapper\u2019s arms as he stood behind her on the deck of the guest house while the two took in the unobstructed view over the Pacific Ocean.\u00a0 \u00a0A light wind blew up the cliff bringing with it the smell of salt water.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taking a deep, cleansing breath, Trapper said, \u201cAnd peaceful\u2026finally.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not disappointed that I wanted to stay in tonight, are you?\u201d she asked, leaning her cheek into his.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever gave you that idea?\u201d he responded softly as he placed small, light kisses upon her neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you wanted to celebrate.\u00a0 This isn\u2019t exactly what I\u2019d call a celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning her and holding her tightly against him, he looked into her eyes, and then moved a stray hair that had blown across her face.\u00a0 \u201cAnd why can\u2019t two people celebrate alone?\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019ve got dinner on the grill, good wine, soft music playing in the background, a view of the sunset all to ourselves, and best of all, no pagers to interrupt our evening.\u201d\u00a0 As he bent to kiss her, he said, \u201cMaybe we can finish what we started when this whole mess began.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leah\u2019s hands found their way to his back where she stroked his muscles as they enjoyed a long, deep kiss.\u00a0 In the midst of a second, hungrier kiss, the wind shifted, sending smoke from the grill their way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMm.\u00a0 Wait,\u201d said Leah, attempting to extract herself only to find that Trapper had hold of her lower lip and was hesitant to let it go.\u00a0 \u201cTrap\u2026\u201d\u00a0 She giggled at his nibble. \u00a0\u201cSomething\u2019s\u2026burning.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He raised his head and looked toward the grill.\u00a0 \u201cDuty calls, my dear,\u201d he said, releasing his hold, but grasping her chin for one more quick kiss.\u00a0 While Trapper tended their dinner, Leah went to the kitchen and retrieved their wine, handing a glass to Trapper as he settled on one of the chaise lounges.\u00a0 He held Leah\u2019s glass while she maneuvered her cast to a comfortable position on the chaise beside him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After sitting quietly enjoying the fading oranges and pinks in the sky, Trapper asked, \u201cHave you thought about what you\u2019re going to do with the money?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have.\u00a0 The only place in this area for children who need long term care besides the cancer centers is the Children\u2019s Hospital at the University, and they\u2019re overcrowded.\u00a0 The cancer centers don\u2019t have a separate facility for children, so children who go there are mixed in with the adults, and the kids get lonely and scared because of all the noise associated with caring for dying people\u2026the machines, the codes being called, and the staff running through the halls to get to the rooms.\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s no place for a kid who doesn\u2019t even understand what\u2019s happening to himself.\u201d\u00a0 She took a sip of wine, and then took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t even been to Peds at the hospital.\u00a0 Gloria was telling my why the ward children were there; that most of them were admitted by Child Protective Services.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taking her hand, Trapper said, \u201cI don\u2019t think you should visit the Peds ward.\u00a0\u00a0 The children there are very accepting of a smiling face, but I think going to see them will do you more harm than good.\u00a0 It\u2019s one thing for a child to have an illness where there\u2019s no fault to place, but I don\u2019t believe your heart\u2026not the physical one\u2026could handle seeing kids abused by their relatives.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no place at the hospital, except in the general population, for children who need long term care.\u00a0 All the area hospitals send them to Children\u2019s and sometimes they miss the extra attention they need because it\u2019s so crowded.\u00a0 So I\u2019d like to find out what it would cost to fund a new wing at San Francisco Memorial as a long term care ward for children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper set his wine down on a side table and turned, moving her hand to his lips.\u00a0 \u201cAre you sure this is what you want to do with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Returning a warm smile, she answered, \u201cI\u2019m sure.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t know where to start.\u00a0 Will you help me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trapper got up from his chaise and walked back to the grill, turning their dinner and checking it for doneness.\u00a0 \u201cFirst, you have to figure out how you want it set up.\u00a0 Do you want it to be under the hospital\u2019s non-profit umbrella or do you want its own separate designation.\u00a0 Do you want it to be an outright gift or do you want to set up a foundation for endowments?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know it was going to be that complicated,\u201d she said, biting her lip.\u00a0 \u201cI have no idea what would be the better way to make sure it maintains adequate funding.\u00a0 I don\u2019t even know if one and a half million is adequate funding to start.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trapper prepared two plates from the food on the grill and took the plates to a small table further down on the narrow deck.\u00a0 Then he went back to the chaise, offering his hand to help Leah up.\u00a0 When they were seated, he refilled their wine glasses.\u00a0 \u201cI assume Albert has financial advisors he consults regarding your investments.\u00a0 If Albert could set up a meeting when them, I think you\u2019ll get your questions answered about the best way to set it up.\u00a0 And I think I can help you find an architect who can help you with a conceptual drawing.\u00a0 Of course, you\u2019ll have to present it to the board, but I don\u2019t think they\u2019ve ever turned down a paid addition to the hospital.\u00a0 You\u2019ll have to have all the information together before you talk to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo you think it\u2019s a good idea?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou earned that money the hard way.\u00a0 You deserve it.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let anyone try to tell you what to do with it.\u201d\u00a0 He split his grilled potato and added sour cream.\u00a0 \u201cAnd yes, I think it\u2019s a wonderful idea,\u201d he said, winking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once the dinner dishes were cleaned and put away, the two wandered back out to the deck, listening to the music from Leah\u2019s stereo and slowly dancing in a small circle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s your foot?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat foot?\u201d she answered, smiling as she moved her hand to the back of his neck and guided him down into a light kiss.\u00a0 As they spoke, their lips frequently met in light touches.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe one with the cast.\u00a0 You\u2019re supposed to be propping it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah.\u00a0 That foot.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather dance.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have a better idea.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t we go to bed early so we can get up early and take a drive up the coast tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m not sleepy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can take care of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Gates will not be happy with you.\u00a0 You\u2019re supposed to avoid strenuous activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t plan on telling Dr. Gates.\u00a0 And besides, there\u2019s something to be said for slow and easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She giggled.\u00a0 \u201cI hate to kill the moment, but I have to go to work tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Gates will not be happy with you either.\u00a0 You\u2019re supposed to be resting.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I have to make sure David is sound in his new position before I leave.\u00a0 And I\u2019ll be interviewing someone for the new project manager position tomorrow.\u00a0 After that, I will rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen how about tomorrow afternoon?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA drive up the coast.\u00a0 I know this little inn in Albion with rooms that look over the cliffs to the ocean.\u00a0 We could stop in the little towns, take a look around\u2026relax.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like a plan,\u201d she said, wrapping both arms around his neck and accepting a long, deep kiss that set the mood for the rest of the evening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With the Jeep packed, Trapper helped Leah into the passenger seat, then climbed behind the wheel and pulled out of the driveway.\u00a0 \u201cDid Gonzo clear you to drive?\u201d\u00a0 asked Leah.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Glancing over and smiling, he answered, \u201cI am a doctor\u2026a more experienced doctor.\u00a0 I don\u2019t need to ask Gonzo if I can drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s said that doctors make the worst patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe do have the Jeep, and you know where I got it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Laughing, she asked, \u201cWas he disappointed?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDevastated,\u201d he chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI thought we\u2019d take our time going up Highway 1, stay the night at Albion, and then go up into the coastal redwoods.\u00a0 We\u2019ll get a cabin for a few nights and wander through the groves.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds delightful,\u201d she said with a wide grin before she put on her sunglasses and lay her head back on the headrest, enjoying the ride.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow did your morning go?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDavid\u2019s going to do fine while I\u2019m gone.\u00a0 He has a good understanding of the system.\u00a0 I went ahead and made out the work schedules for the next week for the tape library and the console operator.\u00a0 Some of the programmers will be manning those positions until I can get people hired for that.\u00a0 \u00a0And I went to see Mike.\u00a0 He\u2019s coming back as a full time hire, so I\u2019ll probably make him supervisor over the data center folks.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the interview?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She hesitated answering until he glanced at her with raised brows.\u00a0 \u201cFrieda always interviews well.\u00a0 She knows her stuff, and she knows the health care industry.\u00a0 She\u2019s ambitious.\u00a0\u00a0 I think I\u2019m going to have to rein her in some.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He arched an eyebrow and wore a mischievous smile that she couldn\u2019t see.\u00a0 \u201cAm I hearing you\u2019ll have some competition for your job?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, most definitely.\u00a0\u00a0 She\u2019s quite capable, except that she sometimes pushes too hard and puts people off.\u00a0 \u00a0The bad part is that it\u2019s personal for her, and she doesn\u2019t hesitate to let you know it\u2019s personal either.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf she\u2019s that difficult, why are you considering her?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, I would say, though it\u2019s hard\u2026I mean, I do have an ego\u2026she\u2019s as technically capable as me.\u00a0 And if I can work with her for awhile, maybe I can work that bad part out of her.\u00a0 I\u2019ve only worked with her for a few months in the past before she\u2019s moved on.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Leah looked over at him, but then bowed her head.\u00a0 \u201cIf I decide I don\u2019t like the politics, I\u2019m going to look for something else.\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what I\u2019ll find after the fiasco with Doug, but I\u2019m sure there\u2019s something out there where he has no influence.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean in San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She raised her head from the headrest and removed her sunglasses, turning to him. \u201cSan Francisco is the first place I\u2019ll look, but Trapper, if I don\u2019t find something, I\u2019ll have to look further out\u2026like San Jose\u2026maybe even Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSan Jose isn\u2019t that far away.\u00a0 Sacramento\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Moving her hand to his thigh, she said, \u201cThere\u2019s no reason to worry about it at the moment.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t had to worry about the politics just yet, and I have something else that will probably keep me here for awhile, and that\u2019s the children\u2019s wing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trapper smiled and lifted her hand to his lips.\u00a0 Leah leaned back against the headrest again, and went back to enjoying the views.\u00a0 For the next hour, Trapper pondered his options if she did decide to leave her job at the hospital.\u00a0 San Jose was doable, but he didn\u2019t want her as far away as Sacramento.\u00a0 The fact was he didn\u2019t want her to leave the hospital at all.\u00a0 He began to consider permanence in their relationship.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d Leah said to the woman sitting across the desk from her in response to a knock on her door.\u00a0 \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trapper swung the door open and leaned in, balancing on the door knob and holding the door frame with his other hand.\u00a0 \u201cSorry for the interruption.\u00a0 I wanted to let you know I\u2019ll be in surgery all morning.\u00a0 I\u2019ll call you for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Standing, Leah introduced him to her visitor.\u00a0 \u201cTrapper, this is Frieda Christopher, the candidate for my old position with the Systems Group.\u00a0 Frieda, this is our Chief of Surgery, Dr. John McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trapper stood up straight and with a smile, offered his hand to Ms. Christopher, who also stood.\u00a0 \u201cMs. Christopher, it\u2019s nice to meet you.\u00a0 Now, if you two ladies will excuse me, I\u2019m off to surgery.\u201d\u00a0 Winking at Leah, he left, pulling the door closed behind him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An appreciative smile appeared on Frieda\u2019s face the minute Trapper smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs he married?\u201d she said, with a lingering look at the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Resuming her seat, Leah cleared her throat.\u00a0 \u201cAh\u2026no.\u00a0 Divorced.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKids?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTwo; a boy in college and a girl who just started.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo none at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Leah said, \u201cNo; a confirmed bachelor\u2026sort of.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Frieda sat back down, crossing her legs and leaning forward.\u00a0 \u201cSort of?\u00a0 He\u2019s involved?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With an amused grin, Leah answered, \u201cYes, as I understand it.\u00a0 But why are you interested?\u00a0 You don\u2019t stay in one place long enough to nurture relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, when one hits the big 4-0, one starts to think about stability in one\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Laughing, Leah said, \u201cStability.\u00a0 That\u2019s a word I never thought would come out of your mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, stability isn\u2019t very exciting. It\u2019s easy to fall into a rut.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but some ruts can be quite satisfying.\u00a0 Anyway, speaking of stability, I\u2019ll want you to sign a two-year contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sitting back in her seat, Frieda narrowed her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to invest the time to train you on this system and your job if you\u2019re going to be moving on in six months.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat never bothered you before.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t work for Manning Consulting anymore.\u00a0 I have to think about the bottom line here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI heard about you and Manning.\u00a0 How\u2019d the lawsuit go?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just say he wasn\u2019t happy and leave it at that.\u00a0 I\u2019m surprised he didn\u2019t come to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe did, but I was through with Doug before you were.\u00a0\u00a0 Nasty piece of work there.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Frieda looked away and chewed her lip.\u00a0 \u201cTwo years.\u00a0 That\u2019s a long time for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou just said you needed to start thinking about stability.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leaning down and picking her purse up off the floor beside her chair, Frieda stood. \u201cI do.\u201d\u00a0 Turning toward the door, she added, \u201cNeed to think about it.\u00a0 Do you mind if I walk around your hospital and get a feel for the place?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a public hospital.\u00a0 Just behave yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Laughing, Frieda opened the door.\u00a0 \u201cYou know me too well.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be quick with an answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready?\u201d asked Trapper, stepping in Leah\u2019s open door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo soon?\u00a0\u00a0 I expected you a little later.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have another surgery in an hour.\u00a0 It\u2019s now or never.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust let me grab some money.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walking into her office, he took her by the arm and pulled her up out of her chair.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, come on, come on,\u201d he said in fast repetition.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t need money.\u00a0 I\u2019m buying.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As they hurried down the hall, she said, \u201cSlow down.\u00a0 I can\u2019t go that fast with this block of plaster on my foot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen does it come off?\u201d he asked once they were in the elevator.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to ask Gonzo that very same question.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t hurt anymore.\u00a0 It just gets in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the line in the cafeteria, Leah hesitated when it came time to make her choice of sandwich.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not that difficult a choice\u2026ham or chicken,\u201d he said impatiently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you being so pushy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have one of each,\u201d he said to the server.\u00a0 She gave him an angry glare.\u00a0 \u201cYou can have whichever one you want,\u201d he said with raised eyebrows.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s move on down.\u00a0 You\u2019re holding up the line.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While Trapper paid, Leah took her tray out to an empty table, but before she sat down, he called, \u201cNot there.\u00a0 Over here.\u201d\u00a0 Trapper had pointed to a table in a corner, and seated himself with his back against the wall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Picking up one half of her sandwich, then one half of his, she moved them to opposite plates.\u00a0 \u201cThat settles that.\u00a0 Now, would you mind telling me what\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere you are,\u201d said Frieda, approaching them with a tray.\u201d\u00a0 Trapper exhaled long and slowly as his eyes rolled up to the ceiling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking from Trapper to Frieda, and then back to Trapper, Leah couldn\u2019t suppress a giggle.\u00a0 \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, having lunch with a member of the board?\u00a0 Either you\u2019re well connected, or\u2026isn\u2019t that kind of thing frowned upon around here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Glancing quickly at Trapper who had buried his face in his sandwich, Leah chuckled to herself.\u00a0 \u201cWhat in the world are you referring to, Frieda?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She sat down next to Trapper.\u00a0 \u201cI asked the good doctor to join me for lunch, but he said he didn\u2019t have time. \u00a0Surgery, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he didn\u2019t really lie.\u00a0 He only has an hour, and that\u2019s why he\u2019s wolfing down his sandwich,\u201d she said with a glare that stopped him in mid-chew.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, he already had lunch plans.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cInvolved.\u00a0 Right,\u201d said Frieda with a scowl.\u00a0 \u201cAnyway, I just wanted you to know that I like your hospital.\u00a0 And the staff.\u00a0 And the programming staff.\u00a0 Where do I sign?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trapper gave Leah a helpless look, making her cough to hide another laugh.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have the contract drawn up this afternoon and send it to you.\u00a0 Where are you staying?\u201d\u00a0 Frieda pushed a card across the table.\u00a0 \u201cNice hotel,\u201d said Leah, nodding her approval.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll need to sign it and get it back to me.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have to get approval from the board, but I don\u2019t see any obstacles there.\u00a0 It will probably take the rest of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u00a0 That will give me time to look for a place.\u00a0 I don\u2019t suppose I could stay with you if I don\u2019t find one quickly?\u201d said Frieda, asking with raised brows.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid my place is more like a studio; one big room and one bed\u2026and at the moment, it\u2019s occupied,\u201d Leah said, winking at Trapper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gonzo trotted to the middle of the cafeteria and spun around, then ran toward their table.\u00a0 \u201cLadies,\u201d he said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cTrapper, Jenny Keller is hemorrhaging.\u00a0 We have to go in now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTaking one last big bite and following it with a long drink of water, Trapper stood.\u00a0 \u201cI hate to leave so suddenly, ladies, but duty calls,\u201d he said, bending and giving Leah a quick sloppy kiss and trotting out of the cafeteria behind Gonzo.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Frieda watched them go.\u00a0 \u201cInvolved, indeed.\u00a0 Who\u2019s the other one?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Dr. Gates,\u201d answered Leah with a wicked gleam as she wiped her mouth.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone calls him Gonzo.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s\u2026ah\u2026not.\u00a0\u00a0 Involved, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy-Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have we got?\u201d asked Trapper as he walked to the light box in the operating room.<\/p>\n

\u201cSevere endocarditis with aortic stenosis. But look at this area here,\u201d said Gonzo, pointing to the left side of the heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like the left coronary artery is compromised,\u201d said Trapper, leaning closer to the film. \u201cHow old is this kid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s eleven.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s her teeth?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDental hygiene was good, so I don\u2019t think oral bacteria caused this. The valve problem could be congenital. Any infection would attach itself to the weakened valve and spread.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did this get this far without anyone noticing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer parents are homeless,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cThe husband lost his job, and they live in their car with two other children. They didn\u2019t see the symptoms until there was blood in her urine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, they may have waited too long,\u201d said Trapper with a frown on his way to the operating table. \u201cIs she ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBlood pressure one forty over ninety; pulse ninety-three.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much blood has she had?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s halfway through the first unit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holding his hand out for a scalpel, Trapper said, \u201cLet\u2019s open her up and see what we\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

When Trapper and Gonzo exited the emergency suite it was late in the afternoon, and they still had to see the parents who were waiting anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. and Mrs. Keller? I\u2019m Dr. McIntyre. This is Dr. Gates. Your daughter has a severe infection in her heart. It started with a deformed valve between the heart and the aorta which is a primary artery. Because the valve was weakened, infection set in and spread to the rest of her heart, and this caused necrosis in another artery.\u201d Based on the confused look on the parents\u2019 faces, Trapper continued in more lay terms. \u201cThe artery developed small holes which led to internal bleeding. We\u2019ve replaced the valve and we\u2019ve tried to repair the holes, but there are other areas of her heart that have also been compromised, so we\u2019ll be watching her closely. For right now, she\u2019s stable, but that could change at any minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean she could die?\u201d asked the father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to lie to you,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cShe\u2019s still in serious condition. If we can keep her stable for the next forty-eight hours, we\u2019ll take another look. But I have to warn you, we may have to start looking for another heart if we can\u2019t clear up the infection.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mother moved her hand over her mouth crying, \u201cHow did this happen? She\u2019s always been a healthy child.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Keller,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cWe think the valve was deformed from birth. Has she been ill recently with a fever?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe had a cold\u2026we all had it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was more like the flu,\u201d Mr. Keller added. \u201cWe were all achy and nauseated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat could have been the trigger,\u201d said Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou folks try to get some rest. It may be a long wait. Please stop by the nurse\u2019s desk and leave your contact information. We\u2019ll call you if anything changes.\u201d Trapper watched as the Keller\u2019s walked away, Mrs. Keller in tears and leaning into her husband. He waited until they turned the corner at the end of the short hall before he went to the locker room to shower and change.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah had just hung two paintings on the bare wall to the right side of her desk where a table and two wing chairs sat before she began to go through a box on her desk. Her office was much like Trapper\u2019s, but a bit larger, although it didn\u2019t have a private bathroom. A window behind her desk looked out over the courtyard between the annex and the main hospital. Her walls had been painted a sand color and white crown molding encircled the room. The wing chairs were upholstered in dark blue, green and burgundy material that matched her drapes. She also added live plants and two sculptures that had been retrieved along with the paintings from her storage unit containing her belongings from her former LA home.<\/p>\n

She had pulled a framed picture out of the box, and had slowly sat down, staring at the picture just before Trapper opened her door.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re still here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving the picture against her, she turned away and covered her mouth with her hand.<\/p>\n

Trapper proceeded to her desk and leaned over. \u201cLeah?\u201d When she didn\u2019t answer, he moved around the desk and knelt in front of her, slowly taking the picture out of her hands.<\/p>\n

Turning the frame around, Trapper studied the unusual picture of three figures silhouetted against the sun with the ocean in the background; a man with a little girl sitting on his shoulders and a boy standing in front of and against him. \u201cDid you take this picture?\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded, bowing her head into her hands, and wept. \u201cOh God, I miss them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Setting the picture on her desk, Trapper drew her out of her chair as he stood and guided her head to his chest as he held her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have no reason to be sorry. I wouldn\u2019t expect this to ever completely go away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I would hang a few pictures of them on the wall. Maybe I shouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe you should. It might help you to get to a point that you can smile at the memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

She touched his face in thanks, and stepped away, moving the picture back to the box. \u201cMaybe later for these,\u201d she said, sniffling and using the handkerchief Trapper gave her to wipe her eyes. \u201cHave you been in the same surgery all this time?\u201d She walked to the coffee pot, holding it up. He nodded, and she poured two cups and moved over to the wing chairs.<\/p>\n

Trapper sat down and crossed his legs. \u201cThanks,\u201d he said, taking a sip of his coffee. He was still pondering how to answer her question about the surgery, considering what he had just walked in on, but thought he would forge ahead. If she was going to continue working in a hospital and be involved with him, she would hear about his surgeries often enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, heart surgery\u2026aortic stenosis and severe endocarditis that\u2019s compromised the rest of her heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes getting old can be rough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not old. The valve problem is probably congenital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow old is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Scratching his ear, Trapper grimaced. \u201cEleven.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah sucked in a breath as her chin quivered. \u201cOh. How is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot good. We may have to look for another heart if we can\u2019t clear up the infection. Then again, we may not have time to find a heart if she needs one. The damage is extensive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Setting her coffee cup down on the table with a shaking hand, Leah turned away again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you still seeing Sandler?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOccasionally,\u201d she sniffled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you should call him.\u201d She shrugged without looking back at him. \u201cListen, I\u2019ll be staying awhile to keep an eye on Jenny.\u201d She looked at him with furrowed brows. \u201cMy heart patient. Why don\u2019t I find someone to take you home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking her head, she said, \u201cNo,\u201d and offered a frail smile. \u201cI have a few more things to do. I\u2019ll just call a cab when I\u2019m ready. But while you\u2019re here, would you mind looking over this contract and see if you find anything glaring?\u201d she asked, taking the contract off the desk and handing it to him. \u201cI used the hospital\u2019s standard contract for interns as a guide. If it looks okay, I\u2019ll leave it on the hospital attorney\u2019s desk tonight for review so I can get it to Frieda tomorrow. And speaking of Frieda, do you want to tell me what all that was about in the cafeteria today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper had begun looking through the contract and stopped, raising his head and looking forward uncomfortably.<\/p>\n

Noticing the expression, Leah said, \u201cAh, come on. It can\u2019t be that bad. I\u2019ve never seen you run when an attractive woman paid attention to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaying attention is one thing. Your friend, Frieda, is a\u2026\u201d He smiled uneasily and snorted. \u201cWell\u2026she\u2019s a tart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not really my friend, though she tries. She\u2019s a little\u2026forward\u2026for my tastes. What\u2019d she do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe invited me to lunch\u2026in her hotel room,\u201d he said, looking up from the contract with raised brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what had you hiding in a corner,\u201d said Leah, biting her lip to keep from smiling.<\/p>\n

Cutting his eyes quickly at her, and then going back to the contract, he said, \u201cShe goosed me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe goosed you?\u201d Leah repeated, unable to forestall the amused look on her face.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath and flaring his nostrils, he stood and laid the contract back on the desk with a sarcastic smile. \u201cI\u2019m glad my embarrassment brightened your day. This looks alright to me. Just make sure legal approves it,\u201d he said, heading for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a minute, Mister,\u201d she said sternly, rising from her chair. Walkingup to him, leaning into his chest and looking up,\u201d she asserted, \u201cYour behind is mine. No one gooses it but me. You can relax. I steered her toward Gonzo.\u201d<\/p>\n

An eyebrow shot up at the same time the corner of his mouth turned up. \u201cOh. I can\u2019t wait to see this,\u201d he said before he kissed her and left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy-Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pushing the ICU room door open, Leah poked her head in before she slowly stepped inside and waited by the door. Trapper was standing at the side of the bed, looking at the patient\u2019s chart. Moving the earpieces of his stethoscope to his ears, he listened to her heart. After that, he stood silently looking down at the child\u2019s face, the picture of unknowing serenity, before he gently placed his hand on her forehead. It appeared the doctor had a huge soft spot for suffering children.<\/p>\n

Turning and noticing Leah at the door, Trapper quietly replaced the chart at the foot of the bed, and went to her. \u201cHow is she?\u201d asked Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer fever isn\u2019t coming down with the antibiotics. Her EKG isn\u2019t any better either. I think we\u2019ll have to start looking for a heart. Why are you still here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m restless. I don\u2019t think I could sleep anyway. Where are her parents? I didn\u2019t see anyone in the waiting room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cApparently, they\u2019re in the parking lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding at the door, he took her arm and guided her outside, telling her about the Keller\u2019s situation as they walked down the hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen are you going to tell them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to send someone for them now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stopping in the hall, turning to him and placing her hands on his chest, she said, \u201cI\u2019ll go.\u201d<\/p>\n

He held her hands against him, his weariness showing on his face with heavy eyelids and deep frown lines. \u201cI don\u2019t know if that\u2019s a good idea considering the day you\u2019ve had.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t volunteer if I didn\u2019t think I could handle it. Please?\u201d she said, looking hopefully into his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d he said softly with a slight smile. \u201cThey\u2019re in a blue station wagon with Nevada plates. Bring them to my office.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Calvin Keller stirred at the sound of tapping on the window of his station wagon half expecting to see a policeman or security officer telling him to move on. He wiped his eyes when he saw a blonde woman with a pleasant smile looking down at him and rolled the window down halfway.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Keller?\u201d He nodded. \u201cI\u2019m Leah Haverty, a board member here at the hospital. Dr. McIntyre would like to see you in his office.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Jenny okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s stable. But her fever isn\u2019t breaking, and Dr. McIntyre would like to talk to you about the next step in her treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gently shaking his wife awake, he said, \u201cAbby, Dr. McIntyre wants to see us about Jenny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs she alright?\u201d the woman asked sleepily.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Mrs. Keller. She\u2019s still stable. Dr. McIntyre wants to update you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMom, I\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to wait until morning, Kelly. Go back to sleep. Your father and I have to go back into the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the Keller\u2019s were exiting the car, Leah looked in on the children who where both trying to sleep curled up in the back seat. \u201cHow old are these two?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThirteen and fourteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we take them with us? I think I can find a place for them to get more comfortable, and even find something to eat. Did they have dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kellers looked shamefully at one another. \u201cNot much, but they\u2019re alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah gave them a muted smile. \u201cPlease. I\u2019d like to help if I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

The entire family of Kellers entered the hospital with Leah who stopped at the nurse\u2019s desk when she went by emergency. \u201cGloria, you\u2019re working tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDouble shift. I\u2019m covering for Ernie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have time to do something for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. It\u2019s quiet tonight,\u201d Gloria said smiling. \u201cIt will give me something to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you call housekeeping and ask them to take two cots with linens and pillows up to my office and set them up?\u201d Reaching into her pocket, Leah drew out some cash. \u201cTake these two to the cafeteria and get them some sandwiches and milk, and then take them to my office.\u201d She turned to the two children. \u201cI\u2019m going to trust you to be on your best behavior. Remember, you\u2019re in a hospital. Now, Nurse Brancusi is going to take you to get something to eat. You are to take it to my office. There\u2019s a table there where you can sit while you eat. It\u2019s late, so after you eat I want you to go right to bed. Don\u2019t leave my office. Someone will come get you when it\u2019s time to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two children looked at their parents who looked at one another anxiously before they looked at Nurse Brancusi. \u201cDon\u2019t worry folks. Ms. Haverty just has a bigger than normal heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa,\u201d laughed Leah. \u201cGood one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kellers nodded and the children when quietly off with Gloria.<\/p>\n

Trapper was waiting for them with coffee when they entered his office. \u201cI know this is unusual, but if you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d like to stay,\u201d said Leah. \u201cI have some personal experience with what you\u2019re dealing with, and I\u2019d like to offer support if I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. and Mrs. Keller, Leah is the hospital\u2019s Chief Information Officer. She overseas our computer systems, but she\u2019s does have some unique experience. However, if you don\u2019t want to discuss Jenny with her here, that\u2019s your right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s alright,\u201d said Mr. Keller. \u201cMs. Haverty has already been a great help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like some coffee?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

Both nodded. Leah motioned to Trapper, sending him to his desk while she prepared the coffee. \u201cWe have Jenny on some very strong antibiotics, but her fever isn\u2019t coming down. Her EKG, what we use to monitor her heart, isn\u2019t showing any improvement either. She\u2019s having several abnormal beats every few minutes which means that the heart is still very stressed. Considering the damage from the infection, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to get any better.\u201d He paused while Leah passed out the coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mentioned a heart transplant earlier,\u201d said Mr. Keller.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to give her a little more time to see if she can fight the infection, but I would suggest we get her on the list for a heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn a list? If she needs a heart now, how long will that take?\u201d asked Mrs. Keller worriedly.<\/p>\n

Scratching his chin, Trapper said, \u201cWell, when we put her on the list, we add her current condition, so those who are most critical get first consideration. It will depend on how many others are on the list in more danger or as much danger as Jenny. We also have to match her blood and tissue types, so the hearts that do become available may not be a match for her. There\u2019s no guarantee we\u2019ll get a heart immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens if we can\u2019t get a heart,\u201d Mr. Keller asked softly.<\/p>\n

When Trapper smiled, Leah wondered how he managed it, facing what he knew were enormous risks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll do everything we can to keep her stable until we find one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, we can\u2019t pay for this. We have nothing left but our car and our clothes. We\u2019ve even hocked our wedding bands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where I come in,\u201d said Leah, glancing at Trapper who looked warily at her. \u201cMr. Keller, what did you do for a living?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a loan officer at a savings and loan. I lost my job when they collapsed and haven\u2019t been able to find anyone willing to hire me for even basic work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you get me a resume?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have some copies of my resume in the car. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019d like to interview you for a job. I need to hire several tape technicians for the hospital\u2019s data center. It\u2019s probably different from anything you\u2019ve ever done, but if you have a capacity for finance, this should be fairly easy for you to learn. It probably doesn\u2019t pay what you made as a loan officer, but it\u2019s a decent income. I can also help you and your family find a place to live until you get on your feet. And if we can get this all done before Dr. McIntyre finds a heart, the insurance coverage you\u2019ll get here will cover most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Keller broke down. \u201cThis is too much to handle at once. Our daughter is on death\u2019s door, and a woman we don\u2019t know has just swooped in to save us. Is this real?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper said, \u201cIt\u2019s very real, Mrs. Keller. Leah has a background that drives her to this, especially when a child is involved. And she can help you get through all the special needs of a heart transplant. She\u2019s a heart recipient herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two Kellers stared open-mouthed at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m going to work on getting you a hotel room while you go look in on Jenny,\u201d said Leah, standing. \u201cI\u2019ll bring the children to ICU when I\u2019m done and give you directions to the hotel. Mr. Keller, can you come to my office at ten tomorrow morning with your resume?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the Kellers left the hospital neither Mr. nor Mrs. Keller said a word. Between their concern for Jenny and their disbelief in the help they were receiving, they had no idea what to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s midnight,\u201d said Trapper, walking up behind as Leah she stood on the sidewalk in front of the hospital watching the Kellers drive away.<\/p>\n

She leaned into his side when he draped his arm across her shoulders. \u201cYes, doctor, it is midnight. What are you still doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a critical patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you always stay all night when you have critical patients? Why do you have a house?\u201d she asked, teasingly.<\/p>\n

Slowly turning his head and giving her a tired look, he said, \u201cDon\u2019t argue with me, woman. Go home and go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I sleep on your sofa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I won\u2019t have a place to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Groaning, Leah gave in. \u201cAlright. I\u2019ll call a cab since you drove the Jeep. But I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll sleep. It\u2019s been a little while since I\u2019ve been there alone. Can\u2019t they page you if anything changes with Jenny?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s too critical. Her heart could fail at any minute, and if I\u2019m that far away, I won\u2019t be able to do her much good. But I want you to go to my house. If Mark is around, he won\u2019t be looking for you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you want me to sleep with this on my mind in a strange house and in a strange bed?\u201d asked Leah, leaning back to get a good look at his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sending you home with something to help you sleep.\u201d She gave him a stern look and took a deep breath. \u201cAnd you will take it,\u201d he continued, giving her his own severe look . \u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be resting. You\u2019re not supposed to be working longer than eight hours, and if you don\u2019t stop, I can always officially send you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a contractor anymore. I\u2019m a member of the board.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t matter. If I tell Arnold that you need the rest, you will be ordered to go home and rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

She jerked her arm from around him at the same time she pushed herself away with her other hand and huffed, turning back to the hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cHome is that way,\u201d he said, pointing south.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you mind if I get my things?\u201d she said loudly over her shoulder as she continued her walk toward the front doors of the hospital.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy-Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

After Trapper closed the cab door once Leah was safely inside, he leaned down to the window handing the driver cash. \u201cThat should more than cover the fare. Stay with her until she\u2019s inside the house with the door closed,\u201d he said to the cabby with raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n

The driver flipped through the cash, folded it and slightly waved it as he said, \u201cSure thing, doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Leah entered the house, she turned and waved to the cabby. Closing the door, she stopped for a moment and took a quick look around before she turned and threw the bolt. She had been here before, but it was strange coming into the darkened house alone. As she climbed the stairs with her briefcase in one hand and a change of clothes on a hanger in the other, she wondered if he made his bed every day or if she\u2019d find it with the covers thrown to one side and a pillow mashed against the headboard. Then she chuckled at the silly thought.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d never been upstairs in his house, but finding the bedroom was easy. It was the biggest room on the second floor\u2026and the bed was made.<\/p>\n

After setting her briefcase on the floor by the chair, she hung her clothes in the closet, then undressed, shrugging on Trapper\u2019s robe when she went into the bathroom to do her nightly detail, including taking the pill Trapper had made her promise she\u2019d take. She stood looking at the medicine cabinet for a moment before she slowly opened it, feeling a little naughty at the intrusion, but then remembered he\u2019d been in her bathroom going through her drawers, looking for a pair of scissors to trim his beard. She raised her chin and gave a short nod at her justification, then proceeded to look through its contents. There were no surprises as the cabinet contained a sparse collection of the normal stuff, at least for a man. She laughed at the box of condoms and looked to see how full the box was. Then she noticed the shaving cream and wondered why he needed shaving cream. Her mouth opened and her eyebrows rose in an \u2018ah ha!\u2019 moment when she remembered how he had shaved his neck in front of her bathroom mirror.<\/p>\n

Standing before the bed before she disturbed it, she never imagined she would be sleeping in it alone, especially the first time. She sighed and pulled the covers back, slipped off the robe and slid her naked body between the sheets. The pillow and blankets carried his scent, and once cozily ensconced, she felt as if he was there with his arms wrapped around her as the drug Trapper had given her took effect.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Arriving at the hospital at seven the next morning, Leah dropped her briefcase off in her office before she went to Trapper\u2019s office. He wasn\u2019t there, so she went to ICU to see how Jenny Keller was. Jenny wasn\u2019t there either.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know where Jenny Keller is?\u201d she asked the nurse changing the bed linens.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you a family member?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah chuckled. \u201cNo. I\u2019m Leah Haverty. I\u2019m assisting the Kellers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe little girl coded early this morning. Dr. McIntyre took her to surgery again, and the Kellers are in the waiting room outside the surgical suite.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah\u2019s smile disappeared slowly. \u201cOh. Oh no,\u201d she said uneasily. She thanked the nurse and hurried to the elevator. Stepping out of the elevator, she turned toward the surgical suite, but jerked to a halt when she saw Gonzo and Trapper coming through the automatic doors. The Kellers met him in the middle of the hallway, and by the way Mrs. Keller buried her face in her husband\u2019s shoulder and the way Trapper was shaking his head, she knew the news was bad.<\/p>\n

Before she even knew it, tears were streaming down her face, and when Trapper looked down the hall at her, and she saw his sorrowful expression, she couldn\u2019t stay, hurrying back to the elevator.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Gates, would you show Mr. and Mrs. Keller to the chapel?\u201d Trapper turned back to the Kellers. \u201cOur chaplain will help you with whatever arrangements you\u2019d like to make.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre,\u201d said Mr. Keller, his face wet with tears. \u201cThis may sound unfeeling, but I do need to meet with Ms. Haverty. I have two other children to think of, and I could really use that job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving a hand to Keller\u2019s shoulder, Trapper responded, \u201cDon\u2019t worry about that right now. I\u2019ll speak to Ms. Haverty and let her know what\u2019s happened. She\u2019ll want you to stay at the hotel until everything is taken care of, and I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll be happy to reschedule your interview. Where are the children now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re still at the hotel. We didn\u2019t wake them when we left, but we left a note.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like me to send someone for them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thank you, Doctor,\u201d said Mr. Keller through her sobs. \u201cThey\u2019re well behaved children, and we\u2019ve left instructions for them until we get back. Besides that, I don\u2019t want to tell them here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. and Mrs. Keller, if you\u2019ll come with me, I\u2019ll take you down to the chaplain,\u201d said Gonzo, motioning down the hall toward the elevator.<\/p>\n

Trapper walked with them and sent them down in the elevator, waiting for the elevator to come back up. Boarding, he pushed the button for the executive floor. He quietly turned the knob of her office door and slowly pushed it open, peering in. Leah was sitting in one of the wing chairs, one hand in her lap and the other holding a tissue at her mouth. Stepping in, he noticed the photographs she had placed on the credenza and on her book shelf as well as those hanging on the walls and smiled.<\/p>\n

Rolling the desk chair over to her, he sat in front of her and took her hand from her lap. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

She sniffled and wiped her nose. \u201cThis is ridiculous, I know. I honestly don\u2019t know how you do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s never easy,\u201d he said, smiling. \u201cI do it because I save more than I lose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I ran out on you like that. I should\u2019ve been able to help if I could.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, he replied, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t your responsibility, even though you\u2019d like to think it was. We have a chaplain to help them work through the details. You know, if you\u2019re going to keep offering assistance, you might want to talk to the chaplain yourself. Let him know what you can do, and then let him take care of the families. That\u2019s his job. In fact, you could probably start a fund here at the hospital for that with part of the money you\u2019re getting from Manning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you\u2019re right,\u201d she said, taking his hand in both of hers. \u201cBut I do need to tell them they can stay at the hotel until everything is taken care of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already told them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shifting her eyes up to his, she cocked her head. \u201cDid you also tell Mr. Keller that I\u2019ll do the interview afterward as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did,\u201d he said with a nod and half smile.<\/p>\n

Wiping the wetness from her cheeks, she said bravely, \u201cLast thing\u2026have you had breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, and I\u2019m starved,\u201d he replied, wrinkling his nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s go then. I\u2019m buying.\u201d Trapper rolled the chair back to her desk, but before they left the office, she turned to him, burying her face in his chest as she sobbed.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gonzo was already in the cafeteria when Leah and Trapper arrived with their trays. He waved them over to his table. Noticing Leah\u2019s red eyes, he thought he might try a subject with no reference to the Kellers. \u201cLeah, I wanted to ask you about Frieda Christopher.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk me what?\u201d she said sadly, sitting across from him with Trapper sitting next to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe seems nice enough. If I decide to invite her to the Titanic, what should I know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re thinking about taking her to the Titanic?\u201d said Trapper, chuckling and shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yeah. Why not? She\u2019s friendly enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want to know?\u201d Leah asked without her usual cheerful smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Is she clingy? Is she looking for something long term?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do know she\u2019s older than you. She\u2019s older than me, as a matter of fact,\u201d said Leah, pouring honey over a biscuit. \u201cFrieda says she\u2019s looking for stability in her life. Personally, I don\u2019t know that she\u2019s capable of that. That\u2019s why I\u2019m requiring her to sign a two-year contract. I don\u2019t really see her settling down, though, Gonzo. She\u2019s always been the kind that likes\u2026variety. By the way,\u201d she said, turning and winking at Trapper before she looked back across the table at Gonzo. \u201cHow did you happen to meet her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe made an indecent proposal.\u201d Both Trapper and Leah laughed. \u201cNo really, she came right up to me and whispered something dirty in my ear.\u201d Gonzo puffed up with a wide grin. \u201cMade my day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah\u2019s lower jaw dropped as she moved her hand to cover her mouth. She leaned against Trapper. \u201cYou\u2019ve just lost your title of dirty old man to a dirty old young man,\u201d she said seemingly in a lighter mood.<\/p>\n

Trapper said nothing, but continued a low, deep laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not dirty. I\u2019m just young,\u201d insisted Gonzo. \u201cThere\u2019s something to be said for being purposely unattached. Besides,\u201d he said, leaning forward. \u201cVariety is the spice of life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah propped her chin on her hand after she chuckled and shook her head. \u201cDon\u2019t come back to me when she becomes too much for you. I warned you. Now, when can I make an appointment to get this cast off my foot? I\u2019m sick and tired of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am, too,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cI hope you\u2019ll think twice before you kick something because you\u2019re angry,\u201d he said to Leah at the same time he took a red potato off her plate. She gave him a slightly miffed look and reached over, taking a broccoli spear off his.<\/p>\n

After lunch Leah went her separate way back up to the executive suite, but before the end of the day, she was spreading her toes and stretching her foot free of the cast.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy-Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLeah!\u201d shouted Trapper from down the hall.\u00a0 She slowed down to let him catch up.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the hurry,\u201d he said, smiling and walking next to her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have a training session with Frieda…\u201d she looked at her watch.\u00a0 \u201c\u2026in five minutes, I have to get ready for the board meeting this afternoon, and I\u2019m interviewing Calvin Keller today for a job.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t seen you all week.\u00a0 I thought we could have lunch together today.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t today,\u201d she said, stopping in front of the elevator and pushing the up button.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll probably be eating at my desk.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve looked for you in your office a couple of times, but I was told you were in surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it has been a busy week.\u201d\u00a0 The elevator door opened, and when Leah turned to step in, he pulled her back.\u00a0 \u201cWait.\u00a0 We have to plan some time together\u2026even if we have to make an appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Trapper.\u00a0 It can\u2019t be today,\u201d she said, tiptoeing and giving him a quick kiss.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe this evening.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll stop by your office,\u201d she said as the elevator door closed and she was whisked away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Moving a hand to the metal frame of the elevator, he leaned and moved his other hand to his hip, scowling at the elevator door.\u00a0 His first thought was that her job was getting in the way of their romance, but then he snorted.\u00a0 His job was as much to blame.\u00a0 They would have to figure out how to tame their work schedules.\u00a0\u00a0 Turning abruptly to head back to his office, he almost ran into Gonzo.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, I was just looking for you.\u00a0 Do you have time to take a look at some x-rays?\u00a0 I\u2019m getting ready to get tissue from a kidney donor to see if he\u2019s a match for a patient, but I see something suspicious on his x-ray.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems work is the only thing I do have time for these days,\u201d Trapper answered sourly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, well, later would be okay,\u201d said Gonzo apologetically.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Smiling, Trapper said, \u201cNo.\u00a0 Let\u2019s look now.\u00a0 I have a little time.\u201d\u00a0 As they walked down the hall to the x-ray room, Trapper asked, \u201cHow are things going with Frieda?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not.\u00a0 Anymore, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trapper opened the door and held it for Gonzo.\u00a0 \u201cOh?\u00a0 What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Gonzo pushed the x-rays under the clamps on the light box, he answered, \u201cI never thought I\u2019d say this about anyone, but she\u2019s too much for me.\u00a0 So much that she found someone else to fill in the gaps.\u00a0 It\u2019s not that I mind the occasional other date, but she seems to find someone everyday\u2026maybe even several times a day.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I want to share that much biology with a bunch of other men.\u201d\u00a0 Grinning from ear to ear, Trapper stood in front of the light box chuckling.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLeah did warn you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe also said Frieda was looking for stability.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s what Frieda said.\u00a0 Leah said that wasn\u2019t possible.\u00a0 Maybe next time you should listen to her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gonzo flipped on the lights and both men looked up at the x-rays.\u00a0 \u201cThere won\u2019t be a next time\u2026at least not with Frieda,\u201d said Gonzo, pointing to a dark spot on the film.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHard to tell,\u201d said Trapper, stepping closer.\u00a0 \u201cIt could be stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll take the tissue from two spots; that one and a clear one.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine as long as you inform the donor.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t come for a biopsy.\u00a0 He came to give you a tissue sample for matching to the patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat harm would it do if I just took the tissue?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking at Gonzo over his glasses, Trapper said, \u201cNo harm, except that he could sue you for doing a biopsy without informing him.\u201d\u00a0 Moving to the door, Trapper opened it.\u00a0 Before he left, he turned and said, \u201cGet his consent for a biopsy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Frieda and Leah worked through lunch, eating sandwiches in Leah\u2019s office as they went through flow charts and program listings.\u00a0 \u201cWe have change requests stacking up for approval by the board, so you should have some good hands-on experience very soon,\u201d said Leah as Frieda gathered her paperwork, preparing to end the session.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so.\u00a0 Reading technical manuals and source code isn\u2019t my idea of a good time,\u201d she said, heading for the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow are things going with Gonzo?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Frieda stutter stepped before she came to stop at the door, hesitating when she turned around.\u00a0 \u201cWell, they aren\u2019t\u2026anymore.\u00a0 Gonzo is a nice guy, but he\u2019s not\u2026how do I put this\u2026spontaneous enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Moving her mouth to say \u2018oh\u2019, Leah ended up laughing the word.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened to stability?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI decided forty is still too young to start thinking about stability.\u00a0 Maybe forty-five.\u00a0\u00a0 Off to the mines,\u201d she said, leaving just as Calvin Keller arrived.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Mr. Keller, please come in.\u00a0 Let me move some of this paperwork out of the way,\u201d said Leah as she walked around the room picking up large graphs and charts and listings on burst paper that had been unfolded and spread across her desk and her table.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere,\u201d she said, taking a breath.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, have a seat.\u201d\u00a0 Smiling slightly, he sat down.\u00a0 Leah studied him for a moment before she said, \u201cI understand if this is too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s\u2026\u201d he sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think it will be any better for a long while, and I have to feed my family.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t get to thank you at the funeral for all you did.\u00a0 Your chaplain told us that you paid the bills for crematory and the cemetery plot.\u00a0 I intend to pay you back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow about we get you settled in your new job and your family settled in a new home before we think about that,\u201d said Leah, smiling.\u00a0 \u201cI was able to go over your resume and check your references and everything looks fine, so the job is yours.\u00a0 Mike Stanley will be your supervisor and will train you.\u201d\u00a0 She looked at her watch.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s too late to get started today, so why don\u2019t we make tomorrow your first day.\u00a0 I\u2019ll want you on day shift to begin with, but once you learn the job, the shifts are rotational, so there will be times you\u2019ll be scheduled in the evenings and on the grave shift.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t be a problem,\u201d Mr. Keller said with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHere are the particulars of your position including your salary,\u201d she said, handing him a piece of paper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is more than I expected, especially not knowing anything about the job,\u201d he said surprised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019ll have any trouble picking it up, and with your leadership experience, I think you\u2019ll be able to advance fairly quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Folding the paper and putting it in a pocket on the inside of his jacket, he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know how to thank you for all you\u2019ve done for us.\u00a0\u00a0 May I ask you a question?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre said that you\u2019re driven to this.\u00a0 May I ask why?\u201d\u00a0 Leah smiled, took a deep breath and bowed her head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I shouldn\u2019t have asked.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking back up, she sniffled.\u00a0 \u201cNo, it\u2019s alright.\u00a0\u00a0 The pictures you see on the walls and shelves are of my family.\u00a0\u00a0 They were all killed in a car accident a few years ago.\u00a0 I survived, but only because of a heart transplant.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mr. Keller\u2019s eyes widened.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I am sorry.\u00a0 That\u2019s terrible.\u00a0 N-n-not that you survived, but that your family didn\u2019t. \u00a0\u00a0I understand now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t lie to you, Mr. Keller.\u00a0 It still hurts.\u00a0 It still hurts a lot.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think the pain will ever completely go away.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Leaning forward, she looked him in the eye with certainty.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut it does get easier\u2026as time moves on.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He met her eyes and the two held each other\u2019s gaze for a long minute until he gave her a quick nod.\u00a0 \u201cWe have an Employee Assistance Program here at the hospital.\u00a0 It\u2019s a free service.\u00a0 I encourage you and your family to take advantage of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to my wife about it.\u00a0 She\u2019s\u2026well, it may take more time for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow are the children?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been really upset, but we\u2019ve started them in school, and with that and new friends, they seem to be bouncing back\u2026better than their parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Leah stood, so did Mr. Keller.\u00a0 \u201cGive it time.\u00a0 You can\u2019t rush this.\u00a0 It has to happen the way it happens,\u201d she said, walking him to the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWhat time should I be here tomorrow morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEight.\u00a0 Take the elevator to the basement and when you step off, go left.\u00a0 Mike will be at the desk on the raised floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRaised floor?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chuckling, Leah replied, \u201cYou\u2019ll know it when you see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy-Seven\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper hurriedly gathered all the paperwork spread out on his desk; calculations, graphs, annotated cases. He knew he was going to be late for the board meeting, but he still had a smile on his face because he would be seeing Leah, even if it was only as part of the meeting\u2026at first. The end of the meeting would signal the end of their day at the hospital\u2026he hoped\u2026and he planned to take Leah to dinner and dancing after which he would whisk her back to his house and introduce her to his bedroom properly.<\/p>\n

With his paperwork stacked neatly, he tucked it under his arm and headed for the elevator, whistling a little tune and nodding as he passed by the nurse\u2019s station where Ernie and Gloria looked at each other with raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen him so happy on his way to a board meeting,\u201d said Gloria.<\/p>\n

Ernie snickered. \u201cIt probably has something to do with our newest board member,\u201d she said, prompting a nod and a smile from Gloria.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I caught him a couple of days ago with a little black box in his hand, studying whatever it was inside. When he realized I was there, he snapped it shut and put it in his pocket,\u201d said Gloria.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? He said he\u2019d never do that again\u2026that it costs too much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe that\u2019s why he was looking at it so hard,\u201d laughed Gloria.<\/p>\n

Trapper and Leah reached the door of the conference room at the same time, Leah with her arms full of folders, charts and graphs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re late,\u201d admonished Trapper, waiting for her to take her last two steps, and then opening the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your excuse?\u201d she hotly whispered back. He shrugged and stepped aside to let her through the door, following in after her. The only two chairs left were across the table from each other right in the middle of the eight board members already seated along the sides of the table with Arnold at the head.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you decided to join us,\u201d said Arnold, scowling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI apologize,\u201d said Leah, addressing the entire table. \u201cI just got out of an interview.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper set his arm full down on the table, and pulled out his chair to be seated. \u201cMy excuse isn\u2019t so noble. I was just putting the finishing touches on these charts. I\u2019m anxious to get the board\u2019s approval to submit these requests for the grants we\u2019ll be discussing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, Ms. Haverty has some change requests for our computer systems she\u2019d like to discuss for approval. Ms. Haverty, you have the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Slocum,\u201d she said with a charming smile. When she stood Trapper noticed her attire, a deep blue suit with a skirt\u2026not slacks\u2026a white shirt with a cross tie. Her hair was up on her head, though not pulled as tightly as she had when he first met her. She walked around the table setting handouts in front of each person. As she passed Trapper, he frowned and groaned at her stilettos. Stopping at the sound, she looked back to see the scowl on his face, narrowed her eyes and continued around the table.<\/p>\n

Standing in front of her chair, she again addressed the table. \u201cLadies and gentlemen, you have in front of you all the requests I\u2019ve received so far from the departments outlining changes or enhancements they would like to see made to the applications each of them use. Along with each request, you have a time and cost estimate for each of the modifications. In addition, you have a summary sheet ranking each change by severity and cost as well as the percentage of the data processing budget each one would consume. As you can see, this represents one quarter of the budget which is in line with our plan to perform quarterly releases for upgrades to the system.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a moment of silence as the board members studied the requests and summary. \u201cMs. Haverty, have you evaluated each request for necessity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mr. Wainwright. When I asked for input from the departments, I asked them to submit those things that would make their departments more productive. I can\u2019t speak to how they determined that since each department performs some fairly unique tasks, and I\u2019m not familiar with them all. However, for those that I sent back questions, I found the answers to be more than substantive. I don\u2019t feel any of these changes are frivolous. In fact, it\u2019s unusual for the first round of requests on a new system to be wasteful. That will come as the departments become more familiar with their applications, at which time, there will be some requests I won\u2019t even bring to the board for approval. There will eventually be some infrastructure enhancement requests as well as tuning requests coming from me as part of our quarterly releases that will be in competition for funds with the department requests, so this process will become more difficult. Since this is the first quarter, this one is fairly straight forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Wainwright smiled and nodded, having no idea what Leah had just said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps since this is the first round, we should approve these requests since they\u2019re within the planned budget,\u201d said Arnold, looking around the table at each nod. \u201cAs we move forward, Ms. Haverty, if we have competition for the budgeted funds, would it be possible for each department head to present his or her case and explain what advantages their requested enhancements will have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs each one learns the process, it will become more beneficial to the board in making that decision. I will assist each one with time and cost estimates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good,\u201d said Arnold. \u201cLet the record show that all the submitted department requests are approved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper was looking curiously at the stacks still sitting in front of Leah when the subject of federal grants came up. He quickly sat up in his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you all know,\u201d began Arnold, \u201ceach year the federal government makes available a limited number of grants to medical institutions. The amount of each grant is not set, but rather is doled out from a lump sum approved by Congress. This year they will be handing out twenty-five million. Dr. McIntyre has been preparing a bid for part of that money. Dr. McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Arnold. As I\u2019ve been saying for over a year now, the hospital needs to update our equipment and our specialized knowledge. Newer technologies are available now, and we\u2019re being left behind compared to other hospitals in the area. I\u2019m specifically talking about microvascular surgery, laser surgery and Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI. For microvascular surgery, we need no special equipment, but we need additional money to attract a competent, qualified group of surgeons as well as to begin a training program for our existing surgical staff. I\u2019d also like to be on the ground floor of laser technology by opening the first Laser Surgery Center in Northern California to include research and education. We\u2019ll be in competition with UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, but they already have so many specialized centers and even though they are known as a teaching hospital, I think we have a good chance. Our target student will be established surgeons looking to advance their knowledge while UC Davis works mainly with graduate students and interns. Our other competition is Bay General and Sutter Medical Center, also in Sacramento. The last piece of the package is the need for two MRI machines. I won\u2019t try to explain the technology behind them, but I will show you the difference in X-ray or CT scan films and what we\u2019ll see out of an MRI machine.\u201d Trapper passed films in both directions around the table, waited and watched the expressions on the faces of the board members. He knew the pictures would speak louder than anything he could say.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, will you be submitting all three under one grant proposal or doing separate proposals for each?\u201d asked Mrs. Beauchamp.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be doing one proposal under the subject of technology updates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd will you be writing the grant or will you hire a grant writer?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper snorted. \u201cUnfortunately, I don\u2019t have the budget for a grant writer. They\u2019re pricey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, if Dr. McIntyre is finished,\u201d said Arnold, raising his brows at Trapper and waiting for a response. Trapper nodded. \u201cMs. Haverty would like to present her grant bid for the board\u2019s approval.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper turned and gave Leah and surprised, but hard look.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you again, Mr. Slocum. I realize it seems odd that I would be asking for a non-medical grant when the grant money is earmarked for medical institutions, however, we are quickly approaching a point where an upgrade of the hospital data storage technology will be necessary, especially with Dr. McIntyre\u2019s plans for expansion and improved services. We currently use sixteen inch reel tapes for long term data storage. We have two machines which use cartridge tape.\u201d She pulled a reel and a cartridge out of a large envelope and set them on the conference table, then rose and went to an easel, hanging a large chart and graph, referring to them as she continued to speak. \u201cAs you can see, the physical storage requirement for a cartridge tape is much less than for a reel tape. We also have a staff of technicians who do nothing but pull tapes from our tape library and mount them to satisfy data requests on the system. Because we are required by the federal government to retain certain data for ten years, we back up data every night, sending a copy to offsite storage, but we also keep copies in our own tape library for three years. In the nine months since the system was first brought online, fifty percent of the tape library capacity has been used. It\u2019s good news that the hospital has increased its patients, but it\u2019s bad news for our storage capacity, and if Dr. McIntyre is successful in his grant bid, our patient numbers could rise exponentially. What I\u2019d like to propose is a silo and robot for storage. This type of storage is cutting edge technology, but would increase our onsite storage capacity by one thousand percent without any physical expansion. The silo and robot would be built in half the space of our current tape library and would handle storage and retrieval of up to ten thousand cartridge tapes. We would still require a small staff to load cartridges into the silo and maintain the robot, but it would drop our personnel in that area by seventy-five percent. In addition, we can begin to send our cartridge tapes to our offsite storage facility, thereby saving money because we would not require as much storage space.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty, would you please explain what you mean by a silo and a robot,\u201d said Arnold.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. A silo is exactly what it sounds like. It\u2019s a cylindrical structure in which a robot sits in the middle. The walls of the silo are slots where the cartridge tapes reside. When a data request requires data stored on a cartridge tape, the computer programming sends the location of the tape to the robot which spins inside the silo, locates the slot the tape occupies, pulls the tape from its slot, and then inserts the tape in one of many cartridge reader machines on the lower rings of the silo. Once the tape is no longer required, the robot will eject the tape from the machine and return it to its slot. The robot spins so fast that the entire process takes only a few seconds.\u201d She passed packages around the table. \u201cThese are the figures for the purchase and installation of the equipment and the application that comes with the equipment that will be integrated into our system. Also, you have the costs of cartridge versus reel tapes, in addition to the storage costs of each medium and the total savings by converting everything to cartridge tape.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the board members quietly studied Leah\u2019s handouts, Mrs. Beauchamp asked, \u201cAnd will you writing your grant application, Ms. Haverty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I have a colleague who writes grants professionally and has agreed to help me\u2026gratis, of course. I will also be taking some personal time off to go to Washington myself to lobby for this grant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a minute,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cIf we submit two grant applications, the likelihood that only one will be awarded is almost guaranteed. Increasing the storage capacity of our computer systems is putting the cart before the horse, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah stiffened, her back rigid. She cocked her neck, but stopped short of popping it. \u201cDr. McIntyre, the risk is the same on both fronts. If you are awarded your grant, the computer system will be unable to handle the extra patient load. There are generally twenty to twenty-five grants awarded, so it should be possible for each grant to stand on its own merit.\u201d She shrugged. \u201cWe\u2019re going to need to increase capacity soon anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComputer technology isn\u2019t the purpose of these grants,\u201d he countered, scowling.<\/p>\n

Smiling spitefully, she replied, \u201cThe grants can be for anything needed by any medical institution. That isn\u2019t just hospitals. It includes research facilities, teaching facilities and infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning forward and clasping his hands on the conference table, Arnold breathed deeply. \u201cIt appears to me both grant applications have merit and would only complement each other if both win. So, we\u2019ll vote on each grant individually and both grants by a show of hands. All those in favor of only Dr. McIntyre\u2019s grant application, please raise your hand. All those in favor of just Ms. Haverty\u2019s. And all those in favor of both.\u201d Everyone raised their hand for the last option.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, Ms. Haverty, we wish both of you the best of luck. I believe that concludes today\u2019s business. Is there a motion to adjourn.\u201d Mr. James raised a finger and nodded. \u201cThis meeting is adjourned.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Leah collected her handouts and papers, the room cleared except for Trapper who sat back in his chair, glaring at her. \u201cDo you honestly think a robot is more important than a new laser center or an MRI machine? This is a hospital where our priority is healing the sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t agree with you more,\u201d she said, stacking her collection of paperwork neatly in front of her. \u201cHowever with that responsibility comes the government\u2019s oversight requirements. Without one, you can\u2019t have the other, so they have to go hand-in-hand. That makes both important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, I don\u2019t have the time to go to Washington to lobby for this grant. I have patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen hire someone to lobby for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have the budget,\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, you are the Chief of Surgery of this hospital. Surely you have the authority to delegate. Aren\u2019t there other doctors who can take care of your patients while you\u2019re gone? Dr. Gates, maybe? It seems to me if you really wanted to win this grant, you\u2019d be more willing to do what it takes to win it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy patients depend on me; not someone else,\u201d he said, rising from his chair and leaning over the table toward her.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you should think about the greater good,\u201d she said coldly as she passed him on her way to the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about dinner?\u201d he said, spinning around.<\/p>\n

She stopped as she opened the door and looked back. \u201cI don\u2019t think I want to spend the evening with a man who\u2019s angry with me.\u201d Before Trapper could respond, she was gone.<\/p>\n

Gathering all his paperwork, he left the conference room and barely made it to the elevator before the door closed. Both were silent as they rode the elevator down until it stopped at the fourth floor for Trapper\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

When the door opened, Gonzo was there. \u201cI\u2019m glad I ran into you two. I thought we could all go to the Titanic for a glass of wine before you leave for dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you,\u201d came the biting reply in unison after which Trapper continued to his office, the elevator door closed, and Leah continued home. Gonzo stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at the closed door for a moment before he shrugged and pushed the down button.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy-Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper gathered all the work he needed to review, placing everything that would fit in his satchel and carrying the rest under his arm. On his way to his car, Gonzo stopped him in the parking lot. \u201cYou sure you don\u2019t want to come over for a drink? It might help your mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Trapper walked on, but slowed and hung his head. \u201cLet me just put this stuff in my car.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once both men were settled in the lounge chairs on the roof of the Titanic with filled wine glasses in their clutches, Gonzo asked, \u201cWhat happened in the board meeting today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Swirling his wine, rather than drinking it, Trapper replied, \u201cIt\u2019s time for grants.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019d you ask for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMicrovascular surgery, a laser center and two MRI machines.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all the newest technology,\u201d said Gonzo, nodding. \u201cWe need that stuff. Don\u2019t tell me they voted them down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper scowled as he took a sip of wine. \u201cNo, they didn\u2019t. But they also approved a second grant application for computer infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat Leah submitted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you two will be in competition with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep. And they thought that was fine. Chances are better now that we won\u2019t get either one, and Leah believes her needs are equally important as ours. She won\u2019t back down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Gonzo considered what Trapper said and took a bite of a finger sandwich, offering the tray to Trapper who shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gets worse. She has a professional grant writer writing her application.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper downed the rest of his wine. \u201cThat\u2019s an understatement. I don\u2019t have the budget for a professional grant writer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe does?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s a friend doing it as a personal favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you submitting one application for all three?\u201d Trapper nodded as Gonzo poured more wine into his glass. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you do one application for all four? If she convinced the board that both are equally important, why not? Then this friend of hers can write the whole thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper cut his eyes toward Gonzo, sitting in quiet contemplation. He stood, finishing his wine and setting his glass on the small table between the lounges.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to go home and think about it,\u201d he answered, taking a sandwich from the tray on the table and eating it on his way to the ladder. \u201cSee you Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Slamming her armload down on the breakfast bar, Leah growled at her reflection in the glass doors of the upper kitchen cabinets. \u201cWhy do you let him do that to you?\u201d she said, angrily jabbing her finger at the glass. Taking the cordless phone off the base, she headed toward the bathroom to change clothes. \u201cAngela, this is Leah. I have permission from the board to submit the grant application. When can you start?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanted to be in Washington in two weeks, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we needed to get started days ago. Can I call you tomorrow and get the information from you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course. Why don\u2019t we say around ten\u2026that\u2019s seven your time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerfect. Talk to you then.\u201d<\/p>\n

As she spoke on the phone she kicked her high-heels into the closet and let her jacket drop off her arms. After hanging her clothes, she picked out a white caftan, but before she slipped into it, she stopped and looked at the bathtub. \u201cA warm bubble bath will do you good, Leah. But get a glass of wine first.\u201d Soon she was sinking into the warm water beneath a thick layer of bubbles.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper sat at his dining room table picking at his dinner.\u00a0Why don\u2019t you just call her and talk to her?<\/em>\u00a0\u201cBecause she probably won\u2019t even pick up the phone. And even if she does, she\u2019ll likely hang up when she hears my voice.\u201d\u00a0Then why don\u2019t you go over?<\/em>\u00a0Looking at the empty chair at the opposite side of the table, he pushed his lower lip up and nodded at first, but then slightly shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t want to start a yelling match. Better to let her cool off.\u201d\u00a0You know, you could stop her yelling very easily.<\/em>\u00a0A crooked smile appeared followed by a snort. \u201cI suppose I could, but I don\u2019t want her to feel like she\u2019s been handled\u2026by me, anyway. I\u2019ll go tomorrow morning. She\u2019ll have cooled off by then.\u201d Standing, he picked up his plate and took it to the kitchen, then turned all the downstairs lights off and climbed the stairs to his bedroom.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah stood at the breakfast bar with her charts and graphs spread out before her, taking notes. When the phone rang, she didn\u2019t look, but rather felt for it. \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, Angela.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I\u2019ve just been making some notes so this will go quicker. Where do we start?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me the list of what you\u2019re asking for and the cost first. After that, we\u2019ll go over necessity and then savings. Did the board approve your doctor friend\u2019s application?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was silence on the phone for a moment before Angela spoke. \u201cIt\u2019s rare that two grants are awarded to the same institution. One of you will automatically be knocked out of the competition. It will just depend on who gets reviewed first\u2026if either one of you gets approved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo if he wins, I lose, and if I win, he loses. There\u2019s no way around that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly one. Combine your applications.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah stopped writing and dropped her pencil just as she heard a buzzing sound behind her. \u201cWhat? Hang on a minute. Someone\u2019s at the gate.\u201d Turning to look at the security monitor, she swore and hit the button. \u201cNot today, Trapper. I\u2019m working.\u201d She released the button before he had a chance to respond and turned back around to her paperwork. \u201cWould you please explain that last remark?\u201d she said into the phone, but turned around quickly when she heard the signal that the security code had been entered and the gate had opened.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard me, Leah. You\u2019ll have a better chance if you combine your applications. It will be looked at as complimentary instead opposing work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper appeared outside the sliding glass door with his copy of her keys dangling from his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngela, I need to put the phone down for a minute. There\u2019s someone at the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she opened it, she started to object, but he stepped in, backing her up. Before she could say anything, he moved his hands to either side of her face and kissed her open mouth despite her sputtering. She tried to push away, but he moved his arms around her, holding her tightly against him as he continued a deep, long kiss. She slowly stopped protesting and relaxed, allowing Trapper to finish the kiss slowly and tenderly. Before he let her go, he remained nose to nose with her, his eyes closed, his lips so close to hers she could feel their touch as he spoke. \u201cDisagreements about work need to stay at the hospital,\u201d he said softly, looking into her eyes and holding her gaze until she released a deep, surrendering breath.<\/p>\n

Bowing her head, she patted his chest, and then backed away, eventually turning and going back to the phone. \u201cAngela, I\u2019m going to put you on speakerphone. Dr. McIntyre is here.\u201d After she pushed the speaker button and set the cordless phone on the base, she asked, \u201cWould you repeat that last part again so he can hear it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll both have a better chance if you combine your applications into one. They\u2019ll complement each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you want to do this?\u201d Leah asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s finish yours, and then I\u2019ll get the same type of information from Dr. McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the next two hours, the three discussed the content of the grant application, finally getting down to very specific reasons why the requested computer enhancements would be necessary to support the new medical technology.<\/p>\n

Near the end of the conference call, Leah asked, \u201cAngela, do you have room for two? I don\u2019t know enough about the medical technology to sell it, so Trapper will have to come with me and do some lobbying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019ll have the time to take off. It\u2019ll depend on my patients,\u201d protested Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, may I call you Trapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have virtually no chance of getting this grant if you\u2019re not willing to lobby for it. Every one of the other grant applicants will be in Washington selling their requests. You need to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took a deep breath. \u201cAlright. I\u2019ll go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. And I have plenty of room for you both. I assume you\u2019ll still only need one bedroom?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026uh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Leah interrupted Trapper\u2019s speechlessness. \u201cIt\u2019s alright, Trapper. She knows all about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d he said, clearing his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. I need to get to work on these. I\u2019ll call you in a few days and let you know my progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Angela.\u201d Leah hit the speaker button. Turning to Trapper with her hands on her hips, she bit, \u201cJust what do you mean letting yourself in when I told you \u2018no?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice caftan. I can almost see right through it,\u201d he said, smiling and moving his hands towards her hips.<\/p>\n

She puckered her mouth and furrowed her brow, crossing her arms over her breasts and turning her upper body.<\/p>\n

Arching an eyebrow, he said, \u201cI can still see the golden triangle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her jaw dropped as she put a hand on his chest and pushed. \u201cYou\u2019re fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough of this,\u201d he said, laughing, moving his arms around her and holding her until she gave in. \u201cNow, pack some clothes. We\u2019re staying at my house this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I have things to do,\u201d she objected.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are not working anymore this weekend. There\u2019s a sidewalk art and antique fair downtown today and tomorrow. We\u2019re going. Now, go get dressed and pack a bag,\u201d he said, gently pushing her toward her bathroom and smacking her backside.<\/p>\n

She jumped and yelped, looking back at him with an exasperated look as she continued on to her bathroom, rubbing the offended cheek.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Seventy-Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strolling down the middle of Beach Street arm in arm between the vendor tents lined up on each side of the street, Trapper and Leah perused the wares on either side of them. At least, Trapper did. Leah was somewhere else.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm? I\u2019m sorry. What did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, if you don\u2019t want to do this, we can do something else.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled and bowed her head. \u201cNo, this is fine. I just can\u2019t help but wonder what\u2019s going to pit us against each other next at the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stopping abruptly, he moved his arms around her waist. \u201cNothing, if we don\u2019t allow it. Now, we aren\u2019t supposed to be thinking about work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne more thing first.\u201d She tiptoed and pressed her lips into his.<\/p>\n

With his mouth turned up on one side, looking from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes, he asked softly. \u201cWhat was that for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was an apology. I didn\u2019t even think about sharing Angela with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bending his head down, he kissed her back, then quickly tightened his arms around her, kissing her deeply, passionately.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper,\u201d she said, out of breath. \u201cPeople are staring.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care,\u201d he said, smiling, and continuing his kiss until he found her hand. Looking into her eyes, he took a satisfied breath, and then turned and held her hand as they walked on down the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there something particular you\u2019re looking for today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCare to share.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a little hard. I have a Qing dynasty vase and a few smaller pieces from the same period, but they look lonely in their corner. I need something large to put behind them\u2026to set them off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you come up with that yourself, or did a decorator type tell you that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, he said, \u201cSomething somewhere in between.\u201d Passing his hand around at the wares in front of them, he asked, \u201cAnd would you by chance be looking for something\u2026different?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d she chuckled. \u201cYou seem to forget I have a huge storage space full of stuff.\u201d She stopped and looked away thoughtfully. \u201cFrom a lifetime ago.\u201d Quickly turning back, she added, \u201cSome of it is worth a pretty penny. You should take a look at it. There might be something you could use.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know about that. I don\u2019t want to make you uncomfortable in my home. Something from your past might dredge up\u2026memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the one who said memories aren\u2019t necessarily a bad thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did. Over time. And in small doses.\u201d He moved his hand to the small of her back and guided her into a shop that specialized in Asian baubles, statues and furniture.<\/p>\n

Each took a different route through the store, bending, ducking or tiptoeing to look at items without touching. The prices tags were rather hefty. Finally Leah stopped in front of a five panel screen. The frame was dark wood, she thought maybe mahogany, and the screens were a hard red material with images carved in different semi-precious stones. She looked closely at it before she slowly backed away, and sucked in a breath when she bumped into someone.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s quite a piece,\u201d said Trapper.<\/p>\n

Inhaling deeply to catch her breath after her startle, she eventually said, \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026bright\u2026and unusual. I mean, look at the detail of the carvings. And what is this red stuff? It\u2019s looks hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gently taking her hand before she touched the material, he answered, \u201cIt\u2019s cinnabar lacquer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCinnabar? Isn\u2019t that mercury?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why the sign says \u2018Look, but don\u2019t touch,\u2019\u201d he said, nodding toward a plaque sitting on a table next to the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they can sell it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not harmful unless you touch it with bare skin. You have to wear gloves to handle cinnabar.\u201d He moved closer, looking at the carvings and pointing. \u201cThese are jade\u2026coral\u2026rosewood\u2026ivory and tortoise shell. It\u2019s mid-to-late 18th century.\u201d Crossing his arms, he propped his chin in his hand. \u201cThe color would fade in light, and the cinnabar would deteriorate. That\u2019s why it\u2019s back here away from the windows.\u201d He rubbed his beard thoughtfully. \u201cThat corner is pretty dark. Even so, the red would brighten it, and the other pieces are light, so they\u2019d stand out against the red.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not seriously thinking about this are you? It\u2019s mercury,\u201d she said skeptically.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t plan on making a habit of touching it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gingerly turned the price tag. \u201cWell, that might change your mind,\u201d she said, leaning toward him, slowly turning and walking to the other side of the store. By the time she turned to look back, the Asian man who had been standing behind the counter had moved next to Trapper, both men speaking in hushed whispers. Shaking her head, she continued to browse, but after another five minutes had passed, she turned and looked for him again. She found him standing at the counter. Her eyebrows went up when she saw him pull out his checkbook.<\/p>\n

When he turned, he stopped and looked at her with an amused expression before he went to her. \u201cFind anything you like?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLots\u2026but not enough to take out my checkbook. Did you buy the screen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d he said, guiding her out the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tell me if it\u2019s none of my business, but did you pay the price on the tag?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst rule of purchasing antiquities from a store\u2026never pay full price. I\u2019ve been looking at that screen for a long time, and he knew it. And when I saw you were drawn to it, you confirmed what I already thought about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She dropped her forehead into her hand, then with a flourish and a smile said, \u201cGlad I could help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you hungry?\u201d he asked, receiving a nod. \u201cThen how \u2018bout we walk down to Boudins for clam chowder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a bread bowl,\u201d she added, smiling sweetly up at him as they walked back down the street the way they had come with their arms around each other\u2019s waist.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

A din ensured as Trapper and Leah joked and laughed while pushing through the front door of Trapper\u2019s house, their arms laden with brown paper bags that held their dinner along with a few items for breakfast.<\/p>\n

In the kitchen, after the bags were unloaded, Trapper pulled Leah into him, looking down at her contentedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a wonderful day,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did, too,\u201d he replied on his way to a kiss. \u201cNow, it\u2019s surf and turf for dinner. I\u2019ll grill the steaks and lobster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ll prepare the salad and dressing, and after that, I\u2019ll warm the bread.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rest of the evening, they talked about the grant, Angela, and finally their trip to Washington. \u201cHave you ever lobbied before?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, several times. I even lobbied for a grant for lights on the soccer field where the kids played so they could play at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you win?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it took several tries, but in the end, yes. And not only did we get the lights, we were able to get money for a big, electronic scoreboard and a concession stand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever lobbied for computer infrastructure?\u201d he asked loudly with raised eyebrows as he tended the grill on the back porch.<\/p>\n

She stopped chopping and winced. \u201cNo. But basically what you do is talk,\u201d she said just as loud, waving the knife in the air before she resumed her salad preparations. \u201cI have no problems talking in general, and I have no problems talking endlessly about my computer needs. You, on the other hand, can sometimes be a man of few words.\u201d He came in, standing behind her and moving his arms around her as she continued making the salad. She lowered her voice. \u201cYou can\u2019t be that way when you\u2019re in Washington. You have to be very knowledgeable about what you want, and you have to get almost pushy. You have to make them listen to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he nuzzled her neck, she asked, \u201cHow are the steaks and lobster tails? The salad is almost ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe steaks need a few more minutes,\u201d he said, giving her one last nibble on her ear lobe before he let her go. \u201cI\u2019ll set the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

After dinner, they sat on the sofa sipping wine while they considered the corner where the screen Trapper had purchased earlier in the day would eventually sit. \u201cI didn\u2019t remember that your pieces are made of the same stone as the carvings on the screen. It makes better sense now, and I think the screen will go very well in that corner. But will artificial light affect the screen?\u201d she asked, looking up at the subtle spotlight that shone down on the Qing dynasty vase.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe spotlight will have to go.\u201d He reached over for her wine glass, moving it to the table next to the sofa. \u201cSo does this.\u201d<\/p>\n

She objected teasingly when he leaned into her. \u201cBut I wasn\u2019t finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour doctor says you\u2019ve had enough wine,\u201d he said, slowly moving a hand around her mid-section to her back, his other arm wrapped around her shoulders, bringing her into him as he stifled a protest with his mouth.<\/p>\n

As he took a breath before he continued, she managed to get out what she had been trying to say before he stopped her again. \u201cYou\u2019re not my doctor, Doctor Mc…\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, he held out his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere we going?\u201d she said, biting her lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cUpstairs,\u201d he replied in a deep husky voice, his eyes boring into hers.<\/p>\n

For some reason she suddenly shivered. Dropping her eyes, she felt a blush rising, and chuckled at it. \u201cSorry. I don\u2019t know where that came from.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it\u2019s because you\u2019ve never spent the night with me in my house?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve spent the night in your house, and I\u2019ve slept in your bed,\u201d she said, taking his hand and moving to the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all true,\u201d he said, falling in behind her as they climbed the stairs. \u201cThe operative words here are \u2018with me\u2019\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty<\/strong><\/p>\n

To Leah, it seemed as if she had just fallen to sleep when she felt his lips on her bare shoulder and his hands\u2026. A faint smile appeared across her lips. What wonderful, gentle hands. How could a man possibly know the rapturous delight those tender touches, those feather-light traces over her skin could evoke? When she rolled into him their lips met, their arms held each other tightly as their legs tangled together.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d he said in a low, velvety voice.<\/p>\n

With her eyes still closed, she answered sleepily. \u201cIt can\u2019t be morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling, he rubbed her nose with his. \u201cIt is. Open your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

She leaned her head back, stretched and yawned, then snuggled back into him, tracing a line down his lips and chin with her forefinger. \u201cHasn\u2019t anyone ever explained to you that you\u2019re not twenty-five anymore? I\u2019m not either. If you keep this up, you\u2019ll break both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving his head back, his mouth opened in disbelief. \u201cAre you\u2026complaining?\u201d An eyebrow arched.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not misconstrue veneration for complaint. The truth is I\u2019m amazed at your seemingly infinite prowess and dexterity.\u201d<\/p>\n

After one more tight hug and long kiss, Trapper asked, \u201cShouldn\u2019t we be getting out of this bed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t we stay here for a little while longer? We don\u2019t have any set plans today, do we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s alright by me if you\u2019re up for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should be asking you that question,\u201d she replied, giggling as he rolled into her with a voracious smile.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what did you two end up doing this weekend,\u201d asked Gonzo as he opened his milk carton. Trapper and Leah set their breakfast trays down on the table in the hospital cafeteria considering the question an invitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe went to a sidewalk art and antique fair Saturday, and we got some exercise Sunday,\u201d Leah said, winking at Trapper.<\/p>\n

Gonzo looked up with a wounded frown. \u201cWhat kind of exercise? Did you go running without me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was more like a marathon,\u201d answered Trapper just before he filled his mouth with eggs. He looked at Gonzo, chewing, and then moved his eyes back to Leah trying to stifle a smile and chew at the same time.<\/p>\n

Leah stirred a bowl of oatmeal, glancing up at Gonzo. \u201cYou should see the Japanese screen Trapper bought. It\u2019s beautiful. It\u2019s made out of cinnabar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? You bought cinnabar?\u201d asked Gonzo, turning back to Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a set of tea cups. It\u2019s a screen. No one\u2019s going to be touching it. What\u2019d you do this weekend?\u201d asked Trapper as he bit into a piece of toast.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if you didn\u2019t know, I had a shift to cover both days, so I was here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything interesting happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, as a matter of fact it did. I have a Korean woman with muscle weakness, shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeurological?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did a CBC and sent some spinal fluid to the lab. It could be a stroke. She\u2019s pretty old. We\u2019re checking for Guillain\u2013Barr\u00e9 and myasthenia gravis, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at his watch, Trapper said, \u201cI have to get going.\u201d He wiped his mouth, dropped his napkin on his plate and stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do, too. I have another call with Angela today, and I\u2019ve got to get her the ten-year savings numbers. Trapper, do you want to listen in?\u201d He nodded. \u201cCome up at two then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Trapper turned to go, he said, \u201cGonzo, let me know how those tests go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d he said, louder than normal since Trapper had already turned to walk away. Looking up at Leah, he said, \u201cI really wish you\u2019d called me. A run would have been a nice break.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stood and picked up her tray. \u201cWho said anything about running?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper said something about a marathon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he did, didn\u2019t he,\u201d she said, smiling mischievously as she left the table.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gonzo knocked, but didn\u2019t wait for an answer as he entered Trapper\u2019s office. Trapper glanced up over his glasses, but continued writing and asked, \u201cYou have some test results?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. It\u2019s not an autoimmune problem,\u201d answered Gonzo, reaching for his newly beeping pager. Moving to the side of the desk, he picked up Trapper\u2019s phone. \u201cThis is Dr. Gates. Alright. I\u2019ll be right there. Call the nurse\u2019s station on that floor and ask them to get a ventilator in that room.\u201d Hanging up the phone, he said, \u201cOur Korean patient is in respiratory distress. Care to join me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper dropped his pen and rose. \u201cAfter you,\u201d he said, motioning to the door.<\/p>\n

When they entered the room, the bed had already been raised, and Jackpot had already started a tube. As he worked, he spoke. \u201cShe stopped breathing, so I went ahead and started without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, keep going,\u201d said Gonzo. \u201cWe\u2019ll get her stabilized, and then we\u2019ll figure out what\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gloria ran into the room. \u201cI need one of you in the waiting room. Her husband just collapsed on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJackson, you got this?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, go,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

Trapper had already left, but Gonzo was on his heels. The man was on his side on the floor, so Trapper turned him to his back, and flashed a light across his eyes. \u201cPupils are unresponsive, respiration shallow. You thinking what I\u2019m thinking?\u201d he asked, glancing up at Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, whatever this is, it\u2019s environmental.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGloria, find a room and order a CBC.\u201d Trapper stood and looked around. \u201cIs this stuff his?\u201d he asked, pointing to a table near where the man lay.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so. He was eating something,\u201d said Gloria.<\/p>\n

Picking up a container from the table and smelling it, Trapper wrinkled his nose. \u201cGloria, tell the lab to look for clostridium botulinum. And then send a fluid sample from his wife and tell them to look for the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Gonzo, nodding to the container.<\/p>\n

Trapper exhaled and frowned. \u201cLooks and smells like kimchi. Probably homemade.\u201d Taking a deep breath, he twisted his mouth in antipathy. \u201cWe have to call the CDC. I\u2019ll go talk to Arnold,\u201d he said, closing the container and heading for the elevator. \u201cHe\u2019s not going to be happy about the CDC crawling all over his hospital. For that matter, neither am I.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty-One<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Arnold snapped from behind his desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe test results aren\u2019t back yet, but I\u2019m pretty sure it\u2019s botulism,\u201d said Trapper, trying to sound calm. There was no point in Arnold seeing him aggravated. It would only set him off worse than he already was. \u201cThe husband was eating kimchi when he collapsed. From the looks of it, homemade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the devil is kimchi?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s cabbage and hot spices that\u2019s allowed to ferment. It\u2019s a Korean staple. Most of the time, it\u2019s not cooked, so without careful preparation, it can easily breed bacteria.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold grimaced. \u201cHave we confirmed it was homemade? I\u2019d hate to think it\u2019s been served to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Trapper rubbed his forehead. \u201cNo, neither patient is conscious. We\u2019ve had to intubate the woman.\u201d At that moment, Trapper\u2019s pager went off. \u201cMay I?\u201d he asked, motioning toward the phone.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Arnold said, flipping through a rolodex on his desk. \u201cI\u2019ll call myself. I don\u2019t want the entire staff to know the CDC might be coming here. This could destroy our budget if it gets out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Dr. McIntyre,\u201d said Trapper into the phone. \u201cBudget? I\u2019d think that would be the least of your worries. Yes, I\u2019ll hold. They\u2019re transferring me to Stanley.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the public gets wind of a contagion here, even if it\u2019s food borne, they won\u2019t come here for care until the CDC pronounces the condition is clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStanley, Trapper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, Gloria told me you ordered some tests for botulism. I think we have two cases in emergency. They present with the correct symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre either conscious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but I don\u2019t know that they\u2019ll be for long. If you want to talk to them, you\u2019d better get down here now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m on my way. Arnold,\u201d said Trapper, hanging up the phone and heading for the door. \u201cWe\u2019ve got two more possible cases in emergency. I\u2019ll let you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah was so engrossed in her schematics that she didn\u2019t look up when someone knocked on her door and stepped in until she heard them clear their throat. \u201cSpeak,\u201d she said without looking up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really haven\u2019t changed, have you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really. Not when it comes to work. What can I do for you, Frieda?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frieda chuckled nervously. \u201cI think I might have a little problem that I thought\u2026maybe\u2026you could help with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of problem?\u201d asked Leah, taking a ruler and drawing a set of lines on the diagram.<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t see, but Frieda was wringing her hands as she stepped forward. \u201cDo you mind if I sit down?\u201d<\/p>\n

Twisting her mouth, Leah stopped drawing, carefully set the ruler to the side, and then looked up. \u201cWhatever this problem is, it isn\u2019t good, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. But it has nothing to do with work\u2026per se.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bringing her fist up to her mouth, Leah looked at Frieda sideways. \u201cSpill it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve tested positive for\u2026gonorrhea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah folded one hand over the other and dropped her chin on them. \u201cHow many partners have you had?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, eight, nine\u2026twelve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll here?\u201d asked Leah angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere else? I don\u2019t know anyone in this city but the people in this hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou realize that because I\u2019m a member of the board here, I have to report this, don\u2019t you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was hoping we could keep this between ourselves\u2026and of course, the men involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you told them yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no. That\u2019s why I wanted to talk to you. You see, it might go easier if you asked Trapper, and then Trapper could tell them. They respect him, and coming from a man, maybe it wouldn\u2019t be so embarrassing. Anyway, one of them gave it to me, so it\u2019s better to catch the real culprit that way, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah was already shaking her head. \u201cThat one man isn\u2019t the one who spread it to eleven other men. Oh no. Gonzo, too. And then whoever he\u2019s been with. Frieda, do you realize how big your little problem could be? Did any of these men have wives?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll understand if you want my resignation. I\u2019m sure it would be awkward for everyone if I stayed. But then, you made me sign a contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrieda, I expect all my people to act professionally in this hospital\u2026at all times.\u201d She took a deep, calming breath that didn\u2019t see to calm her much. \u201cYes, I would like your resignation. I\u2019ll let you out of your contract. Under the circumstances, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s fair that you stay given the men you slept with have probably been here longer than you have. Can you, at least, give me their names?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Here\u2019s a list. That\u2019s all but two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean \u2018all but two\u2019\u201d? Leah asked angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I didn\u2019t get their names.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat does me no good. If we don\u2019t know who all of them are, every male in this hospital will have to be notified to get checked, and everyone they\u2019ve been in contact with will have to be notified as well. And it goes on and on. Do you have any idea just how bad this can get? I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll want to stay here anyway. All the men in this hospital will think you\u2019re a nasty\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, I get it,\u201d said Frieda defensively, holding her hands up. Can you give me an hour? I need to collect my things. I\u2019ll call you with a forwarding address to send my last check.\u201d She rose to leave, but turned back. \u201cI hope I haven\u2019t disappointed you too much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glaring at her, Leah measured her delivery. \u201cYou have no idea. No i-dea. I was counting on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bowing her head, she muttered, \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d before she left the office.<\/p>\n

Leah exhaled, turning her chair around and facing the wall with her arms crossed and her eyes closed. This was all going to fall in her lap. She\u2019s the one that brought Frieda in. Taking one more breath, she said, \u201cWell Leah, just get it over with,\u201d as she stood, leaving her office and heading for the elevator. When she stepped out, she head directly for Trapper\u2019s office, but Ernie stopped her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Where is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEmergency. Seems there\u2019s an epidemic going on at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d said Leah, apprehensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm. We have two people up here, and now there\u2019s two more in emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Creasing her brow, she said faintly, \u201cOh no.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d said Ernie, chuckling. \u201cThere\u2019s no way you could be infected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah snorted, \u201cYeah, right. Uh\u2026I\u2019ll just go down to emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she boarded the elevator, she leaned against the back wall and closed her eyes. \u201cThis can\u2019t be happening.\u201d Outside the elevator, things looked normal. Gloria was at the nurse\u2019s station doing paperwork, and Jackpot was reviewing some charts. \u201cGloria, can you tell me where Trapper is? Ernie said he\u2019s down here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s with a patient at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. I\u2019ll wait,\u201d said Leah with a worried look.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs everything alright?\u201d asked Gloria.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s an epidemic, isn\u2019t there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell yes, but don\u2019t worry about Trapper. He\u2019s not at any risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019d think not. I\u2019ll just wait over here,\u201d she said, pointing across the hallway.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Stanley handed Trapper a chart. \u201cThis is Mr. Liang. As you can see, his blood pressure is elevated. He\u2019s complaining of severe nausea and tightening in his throat. I\u2019ve already ordered a complete blood count.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper finished reading the chart. \u201cHave the lab check his fluids for botulism as well.\u201d Stepping to the side of the bed, he said, \u201cMr. Liang, I\u2019m Dr. McIntyre. We\u2019re going to be doing some further tests to find out what\u2019s going on. Have you by chance eaten anywhere you don\u2019t normally eat recently?\u201d<\/p>\n

With his eyes closed, Mr. Liang said, \u201cNamkoong\u2019s Kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that a restaurant?\u201d The man nodded. \u201cStanley, let me know when the test results are back, and find out if the other patient you have down here ate at Namkoong\u2019s Kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he rounded the corner at the nurse\u2019s station, Gloria stopped him. \u201cTrapper?\u201d she said, pointing to Leah leaning against the wall further down the hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Gloria. Leah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, what happened to your patient?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be fine, but we apparently do have an epidemic on our hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I wanted to talk to you about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper,\u201d called Dr. Riverside. \u201cJust as you suspected. They ate at the same restaurant,\u201d said Stanley on his way down the hall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRestaurant?\u201d asked Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, seems the four we know about got it in a restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah\u2019s grimaced. \u201cIn a restaurant. That\u2019s just\u2026 It\u2019s worse than I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too. I thought it was limited to just the two people upstairs, but this thing could be widespread.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to call the CDC.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold\u2019s already aware of the problem. He\u2019s probably on the phone with them now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold? H-how does Arnold know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I told him, of course. Let\u2019s get out of this hall,\u201d he said, taking her arm and guiding her to the elevator.<\/p>\n

Once in the elevator, she asked. \u201cHow did you find out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGonzo has two patients upstairs he asked me to look at. They presented with neurological signs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. I didn\u2019t know it could get that bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are the standard symptoms\u2026lethargy, problems swallowing, muscle weakness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally. I had no idea,\u201d she said as they stepped out of the elevator toward his office.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and now we know the source.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do?” Leah looked away with wide eyes wondering how he could possibly know. “Did Frieda say something on her way out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrieda?\u201d Trapper asked, looking confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, she\u2019s the one that spread it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper narrowed his eyes as he closed his door behind her and walked over to his desk. \u201cHow could Frieda have started it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Trapper,\u201d she said, rolling her eyes. \u201cGonzo told you she was too prolific for even him.\u201d<\/p>\n

He laughed. \u201cWhat does Frieda\u2019s promiscuity have to do with a botulism epidemic?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBotulism? Oh. I thought\u2026oh,” she repeated, wincing. “Maybe you\u2019d better sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper slowly sank into his chair, biting the inside of his cheek and giving Leah a perplexed look.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026how do I say this?\u201d He raised his eyebrows in anticipation. \u201cWe have another possible epidemic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf what?\u201d he asked rather sharply.<\/p>\n

She cringed. \u201cGonorrhea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat! In my hospital!\u201d he said, coming out of his chair.<\/p>\n

She took a step back away from the desk and attempted a smile, but failed miserably. \u201cGonzo might be infected,\u201d she said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no. I\u2019m not telling him. You brought her here. You tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just Gonzo. She said she was with at least twelve men here. And she doesn\u2019t know all their names.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper nostrils flared. \u201cWhere is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s gone. She resigned. And I let her.\u201d<\/p>\n

He studied her as she stood biting her lip, unable to look him in the eye, her fingers fidgeting. This certainly wasn\u2019t the formidable woman he knew her to be. \u201cLeah, why are you cowering?\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not cowering\u2026really. You\u2019re yelling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not\u2026\u201d he yelled, stopping before he said the word, realizing that he had, indeed, raised his voice. He cocked his head and smiled sarcastically. \u201cIf you\u2019re not cowering what would you call it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll leave this one in your office with you, never mind the rest of the hospital,\u201d she said turning toward the door.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, he took his glasses off and set them on the desk. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Leah,\u201d he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. \u201cThis isn\u2019t your fault. It\u2019s Frieda\u2019s. It\u2019s just come at a bad time\u2026two infections at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it would be better if you notified the male staff, and that means all the male staff. She didn\u2019t limit herself to doctors. I think there were some lab technicians, and maybe an orderly or two involved. I\u2019ll tell Gonzo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking around the desk, he hugged her. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of it. But you\u2019re right. We have to report this to the CDC because of the potential of spreading.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel awful, Trapper. I did bring her here. But she swears she was clean. She claims she got it from someone here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHas she been treated?\u201d Leah nodded. \u201cLook, I have to go back to my office. I have a conference call with Angela in a few minutes. Are you going to be able to come up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go up with you now. I have to tell Arnold about the second infection anyway. I\u2019ll have a staff meeting with the department heads after the call, and they can inform their staff.\u201d On the way up in the elevator, Trapper asked, \u201cAre you coming home with me tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no. I need to go home and pack. And so do you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be easier if you come over after you pack. Then we can get a cab together tomorrow morning from my house to the airport.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping into his side, she gently pinched him. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you come over to my place after you pack?\u201d<\/p>\n

He moved his arm over her shoulders and smiled down at her. \u201cBecause my house is closer to the airport.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d she said smiling as the elevator began to slow. She stepped forward and punched the stop button, then turned back into him, looking up to his face. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I know this makes things difficult for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bending, he kissed her lips, lingering and kissing her again as he reached beyond her and disengaged the stop button. \u201cStop apologizing. I\u2019m leaving with you tomorrow. Someone else is going to be handling this.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Arnold groaned as he held his head in his hands. \u201cTwo infections at the same time? In my hospital!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax, Arnold. I\u2019ll put Stanley in charge of taking names and testing everyone who needs to be tested. That way, anyone outside the hospital who might be infected can go straight to the emergency room. It\u2019ll probably all be done before someone from the CDC even gets to it. They\u2019ll be more interested in the botulism.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold looked up from his hands. \u201cAnd what did you find out about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two patients in emergency have the right symptoms, and they both ate at the same restaurant. But we don\u2019t have any of the tests back to confirm botulism yet,\u201d answered Trapper as he sat in the chair in front of Arnold\u2019s desk and casually crossed his legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know it was from this\u2026kimchi?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had my share of kimchi\u2026authentic kimchi\u2026while I was in Korea. The kimchi our second patient was eating smelled of rot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold snorted. \u201cOf course it did. It\u2019s fermented.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, there\u2019s a distinct difference in the smell\u2026the older the kimchi the more sour it smells, but this smelled like decomp\u2026as if it was never fermented. I honestly don\u2019t know how he was eating it. There was something else in that dish, too; not just the kimchi.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s pager went off. Pointing to the phone, he asked, \u201cMay I?\u201d Arnold waved his hand. \u201cThis is Dr. McIntyre. Alright. Thank you.\u201d Pressing the switch button, he dialed a number. \u201cErnie, what\u2019s the verdict?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tests came back positive from all of our patients. It also came back positive from the food you took down to the lab.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll need a printout of exactly what was in that container.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Ernie. Arnold, we need to contact the health department, and let them know we\u2019ve already contacted the CDC to be on standby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to tell the health department? We don\u2019t know where to send them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we do. Namkoong\u2019s Kitchen. I\u2019ll be in Leah\u2019s office if you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Trapper tapped on the door of Leah\u2019s office and stuck his head in, she was already on the phone with Angela. She waved him in and pointed to her watch. \u201cAngela, you\u2019re on speakerphone. Trapper has joined us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry I\u2019m late, ladies. Something came up. And just to let you know, I may have to leave again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, Angela and I were just talking about the expected pay-off time for the different pieces of our application. We are required to show one, five, ten and twenty if it goes that far. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, you really don\u2019t have to go to twenty,\u201d said Angela. \u201cIf it doesn\u2019t start making a profit beyond what was covered by the grant in ten years, you won\u2019t get the grant.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three began to hash through numbers and the remaining questions for the application. They had just concluded when there was a knock at Leah\u2019s door.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, Mr. Slocum would like to see you. He needs you to answer some questions for the health department.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Trapper said, \u201cLadies, if you\u2019ll excuse me.\u201d He walked around the desk and bent to kiss Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, I think it would be good idea if you brought all your paperwork to Washington with you, just in case we need to make a few adjustments,\u201d said Angela.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything else?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I think I have everything I need at the moment.\u201d With that, Trapper nodded and left. \u201cI think I like your doctor-friend, Leah. Besides being very knowledgeable, he has a very\u2026nice\u2026voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah smiled, looking at the door where Trapper had just passed. \u201cYes, he does.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

As Stanley walked down the hall toward Trapper\u2019s office, Gonzo caught up to him. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t happen to be going to see Trapper, would you?\u201d asked Gonzo.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a matter of fact, Dr. Gates, he asked me to come up. Said it was important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo grunted. \u201cYeah, I got the same message.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s door was open, and both men stepped in. \u201cGood. You\u2019re both here. You can back each other up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d asked Gonzo, dropping onto the sofa. Stanley took the chair in front of Trapper\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have two infections that are going to involve the health department and the CDC.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo?\u201d said Dr. Riverside, surprised. \u201cAt the same time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGonzo, I want you to handle the first since it started with your patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning up and propping his arms on his thighs, Gonzo said, \u201cSo it is botulism.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper nodded. \u201cMm hm. And we have two more patients who came through emergency. These two said they both ate a restaurant called Namkoong\u2019s Kitchen, so we\u2019re directing the health department there. But depending on what they find, you\u2019ll have to watch incoming patients until they find the source and contain it. The CDC will be here, but I\u2019m sure Arnold will be handling them. You\u2019ll have to be prepared to answer any questions about our patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about me?\u201d asked Stanley.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be handling the second infection. It isn\u2019t as catastrophic as botulism can be, but if it\u2019s spread beyond this hospital, the CDC will get involved. I\u2019m hoping it\u2019s not. You\u2019ll need to contact all the men in the hospital, regardless of their jobs and schedule testing\u2026for gonorrhea.\u201d Stanley cringed. \u201cThat includes you, Gonzo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Why me?\u201d asked Gonzo, standing.<\/p>\n

Raising his hands, Trapper tried to calm him. \u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019ve been exposed. You removed yourself from the situation early. But still, you should be tested just in case. It was Frieda Christopher who reported it to Leah. She claims she got it from someone here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t we just contact whoever she\u2019s been with?\u201d asked Stanley.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a list of names,\u201d Trapper said, passing a piece of paper to Stanley. \u201cBut it\u2019s not everyone. Frieda didn\u2019t know some of their names.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t know\u2026 Of all the irresponsible\u2026 The woman should be fired,\u201d said Stanley emphatically.<\/p>\n

Trapper rolled his eyes. \u201cShe\u2019s already gone, Stanley. Leah accepted her resignation earlier today. Gonzo, this is the number where I\u2019ll be staying in Washington. Keep me informed. Stanley, yours is fairly routine, but if anything unusual happens, call me. I\u2019ll still have my pager for emergencies. Oh, and Gonzo, I\u2019ve ordered a report of the contents of that container we found in the waiting room. The health department and the CDC will want a copy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing, Stanley reached out for Trapper\u2019s hand. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about a thing while you\u2019re gone. We\u2019ll take care of it. And good luck, John. That grant will go along way around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo was still standing with his hands on his hips in dismay when Stanley left the office. \u201cI can\u2019t believe it. I could be infected with\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah did warn you about her,\u201d interrupted Trapper, moving paperwork from his desk into his satchel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she didn\u2019t say to watch out for diseases.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at Gonzo over his glasses, Trapper said sternly. \u201cThis is not Leah\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say it was,\u201d Gonzo said after taking a deep breath. \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026she knew Frieda was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrieda was the most qualified for the job. It\u2019s as simple as that. You can\u2019t make hiring decisions on the basis of sexual promiscuity.\u201d Gonzo shook his head, hesitant to leave. \u201cLook, just get tested and get it over with. This sounded like a recent thing, so you\u2019re probably clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Trapper was shrugging on his jacket, Gonzo asked rather aloofly, \u201cWhen does your flight leave?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEarly tomorrow morning. I\u2019m going upstairs to pull Leah away for dinner, and then we still have to pack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ambling to the door, Gonzo half-heartedly said, \u201cGood luck,\u201d as he disappeared.<\/p>\n

Before Trapper grabbed his satchel, he took a small black box from a desk drawer, studied it for a moment and smiled, then slipped it into his jacket pocket.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty-Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper poked his head in Leah\u2019s office door, and seeing that her back was turned as she spoke on the phone, he entered, setting his satchel down next to the chair in front of her desk which he occupied after preparing a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

She turned briefly to see who had come in, then turned right back around, apparently listening intently to whoever was on the other end of the phone.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Leah,\u201d said Albert. \u201cIt\u2019s finally over. You\u2019ve won.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t feel like I\u2019ve won anything. The price for their negligence was too high. Do they even get that?\u201d she snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, dear, I\u2019ve dealt with their lawyers from the beginning. I never saw the first one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan they appeal this one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. This was their last appeal. This is it. Where do you want it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it in an account I can get to easily. I may be using it soon. Use the same beneficiary designation we discussed earlier for the other accounts. And if anyone calls for a statement, send them to me. I most definitely will be making one,\u201d she said emphatically.<\/p>\n

Albert could hear the slowly rising rage in her voice. \u201cNow don\u2019t go spouting off. You could get yourself into trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t be saying anything that isn\u2019t true, Albert. They\u2019ve settled to try to save some of their reputation, knowing full well if this had gone to trial, their negligence would be all over the news. This way no one has to take any personal responsibility. This is the coward\u2019s way out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want me to turn them down?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/p>\n

There was silence as she seriously thought about it, eventually admitting to herself that she had to let it end. Letting out a long, slow breath, she said softly, \u201cNo. It\u2019s been going on too long. It needs to be over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. I\u2019ll take care of everything. You\u2019re not going home by yourself tonight are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She chuckled. \u201cWhy is that any of your business?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just don\u2019t think you need to go home to an empty house,\u201d he answered with concern in his voice. \u201cYou\u2019ll do nothing but dredge the past back up and end up a pitiful mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know me too well, Albert.\u201d She spun around in her chair, looking at Trapper who was wearing an apprehensive look with his arms were crossed and one hand over his mouth \u201cI\u2019ll be spending the evening with Dr. McIntyre. We\u2019re flying to Washington tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. I\u2019ll let you know the details as soon as I can. Have a good trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twisting her mouth, she slowly reached across the desk and hung up the phone, then studied Trapper. \u201cPlease don\u2019t worry. It\u2019s the last piece of the past that needed to fall into place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t realize a lawsuit was still going\u2026or even that one had been filed,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlbert filed it before I even woke up. It seems the chains holding the logs on the truck had been improperly secured. It wasn\u2019t the first time either, and when the other drivers for the company were questioned, they all said they were rushed to get the logs loaded and moving to the mill. If they had taken another half hour to secure those logs the right way\u2026.\u201d She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, fighting off the wet warmth that was already stinging her eyes. \u201cThey settled for three million for each of their lives and one million for my injuries.\u201d Chuckling sourly, she said, \u201cI would love to meet the person who thinks they know the dollar value of a human life. But, at least, something good can come out of it. Not only can I build the children\u2019s hospital, but I can help your laser and microvascular surgery centers as well,\u201d she said, closing the folders on her desk and moving some to a file drawer and some to her briefcase.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper stood. \u201cLet\u2019s get out of here. Dinner first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not very hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou still need to eat. Come on,\u201d he said, holding out his arm to put it around her when she came from behind her desk. \u201cYou\u2019ll feel better with a full stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cI really wish you had eaten more,\u201d said Trapper, holding a wax-coated box stuffed full of Chinese food.<\/p>\n

Leah pushed the security code into the gate\u2019s keypad and held the gate open for him. \u201cI\u2019ll nibble on it tonight while you pack.\u201d
\nTrapper put the food in the refrigerator, and then followed her into the bathroom where her large walk-in closet was. She pulled out a Pullman bag and a garment bag, hanging the latter on the open closet door. He watched her pull out several business suits, skirts and jackets, blouses and slacks, breathing a sigh of relief when she packed several pairs of jeans and casual tops. Then she pulled out two formal dresses. \u201cWhat are those for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have a tux?\u201d she said, carefully moving the suits and formals into the garment bag.<\/p>\n

Trapper looked at her sideways with narrowed eyes. \u201cWhy do I need a tux?<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause there are always dinner parties\u2026formal dinner parties in Washington. If we get invited, that means someone is interested.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have a tux,\u201d he answered after a long exhale.<\/p>\n

She stopped and smiled at him teasingly. \u201cYou don\u2019t like to play dress-up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you done with these? I\u2019ll take them out to the car,\u201d he said, ignoring her repartee.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite,\u201d she said, taking a small accessory bag to the bathroom cabinet, packing scarfs, ties, pins, and jewelry, and then pulling underwear out of a drawer. She also took out several boxes of more expensive jewelry, setting them aside to go in a large purse she always carried with her when travelling. The accessory bag, underwear and makeup went into the Pullman with her casual clothes and shoes. \u201cAlright. I think that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it? You mean it\u2019s not going to take you hours to pack?\u201d he asked with a playful smirk. She turned to him, looking happily up to into his eyes. \u201cI hate packing. But it\u2019s nice to have someone to share my pain,\u201d she giggled.<\/p>\n

He gave her a loud, wet kiss. \u201cI\u2019ll show you pain. We haven\u2019t packed my bags yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah sat on the side of the Trapper\u2019s bed, listening to the groaning and grunting coming from his closet. When he finally emerged, he also had a Pullman and a garment bag. He parked the Pullman next to the bed, hung his garment bag on the bedroom door, and then disappeared into the bathroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat wasn\u2019t very painful,\u201d she said loud enough to be heard in the other room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I learned from you. I counted every suit, every pair of slacks, every formal gown, and every casual shirt you packed, and packed accordingly. The only thing I didn\u2019t duplicate was the gowns.\u201d He leaned out of the bathroom and winked. \u201cI have only one tuxedo. Would you open the top drawer in the night stand and pull out two pair of the cufflinks?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich ones?\u201d she asked, opening the drawer. She stopped when she found his gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhichever ones you like?\u201d he answered. Venturing another look from the bathroom, he stepped out when he saw her staring into the drawer. He took the box containing his cufflinks out and closed the drawer, handing her the box.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you have that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the same reason anyone has a gun. Protection,\u201d he said as he walked back into the bathroom.<\/p>\n

He looked up from packing his shaving kit when he heard her voice behind him. \u201cYou need protection here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling at her reflection in the mirror, he zipped his shaving kit and turned. \u201cI\u2019m finished here,\u201d he said, nodding at the door. As he packed his shaving kit in his Pullman, he explained. \u201cI\u2019ve been robbed before. The police couldn\u2019t do much about it other than keep an eye out for the things that were stolen. It certainly made me understand how someone feels violated when that kind of thing happens. So I have a gun.\u201d She handed him two pair of cufflinks which he wrapped in a handkerchief and placed in a pocket of his garment bag along with his ties and stays. \u201cDoes it bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cNo. I just wasn\u2019t expecting it. John kept a gun. He had a small safe installed in our bedroom just for the darn thing, so the kids couldn\u2019t get to it.\u201d Chuckling, she added, \u201cI used to tell him he was paranoid. But then, we were never robbed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles. \u201cLet\u2019s go back down. I want to watch the news.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Leah made herself comfortable on the sofa with her leftovers from dinner, Trapper turned on the television, poured two glasses of wine and joined her. They sat quietly listening, but both stiffened when a report started that detailed the inspection and investigation of a restaurant in the downtown, Namkoong\u2019s Kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour cases of botulism have been diagnosed at San Francisco Memorial Hospital prompting the county health department to perform a surprise inspection at a local restaurant. The owner, Young-Soo Namkoong, closed his business early for the inspection where the health department found no signs of the botulism bacteria. In addition all procedures for food safety were adequately being followed. But when Namkoong was questioned about his employees, he advised that one employee, a young man whose name we\u2019ve been asked not to reveal, had been let go. Namkoong said the young man would not follow proper procedures for cleanliness and food preparation, prompting his termination. He also said that the discovery of an open wound on the employee\u2019s arm caused Namkoong to look more closely at his work, leading him to the discovery that the employee\u2019s work ethic was lacking. The health department obtained the young man\u2019s last known address from his former employer, but they have yet to find him. The investigation into the source of the infection is continuing. It should be noted that no violations were found at the restaurant at the time of the inspection, and the records show that all prior inspections revealed no violations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d said Leah. \u201cIf there\u2019s nothing wrong at the restaurant now and the man\u2019s been fired, what else is there to find?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper sipped his wine. \u201cThey still need to find the source of the botulism, and apparently don\u2019t feel it originated at the restaurant. My guess is they believe the wound on his arm might have been the source of what we have at the hospital, but then they\u2019d still have to find out where he got it. This may turn into a much bigger problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just need to remember it\u2019s not your problem for the next two weeks,\u201d said Leah, downing the last few drops of her wine. \u201cI\u2019m going to bed. We have to be up even earlier tomorrow morning. Are you coming?\u201d she asked, standing.<\/p>\n

He just laughed and shook his head.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty-Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the cab dropped them off at the airport terminal, Trapper took both garment bags, letting Leah pull both Pullmans. They stood in line for ten minutes before they reached the counter. \u201cID please,\u201d said the woman at the counter. Both produced their driver\u2019s licenses. \u201cDr. John McIntyre,\u201d she said, holding up his driver\u2019s license and looking at his face. \u201cLeah Haverty,\u201d she said, doing the same. She typed something on her keyboard, and then looked up. \u201cYou\u2019ve both been upgraded to first class. I need you to step down to the end of the counter. Someone there will check your luggage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2026\u201d started Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea,\u201d said the woman impatiently. \u201cNow, if you\u2019ll step down to the end of the counter, the line behind you can move.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Leah took the handles of the Pullman bags, she said, \u201cIt\u2019s easy to see you love your job,\u201d then moved quickly down the counter before the woman could respond.<\/p>\n

\u201cID please.\u201d Both pulled out their driver\u2019s licenses again. \u201cYou know the sign for first class is the biggest sign here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t buy first class tickets,\u201d said Trapper flatly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, then why\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe,\u201d said Leah, pointing back to the woman they had seen first, \u201csaid we had been upgraded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright then, let\u2019s get your bags checked and your seats occupied,\u201d the young man said, looking up with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d said Leah with her hand on Trapper\u2019s arm. \u201cYou can\u2019t tell us who upgraded our seats?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, normally, there\u2019s a note, but no\u2026this time, there\u2019s no note.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll take the upgrade, but I\u2019m paying for it,\u201d said Leah, digging in her purse for a credit card.<\/p>\n

The young man stuttered. \u201cWell, it\u2019s already paid for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not accepting it since we don\u2019t know who did it. We\u2019ll pay for our own upgrade. I insist. You need to refund the amount of the original upgrade to whatever instrument was used to pay for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once in their seats, Trapper turned and looked pointedly at Leah. \u201cI think I know what you were thinking when you paid for the upgrades, but would you mind explaining it to me any anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to be accused of accepting favors. That\u2019s something that can get you in trouble when dealing with the federal government. In fact, if anyone offers to buy you anything, including a drink, you have to turn them down. Someone could accuse us of participating in bribery which would automatically disqualify us for the grant.\u201d She propped her elbow on the arm of the chair and brought her hand up to her chin. \u201cI wonder who wants to eliminate us from the running,\u201d she said quietly.<\/p>\n

Though long, their flight was a peaceful one with a meal, cocktails and a light snack. When they had collected their luggage from the baggage claim carousel, they walked toward the doors and were met by a man holding cards with their names written on them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty, Dr. McIntyre, if you\u2019ll come with me, I\u2019ll show you to your limousine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d said Leah. \u201cWho sent you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI taught you well,\u201d said a feminine voice from behind them.<\/p>\n

They turned, and Leah and the woman hugged affectionately. \u201cAngela Bedford, I\u2019d like you to meet Dr. John McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a smile, Trapper took her hand and shook it. \u201cAngela, it\u2019s nice to meet you face to face. But why all this?\u201d he asked, pointing back to the chauffeur.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t Leah tell you not to accept anything from anyone? That should have been the first thing she said when you got up this morning\u2026and the second, third and fortieth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Trapper nodded. \u201cYes, she told me. I just have to get used to thinking that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, don\u2019t worry. I\u2019ll be with you most of the time. But for those times I\u2019m not, do not let anyone buy you anything. Now, let\u2019s get to the car and get you to my place, and we\u2019ll go over some things. I\u2019ve already done your itineraries with a list of everyone you\u2019ll be meeting, and I took the liberty of accepting invitations for you to several formal and informal dinner parties\u2026all the right ones to discuss or defend, as it may be, your grant application.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah felt an almost electrical chill run through her as she remembered a previous time in Washington lobbying for something as benign as soccer field lights. The competition for that was frightening. Now, having had that experience, she felt exhilarated at playing the game again. With a wide grin, she said, \u201cI can\u2019t wait to get started. What\u2019s first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe actually have a dinner party to attend tonight. And before that, you both have to read the grant application. You have to know it inside and out before you meet anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

As they walked through the hotel to the banquet room, Leah talked quietly to Angela. \u201cThank you for the loan of the dress. I brought two gowns and business suits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA business suit wouldn\u2019t do here tonight. You\u2019ll see when we get to the banquet room.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they arrived at the door, Angela handed a security officer at the door of the room a card. \u201cI\u2019m Angela Bedford, and this is Leah Haverty and Dr. John McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man compared the card to a list and nodded, passing the card to another man who escorted them to a table.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two relax for a minute,\u201d said Angela. \u201cI\u2019m going to take inventory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInventory?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she said, smiling. \u201cOf who\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper mouthed the word \u2018oh\u2019 and returned the smile, then turned to Leah. \u201cYou look lovely. But I wish you wouldn\u2019t wear those heels. You\u2019ll break your neck one day, and they\u2019re not good for your feet or your legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never heard that,\u201d she said, giving him a skeptical look.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver time, your tendons will shorten\u2026permanently. You\u2019ll be walking on your tiptoes when you\u2019re an old woman because your Achilles tendon won\u2019t be long enough to allow your heel to touch the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re kidding, right?\u201d she asked nervously.<\/p>\n

Looking her in the eye without a trace of amusement, he said, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me. Trapper?\u201d said a man who had quietly approached their table.<\/p>\n

Trapper stood with a wide smile and an extended hand. \u201cHarold, how are you? I\u2019d like you to meet a close friend of mine, Leah Haverty. Leah, this is Senator Harold Jefferson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty,\u201d he said, offering his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cSenator Jefferson,\u201d she said, nodding.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, join us,\u201d said Trapper, motioning to a chair. \u201cWhat brings you here tonight, Harold? You weren\u2019t on the list of committee members.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not on the committee, but some of the applicants ask their local legislators to help sell their requests.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I see,\u201d said Trapper, raising his brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw your name on the list and got a copy of your application. You\u2019re asking for a lot, Trapper, but then, so is everyone else. There\u2019s even someone here who wants the entire twenty-five million. And yours is asking for a good chunk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that bad?\u201d asked Trapper, chuckling before he took a sip of water.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, asking for the whole thing is bad. I don\u2019t think that one will even be considered. The committee tends to look down their noses at bravado. But yours caught their eye.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is that?\u201d asked Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019ve included computer infrastructure with some new technology for a system that was just installed. You\u2019re already ahead of most of these hospitals in that regard. The problem is that most of them didn\u2019t have the foresight to include computer infrastructure in their applications.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah scratched her neck, glancing over at Trapper with an impudent smile.<\/p>\n

He ignored her. \u201cIs that a good thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be\u2026depending on how well received you two are. A word of advice; be humble. The committee hates braggarts. But you need to know what you\u2019re selling intimately. And don\u2019t think that you\u2019ll be over their heads with this new technology. They\u2019ve hired a consultant to make sure they understand the technical aspects of these applications. Well, I have to be off,\u201d said the Senator, standing. \u201cI should be looking for the folks I\u2019m representing. Trapper, it was very nice to see you again. We\u2019ll probably be seeing each other on and off before this is over. Ms. Haverty, a pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper stood and took the Senator\u2019s hand, shaking it warmly. \u201cI hope so, Harold. We have some catching up to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela returned to the table just as the Senator was leaving. \u201cI see you two have already met Senator Jefferson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well,\u201d started Leah, narrowing her eyes at Trapper. \u201cIt seems the Senator and the doctor are old friends. Just how many politicians do you call \u2018friend\u2019, Trapper?\u201d<\/p>\n

He chuckled. \u201cSeveral. But none who are on the committee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome with me, you two,\u201d said Angela, smiling in amusement at the banter that tended to go back and forth between Trapper and Leah. \u201cI want to introduce you around. And remember, tonight is for meeting, not talking business.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela walked around the banquet room, introducing Trapper and Leah to the members of the committee as well as their advisers. The tour of the room stopped dead when she introduced them to Senator Joe Davis who also introduced the technical consultant for the committee.<\/p>\n

Leah stiffened, causing her to stand just a bit taller. She wore no expression whatsoever on her face as she just looked at the offered hand of the committee\u2019s technical consultant. Angela and Senator Davis glanced nervously at each other as Leah and the consultant stood locked in a staring match while Trapper, looking from one to the other, flared his nostrils and moved Leah\u2019s hand over his arm.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty-Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was apparent that his offered hand wasn\u2019t going to be accepted, so he withdrew it. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to see you again, Leah.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a suspicious smile that matched her narrowed eyes, she answered, \u201cI\u2019m actually surprised to see you here, Doug. This kind of work isn\u2019t normally up your alley.\u201d<\/p>\n

He laughed. \u201cTrue. I\u2019m doing it as a favor for a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the same smile, she asked, \u201cDoesn\u2019t this present a conflict of interest? After all, you\u2019ll be advising the committee on the merits of our grant application which includes a request for computer infrastructure\u2026from me. I would think, considering our recent history, you would be excused.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRecent history?\u201d asked Senator Davis.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really nothing more than business, Joe,\u201d offered Doug. \u201cI\u2019m sure Ms. Haverty agrees we can remain professional.\u201d<\/p>\n

She simply maintained her smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Angela said, breaking the sudden silence. \u201cI see they\u2019re starting to serve dinner. Why don\u2019t we all return to our tables.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s an excellent idea,\u201d agreed Trapper, turning Leah away from Doug. \u201cWhy are you shaking?\u201d he asked quietly, leaning close as they walked across the room to their table with Angela lingering behind to speak to Senator Davis.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry. I get this way when I\u2019m furious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s comforting. It means you\u2019ve never been furious at me.\u201d He glanced over looking for a smile, and he got one.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. I was beyond furious with you and threw my shoes across my office.\u201d She didn\u2019t look but definitely heard a deep chuckle as he pulled her chair out for her, then seated himself next to her. \u201cYou do realize that unless he\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0excused, we\u2019re screwed, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking her hand, he gave it a pat, followed by a kiss. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t worry about it. Senator Davis seemed taken by surprise. I\u2019m sure there will be an inquiry. Angela,\u201d he said, as she joined them at the table. \u201cAny problems?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah knew she was thinking by the way she stared at her plate. \u201cLeah, you need to tell me about this recent history. Doug Manning has a bit of a reputation in Washington. A lot of people owe him favors, and he\u2019s been known to collect in, let\u2019s say, creative ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do one better than that,\u201d she said, digging into her clutch and pulling out a card. \u201cThis is my attorney. Call him on his private number on the back of the card and tell him you\u2019re working on a grant with me. He\u2019ll know it\u2019s true because you have his private number. Ask him to overnight a copy of the court transcript and final ruling for Manning Consulting vs. Leah Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela sat back as more people joined their table. After everyone introduced themselves as the meal was being served, Angela excused herself. \u201cIf you gentlemen will excuse me for a moment,\u201d she said. \u201cMs. Haverty, would you join me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d said Leah, laying her napkin on the table next to her plate.<\/p>\n

When they were out of earshot of everyone, Angela turned. \u201cHe sued you? You sued him? What?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah smiled and bowed her head, but quickly looked back up. \u201cHe sued. I countersued. He wasn\u2019t happy with the decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what can I do with these papers?\u201d Angela looked sidelong at Leah when she saw the same seditious smile she had seen earlier that evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you need to do with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ladies returned to their table, apologizing for their absence. During dinner Trapper and Leah talked about deep sea fishing, Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake and, of all things, the charming town of Pescadero. There was no mention of Doug Manning, the grant, work or politics for the remainder of the evening.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Arriving at Angela\u2019s around midnight, both Leah and Trapper were exhausted. Their first day in Washington hadn\u2019t been that busy, but with their early and long flight from San Francisco on top of an evening of talking non-stop about everything but what they had come to Washington to talk about, they dragged into the house and flopped on the sofa.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou both did a lot of talking tonight, and you made a good first impression.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know that,\u201d asked Leah with her head on the back of the sofa and her eyes closed. \u201cYou disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot true. I was talking to everyone you had already spoken with. They all think you\u2019re an attractive couple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute. We didn\u2019t tell anyone we were a couple,\u201d objected Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you didn\u2019t. With words, anyway.\u201d Both turned their heads and gave her a wary look. \u201cIf you don\u2019t want people to know you\u2019re a couple, you have to stop walking so close. Trapper, you have to stop touching her arm or wrapping her arm around yours, and you both have to stop whispering in each other\u2019s ear and then smiling like you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike we do?\u201d Leah asked, smirking.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Like you\u2019re both love struck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dropping her forehead into her hand and rubbing, Leah asked, \u201cIs that going to hurt us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessarily. But when it\u2019s time for business, you can\u2019t be a couple. That means, Trapper, no touching. And stop whispering sweet nothings in her ear.\u201d He harrumphed. \u201cWe\u2019re all tired. Why don\u2019t you both turn in? We have an even busier day tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neither argued. They rose from the sofa and walked slowly back to their bedroom where they sat on opposite sides of the bed and undressed. Leah went into the bathroom to wash her face, and before she got back, Trapper was in the bed asleep.<\/p>\n

The next morning, Angela ushered them out the door early for a breakfast meeting with two Congressmen who wanted to know why the hospital needed two MRI machines in addition to a laser surgery center.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only laser surgery center on the west coast is in Los Angeles,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cThere isn\u2019t one to the north, and though the center in Los Angeles takes care of Southern California quite well, getting there from the north takes eight hours or more just from San Francisco or it costs an arm and a leg to fly. With San Francisco being centrally located, we can serve southern Washington, Oregon, the Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto areas as well as Nevada. In fact, we get a lot of our patients from Las Vegas because they don\u2019t want to drive into Los Angeles. They generally come a long way for surgery, and we\u2019ll be able to get them home earlier because laser surgery is less invasive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about the MRI machines?\u201d asked Congressman Michaels.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is only one MRI machine in San Francisco. In fact, it\u2019s the only one within four hundred miles, and it\u2019s at the University of California. Many of their patients are at the poverty line or below and go there because much of the University\u2019s services are free. Care is given by their med school students for practical experience. The average patient doesn\u2019t want to be cared for by a student who\u2019s not even at an intern level. With the laser center and the ability to offer microvascular surgery, our patient numbers are going to rise quickly. Two machines might not even keep up with demand, but it\u2019s a start.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two committee members looked at each other with puzzled expressions. \u201cDr. McIntyre, are you basing your need for two MRI machines on the supposition that you\u2019re going to be getting the laser surgery center or money for microvascular education?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely not. They were simply examples. We\u2019re already in the process of building a new wing. Ms. Haverty can speak to the hospital\u2019s growth as well. But let me show you this first,\u201d he said, removing a CT scan and x-ray film from his satchel along with a film from an MRI. He passed them over to the congressmen. \u201cThese two are what we have to work with today. As you can see, the image is shown in varying levels of gray\u2026not very detailed.\u201d He passed the MRI image to them. \u201cThis is what we will be able to see with the MRI machines. We do a good bit of guessing when it comes to working with CT scans and x-rays, and many times, we have to do exploratory surgery just to confirm what we\u2019re seeing. The scans from the MRI machine will cut that by two-thirds. That means, gentlemen, we won\u2019t be cutting people open just to make a decision on a course of treatment. I would be happy if all we get are the MRI machines. But you have to remember the microvascular surgery and laser surgery will have the same effect. With microvascular surgery, we\u2019ll be more successful at saving severed limbs, and we\u2019ll be able to repair the fine vessels in organs where before, we transplanted replacement organs. The laser surgery center enhances that, but also reduces the size of incisions, and in many cases turns a major surgery into an outpatient procedure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah sat forward with a set of charts, handing them to the congressmen. \u201cGentlemen, the growth of the hospital alone warrants developing ways to improve services\u2026to make them more efficient. Here are the numbers that prove this out. As you can see, we designed the computer systems with the hospital\u2019s current patient load plus thirty percent in mind. Before we even got the system completely installed, patient numbers had already reached the thirty percent we allocated for future growth. Our tape library is almost full, and those tapes have to remain available onsite for three years by law. All this is because San Francisco is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country. If San Francisco Memorial were to build a laser center and be able to offer microvascular surgery, in addition to the influx of patients just the MRI machines will attract\u2026well, we\u2019re talking about the potential for exponential growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, Ms Haverty, do you realize that many of the other institutions represented here are asking for the same things? What makes you more worthy than anyone else?\u201d
\nTrapper sat back in his chair and took a sip of water, taking his time to answer that question. \u201cI believe if you look at projected growth in all areas of the country, you\u2019ll find your answer. It will certainly do good to install an MRI machine or build a laser center anywhere in the country where people live. But you have to consider the number of people receiving those services, and the cost to get to those services from anywhere else in the country. The number of people coming into California each year alone certainly warrants better health services. And because San Francisco has a major international airport, flights in and out are much less costly than flights to smaller cities. Simply put, for the average American, San Francisco is one of the most economical places to go for these kinds of services. In addition, centrally locating these services in California means they\u2019ll be offered right out the back doors of millions of people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou make these services sound inadequate for the growth California alone is experiencing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, this is inadequate. But this can be the springboard to get more help from the private sector. We don\u2019t intend to stop with just this grant. We intend to keep looking for ways to expand these services to keep up with demand.\u201d<\/p>\n

The waiter brought their checks out, prompting Leah to pull cash from her handbag. Trapper pulled out his wallet as well and laid cash on the table with his check.<\/p>\n

\u201cPardon me for asking, and please tell me if it\u2019s none of my business, but aren\u2019t you both on an expense account? It\u2019s highly unusual to pay cash when you\u2019re on business.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah smiled. \u201cWe\u2019re not on an expense account. The hospital\u2019s budget was set at the beginning of the year with little wiggle room, so we\u2019ve financed this trip personally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congressman Michaels simply nodded and stood, followed by Congressman Evans. Trapper and Leah rose as well and everyone shook hands. \u201cDr. McIntyre, Ms. Haverty, thank you for speaking with us today. I do hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the committee members left, Trapper and Leah resumed their seats, nibbling on their cold breakfast. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d asked Leah.<\/p>\n

\u201cHard to tell. I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll hear the same song and dance from everyone else who wants an MRI machine, a laser surgery center and money for microvascular education,\u201d said Trapper sarcastically.<\/p>\n

She winked at him. \u201cOh. Does that count as taboo? Perhaps if we\u2019re delivering the same message, we should enhance our delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just how do we do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but we have to come up with something that sets us apart. Come on,\u201d she said, standing. \u201cWe have another meeting at the Senate offices in an hour, and I have no idea how long it takes to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty-Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday of the first full week in Washington arrived, and Angela was up early as usual going for her morning jog. When she got back to her house, she expected to see Leah and Trapper in the kitchen making breakfast, but upon opening the door, she noticed the all consuming silence in the house. She quietly walked past the kitchen and into the living room, and saw\u2026no one. But she did hear water running which meant someone was in the shower.<\/p>\n

In only a few minutes, Trapper appeared. \u201cGood morning, Angela.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, doctor. Did you two decide to sleep in?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling, Trapper said, \u201cLeah\u2019s still sleeping. I\u2019ve been on the phone all morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela offered him coffee which he accepted. \u201cProblems?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not for the hospital, but maybe for the city. We had a small outbreak of botulism that was traced to a man who had been fired from the restaurant we tracked it to. The man was found dead yesterday in the backroom of a bathhouse in The Castro.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, they found him. Is that the end of it?\u201d she asked, sipping her coffee.<\/p>\n

Trapper laughed the word \u2018no\u2019. \u201cAre you familiar with The Castro?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an area in San Francisco where the gay community has come together. Prostitution is rampant there among the gays just like it is among the heterosexuals in other areas of the city. There are a lot of them who turn their tricks in public bathhouses. This man still had an active infection in a wound on his arm, so chances are it\u2019s spreading through The Castro. The health department is there in force, and they\u2019ve recruited the doctor I left in charge of the situation at the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGonzo?\u201d said Leah, walking in from the bedroom with wild hair and yawning.<\/p>\n

Angela laughed. \u201cYou look like a train wreck. What\u2019s happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember grant lobbying being this hard when it was just soccer lights. We have been out late every night this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not over yet,\u201d said Angela, passing her a cup of coffee. \u201cYou have another dinner party tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Climbing up on a stool, laying her head on the counter and moving her hands on her head, she whined, \u201cWhy does this have to last two weeks? We\u2019ve already said everything we can say.\u201d She raised her head and nursed her coffee. \u201cA hundred times, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper rubbed her neck and shoulders. \u201cA nice hot shower will do you good, kiddo. Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they left for their room, Angela called after them. \u201cWhen you\u2019re done, come back out. We have more work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah stopped and turned. \u201cWork? But it\u2019s Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at it this way. It\u2019ll only be one hundred and one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah undressed, but before she could go into the bathroom, Trapper pulled her into his arms and a kiss. She gave him a tired smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really don\u2019t feel well, do you?\u201d he asked, still holding her close. \u201cHow\u2019d you sleep last night?\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing her eyes, she leaned her forehead on his chin. \u201cI slept fine. I\u2019m just\u2026worn out\u2026from the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down over here,\u201d he said, directing her to the bed.<\/p>\n

She pulled back. \u201cJust let me take a shower. I\u2019m sure that\u2019s all I need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continuing to the bed, he gave her a stern look and commanded, \u201cSit.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sat down and waited until he appeared next to her with a stethoscope. \u201cWhat? Do you take that thing everywhere you go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm. Take a deep breath,\u201d he said patiently as he placed the chest piece on her back.<\/p>\n

She sucked in a quick breath reacting to the coldness of the metal. \u201cHow could I not take a deep breath? That thing is like ice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSsh. Take another one. And another one,\u201d he added as he moved the chest piece. Moving to the front, he listened to her heart, then moved two fingers to her neck. \u201cDo you hear ringing in your ears?\u201d<\/p>\n

She rolled her eyes, but cocked her head to listen. \u201cCome to think of it, yes, I do. But it\u2019s so light, I didn\u2019t notice until you asked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you taken your meds?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI take them at night before bed, except for the cyclosporine which I take twice a day. But yes, I took them last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour pulse is elevated. Most likely, your blood pressure, too.\u201d He folded the stethoscope and set it on the bed while he looked down at her with furrowed brows and a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, it\u2019s just stress, I\u2019m sure. I was hoping we\u2019d get to take a break today\u2026and maybe tomorrow, but it looks like Angela plans to do more coaching.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper had gone back to his satchel and pulled out a black address book. Flipping through the pages, he stopped and picked up the telephone. \u201cDr. Dan Abrahms, please. Yes, I\u2019ll hold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah sprang up from the bed, fuming. \u201cTrapper, what are you doing? I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

He raised a finger to his lips. \u201cDan, John McIntyre. I\u2019m well. How are you? Glad to hear it. Look, I\u2019m in Washington\u2026\u201d He chuckled. \u201cIsn\u2019t everyone here for free money? Listen, I\u2019m here with someone who\u2019s a heart recipient. She\u2019s not feeling well, and her pulse and blood pressure are elevated. Do you think we could come in for some tests today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this a colleague or a personal friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper hesitated, glancing over at Leah and thinking how much more she was than a personal friend. \u201cBoth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome things never change, do they? When can you be here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWithin the hour. Thanks, Dan. I owe you one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throwing her hands up in frustration, Leah stomped into the bathroom. She leaned over to turn on the water, and when she stood back up, Trapper was standing behind her. He took both of her shoulders in his hands, turning her to face him. \u201cListen to me, Leah. This may well be caused by stress. But these are also symptoms of rejection. We need to be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued to glare. \u201cThis is no different than work at the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes it is,\u201d he calmly replied. \u201cYou\u2019ve been going from sun up to after midnight every night this week. You\u2019re not supposed to be working that long for a reason.\u201d Lowering her head, she rubbed her neck. \u201cI\u2019ll go talk to Angela while you\u2019re in the shower.\u201d When she finally gave in and nodded, he kissed her forehead, and then moved to her lips, where he lingered for a moment as he touched her forehead with his before he left for the living room.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper had just finished explaining the symptoms of organ rejection to Angela when Leah emerged dressed in her jeans and sweater. \u201cI\u2019m ready. Let\u2019s get this over with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going with you,\u201d said Angela, rising to retrieve her purse off the kitchen table.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to go. There\u2019s no sense in wasting everyone\u2019s time,\u201d said Leah, glaring at Trapper.<\/p>\n

Holding the door for both ladies, Trapper responded. \u201cIt\u2019s not a waste of time. Even if there\u2019s no sign of rejection, and there probably isn\u2019t, we need to do something to get your blood pressure down while you\u2019re here. Dan can write a prescription.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper opened the car door, and Leah stepped in. \u201cWhy can\u2019t you just do this yourself?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

After opening Angela\u2019s door behind Leah, he walked around to the driver\u2019s side. \u201cI don\u2019t have the equipment to run the tests, and I don\u2019t have a license to practice medicine in Washington D.C. Any more questions?\u201d he asked with raised eyebrows before he cranked the car.<\/p>\n

She took a deep breath and squinted defeatedly. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela sat in the waiting room while Leah and Trapper were in the examining room. After an hour, Trapper came out to update Angela. \u201cThe good news is it\u2019s not rejection, but her blood pressure is too high. Dr. Abrahms suggested doubling her blood pressure medication, which we can do without a new prescription. She had just gotten her prescription filled before we left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. She needs to slow down. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019re going to get her to do that this week. She\u2019s dead set on getting this grant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll just have to do a better job of getting her to say good night. Can you reschedule our late appointments this week?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll but the dinner parties, but there are only two of those left, including the one tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you two are already scheming,\u201d said Leah, approaching them from down the hall. \u201cTrapper, Dr. Abrahms would like to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper rose from the seat next to Angela. \u201cLadies, if you\u2019ll excuse me. I shouldn\u2019t be long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d called Leah as he headed down the hall. \u201cDon\u2019t be talking about me,\u201d she demanded, winking.<\/p>\n

He stopped for a moment and smiled at her, then continued on his way.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe cares very deeply for you. You know that don\u2019t you?\u201d said Angela, remaining in her seat, sitting comfortably with her legs crossed.<\/p>\n

Leah took the seat Trapper had vacated. All she could manage was a smile.<\/p>\n

With a skeptical look, Angela said, \u201cOh, come on now. Just the way he watches you is\u2026\u201d She shook her head. \u201cYou can\u2019t sit there and tell me you don\u2019t feel the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing over, Leah snorted, and then continued to look forward with a smile. \u201cYou have to understand, Angela, I\u2019ve lost myself in total love and loyalty to a family\u2026to a man before. And in losing them, I almost didn\u2019t survive.\u201d She looked down at her hands in her lap. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can immerse myself that way again. I might drown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you had better figure it out and soon. He\u2019s a man on the verge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the verge of what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf changing his life to include you,\u201d said Angela vehemently.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper doesn\u2019t change his life. He expects others to change theirs. He\u2019s divorced, and it was the all-consuming requirements of his job that led to it. He\u2019s not going to change his life for anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela sat up on the edge of her seat and turned to Leah. \u201cYou don\u2019t know how fortunate you are, do you? To have had a man in your life who thought the Earth revolved around you. And then finding another man who probably thinks the same way. You need to wake up, Leah. You\u2019ve been mired in the loss of your family long enough. It\u2019s time to let it go, and I mean all of it\u2026the doubts included.\u201d She sat back and looked away, letting out a long breath. \u201cI\u2019ll bet you never even asked him about his divorce.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty-Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah didn\u2019t speak all the way back to Angela\u2019s house even though Angela and Trapper had a lively conversation almost the entire way. As they walked into the house, Trapper said, \u201cAngela, I just don\u2019t see that there\u2019s much more we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you will both do tonight is laugh, dance and charm the pants off of them. And when they ask questions, answer them without stumbling. Are you up to that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper stood holding the door for the ladies. \u201cWe both know this inside and out. I don\u2019t see how they could ask a question we couldn\u2019t answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Now, I have a list of questions. I\u2019m going to drill you for the next hour, and then we\u2019re getting ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper leaned back against the bedroom door watching Leah as she undressed and powdered herself top to bottom. \u201cThat smells good. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

She handed him the round box before she turned toward the bathroom. \u201cName\u2019s on the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tossing the box over to the bed, he reached out and grabbed her hand, turning her around. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked as he pulled her into him.<\/p>\n

Opening her mouth, she shook her head, and then closed it again, letting out a long breath. \u201cI need to start getting ready or we\u2019ll be late.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned around with his arms around her and trapped her against the door. \u201cThen we\u2019ll be late,\u201d he said, looking into her eyes. She tried to turn away, but he cupped her chin in his hand and forced her to look at his. \u201cYou haven\u2019t said more than ten words since we left the hospital. What is this about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about wondering what the hell I\u2019m doing,\u201d she snapped. \u201cIt\u2019s about you\u2026and me\u2026and how I could possibly think for even a minute that this\u2026we\u2026would work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Letting her go, he walked to the bed and sat down, running his hand over his head, and then letting his arms rest on his thighs. \u201cWhat did Angela say to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you blaming this on her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you were fine until I left you with her in the waiting area. When I came back you were already clammed up.\u201d Shaking her head again, she avoided his gaze and went into the bathroom, closing the door. He took a deep breath and purposefully left the bedroom in search of Angela. He found her in the other bedroom, stripped down to her bra and panties.<\/p>\n

\u201cWha\u2026What are you doing in here? Get out!\u201d<\/p>\n

A sneer appeared on Trapper\u2019s face. \u201cDon\u2019t flatter yourself. I\u2019ve seen that a thousand times at the hospital,\u201d he said, looking her up and down. \u201cWhat the hell did you say to Leah in that waiting room?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela made a short, clipped laugh. \u201cI told her she needed to wake up. I told her it was time for her to let the doubts go; that she had a second chance with you. Do you know what she said? She said you would never change your life for her. That your job destroyed your first marriage.\u201d Trapper stood with his mouth open, confounded. \u201cShe\u2019s not counting on things being any different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he slowly backed out of the room and quietly closed the door. He went back to his room, and stood facing that closed door, thinking she should know how he felt by now. When he finally entered, she was still in the bathroom, so he went to the closet and took out his tux. As he undressed he thought about how he could broach the subject of his divorce, how he had tried to save his marriage and what ultimately doomed it. Then he laughed at himself. He didn\u2019t owe her an explanation. If she had a problem with him, it was between them, and should have nothing to do with how his first marriage ended. He knew what Leah wanted, but she\u2019d have to tell him herself and hear his answer before she\u2019d believe him. Then again, she still might not believe him. Maybe it was just as well they were having issues tonight. He\u2019d have no trouble staying away from her at the dinner party.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper, Leah and Angela all ended up at separate tables, but not because they planned it that way. Leah was seated at a table with the technical consultant and a female committee member and the few other applicants who had included technology upgrades. Trapper was seated with several other men and women with a medical background and a male committee member. Angela considered herself seated with the leftovers; no one of great importance, though she knew it didn\u2019t matter. Except for dinner, most people would be either dancing or mingling in an adjoining room. She would be in the mingling crowd, listening to the aftermath of Trapper or Leah\u2019s conversations.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me, Dr. McIntyre, said one of the Congressmen at his table. \u201cWhen\u2019s the last time you needed a microvascular surgeon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe day before I left to come here,\u201d he said, smiling. \u201cWe had a young man come in through emergency with a leg severed just below the knee. He had been cutting trees with a chain saw, slipped and fell\u2026on the chain saw.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you able to do for him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, nothing until we could find a surgeon qualified to reattach it. We found someone in Seattle and flew him down. He did the surgery the next day. We were lucky this time. Most times, we can\u2019t get qualified people in before the severed limb is no longer viable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how often do you have to deal with severed limbs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeveral times a week. Mostly fingers. But then we do several surgeries every day dealing with the fine vessels in the eyes, heart and ears. Many times, we\u2019ll schedule those where recovery isn\u2019t probable without microvascular intervention in advance, so a skilled surgeon is available. For those who can recover without that kind of intervention, we do the surgery ourselves, but the patient has a much longer stay with us, and an increased recuperative time even after they leave the hospital. There\u2019s just not enough microvascular surgeons available to go around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why do you think your hospital should be the place to get this education?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re centrally located on the west coast, but the better reason is that I have a commitment from a stellar microvascular surgeon to move to our area to head the program\u2026if we\u2019re able to start it. In addition, we\u2019re not associated with a university. The people we\u2019ll be training are established surgeons with years of experience in their fields.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty, a robot silo is an enormous undertaking,\u201d said the technical consultant. \u201cThere aren\u2019t many installed and working in the country. I\u2019m not sure you have the experience to pull this off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah smiled. \u201cHave we met yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, no. I apologize. I\u2019m Arthur Dorman. I was hired to clean up Xanda after the first contract was cancelled. Since I\u2019m already on the payroll, they asked me to step in as technical consultant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah\u2019s smile turned into a puzzled look as she slightly cocked her head. \u201cThe first contract was cancelled?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me explain,\u201d offered Senator Gray. \u201cArt, I think you should know Ms. Haverty is the person who turned the Xanda job down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Why would you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm? I\u2019m sorry?\u201d Leah had retreated into her own thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you turn down an opportunity like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I would have been working for a\u2026\u201d She stopped suddenly, realizing that in this venue, she had to tread lightly. \u201cFor Manning Consulting. I no longer wanted to work for them. And I wasn\u2019t offered a direct hire opportunity otherwise I probably would have accepted it. But why was the contract cancelled?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s quite simple,\u201d said the Senator. \u201cWe didn\u2019t feel anyone else on Manning\u2019s payroll was up to par. You had an exceptional history in government work, and we wanted you. When we found you weren\u2019t available, we looked elsewhere. There was also the matter of your encryption program, but when we found it was part of the public record in your lawsuit\u2026well, I\u2019m sure there have been quite a few people looking at those records.\u201d The Senator waited for a reaction from Leah, but what she got was the look of someone about to bolt from the room. \u201cArt, the part you\u2019re missing is that you have replaced Manning twice now. You replaced his company at Xanda, and you have replaced him now as technical consultant to the committee\u2026all thanks to Ms. Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah snapped her head back around to face the Senator. \u201cThanks to me? What are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you are the one who delivered the court papers regarding Manning vs. Haverty to the committee room, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Creasing her brows, she answered, \u201cNo, I\u2019m not. I don\u2019t know anything about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm. Well, I\u2019m not really surprised,\u201d said Senator Gray. \u201cThere are several people here who don\u2019t care for Mr. Manning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, all that being said, that still doesn\u2019t qualify you to install a robot silo,\u201d said Art.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Dorman, I implemented the robot silo at the University of California\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is that possible? You were working for San Francisco Memorial when that happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, it was just prior to my work at San Francisco Memorial. I set up the Children\u2019s Hospital system initially with the robot silo at their request. They had deep pockets and could afford it, but my work was voluntary. I didn\u2019t get paid for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Art looked at her with narrowed eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you give Dr. Tom Prescott a call at the Children\u2019s Hospital? If you folks will excuse me for a few minutes, I need to get some air. Dinner isn\u2019t settling very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper watched her walk across the dining room. Her face was flushed and her head was bowed in stark contrast to the woman who had been holding her head up proudly, at least in public, since they had arrived. He barely fought the need rising within him to follow her.<\/p>\n

Angela on the other hand wasn\u2019t there to impress anyone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty-Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah walked out of the banquet room and left the hotel, randomly choosing a direction based on where her feet took her. She ended up four blocks away at a pay phone. When Albert\u2019s machine answered her call, she left a detailed message and hung up, then leaned back against the wall of the booth. After thinking about her situation for a few minutes, he eyes suddenly opened, and she turned in the booth, looking in every direction. When she was satisfied that no one was interested in what she was doing, she stepped out and hurriedly walked back to the hotel.<\/p>\n

By the time Angela realized Leah had left the hotel, Leah was long gone. Angela looked up and down the sidewalk, even walking to the corners of the building and looking down the side streets. She rushed over to the cabs waiting for fares in front of the hotel and asked each one if they had seen any of the cabs take a fare from the hotel. The collective answer was \u2018no.\u2019<\/p>\n

Hurrying back into the banquet room, she went directly to Trapper\u2019s table, begged the indulgence of those sitting with him, and then whispered into Trapper\u2019s ear. \u201cLeah\u2019s left the hotel. I can\u2019t find her.\u201d<\/p>\n

After smiling at his fellow diners, his face was anything but genial when he whispered back, \u201cAre you sure?\u201d Angela tightened her lips and nodded, but before Trapper could excuse himself from the table, in marched Leah seemingly back to herself with her head held high and striding confidently across the floor toward her table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI apologize,\u201d she said as she seated herself while the men around the table stood. \u201cI had gotten a bit dizzy suddenly. The fresh air seems to have done the trick.\u201d<\/p>\n

As dessert was served, Art Dorman continued to delve into San Francisco Memorial\u2019s new system, how she protected it during the recent Xanda crisis, and how she came to install the system at the Children\u2019s Hospital. \u201cIt\u2019s unusual for a technical person such as yourself to successfully step into a management role,\u201d observed Art. \u201cMost engineers turn those down.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had turned away from the rest of the table and faced Art as the others were engrossed in other conversations around the table. \u201cTo tell you the truth, Art, not taking the Xanda position was a very difficult decision. The work there is ground-breaking. But because of health considerations, my doctors advised that I lighten my load, and they didn\u2019t feel I could do that with the hours I was working as an engineer. They were not happy that I was crawling around underneath the raised floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t mind my asking, what health considerations?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked him dead in the eyes. \u201cI received a new heart almost five years ago, and earlier this year, that heart developed a hole. I had to have open heart surgery again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Art turned red. \u201cOh. Well\u2026that certainly is a valid consideration, though looking at you I never would have guessed it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she replied, smiling. \u201cBut don\u2019t be embarrassed. It\u2019s the stress of the job that my doctors are worried about. So I\u2019ve eliminated the physical aspect of it and tend to sit behind a desk pushing a pencil.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re here. This whole process is stressful. How are you holding up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFunny you should ask that. I actually went to the hospital earlier today. My blood pressure has been a little high while I\u2019ve been here. But I\u2019ve adjusted my medication, so I\u2019m fine now,\u201d she said, patting his hand. \u201cIn fact, that\u2019s probably where the dizziness came from.\u201d<\/p>\n

As people started leaving the dining hall, Art stood and held his arm out to her. \u201cIt appears we\u2019re moving to the other hall. Would you care to dance?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a wide grin, she asked, \u201cDon\u2019t you have to mingle with the other technical folks here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere aren\u2019t that many here, and I\u2019ve already spoken to the others extensively. That\u2019s why you were slated to sit with me this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d she said, accepting his arm, and allowing him to lead her to the dance floor where they carried on a lively technical conversation the rest of the evening.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper danced very little during the evening. Evidently none of the organizers considered that the majority of the guests were male. He did speak with a few old friends and professional acquaintances and managed to draw a crowd as he explained the logistics and problems encountered during Ellen Frank\u2019s surgeries. \u201cDr. McIntyre, you and your staff are to be commended. Just finding a place to start had to be difficult, and being able to put together two teams on such short notice couldn\u2019t have been easy. And your work\u2026remarkable. Did you know Ms. Frank is in Washington?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t.\u201d Trapper took a sip of his cocktail.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s here, and though she\u2019s still in a wheelchair, she\u2019s making significant progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper bowed his head before he spoke. \u201cI would think significant progress in her case is relative.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSadly, true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later in the evening, Trapper and Angela stood near the door, watching Leah. \u201cShe\u2019s been dancing with him all night. And even when she\u2019s not, she\u2019s still talking to him. Who is he?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is the committee\u2019s technical consultant. She\u2019s been working on him since dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper grunted and nursed his champagne. \u201cIt seems she\u2019s had his undivided attention so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

People were slowly starting to say their goodbyes and leave the banquet hall. Trapper had just shaken hands with another doctor when he turned to look for Angela who was already heading toward him. \u201cYou\u2019ve done well tonight, Trapper. Everyone has spoken highly of you.\u201d She turned to look around the room. \u201cNow, I just need to find Leah. It seems she\u2019s managed to monopolize the technical consultant the entire evening, though there were one or two times all the technical folks seemed quite amused.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Angela and Trapper looked, and as groups of people moved toward the exit, Leah and the consultant appeared on the other side of the room sitting alone at a table in what looked like a very involved conversation. They sat close, their heads only inches apart. Leah was tracing her fingers over the table, and Mr. Dorman would follow and nod when she bounced the tip of her finger on what she had just drawn.<\/p>\n

When they reached the table, Trapper cleared his throat and glanced quickly at Angela with an amused smile. \u201cI hate to intrude, but it\u2019s getting late. The young lady needs her rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t mean to keep her. It\u2019s just that she has so many good ideas that will help at Xanda.\u201d Art stood and offered his hand to Trapper. \u201cArt Dorman. I\u2019m the committee\u2019s technical consultant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper accepted the hand. \u201cNice to meet you, Mr. Dorman. I\u2019m John McIntyre, and this is Angela Bowman.\u201d<\/p>\n

After nodding his head to Angela, Dorman looked at Trapper and recognition dawned on his face. \u201cAren\u2019t you the doctor who was shot trying to protect Ellen Frank?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah stood and interrupted. \u201cDr. McIntyre, Art is fixing Xanda, so he\u2019s heard the whole story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d said Trapper, looking from Leah to Art with a forced smile. \u201cIt seems strange to me that no one remembers that Leah was shot as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spinning back toward Leah, Art looked at her with an open mouth and wide eyes. \u201cYou didn\u2019t tell me that.\u201d<\/p>\n

She blushed. \u201cWell, it wasn\u2019t really that important. It was just a flesh wound in my arm. Dr. McIntyre came close to losing his life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems both of you lead exciting lives in San Francisco. I can see why you wanted to stay instead of coming to Livermore where there are endless laboratories and more scientists with their noses in beakers than you can shake a stick at.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah laughed. \u201cOh, it can\u2019t be that bad. And even if it is, I\u2019d think the kind of work you\u2019re doing makes up for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it does.\u201d Turning back toward Trapper and Angela, he bowed slightly. \u201cIt was nice meeting you both. I should let you take Leah home, and I need to get back to my hotel,\u201d he said, looking at his watch. \u201cWe\u2019ve all got another full day tomorrow. Leah,\u201d he said, taking her hand and covering it with his other hand, \u201cI hope we can talk more about your ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving behind Leah, Trapper stepped into her back and slightly leaned his head over her shoulder. \u201cAre we talking again?\u201d<\/p>\n

She dropped her forehead into her hand, stroking it with her fingers. \u201cShall we go?\u201d Looking at Angela, she nodded toward the exit and took off across the room with Angela and Trapper close behind.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Eighty-Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Angela, Leah and Trapper walked in the front door of Angela\u2019s house, she wasted no time in sending everyone to bed. \u201cI suggest we all sleep on everything that was said or learned tonight. I\u2019ve rearranged your schedule, Leah, to end your days earlier, and I\u2019ve removed everything from Sunday, so we\u2019ll have some down time tomorrow.\u201d She nodded at Trapper. \u201cDoctor\u2019s orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you had talked to me before you did that,\u201d said Leah. \u201cWho said I needed more time in the evenings?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper?\u201d she said, pointing. \u201cHe\u2019s not my doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the only doctor around who\u2019s qualified to speak on your behalf. Now, there\u2019s no point in arguing. It\u2019s done. Go to bed.\u201d Angela leaned in for a cheek and a kiss aimed at Leah\u2019s ear, then shooed her and Trapper away, disappearing into her bedroom.<\/p>\n

Leah gave Trapper an irritated glare as she headed toward their bedroom.<\/p>\n

He closed the door behind him and watched her go into the bathroom. Slipping off his jacket, he tossed it on the bed, then began to loosen his bow tie, occasionally glancing toward the bathroom where he could she her shadow moving across the floor and walls. When she stepped out, her dress was on a hanger, and she was barefooted in a robe.<\/p>\n

Unfastening his cuff links, he continued to watch her as he put them away. She had just turned back toward the bathroom when he stopped her. \u201cLeah.\u201d Pausing with a jerk, she turned back around slowly, cocked her head and raised her eyebrows. Trapper sat down on the side of the bed. \u201cIf you want to know something, just ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s none of my business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we were at the point that we could ask each other anything.\u201d She crossed her arms and looked away. \u201cAll right. I\u2019ll make it easy for you. What is it about my divorce from Melanie that bothers you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Straightening, she looked at him, and then cast her eyes down. He asked. Did that change anything? After a few moments of awkward silence, she looked back up at him. \u201cYou said vows for better or worse. Why didn\u2019t you fight for your marriage?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper picked his jacket up off the bed and headed for the closet, smiling as he passed her. \u201cWhat makes you think I didn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019re still such good friends with Melanie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do have two children between us.\u201d Leah heard the rattle of coat hangers from the closet and waited for him to come back out. He stepped out in his underwear. \u201cWe tried on our own for awhile, but every time I got called to the hospital, she became angrier,\u201d he said as he picked up his robe that had been thrown over a chair and pulled it on. \u201cEverywhere we went together, people knew her as Mrs. McIntyre. Then we tried marriage counseling. When she finally had me served with divorce papers, I told her I didn\u2019t want a divorce, so we had to go to court, and of course, the court granted her a divorce.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that was it?\u201d asked Leah, sitting on the side of the bed.<\/p>\n

Trapper snorted as he sat next to her. \u201cWhat else is there? Melanie wanted her own identity, and she didn\u2019t feel she could have one married to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can understand that. That\u2019s why I go by Haverty instead of Lewis.\u201d<\/p>\n

He moved his arm around her and pulled her into him. \u201cWhat are you worried about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, she looked into his eyes, and then feeling her mouth go dry, she licked her lips. \u201cWe\u2019re frequently at each other\u2019s throats, Trapper. I\u2019ve begun to think that, at some point, you\u2019re going to be done with it all.\u201d Trapper\u2019s mouth dropped open. Looking down at her hands, she said quietly, \u201cI\u2019d rather it end peacefully if it\u2019s going to end.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho said anything about this ending?\u201d He took her hand and brought it to his lips. \u201cWe both have a stubborn streak that runs deep, but we\u2019ve already begun to figure that out. And you don\u2019t have the same problem Melanie had. You\u2019re already well known on your own merit. In fact, there are times when I\u2019m the odd man out.\u201d Moving his hand to the back of her neck, he brought her close enough to feel her breath on his face, and when his lips found hers, he felt her shiver as she relaxed into him. \u201cI don\u2019t want this to end,\u201d he said without leaving her lips, and as he kissed her again, he took her down to the bed where they stayed in each other\u2019s arms the rest of the night.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it too soft?\u201d asked Trapper.<\/p>\n

Leah poked it. \u201cNot by much, but you\u2019ll have to do better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m working on it. What else do we need while we wait?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah looked around. \u201cYour nuts. Where are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

He rolled his eyes. \u201cThere right there in front of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGeez. How did I miss those? Why don\u2019t we check it now and see if it\u2019s firm?\u201d He turned to show her, and she poked it again. \u201cPerfect. Oooo. That\u2019s hot,\u201d she said, smiling. \u201cPut it in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get this on top of it,\u201d said Trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too hard. You do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a practiced hand, Trapper said, \u201cHere\u2019s how you do it. You have to go down the sides first.\u201d After another minute, he asked, \u201cIs that enough?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I need more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, how about now?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat should just about do it. Now we\u2019ll just squeeze\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper grinned. \u201cOh yeah. This is the best part.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd there it goes oozing down the side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCareful,\u201d said Trapper. \u201cYou\u2019ll get your fingers sticky. Now see, I told you you\u2019d get sticky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I had to catch it before it dripped down too far,\u201d she said, licking her finger.<\/p>\n

Opening her hand, she said, \u201cI need your nuts.\u201d He gave her a handful. \u201cYou know, it would be better if these were warm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have time. Angela will be here any minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so. It\u2019s already starting to droop. I\u2019ll put some whipped cream on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper lifted it with both hands. \u201cLet\u2019s move over here where there\u2019s room for all three of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

They got everything in place just before Angela walked in the door. \u201cHey, you two. I was just\u2026oh my, that looks\u2026um\u2026huge. I don\u2019t know if I can handle that alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to handle it alone,\u201d said Leah. \u201cCome over here with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela sat down in front of it, running her finger up the side. \u201cMm. Yummy. But what\u2019s the occasion?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling at each other first, Trapper and Leah both turned to Angela wearing wide grins. \u201cWe\u2019re celebrating. We think we won the committee over today,\u201d said Trapper as he handed out spoons. They each dug into what Leah referred to as the Double Devil; the largest, most decadent fudge brownie sundae Angela had ever seen.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trapper and Leah had already gotten their tickets for their flight home and had checked in at the gate. Now, they were waiting to board, and since they were flying first class, they would be some of the first to go. Trapper excused himself to speak with a doctor from St. Louis. \u201cDr. Rose,\u201d said Trapper, offering his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre, I must say, your presentation to the committee seemed to be received very well. How\u2019d you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were notified yesterday morning that we had won something, but we won\u2019t find out how much until next week. A letter will be sent to the hospital administrator.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm. That\u2019s rather disappointing. I wasn\u2019t notified of anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t give up just yet. They may yet be notifying others since they haven\u2019t decided who gets what.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know if you do start the microvascular education program, I\u2019d be interested in sending some of my surgeons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust give me a call,\u201d said Trapper with a wide smile. \u201cIf we get what we asked for, that will be one of the first things we start. It just happens to be the easiest.”<\/p>\n

Leah kept her eyes on Trapper. She needed to speak with Angela alone, and was afraid she might not have the chance before they were called for boarding. \u201cAngela, I need you to do something for me,\u201d she said as she passed an envelope to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need you to get this to Trapper if something happens to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela sat bolt upright with her brows furrowed fearfully. \u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Exhaling a quiet chuckle, Leah smiled. \u201cDon\u2019t get upset. I\u2019ve changed my trust where if I die or become incapacitated, Trapper gets everything. I just don\u2019t want it to come from Albert. He\u2019ll be\u2026all business. I want him to hear it from me, so to speak. And there are instructions about some things I want him to make sure happen; like the children\u2019s wing at the hospital.\u201d She bit her lip, knowing she was about to open a can of worms and hoping they would be called for boarding so she wouldn\u2019t have to explain anything. \u201cAnd if something suspicious happens, it will give Trapper a place to start looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angela sprang to her feet and glared down at Leah. \u201cWhat?\u201d The tone and volume of that one word turned every head in the waiting area, including Trapper\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me, Dr. Rose. I need to see what that\u2019s about.\u201d Patting Dr. Rose on the shoulder, he hurried back to where they had been waiting together. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up pleadingly at Angela, Leah slightly shook her head. \u201cNothing, Trapper. Girl talk. You wouldn\u2019t understand,\u201d she explained without taking her eyes away from Angela\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst call for boarding Flight 201 to St. Louis; all first class passengers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breathing a sigh of relief, Leah stood and gathered the items she was carrying on board. \u201cAngela, I\u2019ll call you when we get back to San Francisco, though it might be tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better or I\u2019ll be calling you.\u201d She leaned in and gave Leah a hug and kiss, and then gave Trapper a bear hug to which he responded with a quick kiss on her lips. \u201cI have to say I\u2019m very proud of you both. You represented yourselves well, and I think most everyone enjoyed meeting you except for maybe the few who were your real competition. Let me know how much you get.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will,\u201d said Trapper with a wide smile, ushering Leah through the gate. \u201cAnd thank you for the help and the hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Ninety<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the majority of the flight, Trapper busied himself in discussions about experiences with the latest surgical techniques with several other doctors who he\u2019d met in Washington and were traveling on the same flight. They all departed his company in St. Louis to catch their connecting flights home. Trapper and Leah didn\u2019t have to change plans. This flight would be flying directly to San Francisco.<\/p>\n

When Trapper brought Leah\u2019s hand to his lips, she turned away from the window where she had been staring out for most of the leg to St. Louis. \u201cYou\u2019ve been awfully quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

She giggled. \u201cYour conversation with those other doctors wasn\u2019t exactly something I could keep up with.\u201d Turning back to the window, she sighed. \u201cDo you ever wonder what Heaven is like when you\u2019re up in an airplane above the clouds?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean the idea of what it would be like to sleep on one of those light, fluffy clouds. Sorry, kiddo. You\u2019d fall right through.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t generally think in quixotic terms, do you?\u201d she asked, feigning annoyance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t go chasing after windmills, if that\u2019s what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I do, especially when I\u2019m up here\u2026closer.\u201d She bowed her head. \u201cIt seems so, anyway.\u201d Looking back out the window, she added, \u201cI wonder if it\u2019s true that when you die you see your loved ones, and nothing bad ever happens again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll probably never know the answer to that question until we die. Maybe we should swap seats.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and found him gazing at her with a worrisome expression, then patted his leg. \u201cThat wouldn\u2019t be fair to whoever is going to occupy the seat across the aisle. You\u2019re much more interesting to talk to than I.\u201d When his look didn\u2019t change, she wrinkled her nose. \u201cYou worry too much. I\u2019m fine right where I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we get home, I don\u2019t want to tell anyone we\u2019re there just yet. I want an evening all to ourselves before we dive back in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning into him, she bowed her head, but looked up into his eyes wearing a provocative smile. \u201cAnd just what do you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper moved his lips next to her ear, and before he began to tell her about their evening, he nibbled her earlobe and lightly touched her neck with a kiss. \u201cOh, dinner at L’Ardoise followed by slow dancing in front of the cinnabar lacquer screen after which we will go upstairs and imbibe a 1939 Warre port while we share dark Belgian chocolate, and then end with or, depending on how you look at it, begin an excess of erotic\u2026nocturnal\u2026 delights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah sat holding her breath. Her eyelids became heavy until they closed with an intense blush that reverberated through her body. Trapper watched expectantly until she finally let the breath out slowly through her open mouth, eliciting a satisfied smile from him. He leaned over her and pushed the recline button on the arm of her seat, then said slowly in a deep, low voice, \u201cNow, why don\u2019t you just lay back, close your eyes , relax, and think about that for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah and Trapper lay in each other\u2019s arms, Trapper with his face buried at the side of her neck, both breathing deeply and evenly in the fading intensity of intimacy. Resting on his arms, he was careful to protect her from his weight. When he rose up to look into her eyes, they were closed.<\/p>\n

Still, she felt his warm breath on her face and smiled. \u201cYou were on a plane most of the day, then dinner, dancing and now\u2026how long have we been up here? Where do you find the energy?\u201d Leah felt his amusement; a rumble rising from deep within his chest that stayed deep when it touched his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cA man can do anything he desires given the right motivation.\u201d He kissed her forehead, moving down her nose to her cheeks, her chin, and finally, ingratiating himself at her lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to let me up? Opening her eyes, she found his blissfully twinkling at her and giggled. \u201cOr is there something else you want from me?\u201d<\/p>\n

He settled himself more comfortably, planning to stay right where he was as long as it took. \u201cThere is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Placing her hands on his arms, feeling his biceps hard and defined beneath them, she slowly moved them up to his shoulders close to his neck and began kneading. \u201cAnd what could you possibly want that warrants my captivity?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour undivided attention first and foremost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her hands stopped kneading, and her eyes took on a cautiously curious squint. \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been thinking lately about how nice it would be to come home every night with someone else who belonged here.\u201d He felt her take a breath and waited for her to let it out. She didn\u2019t. \u201cI would like you to call this house your home\u2026our home\u2026as my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyes instantly moved away from his, and that breath she had been holding came out all at once through her mouth, but she managed a nervous giggle. \u201cYou said you\u2019d never marry again\u2026that it costs too much.\u201d<\/p>\n

He laughed almost silently. \u201cSomehow, I don\u2019t think that will ever be a consideration for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you say that as much as we fight?\u201d she asked, trying to push him off of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know you\u2019ll never be able to do that, don\u2019t you?\u201d She sneered, and he dove into her neck, staying close to her ear. \u201cWe have an agreement. Discussions about work stay at the hospital. We don\u2019t fight about anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a look of desperation, she stared up at the ceiling as he continued plying his subterfuge at her earlobe. \u201cDo you honestly believe that won\u2019t carry over?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you. Marry me,\u201d came his muffled reply from the side of her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, this is\u2026I need time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think. Listen to your heart.\u201d He rose up and looked from her eyes to her lips. \u201cJust follow your heart,\u201d he whispered just before he kissed her lips, refusing to stop and letting the passion grow until she was breathless. With their lips still touching, he breathed the words, \u201cMarry me.\u201d Reaching over to the nightstand, he pulled open the drawer and drew out the small black box he had been carrying around with him for weeks now. He removed the ring with two fingers as he held the box with the others and tossed the box to the floor. Taking her left hand, he moved it between their faces and slipped the ring on her finger.<\/p>\n

With her chin quivering, she opened her mouth, and then closed it, folding her lips into a tight line. Never had she thought that getting married again was an option for her. She\u2019d thought she\u2019d found the love of her life in John, and when the children came, she was sure of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re thinking, aren\u2019t you? You\u2019re not supposed to be thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled absently. Was Angela right? Did she really have a second chance at that kind of love? \u201cJohn, what if I\u2026what if my heart\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re heart is healthy. There\u2019s no reason to believe it won\u2019t stay that way. But if something does happen I\u2019ll take whatever time we have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving her hand up into the air, she studied it and smiled at the single stone set on top of a thin band of gold. As a tear ran down the side of her face, she said softly, \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Ninety-One<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sitting at the breakfast table with her head propped on her hand, Leah pushed her eggs around on her plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can\u2019t be the eggs. No one can mess up scrambled eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n

She glanced up at him, sighed, and put a bite in her mouth, chewing slowly. \u201cI\u2019m not going to wear the ring just yet. I\u2019d like to get used to the idea before anyone else finds out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, you\u2019re not making me feel very confident.\u201d He took a drink of orange juice, then continued eating. \u201cYou look like someone just died.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time she gave him an earnest smile and reached out for his hand. \u201cIt\u2019s not that. I\u2019m\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d he interrupted, taking her hand and returning her smile. \u201cYou\u2019re thinking. That\u2019s against your doctor\u2019s orders, you know. Look, I\u2019ve got it all planned. There\u2019ll be a celebration when Arnold finds out how much of the grant the hospital will receive. We\u2019ll have a more private celebration party here with our closest friends invited, and they\u2019ll think it\u2019s because of the grant. That\u2019s when we\u2019ll tell them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have our wedding planned, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

He chuckled. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Because I don\u2019t want a big wedding, I don\u2019t want caterers and planners and\u2026I don\u2019t want the hassle. Do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d This time the smile that touched his lips and eyes made her blush. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we have a quiet ceremony at Antonio\u2019s? They have a private garden. After that, we can have dinner there. Just a few of our friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

She perked up, thought for a moment, and then let a calm smile move over her face. \u201cThat sounds nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. I\u2019ll call Antonio today and see what the calendar looks like. Are you finished? It\u2019s time to go.\u201d He gathered his dishes and waited for her answer before he took hers.<\/p>\n

Before he could, she handed them to him. \u201cI have to run upstairs for a minute. \u201c She headed out of the kitchen, stopped and turned back. \u201cDo you have a safe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll be two minutes,\u201d she yelled as she ran up the stairs.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The minute Trapper and Leah stepped into the hospital lobby, the receptionist rushed over to meet them. \u201cMr. Slocum would like to see you both in his office first thing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Trapper smiled and offered his thanks, then guided Leah with a hand on her back to the elevator. \u201cDon\u2019t you want to, at least, take your satchel and work to your office,\u201d Leah asked as they both turned to face forward in the lift.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll leave them in your office and get them on the way back down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think this is about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold probably wants to know how we think we did. I\u2019ll bet he\u2019s as anxious as a teenager going on his first date.\u201d As that picture materialized in his mind, he laughed.<\/p>\n

After stopping by Leah\u2019s office on the executive floor, they walked to the end of the hall and knocked on Arnold\u2019s door. Hearing permission to enter, they opened the door, but stepped back at the loud \u201chip hip hooray!\u201d that roared out of the room.<\/p>\n

With dumbfounded looks on their faces, they were dragged in. Leah looked over at Trapper. \u201cYou don\u2019t suppose he\u2019s already heard from the committee, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, he answered, \u201cIt appears so.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the two standing in the middle of all the smiling faces, including several members of the board, Gonzo, Dr. Riverside, all the other department heads, Ernie, Gloria and a select group of nurses, Arnold began to read the grant committee\u2019s awards. \u201cIt appears that some of the money was spread out widely, let\u2019s see\u2026the University of California in Davis got five hundred thousand for DNA research\u2026here\u2019s a big one\u2026George Washington got one million for an MRI machine and three million to complete their laser surgery center. Duke University School of Medicine got two million to establish a microvascular curriculum. Omaha Children\u2019s Hospital got one million for an MRI machine. San Francisco Memorial got two million for two MRI machines.\u201d<\/p>\n

Applause erupted, and Leah and Trapper smiled disappointedly at one another, both hoping they had gotten more for their efforts.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrookdale in New York, Cambridge Health in Massachusetts, St Vincent\u2019s in Alabama, Baylor Health Systems in Texas and Saint Anthony\u2019s in Colorado all received five hundred thousand for travel and training in microvascular surgery to be performed by San Francisco Memorial who got three million to set up and execute the program. It seems everyone who asked for money for microvascular training did so under the assumption that someone else would be doing the training. San Francisco Memorial was the only institution who showed any interest in offering the training.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another applause began as Leah and Trapper exhaled a sigh of relief, both satisfied considering what everyone else had received.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat just about covers the distribution of the grant money available,\u201d said Arnold.<\/p>\n

Trapper creased his eyebrows, cocking his head at Arnold. He had been adding it all up in his head. \u201cWhat happened to the other ten million?\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold smiled and set the piece of paper he\u2019d been reading on his desk. \u201cDue to the vision of Dr. John McIntyre, Chief of Surgery, and the technical strength of Ms. Leah Haverty, Chief Information Officer, and her team backing him up, the committee feels that the needs of the country in the new field of laser surgery is best served by the location, ease of travel and the team of dedicated professionals at San Francisco Memorial Hospital. Seven million dollars goes to build, equip and staff the new laser surgery center at San Francisco Memorial Hospital. Three million dollars goes to increase digital storage capacity to support the anticipated increase in patients and the new educational programs.\u201d<\/p>\n

A wide grin appeared on Trapper\u2019s face as he shook the offered hands around him. Leah bowed her head into her hands as those behind her squeezed her shoulders or gave her a pat on her back. Turning around, Trapper leaned back to see the forward view of her rather than the top of her head, moving his hands to her arms. \u201cLeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up with a laugh and a triumphant smile, she stepped into Trapper\u2019s warm embrace and squealed as Trapper lifted her feet off the floor.<\/p>\n

Arnold shouted over the din of excitement in the room as trays of glasses were carried into the crowd. \u201cChampagne for everyone!\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

By midday, Trapper had gone through all the mail and reports that waited for him on his desk, separating them into piles by priority. After looking at the first three, he sat back and looked at the stacks of paper, deciding he would start in earnest after lunch. On his way to Leah\u2019s office, he was stopped several times by members of the hospital staff wanting to congratulate him after hearing news of the grant from their department heads.<\/p>\n

Leah had glass windows at the front of her office that were usually covered by blinds. Today, the blinds were open. Trapper watched before he knocked on her door, dismayed at the piles of paper he saw on her desk\u2026and behind her on her credenza. She was sitting back in her chair with an open file resting on her crossed knee, holding a piece of paper in one hand while her other elbow was propped on the chair arm, and her other hand was spinning a pencil up close to her ear. She\u2019d stop spinning the pencil every now and then and write something on the paper she was reading.<\/p>\n

He tapped on the glass, and though she sat up in the chair and turned her body, it took her another minute to take her eyes of the paper. When she saw him, an instant smile appeared on her lips as she nodded at the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so interesting?\u201d he asked as he entered the office.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a lot to do. So do you. But I need to be way ahead of you so the systems are in place to support what you need to do when you do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He chuckled and looked over the piles. \u201cWhat is all this?\u201d<\/p>\n

As she pointed to each stack of paper, she explained what they were. \u201cThese are resumes split by candidates for technical lead, programmer\/analysts, computer operators, library attendants, hardware support, and desktop support. These are all the change requests we got from the departments in priority order. These are the current schematics, and these are blanks because I have to draw some new ones for the silo, and these are forms for ordering the equipment that I\u2019ll fill out as I do the new schematics. That first stack over on my table is work that David and my staff did while I was out that I need to review, and the second stack is all the information I\u2019ve gathered for the children\u2019s wing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the one you\u2019re holding?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, this. This is the final settlement from the logging company. Albert wants me to sign it and overnight it back to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper looked down at the open folder she set on the desk. \u201cYou haven\u2019t signed it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, she flipped the folder closed. \u201cNo, I haven\u2019t. I chose to read it first. That might have been a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking her hand, he pulled her from behind her desk. \u201cCome with me. It\u2019s time for a break.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, I really don\u2019t have time for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me?\u201d he interrupted.<\/p>\n

She gave him a wide-eyed stare. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you meant was that you are going to take time for breakfast every morning\u2026\u201d he took her hand and led her out of her office, \u201c\u2026a break between breakfast and lunch, lunch, and an afternoon break, and then you are going to leave work behind on time and go home with your husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSsh! Someone might hear you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care.\u201d He twirled her into his arms once they were in the elevator, reached around her and pushed the button, and then kissed her until the elevator slowed, stepping away from her just as the door\u2019s opened.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be eating those words within a week. People will be coming out of the woodwork to congratulate you. You\u2019ll care then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing at her over the top of his glasses, he motioned for her to step in the cafeteria line in front of him, and then followed her to a table. \u201cWe need to have the party at the house soon,\u201d he said, cutting his sandwich in half.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy so soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up at her and hesitated, then continued cutting his sandwich. \u201cBecause Arnold has already announced the grant, so a celebration party needs to happen fairly quickly. I can reserve a room and the patio at Antonio\u2019s for the following week.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had just brought her sandwich to her mouth, but stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wait?\u201d he asked, answering her open mouth.<\/p>\n

Putting her sandwich back on her plate without taking a bite, she leaned back, wrapped her arms around herself and looked away.<\/p>\n

With a mouthful, he explained. \u201cLeah, work isn\u2019t going to slow down, especially for you with those piles of paper you already have in your office. If we don\u2019t do this now, we might not get another chance. Now, who do you want to invite?\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued to look toward the windows. \u201cTo the party or to the wedding?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere you go again. We\u2019re not planning a funeral. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back at him, she raised her hand to her mouth and bounced her fist on her puckered lips. Thoughts of Doug Manning still crept up in her mind. \u201cI was hoping I\u2019d have a chance to get used to the idea before the reality of it. But you\u2019re right. There will never be a good time once all these projects get started.\u201d She quickly glanced up at him. \u201cUnless\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He had raised his glass of soda to his mouth, but stopped. \u201cUnless what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnless we both retire,\u201d she said, twisting her mouth. \u201cWe can afford it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still frozen in place, he asked, \u201cYou\u2019re kidding, aren\u2019t you? You have to be because neither one of us is ready to retire. After the first month, we wouldn\u2019t know what to do with ourselves.\u201d Her eyebrows shot up. Exhaling heavily through his nose, he set his glass down. \u201cLook, you and I are alike in that respect. We do what we do because we\u2019re driven to it. Neither one of us would be happy without it at this point in our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. McIntyre to emergency stat. Dr. McIntyre to emergency stat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up at the ceiling, he tightened his lips and swore under his breath. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about it tonight.\u201d He stood and leaned over the table to kiss her. \u201cThink about who you want to invite,\u201d he said, rushing out the door.<\/p>\n

She watched him go wondering if this was how her life would be\u2026always putting things on hold while watching him run to his next emergency. And then, there was Doug. Would Doug try to get revenge because of Xanda and his dismissal from the committee, and if he did, would he dare to come after Trapper?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Ninety-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper pushed through the door of the exam room to find a very pregnant patient flanked by two doctors. \u201cWhat have we got?\u201d he asked, stepping to the end of the bed.<\/p>\n

Stanley read the chart. \u201cThirty-two year-old, around thirty-six weeks, having contractions. But look at this, John.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving over to the right side of the bed, Trapper looked at the top right of the woman\u2019s belly where Stanley indicated. \u201cLooks like abdominal distension with hepatomegaly,\u201d he said, palpating the area. \u201cHow\u2019s her blood pressure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNinety over sixty-two.\u201d<\/p>\n

Picking up her hand, he looked at her fingernails. \u201cIs the blood work back from the lab?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, let me know when it is. I\u2019m looking for anemia, low platelets and elevated liver enzymes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d asked Stanley.<\/p>\n

Trapper leaned on the bed with his hands on the short rails and looked Stanley in the eye. \u201cI hope I\u2019m wrong, but it looks like a ruptured liver. Let\u2019s get a CT scan of the upper right quadrant. Who\u2019s her OB\/GYN?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoward Davies, but he\u2019s out of the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet Angela Reyes down here. It could be time for this baby to meet the world. If the CT scan comes back positive, we won\u2019t have much time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stan nodded at the nurse, who left the room. \u201cFor mother or baby?\u201d<\/p>\n

Heading for the door, Trapper turned back. \u201cBoth. Is her family here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHusband\u2026Miller\u2026in the waiting room,\u201d answered Stanley while writing in her chart.<\/p>\n

Trapper stopped at the nurse\u2019s station and found Gloria on shift. \u201cGloria, I need an OR, I need Ernie to set up for liver repair or lobectomy, and I need a delivery setup.\u201d Without stopping, he continued on to the waiting room. \u201cMr. Miller?\u201d<\/p>\n

A young man stood up and walked toward Trapper. \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Miller, I\u2019m Dr. McIntyre\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre Liz and the baby all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving a hand to Miller\u2019s shoulder, Trapper walked him out of the waiting room and down the hall to the alcove by the water fountains. \u201cMr. Miller, was your wife having contractions when you brought her in?\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller furrowed his brow. \u201cYes. That\u2019s why I brought her in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this her first child?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve lost one before\u2026in the first trimester. That was five years ago. Dr. McIntyre, are you an OB\/GYN?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Trapper, smiling. \u201cI\u2019m a cardiothoracic surgeon. I was called because of some unusual pain your wife is experiencing. She has some swelling on her right side above her stomach which I believe is a problem with her liver.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Miller fell back against the wall. \u201cGod, no.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m waiting on a CT scan to confirm that, but I want to prepare you and her in case we have to go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo in! She\u2019s pregnant. How are you going to go in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow calm down. She\u2019s almost due. If there is a problem with her liver, we\u2019ll do a vertical cesarean section, and then go in right after to take care of her liver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care of her liver\u2026what does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of the swelling, I believe it may be ruptured, and if so we\u2019ll have to do some repairs. If it is ruptured and we can\u2019t stop the bleeding, we may have to take part of it\u2026\u201d Miller sucked in a breath and ran his fingers through his hair. \u201cBut she can live a normal life with a partial liver. Now, I need you to sign some consent forms. We won\u2019t do anything until we get her blood work and CT scan back to confirm the diagnosis, but if this is a ruptured liver, we have to act fast to get the bleeding stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course\u2026anything. Just tell me where I need to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome with me. I\u2019ll have one of the nurses go over the forms with you.\u201d When they got back to the nurse\u2019s station, Trapper introduced him to another nurse there, and added finding Gonzo to Gloria\u2019s list.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

When Leah sat down in front of her desk, the first thing she did was write her list. Angela Bowen, Albert Shaeffer, Leo and Carlotta Costa, and Ernestine Shoop. She sighed, moved the list to her lap drawer and pulled a stack of paperwork in front of her. First on her list were the change requests from the hospital departments. She needed to ensure her people had adequate work during the system updates for the silo. Picking up the phone, she dialed David Stern who was still acting technical lead. \u201cDavid, this is Leah. Would you please come up to my office? I have some work I\u2019d like to discuss with you. Yes, now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting back in her chair and bouncing the eraser of her pencil gently on her lips, she thought back to how the conversation ended in the cafeteria. As he had done so many times before, he stopped talking and eating, kissed her and left for whatever emergency needed his expertise this time. But did it matter? Wouldn\u2019t she have done the same if there had been a problem in the data center? In their positions of authority, this was normal. Why did it bother her?<\/p>\n

Then Doug Manning crept in again. Something about him had frightened her this time. She certainly knew him to be a vengeful man. She had seen him in action numerous times during her employment with Manning Consulting. But that was along the lines of career assassination; something she knew he wouldn\u2019t get away with in her case, and something he wouldn\u2019t be able to even begin with Trapper. Was he capable of doing physical harm though?<\/p>\n

She was still shaking her head when David tapped on the door. Turning her chair forward, she put on a smile. \u201cDavid, please come in. You and I have a great deal to talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gonzo stepped beside Trapper at the scrub sinks just as Trapper was shaking the water off his hands. \u201cGlad you could join us,\u201d said Trapper, nodding toward Ernie who had just finished washing.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry. I just finished a peritoneal port for a dialysis patient. I guess it\u2019s a good thing I don\u2019t have to go to the little boy\u2019s room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper opened his mouth to make a remark, but closed it and shook his head. \u201cDr. Reyes is already in the OR preparing for a C-section. You and I are going to take over after the child is separated from the mother and repair a ruptured liver. Take a good long look at the CT scan when you go in. The rupture at the far right of the right lobe was probably caused by the labor contractions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper pushed backwards through the doors where a nurse was waiting with gloves, mask and surgical robe. Ernie was right behind him, and once she donned the appropriate garb, she began to assemble her tray.<\/p>\n

Trapper moved behind the end of the table where Dr. Reyes had just completed the cesarean incision. \u201cHow are you doing, Dr. Reyes?\u201d<\/p>\n

A smile touched her eyes. \u201cWe\u2019re ready to take the baby. Would you like to assist?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t often get to deliver babies. It would be my pleasure,\u201d he said, returning the smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. I\u2019m going to reach in and pull the baby out. I need you to watch the incision and help all the body parts come through smoothly, and then you can cut and clip the umbilical cord. Here we go.\u201d<\/p>\n

As cesareans go, this particular one turned out to be fairly routine. There was a small celebration as the umbilical cord was cut and the baby was passed to the waiting hands of a nurse. Once Dr. Reyes had sutured the uterus, she turned the patient over to Trapper and his team.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet me a fresh pair of gloves,\u201d he said as he turned for the current ones to be removed. He looked from Gonzo to Ernie. \u201cEveryone ready?\u201d Receiving nods, he asked the anesthesiologist, \u201cHow\u2019s her pressure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne ten over sixty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot bad. How many units have you used?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill on the first one. I have three more available.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, let\u2019s see what we can see with this incision. Tissue retractors.\u201d Before he finished his request, Ernie had placed them firmly in his hand. He glanced at her, and though she couldn\u2019t see because of his mask, he turned up the corner of his mouth. \u201cGonzo, do you see what I see?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. It looks like a mass, but there\u2019s a lot of blood around it. Hemangiomas don\u2019t usually bleed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm. It\u2019s definitely not what caused the distension. Move suction to the right,\u201d he said as he lifted the mass. \u201cThere\u2019s the rupture\u2026behind the mass.\u201d He groaned. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to remove the mass before we can repair the rupture. \u201cI\u2019ll resect. You suture behind me.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

By the time Trapper walked back into his office, it was seven in the evening. The liver resection had taken longer than he would have liked. With both he and Gonzo working together, they still had trouble stopping the bleeding, but finally managed. He spent another hour with Mr. Miller explaining the procedure, complications and recovery. At least the young man had the baby, who was doing remarkably well, to smile about.<\/p>\n

He walked into his private bathroom and splashed water on his face, then went to his desk to find a note sitting dead center.\u00a0Trapper, I\u2019ve taken a cab to the pool house. If it\u2019s not too late when you leave, come by\u2026if you want. I\u2019ll be in bed by eleven. I put your sandwich from lunch in your mini-fridge, just in case you didn\u2019t have a chance to eat dinner. \u2013L<\/em><\/p>\n

He smiled at first, but his smile slowly faded. \u201cIf I want?\u201d Tossing his slacks, shirt and tie over his arm, he left the paperwork that awaited him on his desk as well as the sandwich in the fridge and left the hospital.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Ninety-Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah stood at the rail of her deck comfortable in white tights and a white off-shoulder top, looking out over the inky ocean and the barely visible beach in the darkness below the cliff on which she resided. There had been rain this evening leaving behind lingering clouds, and before that, a fog bank had threatened to roll in, but instead hung out there just off the coast. To her right, she could still see the light at Point Bonita Lighthouse dutifully flashing, its light reaching out across the expanse of water until it hit the fog and stopped as if it had hit something solid.<\/p>\n

She loved the salt smell of the cool breeze that accompanied the storms coming in from the marine layer. This peaceful view and the clean, crisp air had been the lure that made it easy to leave the hospital each night. She had no idea how she would get by without it.<\/p>\n

Earlier that evening, Albert had called to tell her that Doug Manning had sold his consulting business and left the country. Since he had received her frantic call from Washington, he had Manning closely watched by his network of business associates who knew other business associates who knew the right people to get just about any job done. Without any fanfare at all, Manning had just up and left, having been able to sell his homes and his company quickly\u2026too quickly for there not to have been some pre-planning. The reason he left in addition to his destination were still unknown. Albert had told her to sit tight. They didn\u2019t know anything yet. But how could she go on with business as usual without knowing?<\/p>\n

Standing with her eyes closed, letting the salt breeze wash over her, Leah couldn\u2019t shake the niggling in the back of her mind that he wasn\u2019t through with her. She\u2019d humiliated Doug; two very public humiliations, and he was too proud and too sure of himself to just disappear and lick his wounds.<\/p>\n

Then there were her unanswered calls to Angela. Leah had left so many messages on Angela\u2019s answering machine that she filled it, and it had remained filled.<\/p>\n

She was struggling with the decision to tell Trapper her fears, but was leaning toward not. The less he knew, the safer he would be if Manning was up to something.<\/p>\n

She heard the gate monitor beep. \u201cLeah, it\u2019s Trapper. I\u2019m coming in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blowing out through her mouth, she left her bottom lip jutting out, wondering how she was going to hide her worries from Trapper.<\/p>\n

When he turned the corner, she was still leaning against the rail and watched him with a smile as he veered inside the open sliders, throwing his clothes on the sofa and returning to the deck, stepping behind her, leaning into her and moving his arms around her so that his head was right next to hers. \u201cIf I want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I didn\u2019t know how tired you\u2019d be after surgery.\u201d She turned in his arms to face him, rubbing her hands over his chest and up the front of his shoulders. \u201cI thought, perhaps, you\u2019d go home and get some rest, but I see you didn\u2019t even take time to remove your greens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019d get much rest in an empty house. Not anymore, anyway,\u201d he said with the corners of his mouth upturned, his nostrils flared and a puckish gleam in his eyes as he bent his head for a light, playful set of kisses. \u201cI thought you liked my greens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breathing in deeply, wearing a sated smile, she thought how wonderful life could be with Trapper without complications. \u201cHm. I do. How\u2019s your patient?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMother and baby are doing fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMother\u2026baby? They called you for a delivery?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mother had a ruptured liver. Dr. Reyes took the baby by C-section, and then Gonzo and I repaired her liver. She\u2019ll be fine. She just needs to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you get something to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Did you?\u201d She bowed her head to hide her wince, and then glanced up at him quickly. Taking her hand, he led her into the house. \u201cLet\u2019s go see what\u2019s in your refrigerator.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see,\u201d she said, bending to look into the fridge. \u201cWe have chicken that I need to cook because it\u2019s already thawed, cheese and cream.\u201d She pulled everything out and went to the cabinet. \u201cWe\u2019re in luck. I have some fettuccini.\u201d Spinning around, she asked, \u201cHow do you feel about Chicken Alfredo?\u201d<\/p>\n

He raised an eyebrow. \u201cDid I see broccoli in there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you did. Are you trying to make a heart attack on a plate healthier?\u201d she teased with a cheeky smile. Rolling his eyes, he opened the refrigerator door and grabbed the broccoli.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cThe broccoli was a good idea. I don\u2019t feel as guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper rolled fettuccini onto his fork then speared a piece of chicken. \u201cYou planned this meal for yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

She watched him put his forkful in his mouth. \u201cHow could you possibly chew all that?\u201d He shrugged. \u201cYes. I was going to eat my way to a heart attack.\u201d Halting his chewing, he sat rigid, prompting her to hold up her hand. \u201cKidding. Don\u2019t choke on it, please. The truth is I was going to try to make a cheesecake from scratch. The chicken and broccoli were going to be dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you have a chance to work on your list?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat took all of two minutes,\u201d she said, twirling pasta onto her fork into a much daintier bite than his. \u201cI only have a few close friends I\u2019d care to invite\u2026Albert, Angela, Leo and Carlotta and Ernie. I thought about inviting Dr. Sandler, but I wasn\u2019t sure it\u2019d be appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll invite David if you\u2019d like him to be there. He\u2019s a colleague, but I think it would do him good to see how things ended up.\u201d He glanced up and reached for his wine. \u201cUh\u2026how would you feel if I invited Melanie?\u201d<\/p>\n

Furrowing her brows, she glanced away for a moment. \u201cWhy would you invite your ex-wife?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMelanie and I are friends. We\u2019ve even met\u2026occasionally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMet? Met how?\u201d she asked, folding her lips to suppress smile.<\/p>\n

He glared. \u201cMet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting her lip, she raised her brows and nodded. \u201cSo\u2026who\u2019s on your list?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArnold, Stanley\u2026Ernie\u2026Gloria, Gonzo, Aunt Minnie, my sister, Maureen, a couple of fishing buddies, and a few doctors and their wives. I don\u2019t think there will be more than twenty-five between us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, anyone local can come to the party, but that won\u2019t include Albert and Angela. I\u2019d hate for them to have to travel all this way twice.\u201d She pushed away from the small table on the deck. \u201cI\u2019m done.\u201d Picking up her wine, she walked back to the rail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper pushed his chair back away from the table, crossed his legs and studied her. \u201cIs something else bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething else?\u201d she asked without turning around. \u201cWhat could be bothering me? It\u2019s all falling into place, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery bride I\u2019ve known who\u2019s actually gone through with it was positively giddy. You don\u2019t seem too happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps, I\u2019m just lamenting leaving all this,\u201d she replied, waving her hand across the waterscape in front of her. \u201cDo you realize the kind of peace I find leaning on this rail? When it\u2019s raining, I find the same peace standing on the other side of the sliding glass doors looking out on all this. When I\u2019m not looking, even the sound is soothing. It calms my overactive brain,\u201d she said, ending with a chuckle.<\/p>\n

He startled her when he moved his arms around her waist, then waited for her to shift her lean against him so he could rest his chin at the side of her head. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to give this place up. We could stay at the house on work days and come here on the weekends. Or better yet, we could buy a place of our own on the coast\u2026find a small, quiet, isolated cottage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere would we find that here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t. We\u2019d have to look somewhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could buy a boat instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

A satisfied grunt escaped him. \u201cI like the way you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

They stood silent for awhile enjoying the feel of the crisp breeze and the sound of the waves as the fog slowly made its way to shore.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about your kids?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, he tightened his arms around her. \u201cKim, maybe. I don\u2019t know if JT will come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d she asked, twisting her neck so she could look up at his face.<\/p>\n

Trapper chuckled. \u201cLet\u2019s just say, he\u2019s feeling his independence out from underneath his father\u2019s thumb.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning her head back to the view, she nestled closer into to him. \u201cYou should invite him anyway. Both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019d want to surprise them that way. They\u2019ve never met you. It could be awkward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor you…or me, or them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of the above.\u201d She didn\u2019t see the smile on his face and had no way of knowing the contentment he was feeling at that moment because she remembered his children.<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t it be better to invite them instead of shocking them with the introduction of your wife after the fact?\u201d<\/p>\n

He grimaced. She was right. They needed the chance to meet her before she was thrown into their lives. \u201cMaybe we could ask them to dinner. JT\u2019s local, but Kim would have to fly down. We\u2019ll have the party, then dinner with the kids, and after that, we\u2019ll get married. Okay?\u201d he asked, looking down on her as she looked up at him with a smile. A quick kiss sealed the agreement.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Ninety-Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper left a message for Leah to come to his office when she had the time. He was ordering lunch in and invited her to join him while he made phone calls for caterers, a minister, and Antonio\u2019s. She was in the basement going over the work that had been started while she and Trapper were away in Washington.<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid, these programs will have to be changed. Our databases aren\u2019t hierarchical, they\u2019re relational. These database searches are assuming everything is in sorted order by key, but it\u2019s not. It\u2019s last in, first out. You\u2019ll have to pass the search a specific key, and then sweep the database.\u201d David didn\u2019t say anything, but rather looked at his shoes. \u201cDavid, I\u2019m not the principal, and this isn\u2019t high school. Can you tell me what happened? You didn\u2019t do this. You know how our databases are structured. Who did this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKevin, but it was at my direction. I should have checked it better before I left it for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her hopes were now dashed that she would be able to rely on David as her lead going forward. A person ready for technical lead wouldn\u2019t make that kind of careless mistake. \u201cYes, you should have. I want you to sit with Kevin and go over the database structure, and then have him redo these. I need them finished by the end of the week. I don\u2019t care if you two have to stay late every day to do it. Am I clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes ma\u2019am,\u201d he answered, taking the listings and leaving the large cubical at the end of the row that remained empty other than the times Leah was in the basement.<\/p>\n

Feeling a headache coming on, she stroked her forehead with the tips of her fingers. Interviews for technical lead just zoomed to the top of her list when she should really be working on schematics for the new silo. She\u2019d be taking work home with her, which would make a certain doctor very unhappy. Then again, if he expected her to be patient with his long hours, he should be patient with hers. She winced. His concerns for her health made his reasons more valid than hers.<\/p>\n

Collecting her paperwork, she left the basement for her office, but was halted by Gloria. \u201cTrapper\u2019s been looking for you. He ordered lunch in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The corner of Leah\u2019s mouth turned up. \u201cThank you, Gloria.\u201d Her smile faded as the throb in her head reminded her of not only her headache, but the reason behind the headache.<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s door was open, so she knocked lightly on the door and continued in. \u201cI hear there\u2019s lunch in this office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking over his glasses, he grinned and stood, walking around his desk to her. \u201cWhere have you been?\u201d he asked before he met her lips with his.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the basement.\u201d Answering his frown, she said, \u201cI\u2019m surprised you didn\u2019t look there.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled and wrinkled his nose. \u201cYou don\u2019t work in the basement anymore. Why would I look there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you go where you need to operate, or do they bring the patient to your office,\u201d she said, answering his sarcasm with a sneer.<\/p>\n

Laughing, he guided her to the credenza behind his desk where lunch waited. \u201cTouch\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper sat at his desk poring over his charts while he ate. Leah sat on the sofa concentrating on her programs and nibbled. Every now and then, she\u2019d close her eyes and rub her temple. The movement caught Trapper\u2019s eye time and time again until finally, he removed his glasses and turned his chair toward her. \u201cLeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm?\u201d she grunted without looking up from her listings.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there something wrong with your head?\u201d<\/p>\n

She quickly looked up. \u201cWhat kind of question is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re squinting and rubbing your temples. Do you have a headache?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do,\u201d she answered, returning to her work. \u201cBut I can\u2019t take just anything because of my other meds, so I just deal with it. More than likely, it\u2019s tension. I had to dress down David earlier today, and that\u2019s when it started.\u201d She sighed. \u201cAs a matter of fact, I really need to put these programs down and get started on hiring a new technical lead.\u201d Gathering her paperwork and moving her plate to the top of the stack, she headed for the door, smiling back sweetly. \u201cSee you later. Oh. Thanks for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head, laughing. \u201cDo you think that\u2019s going to work? Leah? Leah!\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Friday night came much too soon for either Trapper or Leah considering how far they were behind from their excursion to Washington. Things were getting done, but slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah, are you ready to go?\u201d asked Trapper as he stepped into her office without knocking. \u201cOh, excuse me. I didn\u2019t know you had someone with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAndy Randall, this is Dr. McIntyre, our Chief of Surgery. Dr. McIntyre, Andy is interviewing for the technical lead position on my staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper nodded. \u201cLeah, I hate to interrupt, be we have an appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping around her desk, she took Trapper\u2019s arm and began pushing him out the door. \u201cAndy, would you excuse me for just a minute?\u201d As soon as the door was closed, she turned. \u201cTrapper, you\u2019ll have to go on without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brows danced in annoyance. \u201cThe caterers? The party?\u201d<\/p>\n

Wrapping her arm in his, she walked him toward the elevator. \u201cI just have to finish this interview, and then I have one more after that. I\u2019ll be there shortly. Just show the caterers to the kitchen. They\u2019ll know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t make an announcement if you\u2019re not there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn,\u201d she said, moving her eyes up to his and wearing a captivating smile. \u201cEverything will be fine. No one is expecting this, so it doesn\u2019t matter if you tell them at the beginning, in the middle or at the end. Anyway, I\u2019ll be there before any of our guests arrive. Now bend down here and kiss me, so I can go get these interviews done.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he did, the kiss he received was more than normally would have been acceptable in the hall of the executive suite, but considering the lateness of the afternoon, he indulged her and then with a crooked smile, watched her walk away.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah drove down Steiner Street, grimacing at the number of cars that lined the street in front of the house. She didn\u2019t realize she\u2019d been holding her breath until she arrived in front of Trapper\u2019s house and let it out when she found the driveway empty. Gathering her purse and briefcase, she trotted up the front steps and tried the door. It wasn\u2019t locked, so she stepped in, only to see Trapper standing in the kitchen rubbing the back of his neck. He saw her in the entry way and hurried to her, looking down at his watch.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been two hours. Are you all right?\u201d Taking her briefcase, he leaned a little further and gave her a quick kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine. I was able to get hold of two of Andy\u2019s references, and both were really good recommendations, so I hired him. I had to do the second interview, but all I could offer was the programmer job. He\u2019s thinking about it. Is anyone here yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur guests are just starting to arrive. And the kitchen is a disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cIf you\u2019ll put my briefcase by the desk, I\u2019ll just run upstairs and freshen up, and then I\u2019ll take care of the kitchen, while you answer the door.\u201d She moved her hand to his cheek and tiptoed into another kiss, this time a much longer one that got him to smile. \u201cNow relax. I\u2019ll take care of the caterers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie walked up behind Trapper. \u201cI couldn\u2019t help over hearing. You\u2019re usually unflappable. Why are you so nervous?\u201d she asked, narrowing her eyes. \u201cIs something going on besides the grants?\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving his arm around her shoulders, he said, \u201cWhat else could possibly be going on other than Leah\u2019s late, and the caterers are wreaking havoc in my kitchen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCaterers, Dr. McIntyre, could never fluster you before tonight. Now what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled. \u201cI\u2019m going back to the kitchen and sending out some drinks.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Trapper arranged for trays to start circulating between answering the door, Leah rushed into the kitchen right into his arms. \u201cWhoa, girl. It\u2019s too crowded in here for you to be moving that fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

She giggled. \u201cSorry. But I don\u2019t know anyone else I\u2019d rather run into,\u201d she said happily tiptoeing and giving him a peck on this lips.
\n\u201cWell, it\u2019s nice to see you so cheerful considering the real reason for this party,\u201d he replied, kissing her back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t exactly been blissfully ecstatic about getting married.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her brows arched. \u201cDid I say no?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no. But you didn\u2019t say yes, either. You haven\u2019t even been wearing the ring.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot true.\u201d She pulled a chain around her neck out of her blouse and dangled the ring in front of him. Dropping the chain, she threw her arms around his neck. \u201cYes,\u201d she said, laughing. \u201cYes, yes, yes, yes, yes,\u201d she continued with a kiss somewhere on his face between each word. She didn\u2019t stop until he was laughing loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay,\u201d he said, still laughing. \u201cYou\u2019re going to give it away. There\u2019s someone at the door. Oh,\u201d he said, turning back. \u201cDid you get in touch with Angela today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah frowned. \u201cNo. And her answering machine is still full. Maybe she went somewhere for the weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s probably it. I wouldn\u2019t worry about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Trapper entertained their guests, Leah organized the kitchen. \u201cYou there,\u201d she said to the person shouting orders. \u201cFind someone to drive down to the store on the corner and buy four twenty-pound bags of ice.\u201d She pulled a twenty out of her pocket and placed it in his hands. \u201cThere\u2019s a galvanized wash tub right outside the back door. Bring it in here, take the white wine and champagne out of the refrigerator, put them in the tub, and ice them down. Put a few bottles of each in the freezer to start chilling. That should leave room in the refrigerator for the food. Lay a few bottles of the Merlot on top of the ice, and when you use one, replace it with another. Set the rest of the reds on the back porch. They\u2019ll be too warm sitting in this kitchen. I want trays of food and drinks continuously circulating.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if we run out of ice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave you a twenty. Go get more,\u201d she said on her way out of the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Trapper saw her come out of the kitchen and called her over to the group he was standing with. \u201cI\u2019d like you all to meet Leah Haverty, the hospital\u2019s CIO and technical genius. This is Bill and Evelyn Bower. Bill is Chief of Surgery at Bay General. And this is Boyd and Maggie Stephens. Boyd is the County Medical Examiner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah shook hands with everyone. \u201cI\u2019m so glad you all could come,\u201d she said with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Haverty, I\u2019ve been working on Trapper here to let us borrow you for awhile,\u201d said Dr. Bower. \u201cThe people installing our computer system are having issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, all installations don\u2019t always go according to plan. I\u2019m had my share of issues, Dr. Bower. Mrs. Bower, I love your bracelet. Blue\u2019s my favorite color.\u201d<\/p>\n

A hand came down hard on Trapper\u2019s shoulder, and when he turned, he laughed and gave the owner of the hand a hug. \u201cDavey, glad you could come. This is Dr. and Mrs. Bower from Bay General and Dr. and Mrs. Stephens from the ME\u2019s office.\u201d He waited for their greetings. \u201cAnd this is Leah Haverty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davey gave her a toothy grin. \u201cSo this is the little lady who catches big fish, huh?\u201d Taking her hands in his, he shook them warmly. \u201cTrapper\u2019s told us all about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She cleared her throat. \u201cUs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I fish with him. Well, not anymore. Seems he\u2019s saving his fishing days for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking the man\u2019s arm, Leah stepped between him and Trapper. \u201cWell, if you fellas don\u2019t mind taking a woman on your no-female weekends, you can still fish with him. I\u2019ll just be one of the guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davey looked her up and down. \u201cIt would be real hard to think of you as one of the guys, Ms. Haverty\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Holding her hand up to stop him, she corrected him. \u201cLeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah\u2026well, it would, and it might be a little awkward for you, especially when some of the more colorful language starts flying.\u201d<\/p>\n

A sly smile formed on her lips. \u201cIf you can\u2019t take it, you shouldn\u2019t dish it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper laughed. \u201cIt seems you\u2019ve been issued a challenge, Davey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing with him, she said, \u201cIf you folks will excuse me, I need to make sure the wine and champagne continue to flow. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davey moved to Trapper\u2019s side and leaned slightly in. \u201cLooks like you\u2019ve caught a keeper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grunting as he nodded, Trapper wore a smile as he watched her disappear into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Ninety-Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toward the end of the evening, Trapper corralled Leah who had proven to be a worthy hostess, making small talk with those she had just met and cutting up with those she knew between her trips to the kitchen to keep food and drinks moving.<\/p>\n

Standing in the middle of the living room, Trapper raised his glass and tapped it with a spoon, calling for everyone\u2019s attention. \u201cI know you all think you\u2019re here celebrating the recent grant the hospital received. Well, you\u2019ve been deceived. The real reason Leah and I threw this party, inviting our closest friends, those who we most wanted to share this occasion\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving the back of her hand to her head, Ernie leaned back against Gonzo. \u201cSomeone catch me. I\u2019m think I\u2019m going to faint.\u201d The room erupted in laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Ernie, for the melodrama,\u201d said Trapper, laughing with everyone else. With his arm around her, he looked down at Leah and smiled. \u201cWhen I asked her to marry me, she said \u2019You said you\u2019d never marry again, that it costs too much.\u2019\u201d The room groaned. \u201c\u2018We fight too much.\u2019\u201d Another groan ensued. \u201cAnd \u2018I need time to think,\u2019 to which I said, \u2018you think too much.\u2019\u201d This time there was chuckling and nodding. \u201cShe didn\u2019t actually say the word \u2018yes\u2019 until she walked in the door tonight. But she did say it, and I\u2019m holding her to it.\u201d He bent and tenderly kissed her smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s the ring?\u201d asked someone at the back of the crowd.<\/p>\n

Trapper cleared his throat. \u201cExcuse me for just a minute.\u201d He turned to face Leah and stuck his hand down the front of her blouse, eliciting catcalls from the room.<\/p>\n

She turned bright red. \u201cThis is embarrassing. Stop groping and grab the chain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling as he pulled the chain up, he let her slip it over her head and unfasten the clasp, then took the ring and slipped it on her finger. \u2018Aws\u2019 and light laughter spread around the room as Trapper kissed her one more time. \u201cThe ceremony will be at Antonio\u2019s next Friday night at seven in the evening after which we will have dinner. You\u2019re all invited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzo stepped up in front of them and raised his glass. \u201cMay I propose a toast\u2026to Dr. John Trapper McIntyre and Mrs. John\u2026\u201d He stopped at the daggers shooting his way from her eyes. \u201cOh, maybe not what tradition would expect\u2026and the future Mrs. Leah Haverty McIntyre.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah had gotten into the habit of swimming most mornings when she had spent the night alone. She\u2019d take the seventy-two steps down to the beach below the pool house, walk down the shore to China Beach and swim laps back and forth in front the gently sloping sands. This particular morning was no different.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d said a young man who looked like he had just come out of the water.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning. How\u2019s the water?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll just say thank goodness for wet suits. Enjoy your swim.\u201d<\/p>\n

She donned her wet suit, waded to the drop off and then swam another ten feet out. Turning parallel to the shore, she began to swim her laps.<\/p>\n

An hour later, a mother and her two children walked down a deserted China Beach and came upon a woman\u2019s body washed up on shore. She hurried to the nearest house and called the police. It wasn\u2019t long before the beach was swarming with police, ambulance attendants and representatives from the Medical Examiner\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s warm,\u201d said the officer kneeling beside her. \u201cIs the ME here yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Stephens!\u201d called the officer who was standing at the other side of the body.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you moved her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir. Just to get her out of the water. But she\u2019s warm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephens looked up at the sun, shading his eyes with his hand and squinting. \u201cIt\u2019s the black wetsuit. Without it, it would have been too cold to swim. Any witnesses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir. A woman and her two children found her while they were walking. They said there wasn\u2019t anyone else on the beach. There\u2019s no ID on her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes she have all of her limbs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a mark on her. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything around to suggest foul play?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing so far. The beach is clean other than footprints.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning to his assistant, Dr. Stephens said, \u201cProcess the body and get her back to the morgue. And get a good picture of her face. We may need help to identify her. Officer, send a copy of your report to the morgue.\u201d Taking one more look, he saw something familiar and knelt next to her, moving her hair from her face. He sucked in a quick breath when he realized he had met this woman very recently.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cDad, when was JT supposed to meet us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know your brother, Kim,\u201d he answered with a smile. \u201cHe likes to keep his father waiting whenever possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we go ahead and order? I\u2019m starved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we\u2019re waiting for someone else for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kim\u2019s eyes brightened when she looked up at her father. \u201cMom?\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave her an apologetic look. \u201cNo, it\u2019s not your mother.\u201d He was about to tell his daughter for the hundredth time that he and her mother were not getting back together, but JT finally walked in the door of the restaurant. \u201cYour brother is here,\u201d he said, waving to get JT\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pop. Sis. I hope this is really important. I\u2019m skipping a class for this.\u201d Trapper frowned. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pop. I\u2019m already way ahead in this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re waiting for one more person.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah? Who?\u201d asked JT as he took a piece of bread out of the basket sitting in the center of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked you both here to meet someone. And before she gets here, I want all your questions out of the way, so I\u2019ll just tell you. I\u2019ve asked her to marry me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou brought us here to meet someone after you asked?\u201d said Kim, her eyes and mouth wide in wounded astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Dad. How come you didn\u2019t let us meet her before?\u201d the young man asked, echoing his sister\u2019s sentiment.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, you two. I\u2019m old enough that I don\u2019t need permission to ask a woman to marry me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what about mom?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour mother has already met her\u2026and she likes her\u2026and she wishes us well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kim turned away wearing a frown, and JT shook his head. \u201cNice of you to spring this on us, Pop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throwing his hands up, Trapper leaned forward so that he didn\u2019t have to talk to the entire restaurant. \u201cWhat do you think I asked you here for? It doesn\u2019t matter that I\u2019ve already asked her. What would really have been unfair would be to tell you after we were married. Now, she\u2019s going to be here any minute. I expect you two to give her a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kim and JT looked at each other. \u201cWhere\u2019d you meeting her?\u201d asked Kim sullenly.<\/p>\n

JT shot another question right after Kim\u2019s. \u201cWhat does she do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper met each of their eyes in turn. \u201cI met her at the hospital when she was a contractor installing the new computer system. She\u2019s the Chief Information Officer now. She\u2019s a computer system engineer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIntellectual type,\u201d JT remarked.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was also a patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you supposed to stay away from relationships with your patients?\u201d asked Kim snidely.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wasn\u2019t my patient,\u201d Trapper answered, smiling. \u201cThough I kept up with her progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Kim actually felt a little sorry for the woman. \u201cWhat was wrong with her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer heart. She\u2019s a heart transplant patient, and her new heart developed a hole. Dr. Gates and I repaired it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Kim and JT sat back and stared. \u201cDad, you\u2019re not marrying her because you feel\u2026I don\u2019t know\u2026sorry\u2026for her, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not, JT. If you didn\u2019t know she had a problem with her heart, you wouldn\u2019t know it by looking at her. Just wait until she gets here. I just want you to give her a chance. I think you\u2019ll like her.\u201d<\/p>\n

JT pulled another roll out of the basket. \u201cWell, when\u2019s she supposed to be here? I\u2019m starved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving each of them a dismayed look, Trapper asked, \u201cI give you enough money to eat well at school. How can you both be starved?\u201d Their answer was interrupted by Trapper\u2019s pager. \u201cIt\u2019s the hospital. I\u2019ll be right back,\u201d he said, looking for the phone.<\/p>\n

Looking over at his sister, JT pushed the bread basket toward her. \u201cWhy are you so down?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it would be Mom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Kim. Mom said she and Dad wouldn\u2019t be getting back together a long time ago. Remember, she was the first one who was going to marry someone else.\u201d He pulled a small piece of bread off his roll and slowly chewed. \u201cWho knows? Maybe Dad\u2019ll mellow out a little with someone in his life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me. I\u2019m Dr. McIntyre, and I\u2019ve received a page from the hospital. Is there a phone I can use?\u201d The man at the register moved a phone from the back counter to the front. \u201cThank you,\u201d said Trapper, dialing. \u201cThis is Dr. McIntyre. I was paged.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust one minute, Dr. McIntyre. I\u2019ll transfer you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, this is Ernie. You need to come to the hospital. It\u2019s Leah.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had been watching his kids, but now turned his back to them. \u201cLeah? Is she all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust get here as fast as you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m on my way.\u201d He trotted over to Kim and JT. \u201cCome on. We\u2019ve got to go to the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the lady we\u2019re here to meet?\u201d asked JT, rising and shoving a roll in his pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s at the hospital. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter Ninety-Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trapper didn\u2019t bother parking in the lot. Rather, he pulled up to the curb at the front of the hospital and rushed in with Kim next to him and JT catching up from parking his motorcycle. Ernie was waiting for him in the lobby.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we go upstairs?\u201d said Ernie gently.<\/p>\n

With his brows furrowed over a determined look, he took Ernie by her arms. \u201cErnie!\u201d he said through gritted teeth.<\/p>\n

Taking his face in her hands, she looked into his eyes, barely able to hold back her own tears. \u201cThere\u2019s been an accident, Trapper. We need to go upstairs.\u201d His stomach turned a somersault as she took his hand and led him to the elevator.<\/p>\n

She took him to his office where a number of people had gathered; Arnold, Gonzo, Gloria, Stanley. Kim and JT slid in through the door and stood in a corner. It was Boyd Stephens\u2019 face that made him step back and take in a shuddering breath. \u201cBoyd\u2026\u201d Closing his eyes, a tear squeezed out and ran down his cheek. He found it hard to breathe as if the air had been knocked out of him. It took a moment to finish his sentence. \u201cAre you here in an\u2026official capacity?\u201d<\/p>\n

Boyd took Trapper\u2019s arm and motioned for him to sit at the desk. As Trapper walked, he couldn\u2019t look up into the faces of his friends. Leaning on the desk, he turned the corner and slowly sat in his chair, all the while, staring out and wondering what could possibly have happened.<\/p>\n

Sitting on the edge of the desk, Boyd looked down at his clasped hands. He knew Trapper understood. Still, explaining the events of the morning was going to be one of the hardest things he\u2019d ever do. \u201cIt appears she was swimming off China Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper sat back in his chair with his hands limp in his lap. \u201cShe swam laps early when she stayed at the pool house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA woman who was walking her children on the beach this morning found her in the surf. There wasn\u2019t anyone else on the beach. Trapper, was she a strong swimmer?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up at Boyd with wet eyes, he answered, \u201cYes. She would swim at least two miles every time she went out. Are you telling me she drowned?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMost likely, but I don\u2019t know yet. Could it have been something else?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper glanced over at Gonzo who stepped forward. \u201cShe was a heart recipient. Eight months ago we had to repair an atrial aneurism. But she was doing fine. Her ECG looked good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrapper, maybe you should wait\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapper\u2019s nostrils flared as he stood. \u201cI\u2019m going to the morgue\u2026with or without you.\u201d As he walked toward the door, he noticed Kim and JT in the corner. \u201cKim\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Dad. I\u2019ll get a ride to Mom\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ernie touched his arm. \u201cI\u2019ll see that she gets there, Trapper.\u201d When he met her eyes, she couldn\u2019t stop the tears this time. He touched her forehead with his, squeezed her shoulders and left.<\/p>\n

He drove straight to the morgue with Boyd arriving right behind him. After Boyd signed them into the storage room, he opened the door of the locker and pulled out the table. \u201cI\u2019ll be right outside the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

Waiting until he heard the door close, he raised his hand to pull down the sheet. \u201cIt can\u2019t be,\u201d he whispered, hesitating. How could it? Their lives were just about to begin. It couldn\u2019t end before it even started. Pulling the sheet down, he moved his hand to cover his mouth, and then lowered his head and wept. He had moved his hand to touch her face, but drew back. Her skin would be cold, and he wanted to remember her warmth.<\/p>\n

When he came out of the storage room, Boyd was leaning against the wall, waiting. \u201cThe autopsy will be day after tomorrow. Do you know who I should call\u2026besides you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Without looking at him, Trapper answered, \u201cHer attorney, Albert Shaefer, is in town for the wedding. He\u2019s staying at the Fairmont.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boyd squeezed Trapper\u2019s shoulder as he turned to go. \u201cWhere will you be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHome\u2026office\u2026I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Trapper headed down the hall for the exit, Boyd called after him. \u201cIf you don\u2019t answer, I\u2019ll page you. If you don\u2019t call back, I\u2019m sending someone to find you.\u201d He was ignored.<\/p>\n

Trapper sat in his car as lost as he could possibly be. He couldn\u2019t bring himself to go back to the silence of his house. It had so recently been filled with her laughter. He didn\u2019t want to face anyone at the hospital even though he knew they\u2019d be worried. Finally, he put the key in the ignition and cranked the car, took a deep breath to stem the heat he felt rising in his face, and pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward the pool house. Their times at the pool house had been quiet, relaxed\u2026peaceful.<\/p>\n

When he opened the sliding door, he stopped and looked around the still darkness of the room, sniffing the air. Her scent still lingered. Pushing all the sliding glass doors open, he let the breeze she loved so much blow in. Though it was much stronger tonight, he didn\u2019t care. Walking through the small house, he remembered the last conversation they had in each room; the bathroom where they had relaxed in the big Jacuzzi tub and talked about their lives together, the kitchen where he\u2019d chided her about how unhealthy Chicken Alfredo was, the bed where they had lain in each other\u2019s arms, where he had made love to her. He clenched his teeth, choking back his tears. And finally, the deck where he\u2019d held her at the rail, felt her fingers interlace with his, felt her breathe\u2026felt her love\u2026while watching the fog roll in.<\/p>\n

If this was how she\u2019d felt losing John, JJ and Beth, he wondered how she survived the unspeakable heartache; how he\u2019d survive it.<\/p>\n

Standing at the rail, he looked out over the ocean with tears streaming down his face. This was her ocean; her catharsis. It was a clear night, and the stars far out beyond the glow of the city twinkled\u2026like her eyes when she smiled.<\/p>\n

As he closed the last sliding door, he looked back one more time wishing the events of the last day had all been a mistake. Wish as he might, he couldn\u2019t deny it. He had seen for himself. Met with only silence, he softly said, \u201cI\u2019ll never stop loving you, Leah,\u201d then closed the door on what might have been.<\/p>\n

The End<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0A Trapper John MD story – Modernizing the way Trapper does things turns out to be a real chore for the woman who’s installing the new computer system at the hospital. Trapper finds she has a turbulent past, emotionally and physically, and digs in to find what makes her tick. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0T (161,6570 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":217,"featured_media":375,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[955],"class_list":["post-7915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other","tag-trapper-john-md","wpcat-33-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/217"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7915"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7915\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}