Fighting exhaustion, Sky yawned as she arched her lower back and massaged her aching muscles. The moment she walked through the front door of her condo, she planned to fall into a deep sleep–one more patient and it’s on.
Damn. She saw him . . . Dr. Shane Shaw, the hospital’s Chief-of-Staff, although he hadn’t yet spotted her. His stride was purposeful. Sky cringed on the inside. He was never on patient floors willy-nilly. Hopefully, he was looking for someone else because if he was searching for her, she knew it was about her report. Pleeeeeeease ask me to consult on a patient and don’t ask me about Charlie Kneeland. She begged the goddesses.
It was too late to turn down a different hallway or get the hell out of dodge. Sky’s brain was buzzing, but no escape ideas came to mind. This would be an excellent time to have a superpower. If she had one, Sky would make herself disappear.
Seconds later, Dr. Shaw glanced up in her direction.
Please let him be looking at someone over my shoulder and not at me. Sky did her best to avoid eye contact. She was acting like a two-year-old, hoping that if she didn’t look at him, he wouldn’t be able to see her.
“Dr. Kirby?” His booming voice rang out. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Great. The goddesses weren’t answering prayers today. He didn’t look happy either. As a matter of fact, he looked downright angry. Sky took a deep breath and dragged herself over toward him. Inwardly, she groaned. Damn, damn, damn! However, on the outside, Sky appeared steely calm. She was sure her demeanor didn’t reveal what was really going through her mind. “Dr. Shaw.”
“I need a moment of your time.”
Sky displayed the practiced art of feigned interest. Just a little scrunch of the forehead added the perfect touch. “Of course.” They stood in the middle of the hall, next to the nurse’s station. Sky placed her hands in her pockets and rocked slightly back and forth on the heel and balls of her feet.
“Our PR department has been working overtime attempting to keep the Langston-Kneeland situation quiet. I haven’t signed off on your report because I’m not sure you were thinking clearly.”
At the mention of the Langston’s and Kneeland’s, Sky felt her eyes start to roll into the back of her head but caught herself. Her tone was calm–even. “My mind was very clear, and I stand by my assessment. Although I didn’t put it in the report, I also feel like we had an obligation to call Child Protective Services the night of the accident, yet did not. As far as the press, they are going to do what they do regardless.” She managed to keep the frustration out of her voice.
“It’s not our job to give them ammunition.”
She nodded. “No, it’s not. I certainly would never purposefully do that. However, I hope you are not asking me to make an unethical decision.”
“No, but I am challenging your assessment. I spoke with Dr. Bridges, and he seems to have a difference of opinion on the condition of Charlie Kneeland’s body when she came into the E.R.”
“Of course he would. He was responsible for making that call, considering his position affords him that luxury of not being forced to adhere to protocol.”
“He made a judgment that I agree with completely.”
“I saw her bruises,” Sky spoke through clenched teeth. “They were not fresh. That girl had been beaten.”
Dr. Shaw responded in hushed angry tones. “Trying to determine what caused or how old a bruise is based on how it looks is imprecise science at best and you know it.”
“They were yellowing. It can take up to eighteen to twenty-four hours after an injury for that color to appear. According to her parents, Charlie Kneeland was brought into the emergency room within an hour of the accident without bruises. We should have at least asked questions about them!”
“You know as well as I do that too many variables can affect the creation and resolution of a bruise. The type of tissue injured, mechanism of injury, length, duration of force, depth of injury, skin color, the health status of the patient, medications, and age. We don’t have enough definitive information to go throwing around charges like that. Remove it from the report. I won’t leave this hospital open for a lawsuit.”
And there it was. The priority was to protect the hospital even at the expense of someone’s health. As Dr. Shaw spoke, Sky’s mind flashed to the sweet face of the young girl. She wasn’t exactly sure why, but Charlie had managed to garner a healthy dose of empathy from Sky for her. “Again, you are asking me to change the report, and I cannot do that. What I wrote is my complete and final assessment.”
Dr. Shaw was pissed. “So, you are telling me no? That could be considered insubordination.”
“Call it what you want, but . . .” Sky straightened her spine. “I am not changing one word.”
They glared at each other for what seemed like forever before he spoke again. “I have another meeting. We will revisit this later.” Dr. Shaw was furious as he stalked away.
Sky was relieved and happy he was gone. Dr. Shaw knew full well that something other than falling off a horse caused those bruises. He saw the pictures. However, the top brass seemed to be banding together to cover it up. It was disgusting.
Speaking of her famous patient, Sky was on her way to see her. After her run-in with Dr. Shaw, Sky could only hope she wouldn’t be bumping heads with Noah anytime soon. At least she knew it wouldn’t be today since he wasn’t at the hospital.
Sky walked with purpose down the hallway that boasted nothing but white floors and walls, and super bright fluorescent lights lining the ceilings. It mirrored how she felt–cold, colorless, and lifeless.
As she approached Charlie’s room, she heard them before she saw them. Bella and Remington—arguing. They stood outside Charlie’s door going at it.
“So, you’re leaving?” Remington couldn’t believe it.
They were so involved in their discussion that they hadn’t even noticed Sky’s presence. Too bad I can’t sneak past these crazies. Her patience was gone. She didn’t have any energy left to deal with their issues, and they had plenty of them. She whisper-yelled. “Lower your voices! This is a hospital, not an MMA event. If you can’t do that, take your discussion outside and away from my patient.”
Bella and Remington turned angry eyes meant for each other at her. Sky didn’t care. She could take it. She had had more than enough experience dealing with divorced parents from hell. She only needed to pull from her own personal experiences. Although Bella and Remington had been in the same hospital for less than twenty-four hours, they argued twenty-three of them and stretched Sky past her limits. Sky couldn’t imagine how Charlie dealt with it. She had to have felt like being trapped inside a hurricane. It wasn’t good for her as she fought to recover.
Sky turned her I mean business glare first to Bella and then Remington. Once she was confident they got the message, Sky moved to enter Charlie’s room. However, Bella stopped her by placing a hand over her arm.
“Dr. Kirby, I need to have a word with you. Since Dr. Bridges is not on call today, you’ll have to do.”
No. She. Didn’t. Sky’s eyes narrowed. “I can always give you Dr. Bridge’s personal cell phone number?” Noah never answered that phone when he was off, and Sky knew it. “Especially since he’s better at managing high-maintenance people than I am.”
Bella Langston drew back as if she’d been slapped. She wasn’t used to people talking to her in any way other than adoration. Bella couldn’t fire Sky or send her away because she was considered one of the best. Instead, Bella ignored her snide remark. When this situation was all over, Bella vowed that Dr. Kirby would be handled. In the meantime, she took a deep breath and flipped her flowing golden hair over her shoulders. “I just wanted to know if you received the paperwork giving REMI complete control over Charlie’s medical treatment while I’m out of the country.”
Sky nodded. Her response was clipped. “I received it, and the hospital staff is aware of the changes.” It was good at least one of Charlie’s parents could be bothered with the
ordeal of parenting. Sky couldn’t believe the Bella Lord-Langston was about to abandon her only child less than twenty-four hours after surgery. If nothing else, she would have thought it would be a public relations nightmare. It infuriated her.
Sky refused to give the self-absorbed woman another second of her time, so she pushed forward. “Excuse me. I need to check on your daughter.” Sky was surprised she was able to be professional although her words were laced with anger. She turned the knob and entered the room closing the door behind her.
No one had ever stood up to either Bella or Remington the way Sky had. Instead, of being pissed, Remington was actually impressed.
Chapter 9
World-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Thomas Henson exited a black limousine as Dr. Shaw and Noah looked on. Noah was supposed to have the day off but received the call about the visit and came rushing to the hospital specifically for his consult.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Noah had stars in his eyes as they shook hands.
Dr. Shane Shaw echoed Noah’s sentiments. “It is a great honor to have you in our hospital. Please follow me to my office where we can discuss in more detail the Kneeland case.”
They were twenty minutes into the briefing when Dr. Henson asked a question. “Where is the surgeon who performed the spinal cord procedure?”
Shane and Noah looked at each other. “We thought it best that we brief you on the details.”
Thomas Henson crossed his legs and looked at them suspiciously. “Interesting. Thank you for the special attention. However, I want to talk to Dr. Kirby. Unless she is in surgery or out of the country, I expect to see her.” He stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the facilities. Do you think you can have her here by the time I return?”
Dr. Henson’s question wasn’t really a question at all. It was a stern request.
Dr. Shaw nodded. “Of course.
*****
Sky walked into Dr. Shaw’s office, and the first face she saw was Remington Kneeland. He was surrounded by her all male and white counterparts.
It was clear they had been there for a while. It burned her up inside. How many times did she have to walk into a room and be the only woman and the only black person, male or female? It was so frustrating. However, she kept it together.
“Dr. Kirby. Glad you could make it.” Shane feigned enthusiasm to see her.
She did not return his fake warm welcome. “Turning down a summons by the Chief-of-Staff might be called insubordination. We can’t have that on my record can we, gentleman?”
Remington liked her spunk. She had fire in her eyes.
Thomas attempted to hold back a grin. “I’ve had an opportunity to examine Charlie and review her medical records. I have to say, you performed a procedure less than ten people in the country have attempted successfully, including myself. From what I can tell, it was damn good work. Congratulations, Doctor.” He extended his hand to her.
“Thank you, Dr. Henson. It means a lot coming from you. I’m a great admirer of your work.” Sky finally brandished a tiny smile and shook his hand. Respect. It was all she ever demanded from her peers. He seemed to want to give it without Sky having to demand it.
“I was just informing Remington that I couldn’t have done a better job. I’m not even sure I could have done the job you did. I knew there was something special about you when we met at that conference in New York.”
“You remember that?”
“Of course. It’s not every day you meet a brilliant surgeon.”
“Again, thank you, Sir.” Sky glanced over at the man to whom Dr. Henson had recently referenced. His expression was guarded. He didn’t give anything away. He seemed to be taking it all in.
“Well, let’s not go that far.” Dr. Shaw spoke. “We don’t know yet if the procedure will be successful, so we might want to keep the champagne on ice.” He seemed to have forgotten then remembered that Remington was in the room. “However, we are very hopeful, Mr. Kneeland.”
Sky hadn’t realized how much she detested Dr. Shaw until now. She turned accusatory eyes at him. “Maybe someone should tell that to the person who leaked how groundbreaking the first successful bypass spinal cord surgery performed at St. Lucia’s hospital was.”
His face tightened.
Sky relished in his reaction and decided to add more fuel to the fire. “I’m pretty sure that’s how they worded it when I saw it in the papers today. Funny how there was no mention of the surgeon who performed it.”
Remington’s eyes narrowed. Up to this point, he hadn’t shown any emotion. He glanced between Dr. Henson and Sky but leveled most of his suspicions at Dr. Shaw. “I really hope for the sake of St. Lucia’s that someone from this institution isn't leaking private medical information.”
Dr. Shaw moved quickly to reassure him. While Dr. Henson may have been more well-known, Remington Kneeland was much more powerful. “Of course not. Sky is just being . . . Well, Sky. She gets emotional sometimes. Your privacy is our utmost concern.”
“I would hope that my daughter’s health is your utmost concern.” The edge in his voice could cut through rock.
“Well, yes. Of course. That goes without saying.”
Dr. Henson tried to de-escalate the growing tension in the room. “Dr. Kirby?”
She snatched her eyes away from the Chief-of-Staff and back to him. “Yes?”
“Dr. Franklin Johnston is your father? Is that correct?”
“Yes, he is. How did you know?”
“He and I attended medical school together and have kept in touch over the years. Even though you don’t use his last name professionally, he has always been very proud of you.”
“You are too kind.” Professionally, Sky felt the same about her father. Too bad personally, he was a walking disaster.
Dr. Henson clapped his hands together. “I think we’ve talked enough about the case. I would love to take a tour of the hospital before my flight this afternoon.”
Dr. Shaw nodded in agreement. “I think that’s a great idea. Since Dr. Bridges will be taking over the entire Kneeland case, it would be a good time to get to know him.” He turned to Sky. “If you still have patients to see, please feel free to do that now.”
He sucker punched her. Her blood pressure shot through the roof. Did he really think he was going to dismiss her after all the work she’d done and give her patient to Noah? “Wait a minute? What do you mean I’m off the case?”
“We can discuss this later, Sky.” He said in a dismissive tone.
“That’s Dr. Kirby! I am a doctor just like the other men in this room. Show me the same goddamn respect! Noah is a great doctor, but he doesn’t know a nerve root from a dura. Charlie needs the best care, and I shouldn’t be shut out because I don’t have a penis swinging between my thighs.”
Dr. Shaw’s face turned three shades of red. He was not just angry but embarrassed. He lost it. “Have you lost your mind you arrogant, egotistical–bi. . .!?!” He didn’t finish what he was going to say. “Don’t think for one second that just because you are a gifted surgeon that I won’t fire your ass!”
“You won’t have to fire me. I quit!” Sky stormed out of the office angrier than she had ever been in her life.
After she left, Dr. Shaw apologized. “I’m sorry, gentleman, that you had to witness some of the ugliness of hospital business. Sky Kirby has always been a difficult woman to deal with.”
Remington had had enough. He had spent too much time away from his daughter dealing with this shit show. He turned steely eyes toward Dr. Shaw. “Difficult or not, Dr. Henson thinks she’s the best person to treat my daughter. Therefore, so do I.”
“But, Mr. Kneeland–” Dr. Shaw began to protest.
“No, buts. Get her back. Fix it.” He never raised his voice, but his tone left no room for argument. “Otherwise, wherever Dr. Kirby takes her talents, my money and I will follow.” He turned to Dr. Thomas Henson. “Thank you for coming and for your expert opinion.” He shook his han
d. “If you will excuse me, I think I’m done here.” Remington started to walk out of the office. “One more thing, I don’t need a physician who doesn’t know the difference between whatever the hell it was Dr. Kirby said. I have no need of your services.”
Noah was furious. He hadn’t said or done anything, yet Sky managed to make him look like a sniveling fool in front of some very powerful men.
As he watched Remington’s retreating back, Noah vowed that he would make Sky pay for the damage and embarrassment she had caused him.
*****
Sky had boxes on her desk and was packing her things when Remington entered her office. She was also on her phone. “Uh-huh. A misunderstanding. That’s what Dr. Shaw is calling it?” She spoke on the phone with Human Resources. “Thank you.” Sky disconnected.
“Did he fix it?”
Sky hadn’t heard Remington enter her office. She glanced up. The man moved so silently it freaked her out. “Excuse me?” The sound of his voice got to her every time. The man exuded sex appeal.
“I asked if Dr. Shaw gave you your job back.”
“Considering I quit, it’s interesting you should ask. That was Human Resources on the phone. The woman said that it was all a misunderstanding. I am guessing you had something to do with his sudden change of heart?”
Remington took a seat without being asked. “You might not want to remain at this hospital, but if Doc Henson says you’re the best, then Charlie needs you. I hope whatever you do, you keep that in mind.”
Sky’s decision to leave, or stay, wasn’t about the good old boys club. It was about saving lives. She wouldn’t allow her justifiable anger to keep her from doing just that. She sighed. “Of course. If you want me to remain Charlie’s physician, I will. Sometimes the purpose of things can get a little crazy when egos are involved, and I apologize.”
“I apologize too. We got off to a rocky start and haven’t really had a chance to talk. When we have, it hasn’t been very pleasant.” He was tired and dark circles had formed around his eyes. “The bottom line is I can tell you’re not only good at what you do but passionate about your work. Charlie’s going to need every bit of luck and people like you in her corner.”
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