Wright filled in the missing puzzle piece for Nick. He didn’t understand how he could take a job in Singapore and wave good-bye to Maggie and his life in the US.
“I’m afraid the loss of Dr. Amy has caught us at an unfortunate time, and that puts you in the driver’s seat. I will give you whatever you ask.” He put his hand on Nick’s shoulder and squeezed. “Within reason, of course. I do have a fiduciary responsibility as well.”
* * *
When Nick and Maggie reached the top of the stairs of the guest house in the trees, he turned toward his room. All he wanted was to plod to his bed and crash, but Maggie grabbed his arm and spun him around.
“Nicklaus…I’m so sorry.” Tears filled her eyes.
He searched them. She had been so distant since the rescue at the research center, through the travels to and from Singapore, and in the hospital waiting room. But now that she wanted to connect, he was too tired.
“Maggie…” He sighed, showing no desire to talk. His heart was clouded with anger and weariness. Then he tried to soften his tone and held her shoulders. “Maggie, whatever it is that we need to talk about should wait until we both have half a functioning brain.”
“Nicklaus, I’m sorry this has been so awful. I can see it in your eyes.”
She had no idea.
Maggie stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m not going anywhere without you ever again.”
* * *
Wright watched her kiss Nick, then threw his glass against the TV monitor, shattering the glass and cracking the LED screen. He was as mad at himself as he was at Maggie. He’d miscalculated Maggie’s resistance to the oxytocin and her feelings for the doctor. Her room in India had not been filled with the feel-good compound, but he’d thought she was already smitten. The effects had worn off and her affection had faded. That would change.
Jealousy was a new sensation that weighed heavy on his chest. The closest he’d ever felt to this was losing control in a business deal. He’d never experienced jealousy over a person before, and he analyzed it with contempt. No wonder he didn’t have time for intimacy—it was too big a burden.
He looked at the bottle of medication on his nightstand. For months, he had considered starting on Welltrex. He believed in the research and his own motto, Better Living Through Science. Maybe the psychiatrist was wrong; people with narcissistic personality disorders weren’t supposed to suffer from depression, but the blues he’d felt the last couple of years had to be just that—depression. If it was, he didn’t want to feel this way any longer and he knew Welltrex was the answer. He opened the pill bottle and dumped the heart-shaped pills into his palm. So tiny, but so powerful. Dr. Amy was wrong. This drug would change the world, because the world had lost hope and Welltrex was the answer.
He put a tablet into his mouth and savored the taste. It was bitter, but he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, letting the medicine make its way to the back of his throat.
Images of Maggie reaching up to kiss the doctor tried to override his joy. He was not going to let that happen. He would see not only that her room was filled with oxytocin, but he would also start Maggie on Welltrex…she just wouldn’t know it.
CHAPTER 36
DECISION TIME
“Grasshopper! How goes the high life?” Chang asked. Nick knew it was early in the morning in Montana. The man sounded like he’d just awakened but was still glad to hear from Nick.
“Master Chang, you drowning anyone today?”
Chang snorted.
How Nick missed that laugh.
“No, but the day is young, my dear Nicklaus. How are you? You have been on my heart and mind all week.”
Nick didn’t know exactly where to start. The foundation award dinner, the pharmaceutical company, the Iban, the Huntsman, or Maggie?
“She kissed me…” The words just fell out, and then he regretted them—they sounded foolish.
“Oh, so you’re one of those kiss-and-tell kind of guys.”
Chang’s reply didn’t help. Nick sighed and began again. “God, Chang…I’m pretty exhausted. A lot has happened since we got to Asia. I guess I didn’t realize how much she’s been on my heart. But, yes, Maggie kissed me and told me that we had a future together. Now…I don’t know. She has played hard to get and is quite distracted by her rich benefactor.”
“Oh, the game is afoot, huh? There’s another suitor?”
Heat instantly filled Nick’s belly. “Well…I…” He didn’t finish the sentence. He knew it was true, but hearing someone say it out loud made him angry. “The guy is ridiculously rich and good looking. There is no way I can compete.”
“I didn’t know love was a competition. It either is or it’s not.”
“Come on, Chang, you know how these things work,” Nick snarled. Why was this man bringing out the worst in him?
“Okay, okay,” Chang relented. “I see you’re still pushing on that anger boulder. I know Maggie loves you. I heard it in her voice. Sometimes, you just have to relax and let these things run their course. Let her find her own heart.”
“But she has been so on-again, off-again it makes me crazy. I don’t understand women.”
“I’m afraid I can’t help you there. I’ve been married twenty-five years, and I learn something new every day.” Chang laughed. “How are your eyes?”
“The fog seems to be clearing…they’re doing pretty well,” Nick said. There was an awkward silence until Nick understood what Chang was after. “The fog over the eyes of my heart is lifting as well.” Then he remembered what he wanted to tell Chang, and his spirit leaped. “Chang…the most amazing thing happened. I saw a true miracle. I prayed for an Iban witch doctor, and God healed his shoulder. It shocked us both.” Nick laughed.
“I bet.” Chang laughed with him. “That’s wonderful, Nicklaus. May you continue to see the truth about yourself and the people around you. Are you now giving up medicine and moving to the jungle?”
“Well, that’s why I called, Chang. I’ve been offered a job. Maggie’s benefactor owns a pharmaceutical company and has offered me a position.”
“Maggie’s suitor? That’s interesting.”
“Oh stop, Chang. It’s not like that.” Nick said but wasn’t sure what was the truth. “His company has developed some pretty amazing medications. Most of their work has been on the brain, but they have a new drug that has the potential to revolutionize healing, especially in orthopedics. It’s based on IGF-1…the growth factor.”
“Interesting. I’ve read some of the research on IGF-1.”
“Yes, and this company apparently has found a way to stimulate the body’s natural production and turn off the down-regulation. It’s like a rheostat that can finely tune the person’s IGF-1 levels.”
“What is the Holy Spirit telling you to do?”
Nick chuckled to himself. Before calling Chang, he knew the man would ask him that very question. He didn’t have a good answer. “That’s why I’m calling you.”
They both laughed.
“Are you ready to give up the surgical knighthood? In the death of the ego, its cries aren’t easily silenced.”
“You know, I’ve enjoyed not feeling the pressures of surgery. It’s a long story, but I had to fall back on my surgery skills recently, and it was awful. Plus, I can’t imagine staying up every third or fourth night and washing out gunshot wounds and nailing tibias.”
“I’m not saying that you shouldn’t. I just want you to prepare yourself for the lament of your ego. Maybe God is moving you into a new season of medicine. I don’t know—time will tell. But you can probably help more people with this new medication—if it truly has the potential that you say—than with the surgeries you will do until you retire.”
“True.”
“I guess I’m sensing a warning,” Chang said. “You know big pharma wants disciples instead of free thinkers. They need people who think the same way they do. It’s how they make their zillions of dollars. But maybe you can b
e the difference.”
“Well, thanks, Chang. I knew you would have some good advice.” Nick’s ear was getting hot from the phone. He still wasn’t sure he knew the answer and had hoped Chang would just tell him what to do. Chang must have sensed the same.
“Nicklaus, my friend. You know who you are and Whose you are. Now abide in Him, Who gives life.”
“Thanks, Chang. I’ll let you go and torture more fellow journeyers.”
“Good to talk with you, Nicklaus. I’m praying.”
Nick hung up the phone and decided to make one more call—to his dad. His father had retired from medicine and was consulting for a medical company. He would have some good advice.
The phone rang and his dad answered, “Hello.”
“Hey, Dad, it’s Nick.”
“Nick. It’s so good to hear from you. Your mother and I were worrying about you. How are things on that side of the globe? The world still round?”
“As far as I know.” Nick laughed. It was good to hear the ol’ man’s voice, and he explained his situation and the job offer.
“Yes, it’s true. You can do a lot more with money, but there is more to live for than that.”
Nick was confused. Wasn’t this the man who had been pushing him so hard to find work?
“How much are they offering you?”
“We haven’t gotten there yet. Recently, some events have happened, and they need my immediate help. I have no idea what to ask for.”
“Well, remember you’re a physician…a surgeon. Don’t sell yourself short. What’s the average pay of an orthopod these days, mid to high six figures?”
“Yes, for the most part.”
“Most of these companies want to pay their professional people—researchers, engineers, and the like—under a hundred thousand. You know, the whole bottom-line responsibility to their investors. Gotta maximize profits. Don’t sell yourself short.”
Nick nodded. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Here’s the other thing. If you decide to go to the dark side of the industry—remember, it’s called the dark side for a reason. You are entering a whole different world. Most of the business guys I know will smile and pat you on the back as they thrust in the knife. They’ll act like you’re their best friend and then gleefully betray you and not think twice about it. Get everything in writing. Contracts instill trust, not the other way around.”
“Thanks, Dad. Sure love you. Give my love to Mom. I’ll call you all soon and let you know what I decide.”
Nick hung up his phone and tossed it behind him on the bed. Maybe he should throw out a number to Wright that was so ridiculously high he couldn’t possibly accept, in which case, Nick would grab Maggie, head back to the States, and put all this nonsense behind him. Right about now, a job at Starbucks sounded pretty good.
He’d slept most of the day away and wondered if Maggie was still sleeping. He was excited to ask Maggie what she thought about the job offer. If he could perform his duties from anywhere in the world, why not Guatemala? His stomach growled and rumbled. Maybe he should get out of bed.
* * *
Nick peeked into Maggie’s room and was surprised to see it empty—with her bed neatly made. He heard laughter coming from outside and went to the railing to see Maggie and Wright in their swimsuits lounging by the pool and a wave of jealousy and doubt swept over him. A thought stabbed in his heart. Does she still desire me?
He tried to push himself back into the shadows, but it was too late.
“Dr. Nick. Good morning, sleepyhead. I guess I should say good evening,” Wright said, and he and Maggie laughed. “Please come join us.”
Nick waved and looked out toward the bay. It appeared that there was only an hour or so of daylight left. He plodded down the steps to the pool, feeling like the walking dead. The chaos had turned his circadian rhythm upside down, and he wasn’t sure when he’d last eaten. His whole body ached.
Maggie was still laughing from something Wright had told her as Nick met them poolside.
“How are you feeling, mate?”
Nick stuck out his tongue like an ailing man. “As if I’ve been drugged…I guess I slept the day away.”
“Well, you must be famished. Please, the staff has laid out quite a feast for us. Help yourself.” He indicated a table in the shade.
“You guys going to eat?” Nick asked.
“I had a huge breakfast in bed a few hours ago,” Maggie patted her belly. “I’m still full.”
As Nick served himself, he thought they both seemed rather chipper and wished he wasn’t acting like a zombie, but that’s how he felt.
He poured a large glass of lemonade, drank it down and poured another before joining the pair. Maybe he was just dehydrated.
He chose the chaise lounge next to Maggie and smiled at her. She looked trim and sexy in her two-piece black bikini, like a fashion queen in a large sun hat and round sunglasses.
She smiled back. “I’m glad you joined us.”
“I don’t know where you guys got the energy. I feel like a truck ran me over.”
“I was feeling bad as well, but I had an amazing breakfast, and now I’ve got all the energy in the world,” she said, flexing her biceps and laughing.
Nick glanced at Wright, who seemed fit and rested as well.
“The best news first,” Wright said. “I just got off the phone with Dr. Fang, and Robert is doing smashingly. They think they will be able to remove his breathing tube in the morning. You made quite the rescue, Dr. Hart. Robert owes you his life. The Iban don’t forget.”
Nick smiled around a piece of pineapple in his mouth. Better lucky than good.
“Now, it’s your turn, Nick. Please, tell me you’ve made an affirmative decision.”
Nick played dumb. “About eating? Yes, I’m all for it.”
Wright looked away in disappointment.
Maybe he isn’t used to being teased, Nick thought and changed tactics. “Yes, of course. I’ve given it much thought. You still sure you want me to work for you?”
“No, Dr. Nick. I don’t want you to work for me. I want you to work with me. Tell me what it’s going to cost me.”
Nick inhaled deeply. Okay, here goes. “I know the industry standards. I’ve looked them up. There are not many surgeons who give up their careers to work with industry, so there is not much of a precedent. You may know what most orthopedic surgeons earn.” He emphasized surgeon. “I’m afraid I won’t change streams without significant incentive.” He paused, looked at Maggie and then at Wright. “Three-hundred thousand.”
Nick was surprised at Wright’s poker face. He didn’t flinch.
“Done,” he said, thrusting his hand past Maggie to shake Nick’s.
An awful feeling swept over Nick. Did I just say three? I meant six. But he shook Wright’s hand. “And flying lessons,” he quickly added. “You mentioned to Dr. Amy that you would help her get her pilot’s license. That’s what I’d like.”
Nick glanced at Maggie. He couldn’t read her reaction to his decision.
He turned back to Wright who smiled. “Yes, of course. And you need to be thinking about your retirement. We will have to come up with a number that is satisfactory for that.”
Wright stood up and shouted toward the house. “Christian, bring us some champagne. We have much to celebrate.” Smiling, he turned back to Nick and Maggie.
Nick still had hold of Wright’s hand. “And, I would like it all in writing,” he said.
Wright squeezed his hand. “Of course, mate…don’t you trust me?”
CHAPTER 37
IGF-1
Even though Nick was involved in medicine and had seen people recover from severe physical trauma, it was hard not to marvel at the resilience of the human body and spirit. Gathered in Robert’s hospital room, the doctors, nurses, Wright and Maggie could not avoid the obvious—the old man had made a brilliant recovery. It was a miracle. They shook their heads in wonder to see Robert sitting up in his hospital bed and smiling.
The sutured wound still looked as angry as the madman who’d inflicted it, but the surgeons had done a masterful job in reconstructing Robert’s face.
Bruising was already spreading, settling below his eyes and down his neck; it would look worse before it got better. Robert’s lips had swelled to three times their normal size, and with his jaw wired shut, he could only communicate with his eyes and hands. He touched his nose and winced, objecting to the nasal tube in place to keep a clear airway. The endotracheal tube down his throat had been removed.
“The tube is an irritating necessity, Robert,” Dr. Fang said, guiding his hand away from his face. “As soon as some of the swelling decreases, we will remove it.”
Robert lifted his hand again, drew a circle in the air around his face and made a sound through his teeth. When no one reacted, he repeated the gesture and stared at his audience through hemorrhagic eyes, trying to make them understand. When no one guessed, he did it again with frustration. Then he held his hands palm side up. He didn’t know how else to say it.
A nurse pushed through the doctors and handed Robert a pad of paper and a pen. He scribbled a word and handed the pad to Nick.
“Uh…” Nick shrugged. “I’m sorry, Robert. Your handwriting is worse than a doctor’s.”
Anxiety creased Robert’s brow, and he pointed to Maggie. Nick handed her the note.
She studied it and finally asked, “Beautiful?”
Robert nodded and circled his face again.
Everyone laughed, and Wright said, “Oh, yes, mate. It is a vast improvement.”
Robert gave two thumbs up and reached for the pad again. He scribbled more words and handed it back to Maggie.
Maggie frowned. She looked at Robert and back to the note. “Iban head…hunter?”
Robert nodded, pointed to Nick, and made a slashing movement across his neck with the back of his thumb as Nick had seen him do before.
“Yes, the man is dead.” Nick thought Robert was asking about his attacker.
Robert shook his head. He pointed to Nick, then to where Nick had sliced Robert’s neck, then reached for the notepad.
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