Fatal Intent by Tammy Euliano

Author:Tammy Euliano [Euliano, Tammy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
Published: 2021-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

MY SECRETARY CALLED. “Dr. Downey?” Mary never called me that. “I’m terribly sorry to interrupt when you are caring for patients.” And she was never “terribly sorry.” Something was up.

“Mary?”

“There’s someone here to see you.”

“I’m between cases.”

“Oh, okay.” She sounded disappointed. “Can we meet you at your office?”

“Sure, of course. What’s going on?”

“We’ll see you there.”

What now?

When I reached the hallway, Mary stood by my office door with a tall man, dark suit, close-cropped brown hair, briefcase. Not a physician. He looked more like an attorney. Mary unlocked the door as I approached, and blocked the man so I could enter first. I looked at her questioningly. She mouthed, “I don’t know,” but looked scared. She moved to leave, but the man stopped her.

“Please, join us as a witness.” He held his briefcase over my small table and caught my eye. “May I?”

I cleared a space. No one sat.

With the solemnity of an undertaker, he pulled a large yellow envelope from his briefcase and held it toward me. “Dr. Kate Downey?”

I nodded and accepted the envelope.

“On behalf of the Florida Board of Medicine, I hereby serve you these documents of official complaint and inquiry. You have five working days to respond in writing.”

Mary gasped. “Five days?”

I waved her off.

“In the meantime, myself and another investigator will review records and interview your colleagues. You are instructed not to discuss the accusations with anyone.”

Heat rose from my chest into my neck. Thank God it was Mary witnessing this rather than my partners. But they’d all soon know, soon be asked about my competence. Rationally, I had nothing to fear, yet self-doubt welled. I thanked the man, by reflex. What the hell was I thanking him for? He indicated where I should sign, then Mary.

She closed the door almost before he’d fully left and opened her arms wide for a hug. I complied.

“What in the world?” she said. “I was so scared when he demanded to see you in person. What’s going on?”

“Well, I guess I’m not supposed to talk about it.” I broke the embrace. “But you’ll hear anyway. Dr. Ricken accused me of malpractice.”

Mary’s face came alive. She could be so animated. We’d been friends since I was a medical student, and Mary remained steadfast even as I withdrew after Greg’s accident. She refused to be forced away. I considered all the other relationships I’d abandoned, the unanswered calls, ignored emails and texts. Did I deserve the support of my colleagues now?

Mary trembled. “That man is evil. The residents and CRNAs talk about him all the time.”

“It’s going to be okay. I took good care of these patients. It’ll be painful, but I’ll be cleared.”

“I’m so sorry. This is the last thing you need.”

My phone rang. Mary took it from my hand, glanced at the screen, and answered, “Dr. Downey’s phone.” She looked at me. “I’m sorry, Nancy, she’s not available right now, may I take a message?” If possible, Mary’s face fell even further. “I’ll tell her.” She clicked off and handed the phone back, tears in her eyes.

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