Chapter 31
31
Justin leaned against the counter in the ED again. He’d finished up with his last patient. He’d only stuck around because of the rumors—Aubrey Fisher was looking for something. Something in pharmaceutical records. And people were starting to throw out names.
Justin didn’t want his name to be one of those. He hadn’t really done anything wrong.
Aubrey Fisher was becoming a serious problem. She’d already pressed for audits in the ED and OB/GYN. Orthopedics and Trauma were probably next. They were just smaller departments. It was probably only a matter of time. Justin was the only orthopedic surgeon on staff at BCGH. And she already had a beef with him because of his drunken stupidity that night at the Barratt. Hell, Justin barely remembered all of what he’d said or done that night. Something Mandy had enjoyed lording over him.
Any discrepancies in his department and he was going to be fucked.
Justin was careful, but he could have missed something.
Aubrey was deep in conversation with one of the newer nurses. Aubrey had practically been at the hospital every minute since Hiller’s brother’s wife had been brought in two days ago.
Justin hadn’t been able to do anything he needed to do because of that particular nurse right there. She’d been watching him like a hawk since there had been that stupid incident a week ago with some opioids. He hadn’t meant to make a mistake, he’d just been worried, and not paying close attention.
Eva. Justin had certainly noticed her before. Beautiful, in an understated kind of way, an almost boring way. Not like Aubrey Fisher, of course. But very few women were.
Eva was just too quiet and unexciting for him to be interested. He preferred Mandy’s hot earthy sexiness over Eva’s classic look. Eva shot him a look, blue eyes widening. As she looked at him. In response to Aubrey’s last question.
This wasn’t good.
Aubrey repeated her question. She didn’t even look at Justin, and her tone was almost clinical. Still, it was enough to have Justin worried. He didn’t like the idea of anyone asking questions in his department at all.
Eva hesitated. “Not personally, Dr. Fisher. But, well… with everything going on, maybe something got missed. Things slip through sometimes.”
Justin stepped forward, interrupting before Aubrey could dig any deeper. She jumped. Like she hadn’t even realized he was back there now.
“Dr. Fisher, Eva.” Justin kept his gaze on the small brunette. He had a hard time meeting Aubrey Fisher’s eyes lately. “I was actually looking for Eva. About a patient, actually. It’s a bit pressing.”
Eva’s eyes widened. Like she didn’t want to be alone with him. She was a smart woman, observant. Fast on the uptake. If she had seen something, or found one of those old records…
He shot her a glare. She paled.
Eva was definitely on the quiet side, though. Easily intimidated. And she didn’t like Mandy at all. He could use that, if he had to. Mandy was a very powerful tool around this place.
“Are you on a witch hunt about drugs for some reason?” Justin asked, just wanting to see the two women’s reactions. Before things escalated. “Was Dr. Hodges selling drugs, too? Is this place that unsecured? Doesn’t everyone have more important things to do than count pills? We’re stretched thin, as it is. Do you plan on hiring someone to replace Doug? Or are we going to be pulling extra hours indefinitely to save Carrington a few pennies?”
He wasn’t saying anything he hadn’t heard making the rounds before.
But Aubrey Fisher didn’t like him one bit, and while she was a very quiet, reserved woman—she wasn’t a pushover, and the expression in her eyes made that very clear. Justin needed to be very careful here. “I’m aware of the pressure everyone is under, Dr. Michaels. We all feel it now. You do your job, and I’ll do mine. Part of mine is watching prescription inventory. Any more questions?”
Eva looked between them. Justin gave the nurse a hard glare—just enough to send a message. She wet her lips nervously—she had a really pretty mouth.
“Thanks for your help, Eva,” Aubrey said, turning back to the nurse. “If I have more questions, I’ll be in touch.”
Eva nodded quickly, mumbling a response before she hurried off. She’d keep her mouth shut—he’d bet on that. If not… he was going to have a word with her as soon as he could. She was new here, it was time she learned how everything worked. She didn’t need to be watching him all the time.
And it wouldn’t hurt to have a word with her when he had a chance about what she may or may not have seen. Just to make sure she understood…
Justin was trying to fix things. That was all.
“Is there something else you needed, Dr. Michaels?” Aubrey was still looking at him. Like she was trying to see into his damned soul or something.
“Just wondering how much longer you’ll be conducting these little interviews,” he replied, keeping his tone neutral. “They’ve been taking up a lot of time, we’re a physician short, and we all have patients to attend to.”
“As long as it takes to ensure we’re following protocol. Do you have an issue with the Carrington Group requesting audits whenever they want? Something to hide in your department?”
He reached for her arm, before he could stop himself.
She jerked back. She was afraid of him. His own damned fault. Justin really didn’t want a woman afraid of him. Not truly. Games he played in the bedroom—yes. Mandy knew exactly how to play that particular game the way he liked. But he didn’t want women afraid of him. He wasn’t a jerk like that at all.
He hadn’t forgotten that night at the Barratt.
Second-best with other women was never good enough for Mandy.
He’d known that.
He’d just been stupid. He had followed Aubrey home after she’d rejected him—he shouldn’t have done that. Hell, maybe he should even apologize? Aubrey was his damned boss, after all. And Justin needed this damned position if he was going to move up as quickly as he wanted.
He wasn’t content to be a damned grunt forever.
“I just see so many ways the ED could run more efficiently. For the patients, of course. You seem to be a bit distracted lately. By your… personal… issues. Dr. Hiller’s doing, I presume? Should I offer congratulations?” Not exactly the apology he’d intended. But hell, Justin was so sick of internal politics.
Beautiful blue eyes narrowed. Her lips pursed. He’d pissed her off. No denying that.
But nothing really seemed to rattle the woman. Nothing at all.
Justin just turned and walked away. Before he said or did something stupid. This woman had the power to fire him, after all. And he’d be smart not to forget that.