Chapter 18
Patrick
Stepping inside Boston Memorial Hospital turns my senses and awareness on hyperdrive. Every time a door opens or closes, my attention is fixated on the sound, expecting Cain to walk through it.
I know it’s all in my head, but I could swear my scar has been tingling since entering the hospital, as though it knows the one who made it is near.
“Mr. Miller, we’re so glad to have you and your team here,” hospital administrator Dan Rutledge says, shaking my hand.
“Transitions are never easy, and when you mention change to a group of people who believe themselves to be gods, and therefore above the directives of administration, well, it gets tricky.”
His statement immediately sets me on edge.
While Cain absolutely has a god-complex, he’s earned it. As have several other physicians in this group. And while I respect Dan’s business degree, he could never in a million years do what Cain does in the operating room.
No one can.
And it’s that knowledge that makes me speak up now.
“Perhaps the trick is getting the administration to fully understand that this is, first and foremost, a hospital, not an investment firm, and the needs of the physicians require certain support from administration in order to provide the best care possible.”
Dan falls silent, his eyes narrowing slightly.
I understand my job and what I’ve been brought in to do, but whether I like it or not, I will always, always be on Cain’s side…if for no other reason than he saved my life in this very hospital.
Dan manages to get his strained smile back in place. “Yes, well, ultimately, our goal is a smooth transition with terms that satisfy everyone involved.”
Bullshit.
“But the terms have already been created, yes? My company wasn’t called in for contract negotiations,” I say bluntly.
“We were called in after the merger contract was signed, and you’re trying to soften the blow by giving the appearance of caring about the concerns of those affected, when in reality, that ship has sailed.
” Dan doesn’t hide the shock on his features this time, and it encourages me to continue.
“I’ve been doing this job a long time, Mr. Rutledge, and it’s only going to work if you understand that I understand exactly what’s going on here. ”
Dan chews on the inside of his cheek until he realizes that there is no course of action to take other than accepting that I’m right.
He nods once.
“Understood.” He picks up several sheets of paper and hands them to me. “These are the physician breakdowns for you and your team, along with a meeting schedule.”
Glancing quickly down my roster, I notice one name in particular is absent.
Someone did me that small favor at least. In fact, I’m not even sure Cain knows I’m here. He’s set to work with Fierro, my right-hand man. My only role with that group is backup in case anyone gets rowdy with my team or if my team needs assistance calming the ire of their physicians.
When I think about it like that, there’s a high likelihood that I’ll be face-to-face with Cain at some point.
Oddly, the thought gives me comfort. While I don’t want to have to manage him, I’m not sure I want anyone else doing it, either.
I exit the administrator’s office and find the rest of my team in the hospital lobby. Tonight, we’ll compare notes and come up with what we call our ‘silver-lining strategy’ over dinner, but all I really want to do is grab a shower and fall into bed in my hotel suite.