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"Any idea why?" I ask

She doesn’t look up as she shakes her head "No, sir, you knohat I know"

"Thanks I’ll see you tomorrow" She offers me a wave, her eyes still on the task at hand as I walk down the corridor

I stop by ht of stairs to the medical director’s office

"Hello, Mick," I say as I step into his space and close the door behind me

"Jace," he says with a friendly nod "Have a seat"

"What’s up?"

He frowns and glances down at the open folder before him Mick Lealy white, probably froeries

He’s also so to beat around the bush, Jace We have a clusterfuck on our hands"

"How so?"

"Do you remember a patient by the nao?"

"He died on ri you and the hospital for wrongful death"

My hands tighten in my lap, and my stomach clenches I’ve never been sued for malpractice I’ve never even been threatened

This could tankup his hands in surrender "I know that you went by the book and that the investigation will find that you didn’t do anything wrong I’lad, because I’m sure as fuck worried"

"Seattle General has an excellent tea this case"

"Why aren’t they here with us?"

His lips tip up into a sht it would be more comfortable if we started this with a friendly conversation"

"Should I hire my own attorney?"

"I don’t think so"

"Let me rephrase, if it was your medical license on the line, would you hire your own damn attorney?"

"No," he says without pause "The hospital stands with you, as do I The attorneys are representing you I don’t think you need more counsel, but that’s always an option if hell freezes over and it comes to that"

I exhale and nod "Okay"

"I’d like for you to meet with the attorneys on Tuesday at noon"

I frown "Mick, I’ery on Tuesday"

"No" He closes the folder and rubs his hand down his face "You’re not Unfortunately, as of right now, you’re on paid leave while the investigation is underway, until we can get this cleared up"

"For how long?"

He shrugs "A month? Six? Hell, I don’t know, Jace"

"Months?" I stand and pace the office that overlooks Puget Sound "Jesus Christ, Mick"

"We need you here, Jace, so trustwe can to wrap this up quickly In the meantieries"

"I hate Sean Tiller"

"He’s an excellent surgeon"

"And a pain in the ass"

"I won’t argue there," Mick says with a laugh "So, we’d best get this investigation wrapped up so you can get back into the operating roo that day, Mick"

"I know that, too" He’s soain, sympathy and concern in his blue eyes

"The chief position--"

"Isn’t going anywhere," he immediately assures et back to work Go get soo to the movies Go do whatever it is you do when you’re not here, and I’ll see you on Tuesday"

I stare at hiht out of his office to s before I hurry to o hoht now