Page 57 of Hush Money

“I just invited an old friend over for drinks,” he says, ushering me into the study and gesturing to the dark-haired middle-aged woman sipping a martini and enjoying the bay view from the window. “Dr. Manjeeri Sharma, this is my girlfriend, Tamsyn Scott. Tamsyn, Manjeeri is the head of Northridge Health here in Great Neck.”

“Oh, you’re a doctor,” I say, smiling and extending my hand as she walks over.

“Gastroenterologist,” she says as we shake.

Lucien hovers near the drink cart. “Drink, Tamsyn?”

“I’m good for now,” I tell him before turning back to Manjeeri and gesturing to the sofa, where we both sit. Lucien, meanwhile, pours himself a scotch and settles on the nearest wing chair. “I’m an RN.”

“Yes, that’s what Lucien was saying,” Manjeeri says. “What kind?”

“Well, I did some home health care for an elderly patient at the beginning of the summer, but I’ll begin a job back in the city in the fall. In the oncology department.”

“Oh? Oncology is tough work.”

“Yes, I know. My father died of cancer last year, so I know what a difference they made in his life.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Manjeeri says.

I feel the familiar lump in my throat. “Thank you.”

“We don’t have an oncology department at Northridge, but we do have a shortage of nurses. I don’t know if Lucien mentioned that to you.”

“No,” I say, starting to get a funny feeling that intensifies when I shoot him a quick glance and discover him studying his fingernails with a determinedly bland expression. “He didn’t.”

“I’d love to have you come to the medical center for a tour in the next few days to show you what we have to offer. Maybe see if we can poach you from Manhattan. We need more nurses out here in Great Neck. They can fend for themselves back in the city.”

Oh, okay. I get it now. I shoot Mr. Manipulative a veiled death stare, but he’s now smoothing a crease in his pants and can’t be bothered to look at me.

“Thank you for thinking of me, but I couldn’t possibly break my contract.” I try to sound regretful. “You understand.”

Manjeeri has a pretty good poker face. I’ll give her that. “Oh, no. I was hoping you’d come in for a meeting. Maybe see if we could work something out.”

“I’m sorry.” I keep my voice firm and stand to let her know I’m not angling for a big pay increase or bonus package or anything like that. Maybe it’s not my place, since I didn’t call this little career summit, but I feel terrible for wasting this nice woman’s time. “I can’t.”

She stands, too, and can’t help giving Lucien a puzzled glance over her shoulder as she sets down her drink. “I completely understand.”

I extend my hand again, determined to remain calm and keep things professional. Dad always told me to never burn any bridges. I don’t intend to start now. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Dr. Sharma. Thank you for your time. I’ll certainly reach out to you if things change.”

She nods and smiles, her own professionalism firmly in place. “Please do. Lucien, thanks for the drink.”

He hastily stands and ushers her toward the door, his irritated gaze flickering to me as he goes. “Let me walk you out.”

The two of them head for the foyer, leaving me to fume in impotent silence as I listen to their murmuring voices. Especially when I hear a couple of key phrases from Lucien, such as, I’m going to talk to her about it and I’ll call you in a day or two. We’ll circle back.

By the time he returns, I’m ready to grab one of his pricey knickknacks off the nearest table and aim it at his head. “What the hell was that?” I say as he shuts the door behind himself.

He’s got his expression wiped clean of anything other than polite puzzlement at my tone. He shrugs, the soul of patience in the face of my unreasonableness. “I made an introduction. What’s wrong with that?”

An introduction? Is he serious? “What did you do? Buy a cancer wing for me?”

“Of course not,” he says, jaw tightening. There’s a pause. “We already have a cancer wing.”

Incredulous laugh from me. Of course he does. “And I already have a job back in the city. Which I earned through my own contacts and my own hard work. Did you forget about that?”

“I did not. I thought you might like to work out here. Closer to Ackerley.”

“Don’t you think that’s the kind of thing you should discuss with me before you bring in your high-powered friends for impromptu job interviews?”

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