Page 84 of Rookie Days

“She’s an orthopedic surgeon.”

“Okay. And this is a teaching hospital, right?”

“Yes, one of the best in the country.”

“Who trains the medical students? Can you explain how the system works?”

“Sure. Students on rotation in Years 3 and 4 of med school assist a resident in a particular specialty; like surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine or psychiatry.”

“What happens after Year 4?”

“The real work begins. After graduation is when a new MD starts her residency training. It’s grueling work.” Janet smiled at her own memories. “But rewarding, and a lot of fun too, if this is your chosen line of work.”

“If,” Ellie repeated. “Exactly! Do many people in their Years 3 and 4 suddenly come to the realization that a medical career is not for them after all?”

“Some, I suppose,” Janet reflected. “Though I wouldn’t say many. By the time you reach that stage, you’re pretty sure of your choice. By then, you’ve already invested a lot of time and effort, sweat and tears, into your studies.”

“Then I guess it would be a huge blow to the ego to be told that you’re not the right fit for the job at this stage of the game, wouldn’t it? To hear you’re not good enough or don’t have what it takes?”

“Oh, yes…”

“But it happens,” Ellie insisted. “Right?”

“Right. Not often, but I—” It hit her right between the eyes.Rob Hayes.Janet bit so hard on her lip in reaction that she made herself flinch. “Oh, Jesus Christ. Ellie!”

Her lover’s eyes flashed beautifully.

“Yes,” she encouraged. “Tell me.”

“We had a case like this back in 2022. His name was Robert Hayes. Again… I don’t know how I didn’t think of him before!”

“It’s okay, Jan,” Quinn assured. “It’s not your job, eh? Just tell us now.”

“Right.” She breathed in deep to settle. ”Susan, Bryn, Mary-Ann, and I all supervised him at some point during his rotation. In terms of pure medical knowledge and practical skills, he was excellent. Smart guy, definitely above-average intelligence.”

“Our guy is smart too,” Ellie murmured.

“Hayes was good and certainly held himself in high esteem. I thought he was just plain arrogant. Nothing like the confidence a surgeon might develop after years of dedicated practice and study,” Janet pointed out when she noticed the corner of Quinn’s mouth twitch.

“Yes, I do know the difference, Jan.” Her friend was quick to confirm and flash a gentle smile. “You’ve earned your stripes. No question.”

“Hayes was just a regular asshole,” Janet went on. “He was consistently late for meetings. Did not like to follow instructions or procedure. Very dismissive of the rest of his fellow students as well, with little or no empathy for the patients under his care. He was cold. I sensed a ruthless streak under his act, you know? He just feltoffto me. One of the nurses said that the way he looked at her sometimes made the small hairs on the back of her neck rise. Very creepy.”

“He totally fits the profile.” Anticipation made Ellie sound a little breathless. Janet noticed. It was nice. “What else do I need to know about this guy?”

“That’s it, pretty much. Susan wrote the final assessment on his performance, based on everyone’s evaluation. We all pretty much said the same; that unless he underwent a total personality transplant, this guy had no future as a resident physician.”

“How’d he take it?”

“I don’t know.” Now Janet shivered. “He didn’t come back for his residency and I didn’t ask.”

“Let’s track down Mr. Hayes and see what he has to say,” Quinn declared, sounding quite predatory herself. “I’ll assign a uniform to guard Dr Elliott’s room. You’ve got Hospital Security with her at the moment, haven’t you, Jan?”

“Yes. How’d you know?”

“Because you’re thorough and think ahead.” Quinn looked her straight in the eye. “And I know you always look after your people.”

“Don’t get sentimental on me, Lieutenant.”

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