Page 86 of Back in the Saddle

Anna looked up from her computer and gave Caroline a tired smile. ‘Is everything OK?’

Caroline settled into the chair on the other side of Anna’s desk, pushing herself tightly into the back of it. She folded her hands together on her lap and bit her lower lip. This felt a lot more embarrassing than she’d expected. She wasn’t just talking to her aunt. She was about to have this conversation withher boss.

‘I wanted to ask if I should step away from the melanomatrial. Either Amira or Jake could step in and take over for me.’

Anna furrowed her brow and studied Caroline’s face for a long moment.

‘Why?’ Anna’s voice echoed with suspicion. ‘When you got here, I asked if you wanted to work on this study. You said yourself that it was probably the most impactful one out of all the ones we’re currently working on. Besides, neither Amira nor Jake are particularly interested in this area. Why would they want to take over on it?’

‘Because it’d give them broader experience? Plus, it’s a Phase III trial. We’re already working on an important manuscript, which the company is hoping to publish inNew England Journal of Medicine. It’d be a great opportunity for their résumés.’

‘What aboutyourrésumé?’

‘I’d still be working on other trials.’

Anna took a deep breath and looked at Caroline the way her mother had used to when she was worried about her. ‘You didn’t answer my initial question. Why do you want to step away from this trial?’

She slowly raised her head and looked straight into Anna’s eyes. Without blinking, she said, ‘I don’t really want to step away from it. But I probably couldn’t continue working on it if I was sort of involved with someone’s family member, could I?’

If Anna was shocked, she didn’t let it show. ‘Whose family member?’ she asked in the calmest voice.

‘Alan Jackson’s son.’

‘Hunter?’

Caroline nodded, and that seemed to put an end to Anna’s stoic composure. She stood and started pacing between herdesk and the window, lacing her hands behind her neck. ‘What do you mean by “sort of involved”?’

‘It’s a bit of a crazy story. You won’t believe it.’

Anna stopped and gave her a stern look that said, ‘Try me.’

Caroline took a breath and started her tale.

When she finished, Anna asked slowly, ‘Thefriendwho you keep going out with? It’s been Hunter the whole time?’

Caroline nodded, crossing her legs at her ankles.

Anna stopped pacing and sat back in her leather chair. ‘But this has been going on for weeks. Months, even. Why are you only asking about stepping away from the trial now?’

‘Because I like him a lot, Anna. It didn’t feel right to keep going in deeper until I stepped away from the trial.’

‘He isn’t in the trial. And you’re neither his nor his father’s doctor,’ Anna reminded her.

‘I know,’ Caroline said quietly, staring at the wall above Anna’s shoulder. ‘But it just doesn’t feel right.’

‘Well, I’m the principal investigator of this trial and I don’t think there’s any objection for you to continue working on it. You’ve done a lot of great work to date, especially on data analysis and writing up the draft manuscript. I don’t even think you’ve met Alan in the centre, have you?’

Caroline shook her head. ‘No, I haven’t. Neither in the centre nor outside it. But what if Hunter asks me to discuss the study?’

‘I don’t know him well, but he doesn’t strike me as the kind of person who would. Plus, if he does, you can just tell him that it’s confidential and you can’t talk about it. He’ll understand. Besides …’ Anna paused, chewing her bottom lip. She looked unsure of what she was about to say next. ‘Look, I know you have access to all data, but this isn’tsomething that is necessarily written down anywhere. What I tell you now is just between you and me. Promise me you won’t tell Hunter, or anyone else about it.’

‘Of course, I won’t tell anyone,’ Caroline replied, sitting up a bit straighter.

‘I really shouldn’t be telling you this,’ Anna said, pushing her hair behind her ears and taking a deep breath. She looked at Caroline, conflict clearly written on her face. ‘But … Damn. I told myself I’d never break patient confidentiality.’

‘Then don’t tell me,’ Caroline said quickly, realising what this was about. ‘You don’t have to.’

‘But I do.’ Anna bit her lip and hesitated for another moment. ‘I don’t think Alan has much time left. His results aren’t improving, and we’re out of options. I’m afraid it’s likely he’s going to decline rapidly soon, and there won’t be much anyone can do to help other than ensuring he’s as comfortable as possible.’

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