Page 56 of Dr. Alaska
Mav could swear that Lee clamped her lips together for a beat. Then she probed, “Or?” His satisfied grin split his face. “Or we go to court, which costs time and money he doesn’t have, on account of his failing business.”
“Failing business. You’ll ensure that everyone knows?” Lee’s logic knifed right through Mav.
“I mean, I can’t control who sees what in online reviews and social media posts.” Randy spoke slowly, like explaining something to a child.
Mav rolled his hands into fists, tense but resisting the real desire to cram his knuckles into the guy.
Randy continued. “Well, here’s the fun part. We don’t have to win the lawsuit. We just need to drag it out long enough for funds to run out so they can’t make payments and for the bank to foreclose.”
Mav gritted his teeth and again stepped up next to her, like he craved proximity.
Lee pursed her lips and scanned Dee and Mav, then Randy. “You need the doctor’s report to prove your case. Seal the deal.”
“Are you slow?” His brows drew together.
Mav stepped forward, ready to rearrange the guy’s features for insulting Lee.
She rested her fingertips on his arm and continued, “Wonder what that doctor’s report says. Don’t you?” She ignored whatever Randy mumbled and turned to Nick. “You signed up for the patient portal on the electronic medical records, right?”
“Think so. The checkout person gave me the info to download the app,” Nick said, picking up his phone and tapping. “Is the note there already?”
“Should be. There’s a new federal rule regarding notes being immediately available to patients.”
Randy gaped at her. “How do you know that?”
Lee didn’t answer him. “Hey, Nick, can you pull up that note?” She smiled at him and batted her eyes. “I want to see how bad things will be when the judge reads the note, don’t you?”
Mav’s heart pounded. His head spun. What was she doing? Pouring virtual gasoline on the place and then lighting a match?
“Um.” Nick was putty in her hands. “Yeah. Okay.” He beamed up at her.
Sauntering over, she lightly touched Nick’s shoulder. “Oh wow. Look at that, you’ve got the app running and everything.” She fawned over him. “You mind reading the first section of that note? I’d like to see if it’s as good as Randy’s hoping.” Her words came out slower, softer, the syllables drawn out.
Mav bristled, then recalled their conversation a few weeks ago.The worse the situation gets, the slower I talk.
“Uh, sure.” Nick scrolled.
Randy leaned back, arms over his chest.
No one in the room made a sound.
Nick read, “‘Patient states that he was on a trail near a vacation lodge when he hit a bump and flew off the snowmachine, injuring his leg. He states he does not believe he struck his head. Witnesses present do not report that he had loss of consciousness. He is not complaining of pain in any other areas besides the leg. Denies chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, dizziness, headache, difficulty moving his neck or noninjured extremities.’”
Randy nodded with a smile.
Dee and Mav hadn’t moved. Hearing this report was like the reading of a last will and testament. Only, no one got anything. Except for Randy.
Nick looked up at Lee, who indicated for him to continue. “‘Per witnesses and first responders to the scene, no mental status changes were noted before, during, and after the accident. Per first responders, no neck pain, spine pain, or spine deformity was noted in the field. Patient was transported to the ED with appropriate precautions. In the ED patient denies use of drugs or alcohol. Patient states that his uncle, Randy, who was present at the accident, had hoped to fabricate an injury so that he could sue the lodge owner. Patient states that Randy had not planned for the injury to be severe. Patient states that he is in pain relative to his leg injury. His pain has improved with morphine, which was given upon arrival to the ED.’”
“What.” Blotches of red crept up Randy’s face as he spluttered. “That’s enough,” he said.
“Read on.” Lee crossed her arms.
“We’re done here.” Randy made to stand up, but Mav stepped forward and glared him into place.
“Nope. Read,” Lee said.
Nick glanced at her warily but complied. “‘Patient could not tolerate entering the CT scanner without sedation. Versed two milligrams IV given prior to imaging.’” He swallowed. “‘Patient’s history was taken at bedside with nurse A.J. present.’”
