Page 90 of Doc Showmance
“Excuse me. I’m sorry, but something’s happened. I guess you can follow me, but be warned there may be drama.” I stood and speed walked after Amber.
In the surgical recovery area Amber marched up to Kovac. “What are you doing? Get away from this dog’s cage.”
“You screwed up big time. I’m taking over this case.” Kovac towered over her at least a half a foot above her, making her look tiny. He had a bag of fluids in his hand. “You’re giving the wrong fluids.”
“How about you tell me exactly what you think I’ve done wrong other than fluids, which, by the way, arenotwrong. In what way isthatbag of fluids right?” She pointed imperiously at the bag in his hand.
“The dog needs a transfusion, for starters.”
“You’re holding a bag of half-strength saline, you know. That’s a far cry from a transfusion. Might make her anemia worse, but I’m sure you know that.”
“This is what she needs.” He shook the bag.
“Suddenlyyouare the expert in transfusions and fluid therapy? Jesus, Kovac. This is about saving a dog’s life and giving her more good quality time with her people, not showboating for the cameras because you got your ego bruised.”
“You don’t have the experience I do.” His gray eyebrows drew low on his lined face.
“True, I haven’t been practicing as long, and I do things differently. Donotchange that fluid bag. You have no authorization to take over care of this particular patient. I need to hear from her owner that he wants you to make these decisions.”
“Back off.”
“If you so much as touch that IV line, I’ll tackle you. I have her on a constant infusion of pain relief right now.”
“This is no longer your business.” He brushed her off.
This wasn’t going to end well, but she was right. That was the senator’s dog. There would be consequences if he messed up things.
“Dr. Kovac,” I intervened. “This is Amber’s case.”
He spun on me. “The pussy-whipped asshole’s stepping in to save the little girlfriend?
I aimed to stay neutral. “This dog isn’t your patient. You don’t want to mess with this one.”
Something odd in the way Dr. Kovac looked to the cameras and back to me triggered a warning. Was this a show for the camera? Did someone tell him to do this? “The show can pull a lot of our strings, but don’t let this be one that loses you your job or reputation.”
“She’s incompetent.” Kovac turned back with intent to replace the fluid bag.
She dove in front of him to block access to the dog’s cage and tried to push him away. Her momentum caused the bag of fluids he’d been holding to fly across the floor even though Kovac didn’t budge, weighing three times her weight. He pushed back.
He fucking pushed back, sending her onto her ass.
I didn’t stop to think about the cameras or the do’s and don’ts. I launched myself across the treatment room. He posed a threat to Amber, more so because she wouldn’t back down. My brain hazed, and later I’d say I didn’t remember what happened.
Moments later, someone pulled me away from him. “Easy there, Ian. I think you got him.”
I pushed the hands off me and backed away. I did a double take on the guy who’d pulled me off Kovac. “What’re you doing here, Sheriff?”
“Drove the senator over here when we got the word the surgery went well. You mind telling me what happened?” Seth drawled. He came off deceptively lazy as he pushed the brim of his cowboy hat up to rest higher on his head.
Kovac wailed while cradling his jaw. “You son of a bitch.” He growled and tensed as if about to lunge for me.
Amber exploded toward him with a growl. In a ninja move, she kicked him in the nuts. “Stay away from Ian and my patients.”
Kovac landed on the floor, cupping his balls.
I surged forward to catch her before she went for him again. Her tight body quivered in my embrace with unspent angry energy. I pulled her away from everyone and whispered, “I think this is all bullshit for the camera.”
“They’re screwing with my patient to make better TV? This show can go to hell, if so. No one fucks with my patients.”
