Page 15 of Sick of You

“No?” I looked to Dr. Okafor, who seemed even more mystified than I was.

“Mr. Hardcastle comes highly recommended from the Napa County Public Health Division.” Dr. Okafor’s confusion was quickly turning to consternation.

Dr. Croft looked like she’d be fact checking that the moment we turned our backs. Fortunately, Google was on my side here, considering I’d built an actual career to get here. “What?” I asked. “Did you think all I did was sit around and look pretty all day?”

“Yes—no,” she corrected herself. “You’re not pretty.”

Dr. Donaldson made a little noise that seemed to mean her harsh assessment was debatable. I wasn’t sure whether that was a compliment coming from him.

He didn’t have to worry. Dr. Croft was beautiful, but I wasn’t Everett; I wasn’t about to steal Dr. Donaldson’s fellow. Or his whatever he wished she was to him.

“You realize,” Dr. Croft said, “that the cafeteria isn’t going to comp all your meals because of your winning smile, right?”

Dr. Okafor startled at the treatment, but Dr. Donaldson seemed to be fighting back a grin.

I could play this game. “Oh,” I said, “I’m a platinum member there, too.”

In reality, the idea of having to take my meals in the hospital cafeteria was slightly more appealing than making reservations at the Eastern State Pen mess hall. Delivrd had better bring food here, too.

Dr. Okafor finally recovered enough to resort to damage control. “Are we ready for the State Health Department?”

“One can only hope,” Dr. Donaldson muttered, taking a seat the table. Dr. Croft claimed the chair between Dr. Donaldson and the end of the table, as if making sure I couldn’t sit next to her.

I pretended not to notice Dr. Croft’s response to seeing me again as I sat on Dr. Donaldson’s other side. I could tease her, sure, but nobody needed to be reminded that their presence was as welcome as a new pimple.

That was exactly what I was trying to get away from here.

Before we had a chance to confer, Sybil showed in a trio of corporate-looking white guys wearing off-the-rack suits. Sybil kept her feet, gesturing for the suits to sit. She introduced Dr. Tolliver, Dr. Martinez and Mr. Nielsen from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Almost immediately, Mr. Nielsen stood. “Thanks, Sybil, I’ll take it from here.”

“Actually, Dr. Okafor is heading up this meeting.”

Nielsen looked down his nose at her. “I’m sure you’re very qualified, but I feel I should be handling this.”

Whoa. Nielsen was so smug, he must have run for whatever office he held now. I glanced at Dr. Okafor, ready to object for her, but Dr. Okafor simply smiled. “That’s quite all right.”

Nielsen turned to me. “I believe you’ll be heading up our Frontline Initiative.”

“That’s why I’m here.” Though this was not news to me, I struggled to keep my tone on the polite side. This guy had to realize he was insulting everyone else in the room.

“Great, we’ll be glad to finally get moving on this project now that we have the right man in place.”

His use ofmanfelt all too intentional. “Yes,” I gritted out, “unfortunate that running the entire division keeps Dr. Okafor too busy to help you.”

Nielsen didn’t understand the slight. “I’m sure I don’t have to explain to you what healthcare-associated infections are, but—” He turned to the rest of the room—as if the two of us weren’t the only ones in here without an actual MD. “—HAIs occur when a patient enters the hospital for one cause and then contracts a new bacterial or viral infection within the healthcare system. Often, these infections are highly mutated strains that are resistant to antibiotics. We call them ‘superbugs.’” He said it like he had personally invented the term.

If Dr. Croft had looked like she wanted to punch me yesterday, today she looked like ethics were the only thing keeping her from murdering Nielsen. Slowly. Even the impassive Dr. Donaldson had his nostrils flared.

“Thanks for that,” Dr. Ambrose cut across Nielsen, “but if you’ll recall, the Department of Health asked Beaufort to update your prevention guidelines because ofourexpertise.”

“That’s right.” Unbelievable—Nielsen sounded like Dr. Ambrose had finally grasped the concept instead of being the one to explain it. “And Dr. Hardcastle will be heading up the task force to develop the guidelines.”

I opened my mouth to correct him, but Nielsen’s phone rang. “Pardon us, we’re expecting a call.”

He made his way from the room, his colleagues following. To take a conference call in a hospital hallway, apparently.

I finally recovered from the stunned silence that had fallen on all of us as the doors closed behind them. “Not a doctor,” I murmured.