of Sterling, sunlight streamed through glass panels, bathing the hundred or so hospital officials, board members, and physicians in a warmth that made the northern New England winter seem still remote. Throughout the hall, there was an air of excitement and history. They had come together from communities across the northern part of the state, and had met for three days around conference tables and in back rooms, hammering out the framework of a new consortium of hospitals. Now, in minutes, the fruits of those efforts would be presented to the gathering, and a new era in community medicine would begin. The hospitals involved-seven in all-would be banded together in a way that would give them enormous purchasing power without the sacrifice of one bit of autonomy. Judge Clayton Iverson, his wife at his side, wandered about the milling crowd, exchanging greetings and handshakes with the other attendees, most of whom knew that he was about to be announced as the first chairman of the board of the consortium. His selection for the post had been virtually unanimous. The search committee had established experience and absolute integrity as the prime qualifications for the post, and through his handling of the Davis Regional-Ultramed disaster, the Judge had proven himself amply endowed with both. Most impressive to the group had been the Judge's refusal to intervene in the trial and sentencing of his son Frank on myriad charges ranging from co-conspiracy in testing the unauthorized drug, Serenyl, to assault with intent to murder. Then there was his handling of the surgeon, Jason Mainwaring. After demanding and obtaining the surrender of Mainwaring's medical license, the Judge had gotten the charges against the man diminished in exchange for the liquidation of his pharmaceutical company, from the proceeds a fund would be set up to aid those patients found to have been harmfully affected by the anesthe ic. And finally, there was the leadership role he had played in the reclamation of Davis Regional Hospital from Ultramed. Not only had the Judge supervised the transition back to community control, but, dissatisfied with the amount raised from the sale of Mainwaring's beleaguered drug firm, he had convinced the Ultramed directors of the sagacity of augmenting the Serenyl settlement fund with a multimilliondollar contribution of their own. Though he was constantly smiling, and seemed relaxed, in between handshakes the Judge continued to glance toward the doors at the rear of the hall. 'Do you see him?'
Cinnie asked. 'No. You did speak to his girlfriend, didn't you?'
'Yes, dear, I did. I told her you had been selected, and asked her to try and convince Zachary to be here for the announcement.'
', A. nd?'
'And she said she'd try, but that she doubted he would come.'
She drew him off to one side, away from the crowd. 'Clayton, please,' she said. 'There's still time. Please reconsider this, and let's go to Florida. Just for the winter.'
'No.'
'But why?
Lisette has moved away with the girls, and Zachary almost never comes by anymore, We haven't had a Sunday dinner in I don't know how long. We have friends down there. I… Clayton, I don't want to spend another winter here. Please.'
'Absolutely not. Zachary will come around. You'll see.'
'I don't know. He's been so distant since that terrible business with Frank. I ask him why almost evc-ry time we speak, and all he ever says is that there are things he has to work out. He says he's not even sure yet that he's going to stay in Sterling.'
'Oh, he'll stay. He's moved in with that Suzanne. Does that sound like he's planning to leave?'
'No, ' she said. 'No, I suppose it doesn't.'
'Take your seats, everybody. Please take your seats, ' the conference chairperson announced, tapping on her microphone. 'This is what you've all been waiting for.'
'He'll be here, Cynthia, ' the Judge said. 'You'll see. His brother never appreciated the things I did for him, but in the end, Zachary will. He'll be here to share this.'
'Clayton, please…'
'No. And not another word about it.'
'Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to officially announce the birth of the Northern New Hampshire Community Hospital Consortium.'
There was a burst of applause. Again, the Judge turned toward the rear doors. 'Face it, Clayton, ' Cinnie said. 'He's not coming.'
'Damn him, ' Clayton muttered. 'The ungrateful… Damn them both.'
'… And as our first order of business, I would like to introduce to you the man chosen by our search committee to head our new consortium.
He is a man of accomplishment and integrity, a man known to many in this room for his tireless work on behalf of his community and his hospital.
He is a devoted man, dedicated uncompromisingly to the principles of fairness… Six miles south of the Holiday Inn, resting on the deserted field known as the Meadows, the engine of a crimson model plane screeched to life. A young boy raced across the golden autumn grass, hand in hand with a young girl. 'Jennifer wants to learn, Zack, ' he said, clutching the radio control box. 'Can I show her? All by myself.
Can I show her how to fly it?'
'How about another quick coin trick first?'
'Oh, no-I mean, how about later on? Zack, she really wants to learn.'
Zack leaned back on his elbows and breathe in the fragrant mountain air.
Then he turned to Suzanne and brushed his lips against her ear. 'I think the kid's got a crush on your daughter, ' he whispered. 'So it would seem, ' she replied. 'Toby, do you have a license to fly that thing?'
'A what?'
'Nothing, nothing.'
'Can I, Zack? ' the boy asked again. 'Sure, kiddo, ' Zack said. 'Of course you can.'
With Jennifer Cole watching intently, Toby Nelms eased back on the tiny control stick. Instantly, the Fleet shot forward, across the field and up into the perfect noonday sky.
