in her own name, Judith Anne Grover McMonigle
Flynn. Then she stopped. “Here I go,” she said, and incisively lettered in Joseph Patrick Flynn above Mike’s
name. “It’s official. Joe is down here in black and
white as Mike’s real father.”
“I’ll be damned,” Renie said in amazement.
“Did you think I was a complete coward?” Judith retorted with a faintly hostile glance.
“What?” Renie turned away from the newspaper.
“I’m not talking about you. I’m referring to this brief
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Mary Daheim
and almost-buried article in the business section. Listen: ‘Restoration Heartware of North America yesterday reiterated its intention to expand its medical
facilities beyond cardiac care. The Cleveland-based
firm has shown interest in a half-dozen orthopedic facilities in the United States, including Good Cheer
Hospital, which is currently owned and operated by the
Sisters of Good Cheer. A spokesperson for Good
Cheer stated that the religious order is not interested in
any kind of merger or buyout at this time.’ Is that
spokesperson Blanche Van Boeck?”
Intrigued, Judith leaned on one elbow to face her
cousin. “Who’s asking the question?”
“Me,” Renie replied. “The article doesn’t identify
the spokesperson. Maybe that’s because Blanche
isn’t official. Why didn’t Dr. Van Boeck or Sister
Jacqueline meet with the press? How come Blanche
barged in instead? The morning paper must have gotten this from the TV news story, since KLIP seemed
to be the only one asking questions out here in the
hall yesterday.”
Judith was also puzzled. “You know a lot more
about the business world than I do, coz. What do you
make of all this?”
With her disheveled hair standing on end, the big
bandage on her shoulder, the blue sling on her arm, and
the baggy hospital gown sagging around her figure,
Renie’s boardroom face looked more like it belonged
in the bathroom. Still, she approached the question
with her customary professionalism.
“There’s a conspiracy of silence about Good Cheer,”
she said. “It’s not necessarily malevolent or mysterious. Any institution or business enterprise deplores
speculative publicity and rumors. If a company is ripe
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157
for a takeover or a merger, they feel vulnerable, like a
wounded animal. It’s a sign of weakness, particularly
when stockholders are involved. The top brass go to
ground to wait for the worst to blow over.”
“Are you saying,” Judith inquired, “that Good Cheer
is in financial trouble?”
“Many hospitals are in financial trouble,” Renie answered. “In the past few years, I’ve done brochures and
