them?”
“It crossed my mind,” Judith confessed. “But Joe
took on the job, and thus assumed the liability. I doubt
that we’d have a case.”
“That I can’t say,” Woody responded, his tone
solemn. “But FOPP’s members mean well. And they’re
building political momentum.”
“How is that?” Judith asked, not particularly interested. She suddenly felt as if she should get off the
phone, just in case she was tying up the line and making it impossible for Joe’s caregivers to contact her.
“FOPP’s president is one of the city’s biggest
movers and shakers,” Woody replied. “In fact, you may
know who she is. Does the name Blanche Van Boeck
ring a bell?”
FIFTEEN
“SO,” RENIE SAID after Judith had finished speaking
to Woody Price, “Blanche hired Joe?”
“Blanche or one of her minions,” Judith replied.
“She certainly does have a finger in every pie
around this town.”
“And now she’s going to try to run it,” Renie
mused. “As mayor, I mean.”
“Yes,” Judith said absently, then after a pause
turned to face Renie. “What if some political rival is
trying to discredit Blanche because she’s on the hospital board and her husband is chief of staff?”
“That’s a stretch,” Renie said, still thoughtful.
“On the other hand, if the current administration and
the board are so good at running this place, why
does Good Cheer have to be absorbed by Restoration Heartware?”
“Good point,” Judith responded. “Except that so
many hospitals can’t go it alone these days. Good
Cheer is owned by a religious order. If Dr. Van
Boeck has been ineffective, why not just fire him?”
“Maybe the Sisters of Good Cheer are too kindhearted,” Renie said.
“The Sisters of Good Cheer are very sensible
businesswomen,” Judith asserted. “If they weren’t,
SUTURE SELF
239
they wouldn’t have been around for so long. It’s not
their fault that medical care in this country has gone
down the drain.”
Dr. Garnett entered the room so quietly that the
cousins didn’t notice him until he was at Judith’s bedside. “Mrs. Flynn?” he said as Judith gave a start. “I’ve
just come from the ICU.”
Judith tensed. “Yes?”
The bedside lamps left Dr. Garnett’s face in shadow.
“I thought that you and Mrs. Jones would want to
know that Dr. Van Boeck has been moved out of the
ICU and is spending the night in a private suite. He
ought to be able to—”
