Heather grimaced. “Yes, it has been an eventful day.
But you won’t make a good recovery unless you rest
more. Now let me take your vitals.”
“This,” said Renie, holding out her left arm, “is not
a restful place. On TV I’ve seen war zones in Bosnia
that were more peaceful. Speaking of TV, what’s the
interview down the hall all about?”
96
Mary Daheim
“I’m not sure,” Heather answered a bit nervously. “I
gather Mrs. Van Boeck has taken it upon herself to speak
out on the hospital’s behalf.”
“In defense of Good Cheer, huh?” Renie said before
the nurse popped the thermometer in her mouth.
“Something like that,” Heather replied.
“Is Blanche Van Boeck on the hospital’s board of directors?” Judith inquired.
“No,” Heather responded. “Since Dr. Van Boeck is
chief of staff, that would be a conflict of interest.”
“How long has Dr. Van Boeck held that position?”
Judith asked.
Heather cocked her head to one side. “Mmm . . .
Nine years? I trained at this hospital, and he was chief
of staff when I started seven years ago.”
Raised voices could be heard in the hall. Heather
turned toward the door, her forehead furrowed in apprehension.
“. . . no right to speak out on this issue,” an angry
male voice shouted. “I’ll take this before the board.”
A woman’s shrill laugh cut through the air like
jagged glass. “Don’t be silly, Peter. As a member of the
city council, I have a right to speak out.”
Judith’s eyes widened as the backs of the sable coat
and gold turban filled the door. Apparently, the confrontation was taking place just a few feet away.
Heather had removed the thermometer from
Renie’s mouth and started for the door. Grabbing the
nurse’s wrist with her good left hand, Renie shot her a
warning look.
“Don’t even think about closing that door,” Renie
ordered.
“Mrs. Jones, you mustn’t use physical force,”
Heather reprimanded.
SUTURE SELF
97
“Yes, I must,” Renie declared. “Now shut up.”
The nurse gave Renie a helpless look as the wrangling between Blanche Van Boeck and her unseen
male opponent continued.
“. . . that you’re on TV?” Blanche said in her strident
voice. “Don’t be a fool, Peter. You’re not irreplaceable.”
“Garnett?” Judith mouthed at Heather.
The nurse gave a brief, single nod. The sound of a
