None of what he said was wrong, and yet I couldn’t help but wonder if he was purposefully setting Nick up as the scapegoat. The hospital would have some liability for him, but it would be shared. If it was the EMR, the hospital was solely responsible and it could perhaps lead to investigations of other times the system might have failed.
“We should arrange more security in the ER and around the hospital,” I said.
“These people are our neighbors, Ms. Parker. They’re angry and confused, but they don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Trust me. It will die down soon.”
“I still think the hospital needs to release a statement instead of ignoring them. It makes the hospital look insensitive by not saying anything and ignoring that people are wanting answers.” I tried again to make him see his inaction was hurting the hospital’s reputation.
He sighed. “Fine. Draft something up and I’ll take a look.” Then he cocked his head to the side. “What is the relationship with you and Dr. Foster, anyway? You seem overly concerned about him.”
“You know my relationship with him,” I said hoping I sounded annoyed and not worried. “I grew up with him. Years ago, we dated. Now we’re colleagues.”
“Those old feelings have popped up. We can’t have that—”
I interrupted him. “He works for the hospital which is my client. I’m looking out for him as I am for the rest of the staff.”
“He has his own attorney.”
“Frankly, I’m glad. His employer isn’t doing all it can to protect him. Of course, that could lead to problems if she discovers something.”
He frowned. “Like what?”
“Like maybe the EMR was to blame. I understand that the hospital wants to avoid any liability, but by setting up Dr. Foster—”
“You act like this is a conspiracy. We’re not setting him up. As far as we can tell, he did everything correctly. You can put that in your statement. But if something did go wrong, it's more likely his fault, not a computer glitch.”
I could only stare at him.
“You know your brother thinks this hospital failed your mother. People like to blame their doctors or the hospital when they’re loved ones die. It’s the nature of the beast. This will all die down and we’ll be back to normal.”
“What about the additional security in the ER? The group could end up blocking ambulances or harass the staff when they’re coming and going.”
“I can authorize one extra person.” He turned his attention back to his work, which I took as my cue to leave.
What a mess, I thought I as I headed back to my office. Not just the hospital situation, but my personal life as well. Once again, I’d allowed myself to be with Nick. No, I thought. This time I actively sought to be with him. When I remembered how he was with my father, my heart got so full in my chest.
But I was taking a big gamble that I really couldn’t afford. Just like all the times before, when I left his place, we’d agreed that we couldn’t continue. I thought I saw the disappointment in his eyes over that, but maybe I was projecting my own feelings onto him because I was disappointed.
I stopped at the break room on my floor to grab a coffee before heading back to my office to work on a statement.
“Mia,” Peggy said as she entered. “I was hoping to find you.”
“Is something wrong?” I asked as I put a little creamer in my coffee.
“I wanted to talk to you about Nick.”
I studied her, wondering if she knew about us. “Sure. Come to my office.”
Once behind my desk, I asked. “What’s up with Nick?”
She sat in the chair in front of my desk. “He’d never admit it and he’d hate that I was here, but I think this thing with Ms. Mason is taking a toll on him.”
I nodded. “I’d be worried if it didn’t.”
“Yes, but I’m concerned it’s more than just regular guilt weighing on him. With the mob outside, he seems even jumpier than he had been.”
“Mob? Is it growing?”
She shrugged. “You know what I mean. I think all of it … the people outside blaming him—”
“Are they blaming him specifically or the hospital?”
“More him.”
“What about you? Are they harassing you?” I sipped my coffee, wanting to be professional despite the worry that was growing for Nick.
“No. Well, they have things to say to all of us when we come in, but they know he was her doctor.”
I nodded. “I’m going to craft a statement.”
“That’s all well and good, but a statement isn’t going to help Nick.”
“What are you saying, Peggy? Do you think he can’t work?”
She blew out a breath. “I think he’s an amazing doctor. I think the world of him. He’s getting the job done, but he’s struggling. You can see it in his eyes. In the tension in his body. Today I walked into the break room, and he jumped like startled cat. He seems on edge and that can’t be good for him.”
“The hospital can’t afford to let him go. We barely have enough to cover the ER now.”
She nodded. “I know you and him used to be close. Maybe you could talk to him.”
“And say what? He is under additional stress and pressure, Peggy.” I hated that I was essentially giving her the same line Dick would. I wanted to go to Nick and do what I could to help him.
“I don’t know. Maybe counseling?”
I quirked a brow. “He’s being sued and you think he should go to counseling?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m surprised at you, Mia. I know your job is to protect the hospital, but he’s hurting. Don’t you have any compassion for him?”
I hated her accusation, but my job required that I stay neutral. “Do you really think he’d go?”
“Maybe if you talked to him.”
“What do you think his lawyer would tell him about it? The lawsuit isn’t
