“Ms. Cross, good to see you again. How’s Holbrook treating you?”
“Well that’s why I’m here.”
“Please.” With a wave of the hand she motioned to the seat across from her.
Hanna had given the matter a lot of thought. She knew very well it could jeopardize her position but after all that happened she couldn’t continue in good faith without at least trying. As she brought the director up to speed on the incidents, the recent deaths and Chapman’s involvement in what she considered abuse and malpractice, the director took off her glasses and leaned back in her seat.
“Those are some serious allegations.”
Hanna nodded.
“Obviously I can’t discuss Dr. Chapman’s previous work history but I can reassure you that we take these matters very seriously and that’s why I asked Dr. Chapman to join us.”
“What?”
“Well when I got your phone call last night, I assumed that matters related to the unit should be discussed with the unit doctor and supervisor. There would have been no point in me having two meetings.” She reached over and pressed a button. “Is Dr. Chapman here, Liz?”
“Not yet.”
“Let me know when he is.”
Hanna couldn’t believe it. “I really don’t feel comfortable having this conversation with him in the room.”
“I understand and you are more than welcome to step out, however, as the head nurse of the unit, these kinds of matters are usually resolved between you and the doctor.”
“And I said I spoke with him but didn’t make any headway.”
“Well, I can appreciate that, however at Holbrook we are a team and if there is a problem it should be discussed together, not separately, as that only leads to issues later.”
There was a knock at the door. “Come in.”
Chapman walked in with a smile on his face. It soon faded when he saw her.
“Please. David. Take a seat.”
“Ms. Cross.”
“Mr. Chapman,” Hanna replied.
Over the course of the next ten minutes, the director outlined the situation and the allegations. Hanna studied his reaction when the mention of the hospital in Utah came up. If she wasn’t mistaken, it was a look of shock. As if he’d been found out. After relaying it all, she asked for feedback.
“I will admit to having previously worked in Utah but that situation was out of my hands. A lot of people lost their job, I was only one of them. What the media didn’t accurately portray was what actually happened. But as for what has occurred here, I will be damned if I will take the blame for that. And as for allegations of drug distribution,” he narrowed his eyes at her, “I have a good mind to sue you for defamation.”
Amanda raised a hand. “Okay, David. Okay. Let’s not jump the gun. Obviously everyone’s emotions are running high right now. Today hasn’t been a walk in the park for me either but let’s withhold blame for now and continue this conversation at a later date. Next week, perhaps? Let’s get the next few days out of the way, shall we?” Her eyes bounced between them. “Would that be okay?”
Chapman nodded.
She knew matters would not be handled immediately. Nothing ever was. That’s why so many accusations in workplaces never came to anything. Unions, meetings, paperwork, grievances against superiors — it was a tangled mess that was easier to walk away from than fight. Chapman knew that, that’s why he was wearing that smug grin.
“You are free to go, Nurse Cross. Um, David, if you could just stay a while longer. I have a couple of matters to discuss with you.”
She got up and thanked her and exited feeling frustrated and vulnerable.
Had Nurse Harvey gone through the same ordeal? As she strolled back to the unit, she felt more unsafe now at the thought of facing her coworkers than she did the patients. She swallowed hard, and fought the urge to quit.
19
In the days after the death of Edgar and Seth, Jack learned that a small memorial service would take place in the chapel the following Sunday. That morning he joined Cowboy and a small gaggle of patients as they streamed into a small outbuilding that resembled a storage shed more than a church. It had a stone foundation, light brown vinyl siding and black shingles. The only resemblance to a church was a large stained-glass window at the far end that depicted Calvary and the death of Christ.
Off to the right, a large, imposing man was removing a cardboard box out the back of a full-sized SUV with dark tinted windows. He left the trunk open as he set the box down and reached in for a mic stand.
Nurse Cross and a male nurse were escorting patients that morning.
“Morning,” the man said.
“Pastor Boone,” Cross replied, ushering everyone in.
There were no pews inside, no Bibles or crosses on the walls. Instead, there were five rows of hard metal chairs. Once they had taken a seat, Jack watched as a couple of the patients helped the pastor set up a small microphone and podium. The pastor didn’t look like a clergyman, in that he didn’t wear black clothing or a white collar. His attire was relaxed: khaki bottoms, a denim shirt with a white V-neck and solid boots.
Over the next five minutes he went one by one to each of them and got their names, shaking their hand and making them feel welcome. To those who were new he gave out a pamphlet providing a short introduction to his mission statement, his story, belief and affiliated church. When he reached Jack, he extended a hand and after getting his name he smiled. “Ah, finally a face that goes with the name. John Dalton spoke very highly of you.”
“You know him?”
“Indeed. In fact I was the one who arranged for him to see you.”
“Huh! I appreciate that.” Jack smiled. “How is he?”
“Good but concerned… for you.”
He cocked his head. “When is he not.” He smiled warmly.
The pastor looked cautious about what
