A Man to Die for by Eileen Dreyer Read Free Book Online

manuals than her patients.
    “Hey, Dr. Miller, Abe just told me that you guys are getting a bonus for every extra patient you see tonight,” she lied shamelessly on the way past.
    She didn’t need to stop for a reaction. The resounding slam of a textbook said it all. Now Casey just had to get the nurses in gear. And they all knew better than to fall for the old bonus gag.
    Well, she might not have the fastest working team in town tonight, but at least they were a kick to work with. Even though Barb was still spreading joy and light around the work lane, she had to do it around Millie, who couldn’t answer a phone without doing it on point. Then there was Steve, who was practicing for his psychology degree on his patients, and Marva, nursing’s answer to Jack Webb. She was great in trauma, throwing herself in front of a victim like a soldier facing a cavalry charge. Of course, anything else bored her. Tonight, unfortunately, she was bored.
    Casey usually would have at least been able to count on Janice for some real output. For some reason, it seemed that tonight was going to be the exception. Disappearing from the work lane with puzzling frequency, Janice had not quite been able to keep up with the patient load on her end. She’d seemed brittle and distant all evening, which just wasn’t like her. Knowing full well that dinner would be eaten on the run, Casey made a silent vow: to be available for her at end of shift.
    “Janice, is room fifteen going to be open anytime soon?” she asked, peeking in the half-open blinds to see a pretty young woman trying to get comfortable on the edge of the cart. Emerson, abdominal pain. She’d been here the requisite three hours waiting for tests, waiting for the doctor, waiting for spring.
    “Dr. Hunsacker’s coming in to see her,” Janice answered without looking up from where she was charting.
    Casey lifted an eyebrow. “Really. When?”
    When Janice looked up to answer, Casey knew she hadn’t been wrong. There was a new set of creases between Janice’s elegant eyebrows, a funny white edge to her mouth. She even had a spot of Betadine on her uniform. Casey couldn’t imagine what could be bothering her enough to excuse that.
    “Any minute, I think. Twelve’s gonna be leaving, though. Will that help?”
    Casey found her attention returning to the smooth good looks of the woman on the other side of the window. She had the kind of beauty that could definitely be bought, all grooming and tailoring, sleek hair, and a tasteful amount of gold. A prime Hunsacker candidate.
    “Casey McDonough, line one. Casey McDonough, line one.”
    Settling onto the edge of the table where Janice was working, Casey picked up the phone.
    “Casey McDonough.”
    Silence.
    “Hello?”
    “Oh, honey, is that you?”
    Casey struggled to hold on to her humor. It was like an invasion, that quavering, uncertain voice intruding into work. Like a sudden slip, a faltering step in a fast run. Casey didn’t want to have to deal with her mother here. She had enough crazies to handle without having to worry about her very own. She didn’t want to have to say the words her mother needed, didn’t want to acknowledge her mother’s dependence on her. Or her dependence on a mother who preferred incense over flesh and blood.
    “Yes, Mom. It’s me. What’s wrong?”
    “Wrong? Oh, nothing, dear.” Helen laughed, a high, tinkly sound, like a small girl. “I was just saying my evening prayers, and remembered that I needed to get to mass at St. Mary’s in the morning. They have the traveling Infant of Prague, you know. And, well.”
    Hunsacker. Casey caught sight of him at the far end of the hall. He was bent over Millie, moving his hands to mimic her latest pirouette. Smiling. Flattering.
    “What time do you need to go, Mom?”
    “Would you mind, sweetheart? I know it’s unfair to ask you when you work such difficult hours and all. And I don’t want to be a bother.”
    Casey concentrated on Hunsacker to