F Paul Wilson - Novel 02 by Implant (v2.1) Read Free Book Online

           "You
what?"
                 "I,
I had an interview with,"
                 "You
are incomprehensible. You have a brilliant mind? an excellent medical
education? and you want to be a Hill rat?"
                 "Only
part-time. I just,"
                "How can you even think of cooperating
with that committee?"
                "Doesn't someone have to make
sure the read their facts straight?"
                "Facts? Since when is Congress
interested in facts?" He stepped back from the table and began ripping off
his gloves. "I thought I was working with a doctor, not a Hill-rat wannabe."
That hurt, stung like a slap in the face.
                 " Duncan ,"
                "You can't have it both ways,
Gin. When you decide which one you want to be, let me know." He tossed his
gloves on the floor and stormed out.
                 Gin
had feared he might be a little upset, but she hadn't expected anything like
this. She stood in the suddenly silent OR, with Marie and Joanna avoiding eye
contact. She wondered what would have happened if she'd mentioned her
appointment with Congressman Allard tomorrow morning. As it was she felt as if
the floor had opened beneath her.
     

3
     
    RECOVERY
     
                WITH THE MORNING'S TRUNCATED
SURGERY SCHEDULE finished, the halls were quiet. Too quiet. Gin's stomach was
still tight as she completed her dictation on Thursday's scheduled procedures.
                 Why
did you open your big mouth?
                 Because
he had to know sooner or later. . . especially when she began asking for extra
time off.
                 But
you may never get the job.
                 Right.
Too right.
                 She
finished the last H and P, logged off her terminal, and sat there.
                 Now
what?
                 She
had to face him. Had to clear the air. Had to find out where she stood. Was she
still welcome here as a pre-op evaluator and surgical assistant? or was she to
be cast into the outer darkness?
                 Only
one way to find out.
                 She
gathered her courage and hurried upstairs to the main floor. From there a short
walk down the hall.
                 Duncan 's slim, pretty, blond
receptionist-secretary guarded the door to his office.
                 "Hi,
Barbara. Is he in?"
                She smiled up at Gin. "Just
missed him. Said he was going to look in on the senator, then,"
                "head for the golf course,"
Gin said. That was Duncan 's routine.
                 "He
may still be here. If you hurry,"
                 "Thanks,
Barb." She hurried toward the V.I.P recovery room. Along the way she saw
Sharon Collins, the recovery RN, standing in the hall and talking to Joanna.
She slowed as she passed.
                 "Excuse
me, Sharon. Aren't you,?"
                "Doing recovery on the V.I.P?"
She was short, dark, and built like a Ninja turtle, but one sharp nurse.
"Yeah. Dr. D. told me to take a break while he double-checked his
needlework. I'm just about to head back."
                 "Good.
Maybe I can catch him."
                 "You
sure you want to?" Joanna said.
                 Gin
flashed her a smile. "No." She scooted around the corner to the V.I.P
recovery room, a plain, unmarked door, and knocked gently.
                 When
there was no answer she tried again.
                 " Duncan ?"
                 She
pushed the door open.
                 Noon brightness filtered through the full-length
beige drapes across the picture window. Carpeting instead of linoleum, mahogany
instead of Formica. A veneer of luxury for the sort who craved it, but very
functional beneath.
                 In
the bed, Senator Vincent snored