It was so hard leaving Kynlee at the cabin, but 5AM would come whether I was ready for it or not. When I went to bed Sunday night, my bed felt cold and empty. I wasn't kidding when I said I'd miss her. Just having her close calmed me and made me happier. Sammy curled up by my hip as usual, but I just couldn't get comfortable. I considered leaving Sammy at the cabin until Thursday when I returned for the Board of Directors meeting, but Kynlee thought it best I bring her with me, so I did. I finally dozed off, but 5AM came before I was ready.
It was going to be a long day, that was for sure. I'd showered the night before so threw my clothes on, slipped into my loafers, fed Sammy, and grabbed my travel mug full of coffee. The five cups I joked about, might not be too far off today.
"Good morning Hal," I said as I entered his hospital room.
"Uncle Wam," he exclaimed, "I might get to go home today!" A big, bright smile covered his face.
"That's wonderful buddy," I returned his enthusiasm. "How are you feeling?"
"I think better every day. Mona and Yank said I'm doing good and I'm a strong young man," Hal recalled, his eyes looking upward like he was remembering. "Aunt Mona likes to call me her little man," he said with a shrug.
I couldn't help but smile at seeing his personality return. I had been so worried about him and that the flat affect and lethargy might be permanent. At least most seizures were treatable. Again, I reminded myself that Halian's young age was a blessing, and he had a lot of growing and developing to do yet. I had every intention to watch him closely once he was discharged to make sure he continued to improve. "You know you have to keep working hard with your therapies, once you go home right Hal?"
"Yes Wam. Yank told me he wanted to see my muscles next time I have an appointment, cuz he is sure I'll get stronger if I work hard."
"Dr. Yankton is a pretty smart guy Hal. I hope you listen to him," I suggested.
"Yeah, Aunt Mona thinks so too. She laughs a lot when he is around. Silly girls.." Hal said as he shook his head.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Okay buddy, I have to go to work now, but I'll check back on you later okay?" I asked.
"Okay Wam. Don't forget to stop later…just in case I'm still here," he demanded.
"I may be busy, but could never forget you buddy." I ruffled his hair, mindful of the sutures still in his scalp, and walked out the door to check my schedule for the day.
When I entered the Nurse's station in our surgical area, our hospital Administrator was just arriving. This was my chance to get another opinion of the Dr. Adams situation, and I would be a fool to pass it up. I walked up to him and greeted him with, "good morning Dr. Johnson. I trust you had a nice weekend?"
"Well good morning Dr. Teton," he smiled in return. "My weekend was wonderful thank you. My daughter played a volleyball tournament all day Saturday, then my youngest son had peewee football on Sunday. So it was all good. How about you?"
"Oh, I went to the cabin for the weekend. It was a good weekend, but per usual, went by too fast," I joked. "Hey, I was wondering if you had time for me to run something by you before my first surgery?"
Dr. Johnson nodded with his hands in his suit pant pockets. "Why don't we step into the consultation room and talk if that's okay with you?"
I nodded and made a gesture for Dr. Johnson to lead the way. We sat in chairs on opposite sides of the little round table so we faced each other. "So what can I do for you Dr. Teton?" He asked as he folded his hands on the table in front of him.
"Okay…I'm being blackmailed by a doctor in Rochester who thinks she had dirt on me. I recently started dating the sister of a former patient. I assure you we were only friends until her brother was discharged from the hospital to a rehab center, but Dr. Kelly Adams seems convinced otherwise. I found out this weekend that several of the staff from our Rochester clinic and hospital are benefactors in this rehab facility and are referring their patients there. It's completely unethical and they could all be reprimanded at the least or at the most, lose their jobs or possibly even their medical licenses. When Kelly found out I knew, she threatened to expose my relationship with Kynlee to the Board of Directors. The thing is we really were just friends because I didn't want Kynlee to feel like she owed me for treating her brother. If she chose to date me, it had to be her choice and not out of obligation. So I have to bring these immoral actions to the hospital Board and possibly the Board of Physicians. You cannot tell me having part ownership in the rehabilitation center doesn't cloud their judgment," I explained.
Dr. Johnson blew out a sigh. "Wow Wam, that's quite the situation you're in. Do you have a plan on how to handle this?" The Administrator asked.
"I was really hoping maybe you could help me figure out the best way to approach this," I pleaded. "I can't help but wonder how deep this goes and why they haven't been turned in before now. How many other people have they blackmailed to keep quiet?"
Dr. Johnson sat back in his chair and took a deep breath. "This is bad Wam. I'm not going to lie to you. If you did date this woman before her brother was moved out and there is proof…Im not sure I can protect you. Even I've heard of Dr. Adams's reputation as Head of Neurology. She is a pit bull. If you make her angry, she will come out fighting. Most people wouldn't dare go up against her."
"I'm aware Phil. I'm aware, but should they be allowed to continue their scam simply because they have people scared of the consequences? Or worse yet, because they've been blackmailed?" I asked.
"If I were you, I'd find a lawyer you can trust and discuss this with them before you do anything else," Dr. Phil Johnson said. "Be careful who you trust, because this is your livelihood and your future at stake." He stood and moved toward the door, hand extended to the door knob, looked back over his shoulder and said, "and Wam, I'd stop seeing this patient's sister sooner rather than later. Either marry her or stop seeing her, because your career may depend on it." He opened the door and walked out.
I was left there alone with my thoughts and my worries. Get rid of Kynlee? Marry Kynlee? I'm not sure I can do either..
I stood and stretched my arms over my head. I took a few deep breaths, and tried to push this issue to the back of my mind so I could focus on work. I needed to go talk to my first patient and then get ready for surgery. With one last deep breath, I sighed and headed out the door to get on with my day.