Chapter 9: Ben's Vote

Ben's POV

The hospital's CEO had a corner office with a view of the lake, and a glass desk with nothing on it but a pen.

I had been summoned there at seven on Thursday morning, and Alastair was already sitting in the second chair.

"Dr. Almqvist," the CEO said warmly. "We hoped you'd had time to think."

"I have."

"Wonderful. Alastair tells me you've been very supportive of this difficult situation."

"I've been supportive of a surgeon who saved a man's life on Tuesday."

The CEO's smile stayed where it was.

Alastair did not look at me. He turned his pen over on his knee, patient.

"We're offering you a permanent post," the CEO said. "Chief of trauma, full privileges, five years."

"For what?"

"A short statement for the board, from a colleague she trusts, about her recent state of mind."

"I've watched her operate for five weeks," I said. "That's all I know about her state of mind."

"That's a good start," said Alastair gently.

"It's also the whole statement. She's the best cardiac surgeon I have ever stood next to."

"Dr. Almqvist."

"You can have that in writing."

Alastair finally looked up.

He was not angry. That was what I noticed.

He looked at me kindly, the way he looked at residents who had misread a scan.

"You've known her five weeks," he said. "I've known her twelve years."

"Then you should have said something at the gala about not knowing her."

The CEO cleared his throat. "Your contract is up for renewal on Friday afternoon."

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