Once settled, Ben and I began with general information to help Doug relax.He was more than a little nervous.As the questions became more specific, his answers began to become defensive.He couldn’t sit still, and I noticed perspiration on his upper lip.Ben tried to reassure him.
“This isn’t an inquisition, Doug.You haven’t done anything wrong.I’m sorry if you got that impression.We’re looking for your thoughts, insights.”
“May I have some water?”
“Sure.I’ll get it.”Ben stopped at the door.“Do you want anything, Asher?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
After Ben left, the silence was heavy.Doug wouldn’t look at me, and his anxiety level had risen.I decided to try and shift gears.
“The new servers are scheduled for delivery in about a week.Have you met Emma Palmer yet?You’re rotating to day shift right about that time, and you’ll be working with her.”
If he hadn’t been sitting down, I’m sure he would’ve passed out.All the color drained from his face, leaving a greenish-gray pallor.With his color and the fact that he was sweating, I wasn’t going to take chances.
My brother insisted our parents, my sister, and I take CPR classes.He was a total nag about keeping current.This kid was the textbook picture of an active heart attack.As I stood to check him out, I heard the door open, but I didn’t take my eyes off Doug.
“I’d ask if you’re okay, but it’s clear you aren’t.Are you in pain?”Doug was trying to pull in air.
Ben set the water bottle on his desk and grabbed his cell phone.“I’m calling 9-1-1.The emergency call button is right outside the door.Help’s on the way, man.”
“Don’t…I can’t…I…don’t…”
“We’re not taking any chances.Ben I’ve got Doug.You call—”
“No.”His color was starting to improve, but he still looked like the walking dead—or pretty damn close to it.“A minute…give…me…a…a…just a minute…”
I raised my hand.“Wait, Ben.”
Then…
“I can’t…do this.”
Ben was kneeling beside the chair.I took hold of Doug’s wrist and his pulse was racing but regular, and his color was improving.Air exchange was better.He wasn’t in great shape, but I was confident that we probably didn’t need the ambulance.
“Asher, what happened?”
Doug was trembling now, probably an adrenaline reaction, but his pulse was slowing a bit.
I glanced at Ben then resumed watching the kid.“I asked Doug if he’d met Emma yet and told him that he’d be working with her when he rotated to day shift.And this happened.”I didn’t let go of his wrist but leaned over to try and catch his gaze.“Hey, look at me.Ben, give Doug the water.”
The water appeared and Doug accepted the bottle with his free hand and downed nearly half of the eleven ounce bottle.His pulse was almost in the normal range, so I let go of his wrist.He set the bottle on the table as Ben sat back down.
“Hey, Doug, look at me.What’s going on?”I exchanged a look with Ben and then turned back to Doug.“What happened?”
Silence.I glanced at Ben and shook my head and raised a finger.Give him a minute…
When Doug looked up and pinned Ben and then me that lightbulb popped on followed by a sense of dread, followed by disappointment, then anger, but not at the person in the chair in front of me.I turned to Ben.He’d closed his eyes and slouched just a bit in his seat.
“I can’t do this.No amount of money for any reason is worth this.I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
And there it was.The final piece of the puzzle.“What can’t you do, Doug?”Ben prompted.
Doug leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees, hands folded between them.I leaned back in my seat.“Take whatever time you need,” I said.
When he raised his head, he looked broken, deflated.“Do you need to get security in here, Legal, the police?”
We shook our heads.Ben deferred to me.“Not right now.Would you like us to contact anyone?Would you like to call an attorney?”
