The group gathered their notes and headed out in different directions. Martin lingered behind, sitting on the edge of the table. “I’m glad Cassie is starting to respond,” he said in his usual soft-spoken manner.
“Me too.” Ian looked up at his executive officer. “What’s on your mind?”
“I was thinking about Columbia.” Martin brought up a SEAL mission from 2003.
“Julian saved the team and a group of hostages. You and Wes saved my life. Your shoulders are bony.”
Martin arched his brow.
“I know, that’s not why you’re bringing up the story. I lost focus, and it almost cost a lot of lives.”
Ian had been bitten by an aggressive venomous spider. His fever made him hallucinate and become paranoid and agitated, combined with other severe symptoms. Compromised, he refused to relinquish command, so Julian took over by force. The illness caused the irrational behavior; the breakdown in leadership never went further than the team.
“I know there’s no spider bite…but…you’re not alone in this. You can’t do everything. You built an incredible company, filled with brilliant people—use us. Don’t get so hyper-focused, you lose track of the mission.” Martin stayed put.
“Thanks, Martin.” Ian grabbed his files. “I hear you.” The men left the room together.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Declan Chase read Hunter Montgomery’s statement into the hospital board meeting record. “Dr. Montgomery is sorry he couldn’t be here. He is delayed taking care of a medical emergency, but he assured me he will be available to meet with you any other time.” Declan handed them all the evidence obtained regarding the sponge and meningitis.
The eleven-member board—composed of doctors and lawyers—discussed the evidence. With Declan’s recusal, the vote against Maddox was unanimous. They decided on immediate termination of Maddox’s position as Chief of Surgery and suspension of his hospital privileges pending the outcome of a hearing. The board named Hunter Montgomery as the acting Chief of Surgery pending substantiation of his credentials and a new background check. The head of human resources advised Dr. Maddox’s letters would be completed in an expedited manner, and she would serve them in person, at which time he would be escorted from the building.
After the meeting, Declan sat alone in the conference room and called both his sons on a three-way call. “It’s done. The board voted to remove him as chief. They also suspended his privileges pending a hearing. Hunt was named acting chief. Any word on Cassie’s surgery?”
“Tuck called. It was running long. They were having some issues.” The words caught in Ian’s throat.
"I’m sorry to hear that. Speaking of issues, I managed to put Mom off again. She knows you’re working on a big case, but she’s home from taking care of your new second cousin and wondering why she only hears from Kieran.”
“That’s because I’m the good son.”
“Dad, please. You know how she gets. She’ll want to help,” Ian said.
“Ian Aiden Chase, I will not lie to your mom if she asks a direct question. Your mother is good at her job. Would it be so bad if she helped?”
“I promise I will call her, sir.” Guilt tinged Ian’s voice.
* * *
Cassie lay on the operating table under the watchful eye of anesthesiologist Juan Castroneves. As with everyone involved in Cassie’s case, he signed the nondisclosure agreement without hesitation. “This is some setup. Better equipment than the hospital. Who is she?” Juan never took his eyes off the gauges.
Hunter's eyes softened over the top of his mask. “Let’s put it this way—Ian Chase is in love with her.”
Pete bit his tongue. Hunter and orthopedic surgeon, Gabriel Simms, worked to repair Cassie’s right shoulder. Her heart was not tolerating the anesthesia.
“Boys, no more lidocaine. She’s tiny. It’s too much in her bloodstream.” Juan pushed medication.
“She doesn’t metabolize meds as expected.” Tucker sponged some bleeding.
“Number eight.” Hunter tossed the eighth sponge in the waste bowl. The surgery was proving to be wearing.
“This is going to require a lot of rehab. Is she right-hand dominant?” Simms asked.
Pete murmured, “As far as we know.”
Wearing microscope glasses, Simms sewed the stiffened, torn fibers. “That’s a work of art.” He leaned back from the table to look at the repair from another angle, then gave some instructions on her care. “All kidding aside, this is going to be an arduous recovery. The animal who stabbed her disarticulated the whole joint.”
Pete and Tucker helped wrap and secure the arm. “Pete, get her back to bed. Let’s see if this dosage holds her. Tucker, your insight was right. She doesn’t metabolize these meds as expected. If she’s still in pain, go up slow. Try Toradol and then morphine.” Hunter pulled the mask from his face as Tucker and Pete lifted Cassie from the table to the stretcher.
