Vincent let the silence stretch out, long and uncomfortable. Then he leaned forward again, his hands flat on the walnut table.
“So, let’s just be clear,” he continued. His wedding band glinted in the sunlight beaming through the windows. “If Ridgeway Medical Center wants to continue this narrative, positioning Dr. Vaughn as responsible for an unavoidable death to appease a donor family, let’s go. But you should know that Cross & Associates is prepared to file suit against this hospital for defamation, wrongful termination if Dr. Vaughn’s employment is affected in any way, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.”
Gerald shifted in his seat. The leather squeaked. “That’s?—”
“Well within Dr. Vaughn’s rights. And only the beginning.” Vincent smiled, but it was all teeth. “Because when we file, the complaint will be public. We’ll make sure every surgeon in this hospital knows that Ridgeway will throw its staff under the bus when money is involved. We’ll make sure every potential donor knows that your institutional priorities are driven by optics, not medicine. I will make this the most expensive mistake you’ve ever made. By the time we’re done, you’ll be writing checks with so many zeros, they might as well rename this place Vaughn Medical Center.”
Vincent’s words practically echoed, bouncing off of the walls. I could only imagine how magnificent he would be in court. I pulled my lips in and bit the inside of my mouth to avoid smiling.
Rachel glared across the table. Her knuckles were white where she gripped her pen.
Dr. Rice was incandescently red, practically shaking in anger.
Adrienne and Gerald looked like they were doing mental math, calculating billable hours and settlement figures.
Diane Hart pressed both hands to her face. Her shoulders shook and gasping sobs filled the conference room.
“Mrs. Hart.” I kept my voice low, gentle. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I know you’re looking for answers, some closure. I’m just not sure that this process is going to provide the kind of comfort you’re looking for.”
Rachel put an arm around Diane’s shoulders and helped her stand. Diane’s purse fell to the floor. “We’re done here,” she said, bending to pick it up. “Thank you for your time.”
She guided Diane toward the door. Rachel paused at the threshold, her hand on the door frame. She looked back over her shoulder, her eyes landing on Vincent.
“You’ll be hearing from us.”
“I’m sure we will,” Vincent said, his tone as pleasant as if they’d just discussed the weekend weather.
Dr. Rice turned to Cole. Two spots of bright color remained high on her cheeks. “Dr. Vaughn, I would have appreciated advance notice of this tactic.”
Cole shrugged. “And I would have appreciated the hospital not positioning me as the fall guy for a death I couldn’t prevent.”
“No one is positioning you?—”
“Dr. Rice, let’s not insult each other’s intelligence.”
Vincent stood, closing his briefcase with a decisive snap that made Adrienne flinch. “You expected Dr. Vaughn to show up without legal representation, hoping he’d fold and accept some form of responsibility so you don’t lose a donor. You underestimated him and you underestimated me, and I take that very personally. Don’t do it again.”
He looked at Cole. “Got time for an early lunch before my jet takes off?”
Cole stood, buttoned his suit jacket, and followed Vincent to the door. Before he left, he glanced back at me. Our eyes met across the room and an understanding passed between us—relief, gratitude, or the acknowledgment that we’d just survived something together.
The corner of his mouth twitched as if he really wanted to bless the room with a smile. Then he was gone.
Dr. Rice turned to Adrienne and Gerald. She sighed. “Thoughts?”
“He’s an arrogant piece of work, but he’s not wrong,” said Gerald. “If we pursue this angle, we’re exposing the hospital to significant liability and publicity.”
“And if the Hart family doesn’t let this go?” Adrienne asked.
“Let them file,” Gerald replied. “But if we throw Vaughn to them, Cross will eviscerate us.”
Dr. Rice stood and gathered her things. “I need to speak with the Chairman and CEO. Let’s regroup later.”
She walked out without looking at me. Webb followed her.
Adrienne and Gerald packed up their briefcases and left.
I sat alone in the conference room, staring at the empty chairs, my heart still racing.
