It was exhausting, and yet there was something perversely entertaining about it. I suspected she wanted to fire me out of spite, but if she were even tempted to try, my first call would be to Vincent Cross.
Understanding that she knew that and knew she couldn’t do shit to me was delicious.
My system alerted to a new email as I’d returned from another meeting with another family with another problem, one RMC hoped I’d resolve in their favor. They were asking an awful lot of a person they couldn’t count on to back up their shady head of Risk Management and Patient Advocacy.
I pulled my phone to check the email and my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach.
Subject:Hart Family Matter - Resolution
From:Rachel Gaines, Esq., Hart Legal Group
To: Dr. Elizabeth Rice, Ms. Harper Sutton
Cc:Ridgeway Medical Center Legal Department
Please be advised that the Hart family has elected to withdraw their complaint against Ridgeway Medical Center and Dr. Cole Vaughn. Mrs. Hart thanks you for your time and diligence in exploring the events surrounding the death of Mr. Earl Greene.
No further action is required at this time.
Regards,
Rachel Gaines, Esq.
Hart Legal Group
I read it twice, then a third time, waiting for the catch. There had to be a catch. Connected families like the Harts didn’t just withdraw complaints, at least those with resources and influence.
My phone rang. Dr. Rice’s name scrolled across the screen.
“You saw the email,” she said without preamble when I picked up.
“Yes. Just now.”
“I just got a call from Legal. Mrs. Hart wants to meet with you to put this to bed. Today, if possible. I’ve already confirmed with her attorney that this is legitimate. The complaint is being withdrawn, no conditions.”
“What does she want to meet about if the complaint is going away?”
“I don’t know and I don’t particularly care. Schedule the meeting, hear what she has to say, and close this file.” A pause. “This is a good outcome, Harper. For everyone.” Then she hung up.
Her underhanded commentary did not miss me.
I then forwarded the email to Cole with a single line:Call me when you can.
A text message appeared almost immediately.
Cole:
On my way to your office.
My pulse kicked up.
Me:
Now? Aren’t you working?
Cole:
Be there in five.
