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“What can I help you with?” As welcoming as his words were, Dr. Donaldson didn’t bother to turn away from the computer. Clearly he’d dive right back into his work the minute we finished talking—and the sooner that minute was, the better.
“It’s about the task force.”
He nodded for me to go on.
“I understand Dr. Croft is very talented, but I get the impression she doesn’t want to work with me.”
“Why do you say that?”
I offered a smile that I hoped looked less strained than it felt. “Just a vibe I’m getting.”
Dr. Donaldson remained impassive. “Hm.”
Okay. “Obviously we all agree the task force’s goals are vital to Beaufort, and none of us wants to delay this.”
He nodded again. Man of few words, I guessed. Probably spoke exclusively to Dr. Croft.
“So,” I said, drawing out the word, “I was wondering if anyone else was available who could be just as perfect for the position.”
“Nobody’s perfect,” Dr. Donaldson intoned.
I mentally snorted. “Or someone with equally impressive qualifications.”
I hoped he’d understand the implication: him. Dr. Donaldson’s list of publications and honors on the Beaufort website was extensive; most of Dr. Croft’s papers—which did sound fascinating—were coauthored with him.
It was incredibly dorky that I was looking forward to having my own page on Beaufort’s site.
“No,” Dr. Donaldson said. “None of our other fellows are half as bright.” After he’d said it, he remembered to check the open doorway to make sure they weren’t in hearing range. Fortunately for him—or them—we were the only ones in sight.
Part of me wanted to see if I couldn’t confirm what I’d been telling Dr. Croft for the last two days: Dr. Donaldson was already her work husband and, as far as he knew, was well on his way to becoming her real one. If only I’d set my phone to record before I came in.
Not that Dr. Croft was likely to take that well. Or ever speak to me again.
“What about the other physicians?” I attempted. I hadn’t done much digging on them, but I knew the fellows weren’t the only people working in the division.
“Oh, no, I’m sorry, they’ve all got too much on their plates already. Please understand, I only carved out this position to help Dr. Croft.”
Sounded like evidence to me, but Dr. Croft would surely dismiss it. “I get that, really I do,” I said. Dr. Croft said that just because I was rich, everything had been given to me. The truth was that—among people who weren’t card-carrying Davis Haters—I’d actually built my career by getting good at working with people and negotiating to find mutually beneficial outcomes. “It’s a very prestigious job.”
Dr. Donaldson nodded liketell me something I don’t know.
“And I can see why she wouldn’t want to work closely with me. I mean, you know what happens when two people work together.” I hoped he’d take the implication without me spelling out the example ofa straight man and a straight woman.
“Dr. Croft is exceedingly professional.”
“Oh, yes, yes, of course, that’s not what I mean at all.” Which was negotiator foryou keep telling yourself that’s why she’s not falling all over you, buddy. “I’m not worried about either of us crossing a line—but you know how it is when you work that closely with someone. No matter how professional you are.”
Dr. Donaldson frowned. He didn’t seem to be taking my meaning.
I shifted tactics slightly. “If it’s possible,” I said, “I think it would be easier—for both of us—to focus on our work if we could set up an environment with a little less animosity.”
“Did you... want me to talk to Dr. Croft for you?”
Aristotle himself couldn’t have convinced her I wasn’t the human equivalent of a nuclear waste dump.
“Or,” he tried again, “see if Dr. Okafor has someone else for your position?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t really have any room to move on this; it’s the main reason I was hired.” Time to be direct. “I’m actually trying to ask if you’d be willing to take on the task force. I know you’re slammed,” I rushed to add, “but I read your most recent paper on superbugs, and it’s clear you’re an authority in healthcare-associated infections. We’d all benefit from your expertise.”
