House Of Cards
Thank you for the kind reviews. It warms by heart to know I'm not alone in Cordano World. In other news, the restaurant is now closed and I am free to write again...at actual leisure!
This chapter, is based on the episode 'The Advocate.' Season 9,ep 17
Chapter Six-
"Heeey Doctor Romano, can I get your autograph?" Chuny said, grinning as he walked towards the E.R front desk. She was flanked by Frank, Susan, Abby and Haleh, who were all sporting similar smiles.
"What?' he said.
Frank waved a copy of the newspaper article about him and cleared his throat. "Now, this part in particular is my favourite! 'Doctor Romano, is a man who sees only challenges, instead of limits, and is an inspiration to us all. County General is lucky to have him!!"
"Never a truer word said, and don't you forget it!" Robert said, trying to keep a straight face, but failing.
"Did you write this yourself?" Susan asked, shaking her head laughing.
"Yeah, and if not, how much did you pay them?"
"Ohhh, say something inspirational!"
"How about get back to work or you're all fired?" he said, in a sing-song voice.
"Oh, boooh," Susan called out and the cry was picked up and chorused by the others.
Remembering he was supposed to be winning hearts and minds, he dug out his wallet and produced a fifty dollar bill. "How much inspiration does this buy me? Coffee and doughnuts are on me!"
The booing switched to cheering and Chuny leaned over and swiped the money out of his hand, just in case he was joking.
"What's going on here?" Kerry shouted, hobbling around the corner. She frowned when she saw Robert and scowled at the others when their laughter did not immediately stop.
"What are you doing down here, Robert?"
"Tut-tut Kerry, don't tell me you haven't read your memo's?"
The pained expression on her face told him that she hadn't, and he smirked. "Well, allow me to enlighten you. Seeing as you very kindly facilitated our new budget without a single cut...I am curious as to how you managed that by the way. What was it? Sacrificial goat or did you have to trade your soul for favours?"
She opened her mouth to speak and he waved a dismissive hand. "Bah, who really cares? Not me. Anyhow the upshot is, that I as Chief of Staff, get to decide how the money is spent."
"That still doesn't explain what you're doing down here?"
"Well Kerry, if you'd taken the time to read your memos, you would have known that I am spending the day down here, shadowing Haleh...who as Head E.R nurse, did read her memo, and I imagine is all primed with her Christmas wish list?" He looked at Haleh for confirmation and she nodded, hugging her clipboard to her chest. "Oh yeah!" she grinned.
"I don't understand," Kerry said.
"Not much to understand. I've decided to spend time with all Department Heads, from janitorial upwards, to see how the troops feel their budget could be better utilised."
Kerry nearly spat out her coffee. "As Chief of the E.R, I am responsible for putting in budget requests! That includes the E.R nursing budget!"
"Not any more. Donald thinks its an excellent idea...in fact he called it 'inspiring'...now, where else have I heard that word today? Oh, that's right!" He grabbed the paper out of Frank's hands. "Excellent article in the Trib today...have you read it?" He slapped the paper down on the desk in front of her. "It's Pulitzer stuff! Right then, lots to do...are we ready, Haleh?"
Haleh didn't bother hiding her smirk. "Yes Doctor Romano."
"Lead the way, then," he said gesturing with his arm.
Kerry glanced down at the paper and felt her eyes widen. She looked back up and watched them walk away, and then looked at everyone else, only to find them all grinning, watching her.
She scooped up the paper and tucked it under her arm. "Get back to work," she snapped, and turned around to walk away. As she rounded the corner she stopped briefly as she heard their laughter start up again.
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"Dinners nearly ready," Robert said as he handed Elizabeth a glass of wine.
"Good, because it smells fantastic," she said, and smiled up at him from where she sat on the floor playing with Ella. He stood over her, grinning like the cat that got the cream.
"You're in a good mood."
"Yeah, well, I've had a pretty good day."
"I'm not surprised. Pattie certainly did paint you in a good light. Shirley's getting the article laminated and put in the scrub room."
"That wasn't the only good news I had today."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I got a call back from Doctor Symons' office."
Elizabeth looked up sharply, and put the glass down on the table. This was the second opinion and really the only one that mattered. Symons was based in L.A, and was the best in his field. To get an appointment would be brilliant news. "Why didn't you say earlier! Well, what did they say?"
"They want to see me next week."
She smiled widely, stood up and threw her arms around him. "Robert, that's wonderful news!"
He smiled against her neck, enjoying the embrace. "Think you can get time off to come with me?"
"You want me to go with you?" she said surprised.
"Of course," he said, surprised by her surprise. "And Ella too."
"To Los Angeles?"
Robert nodded and pulled back a bit so he could see her face. "Yeah. Unless, you don't want to?"
"No, of course I want to. I just wasn't sure if it was something you'd want to do by yourself."
"Why would I want to do it without you? Let's be honest, I probably wouldn't even be here Lizzie, if it wasn't for you."
She smiled, and hugged him tighter.
"I was also thinking maybe afterwards, we could stop by my sisters?"
Now it was her turn to pull away so she could see his face. "Ahh, now I see the real reason you want us to go...you want me to act as a buffer."
"Not true."
She smirked and raised her eyebrow.
"Okay, maybe a little true, but I thought you wanted to meet her? You're the one who's been nagging me since new year, pluuus, I still have to make it up to Ella. Think she'd like to go to Disneyland?"
The smile that graced her face seemed to stretch from ear to ear, and made him feel a little giddy. "Oh Robert, like she doesn't worship you already!"
"Is that a yes, then?"
"Look, I can't promise to get the time off, but I'm certainly going to try."
Robert nodded. "Good enough. I better go check on dinner."
She smiled and watched him go before sitting back down with Ella, who handed her a crayon. "Two Romano's at the same time Ella? What has mummy got us into?" she said, then committed herself to colouring in. A few minutes later a knock at the door made Elizabeth look up again. Robert heard it too, and popped his head out from the kitchen.
"Whoever it is, get rid of them...dinners just about ready," he said as Elizabeth walked past him towards the front door.
She was of the same opinion as she reached for the handle, but when she opened the door, she wasn't prepared to see a cold looking, Susan Lewis standing there, hugging herself.
"Susan?!" she exclaimed loudly, in surprise.
"Hey Elizabeth. Sorry to just doorstop you like this, but I kinda need to talk to someone."
Elizabeth glanced back to the kitchen, then took one look at her friend and opened the door wider. "Well, you'd better come in then."
"Thanks," Susan said. "It's getting pretty hairy out there."
"Here, let me take your coat," Elizabeth offered, holding out her hand.
"Thanks," Susan said and started to shrug out of it.
"I should probably warn you..." Elizabeth started to say, but stopped as Susan's head whipped up suddenly and sniffed the air.
"Ohhh, something smells good! Oh my God, are you actually cooking? How do you even have the energy to do that?!"
"She doesn't."
Susan spun around at the familiar voice, surprised to see Romano smirking at her. He looked very much at home, with a tea-towel casually thrown over his shoulder and a glass of wine in his hand.
"Evening, Lewis," he said, trying hard not to laugh at her shocked expression. "Shouldn't you be half way to Vegas by now, instead of trying to catch flies with your mouth?"
"Erm, shouldn't you be in your own house?" She looked between the two of them, then slowly grinned and waved her hand between them, pointing a finger. "Are you two…"
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, but all that fell out was, "Ahhh…"
"Dinner between friends is what's going on...or, at least it was," he said, and looked at Elizabeth. He nudged his head in the direction of the kitchen. "It's all set in there. I'm going to go and leave you two to it."
Elizabeth smiled warmly at him. "Thank you," she said, and he nodded.
"Oh, hey no, don't leave on my account!" Susan said, holding up both of her hands. "If anyone leaves it should be me for dropping by unannounced. Can't we just set another place?"
Robert looked at Elizabeth, the question in his eyes. 'What do you want me to do?'
'Stay.'
'You sure? Not worried about gossip?'
''Cat's already out of the bag, and its only Susan.'
'Well, if you're sure?'
'I am.'
He shrugged. 'Guess, I'll set another place then."
Susan clapped her hands together. "Great! I hope you've made plenty 'cause I'm starving!"
"Right, well since that's settled I'm going to get Ella," Elizabeth said, and left the pair of them eyeing each other.
"So can I get one of them?" she said, pointing at the wineglass he was holding.
"No such thing as a free lunch, Lewis," Robert said, as he snagged the towel from off his shoulder and tossed it to her.
"What?" she said as she caught it.
"You can dry," he called out over his shoulder, as he walked back into the kitchen. She watched him go, then down at the towel, then back up. Shrugging, she followed.
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Susan finished her second helping of aubergine parmigiana by wiping the plate with the last slice of garlic bread.
She looked up to see both Robert and Elizabeth watching her with bemused expressions.
Grinning she picked up a napkin and daintily made a show of dabbing off her face. "Sorry," she said. "Robert, that was amazing. I had no idea you could cook!"
He shrugged. "What can I say, I am a man of many talents," he said.
"Oh, really? Tell me more," Susan said, and looked at Elizabeth with a lewd grin.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. 'Here we go,' she thought, and fixed Robert with a stare. 'Well done!' her eyes said.
He blinked a silent apology at her, then stood up. "Okay, I think that's enough wine for you Lewis."
Susan grabbed her glass and hugged it to her, in case he was serious.
"Look, I'm guessing you don't really want me here, while you talk to Lizzie about whatever it is you came here to talk about?"
Susan's face fell serious. "I'll take that as a yes. Lizzie, why don't I take Ella up and leave you ladies to it?"
Elizabeth smiled warmly at him. "Thank you Robert, that would be great."
"Yeah, thanks Robert," Susan sang.
He shot her a look which just made her smile more.
"Okay, Ella," he said. "Bath time then bed."
"An four story," Ella chimed, proudly holding up five fingers.
Robert grinned, "One story," and held up one finger.
"Three story!" she said, again waving five fingers.
He reached down and closed her fingers so there were just two left. "One, two," he counted for her. "Two stories, and that's my final offer."
Ella smiled triumphantly and reached up her arms so he could scoop her out of her high chair.
He stopped by Elizabeth so she could give her a kiss goodnight.
"Night, Ella," Susan said, and waved at her. Ella waved back as he carried her out.
Susan turned back to Elizabeth. "Soooo…..who is that man and what have you done with the real Doctor Romano?!"
Elizabeth laughed. "More wine?"
"Oh, thank God. I thought he was serious about cutting me off!"
Elizabeth grabbed the open bottle from of the table. "Shall we relocate to the lounge, and you can tell me what's going on?"
Susan rose out of her chair to follow. "Screw that, I want to hear what's going on with you two! I see now the real reason you turned dishy Dorset down when he asked you out!"
"Nothing is going on Susan...we're just friends," she said filling up their wine glasses.
They sat down on the couch and clinked their glasses together. "Cheers!"
Susan took a glug of wine then put her glass down. "I don't know Elizabeth, you guys look pretty cosy together."
"We are not 'together'!"
"I mean, you even have a whole talky thing going on with just your eyes! It's a bit spooky!"
Elizabeth couldn't help herself but laugh. "Yes, well you have to with the strong silent types."
Susan raised her eyebrows and smirked. "So, how long have you two been, 'just friends' then?"
"Since Halloween."
"That long?! Okay, that's the when, now tell me the how and why."
Elizabeth realised she wasn't going to let it drop, and put down her glass on the table. "Look, six months ago he was in a pretty dark place...and I was very miserable. He reached out to me at Halloween and we talked and sort of decided to be there for one another...as friends...and speaking as friends, what do you want to talk about?"
Susan took a long drink of wine. "Ahh, I'm not sure. It's kind of crazy now the more I think about it."
"What is?"
Susan glanced to the stairs and turned back to Elizabeth. "How long will he be?"
"I don't know...half hour...depends on Ella, really. Why?"
"It's kind of a delicate subject."
"Okay?"
"Look, maybe we should just, you know...wait until he leaves?"
"Oh," she said quietly, and blinked. It hadn't even dawned on her! Of course, Susan was expecting him to leave! Before Susan had arrived, the plan was he'd stay over as usual and it hadn't even crossed her mind, that the subject would even come up. She didn't want to ask him to leave, but then she reasoned, he'd probably offer anyhow, in light of Susan being here. Yeah, she could probably get away with winging it.
Susan who had watched Elizabeth's many changing expressions suddenly gasped as Elizabeth began to speak, and brought her hand up to her mouth. "He's not leaving is he?"
"He…"
"Lives here?!"
"No!"
"So, he just sleeps here?!" Susan grinned.
"No! Well, yes he does sometimes...not every night."
"So what...just most nights?"
Elizabeth groaned and nodded.
"Same bed?"
"That is none of your business!"
"Oh my God! Really? You're sleeping together?"
"Keep your voice down or he'll hear you. No we're not sleeping together...well technically, we are but not like you're thinking!"
"Hey, you're both consenting adults and its none of my business," Susan said, openly laughing at her now.
Elizabeth waited for her stop. "Have you quite finished?"
Susan breathed in deeply and composed her face back to semi-serious. "Sorry," she said. "Look, what's going on?"
"He stays Susan, because sometimes he has nightmares. Very horrible, very vivid nightmares and sometimes he...look," she stopped herself. "This is Robert's personal business, and I don't feel comfortable discussing it...I know he wouldn't want me talking to you about it."
Susan held up a contrite hand. "Elizabeth, it's fine. Really, it's okay, you don't have to explain. I'm sorry, I was just teasing you."
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
"Nightmares, huh?" Susan said, as they both reached for their wine glasses. "Yeah, I was there that night….the man's entitled to his nightmares."
Elizabeth nodded. "Look, we're just good for each other right now, and it works. And Ella absolutely adores him...but I promise you, its one hundred percent platonic."
Susan nodded, and held her hands up in surrender. "Okay, if you say there's nothing going on, then as your friend I believe you...but also, as your friend, you should know I reserve the right to tease you about it."
Elizabeth smiled and dipped her head. "Fair enough."
"But could it become more?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes heavenwards and Susan laughed.
"No seriously, I'm asking as a friend. I meant it when I said you two looked pretty cosy together, and everyone knows he's always had a soft spot for you. Could you become more?"
"I...I don't know. I hadn't considered it…"
"Well, that's not an outright rejection, I note," Susan said.
Elizabeth realised that in fact, no it wasn't, and wondered herself just what that meant. Would she consider taking their relationship further?
"Interesting," Susan said, watching Elizabeth mull things over in her head.
"Oh shut up," Elizabeth said. "Enough about me, I mean it! Now tell me why you're really here."
Susan glanced to the stairs again, and Elizabeth caught the look. "Oh God, it's not about Robert is it?"
Susan shook her head. "No, it's about Kerry," she said and lowered her voice. "Something was really off with her today."
"In what way?"
"You remember the gastric rupture?"
"How could I forget...the poor man died on my table."
"Yeah, well, the first thing I know about him is when he's brought into the ER, suffering a severe allergic reaction to something. Next thing I know, Kerry appears and starts taking charge like I'm a first year resident! She's all over it. So I ask if she knows him and she says no. But, I got the feeling like she did, and then I remembered I had actually seen him before. He came into the ER earlier that morning, and asked to see Kerry….he asked for her by name, Elizabeth! Anyhow, we get him stabilised and he starts triggering the vent, so I ask Abby to get me as soon as he wakes up. Then I learn from Abby, that Kerry sent her away for no real reason, almost like she wants her out of the way. Abby said it wasn't necessary. When we come back, Keith is conscious. He tells me he took some penicillin for syphilis...that a friend had some 'leftover,' and gave it to him, and that he didn't know he was allergic."
"I'm really not following."
"Wait, it gets stranger. Frank says he thought he saw the pair of them earlier...before he was admitted. He swears blind he saw them going into an exam room together, so I checked. There's no chart, no record, no nothing."
"Now that you mention it," Elizabeth said. "I thought it was strange she came to watch the operation through the observation window. A patient, you now tell me wasn't hers and claims she doesn't know."
"There's more…"
"Go on."
"Two weeks ago, Alderman Bright came into the ER."
"Yes, I recall."
"Well, it turns out he had syphilis. Kerry said his test came back negative when I asked her, but I know what I saw. I think Kerry treated with penicillin and discretion."
"Susan, what exactly are you saying?"
"I think Alderman Bright gave Keith syphilis, and I think he asked Kerry to discreetly deal with it. I think she gave Keith the penicillin….and I think she then tried to cover her ass."
"You think she's responsible for that young man's death? That's a hell of an accusation!"
"I know! Why do you think I came here?!" Susan said, just as Robert came down the stairs. They both stopped talking and looked up at him.
Robert noted the heavy atmosphere and the serious mood reflected in their faces. "Sorry, I'm interrupting something….I'll go."
"No, don't," Elizabeth said, and turned fixing her eyes on Susan. "I think you should tell him exactly what you just told me."
Susan bit down on her bottom lip and shook her head, unsure. "I don't know. I mean, I don't actually know anything, do I? I just came round to sound off, and get your take."
"Susan, this is really serious. You need to tell him."
"Tell me what?" Robert asked, not liking the sound of wherever this was going.
"You can trust him," Elizabeth said, still holding Susan's gaze. "I promise."
"Will one of you please tell me what's going on?"
Susan broke her eyes away and looked at him. She went to reach for her wineglass and pulled back when she realised it was empty. "Any chance of something stronger first?"
Robert feeling exasperated, looked to Elizabeth for help. She got up and touched his hand briefly as she passed him by. "You better sit down."
"Okay," he said and sat down on the couch opposite Susan. Elizabeth returned with a bottle of ten year old Laphroaig and three tumblers. His ten year old bottle to be precise, he noted. The one that Elizabeth had bought him for Christmas and he was saving for a special occasion. Whatever this was, it was not going to be a special occasion. Her eyes met with his and he saw the silent apology in them, as she sat down beside him.
"Awww, shit!" he sighed, and reached for the bottle. He opened it up and poured out three generous drams. Passing their glasses, he then leaned back into the couch with his own and raised it to his lips. "Well, I guess you better start talking, Lewis."
She did just that, carefully filling him in on what she'd just told Elizabeth. Robert listened intently without interruption until she was finished. Then he knocked back the remnants of his drink and reached for the bottle to refill it. Both women watched him as they silently took a sip of theirs. He leaned back into the couch, still processing it and closed his eyes.
"So what do you think?" Susan nudged, when still he said nothing.
He kept his eyes closed for a few more seconds before opening them, and then looked up at the ceiling. Susan looked to Elizabeth for guidance, but all she could do was shrug.
Eventually, he leaned forward and carefully placed the glass tumbler down on the table. "You know I saw the pair of them together this afternoon, and they looked thick as thieves," he said, shaking his head. "Look, I don't think its any secret that I'm not Kerry's biggest fan...nor her of me."
Both Susan and Elizabeth nodded.
"Kerry's ambitious and she's mercenary enough to step on other peoples careers to get what she wants...but this?" He shook his head, not wanting to believe it. "I'm not so sure."
Susan exhaled. "So, you think I'm wrong?" His eyes swung up and fixed hers with the precision of a laser, and she felt herself wilting under his intense gaze.
"I think you are an excellent doctor with very good instincts. I also think you're a good judge of character, who is objective and a fair person. I don't think you have a vindictive or malicious bone in your body."
Susan's jaw openly dropped at his words and Elizabeth smiled. This was the side of Robert that she loved.
"Thank you?" Susan said.
His eyes still holding hers he continued. "So knowing that I know all of that about you, and I balance that against what you've just told me? I think that if you felt something was so very wrong, that you felt the need to come here and get it of your chest...then, I tend to think there has to be something in it."
Susan released a breath she'd been unaware she'd been holding. "You believe me," she said quietly.
He turned to Elizabeth. "Lizzie, what do you think?"
"Same as you really."
"So what do we do?" Susan asked.
"What can we do?" Elizabeth said. "There's no proof?"
"But if we're right she killed a man...she can't get away with that!"
"She won't," Robert said, softly.
"Why, what are you going to do?"
"Leave it with me," he said quietly. "Susan, how much do Abby and Frank know?"
"Not much...Abby's distracted plenty with Carter, right now. She was mainly pissed that Kerry tried to blame her for bagging him too hard, and Frank doesn't really understand what he may or may not have seen."
"Good," he said nodding.
"So, what are you going to do?" Susan asked once again.
He took a deep breath and then suddenly stood up. "I'm going to go home and sleep on it."
"What?" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Why?"
"Because I live there?" he said, and looked down at her a little confused. He was pretty sure she wouldn't want him to stay tonight after Susan's arrival. His being there for dinner was one thing, but he was convinced Elizabeth wouldn't be happy if Susan thought anything else was going on, no matter how innocent.
Susan giggled. "Oh, you can drop the act, Robert."
His head spun in her direction. "Excuse me?"
Elizabeth groaned and reached up for his hand. "It's okay Robert...I already told her you were staying over."
"In the guest room, obviously," Susan smirked.
Robert's eyes widened in surprise and he wondered, how and why that revelation had come about. "Guess Weaver wasn't the only subject of gossip, while I was upstairs," he said, glaring at Elizabeth. "What else did Lizzie tell you?"
With a slight shake of her head, Elizabeth's eyes silently pleaded with him not to make anything of it.
"Relax Robert, I was just teasing you," Susan said, hoping she hadn't somehow started something. "She just told me that sometimes you crash here if it gets late, or if you're watching Ella."
Robert held Elizabeth's gaze for a fraction longer. The idea of Elizabeth discussing their private life with someone else sort of bothered him. He'd shared with her things he'd never told anyone before. With her there was no need to keep up the façade he constantly felt he needed to present to everyone else. He could be himself. He could let his guard down, cry on her shoulder if he wanted and tell her his fears; and he knew, he knew it would stay private, and at that thought, a small smile tugged at the side of his cheeks. He knew she would never betray his trust and his eyes softened. The smile widened a little more as he also realised that just by the very fact she'd told Susan he sometimes slept there, meant she wasn't embarrassed by it...or more to the point, by him.
When he spent time here, with Elizabeth and Ella, it sometimes felt like a little bubble of make believe, separate from all other matters. Obviously people at work had noticed how much better they got on, but in reality no-one had a clue as to, just how close they were. Lizzie somehow revealing that he sometimes slept here to Susan, somehow made it...them...real, and he kind of liked it.
Elizabeth could see his mind working overtime and knew she would have to ask him about it later.
"Well, then in that case, I'm going upstairs to think about this Kerry situation. I need to figure out what I'm going to do about it, and it looks like it could get messy down here."
Susan nodded and grinned at Elizabeth.
He wandered of towards the kitchen and when he returned he was holding another bottle of wine. "You can get messy on something other than this, though," he said, reaching down to pick up his bottle of whiskey and exchanged it for the wine.
"Susan?"
She looked up at him. "You did the right thing coming here tonight. I promise you, I'll handle it, okay?"
She smiled, nodding at him, feeling much better than when she'd arrived.
"Goodnight ladies," he said, and turned to leave.
They watched him climb the stairs, and then Susan turned to look at Elizabeth. "I'm glad you made me tell him. He's actually alright, isn't he?"
Elizabeth smiled and nodded at her friend. "Yes, he is. He's a good man, Susan."
"He's a bit stingy on the booze though!"
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Kerry Weaver stood silently fuming in the packed elevator car, and leaned heavily on her cane. She was a mess and was aware she probably looked it too. Her role in Keith's death had resulted in several sleepless nights, and had left her on edge, looking pale and drawn. To top it off, Romano had taken an unholy interest in her, to the point she felt like he was stalking her. Every time she turned around, there he was, watching her. The man had a sixth sense for finding dirt and she was scared and paranoid that he knew what she'd done. And now he wanted to see her in his office.
Just who the hell did he think he was, having her summoned like she was a naughty schoolchild? And by Frank of all people?! She remembered the smirk on his face as he relayed the message from Romano's office. 'He says if you're not up there in the next five minutes, you can find somewhere else to work...hey his words, not mine, don't shoot the messenger!'
The doors opened and she hobbled out heading towards his office. Brenda looked up briefly from her keyboard just long enough to wave her in. "Go straight in, he's expecting you."
Putting on her best game face she took a deep breath, mustering as much bravado as she could and walked through the open door. "What's this about, Robert? I don't appreciate being dragged away from the ER, when I have work to do!" she announced loudly.
Robert looked up from the files he was reading, his expression giving nothing away. His eyes took in her appearance and demeanour.
"Close the door," he said, then he went back to reading his files.
She stared at his bald head and wanted to bring her cane down on top of it. Resentfully, she pushed the door to, and turned back to see him still engrossed in his papers.
Eventually, he looked up at her. "Sit down, Kerry, you look exhausted. Conscience keeping you up, maybe?"
She felt the air rush out of her lungs and crumpled into the convenient chair. She closed her eyes briefly and thought, 'He knows! But how can he?!'
Having scored an immediate direct hit from the off, Robert watched silently as she scrambled her brain, and wondered how she was going to play it.
"I sleep like a baby, thank you," she said.
'So we're going for the brazen it out route, then,' he noted, and let a small smile play at the side of his mouth. Putting down his pen, he folded his arms and leaned back into his chair.
"Is that why you've summoned me here? To discuss my sleeping habits?"
He shuddered over-dramatically. "Ewww, God forbid! No, I've been watching you for a few days now Kerry."
"I'm aware you've been spying on me."
"Yeah, you're actually a good doctor. Sucky personality, but a good doctor."
She scowled at him, obviously wondering where he was going with this.
"Which is why its such a shame you did what you did."
"What on earth are you talking about?" she said, trying to sound bored.
He leaned forward, and turned around the file on his desk so she could see it. He watched her eyes glance down and widen when she saw the name on the report.
"I'm talking about Keith Mitchell."
"Keith Mitchell?"
"Don't do that Kerry. If you're going to kill a man, I think the very least you can do is remember his name."
"How dare you! That young man died due to a gastric rupture. It says so right there!" she said, pointing at the file.
He nodded. "It also says that upon learning he had syphilis, he was given penicillin by sources unknown. Unaware he was allergic, he was later brought into the ER in anaphylactic shock. What it does not say in this report, is that your Alderman Bright also has syphilis, and was himself treated for it, in this very hospital a few weeks prior. It also does not say that you helped keep it quiet. Now, I'm thinking the Alderman probably gave the syphilis to Keith, and since you'd been such a help the first time, he asked you to quietly make it go away again. Maybe he sweetened it for you by passing the budget. How am I doing so far?"
She stood up to leave. "I don't have to sit here and listen to this! It's preposterous, even for you Robert!"
"No you don't, but you know who will, Kerry? My new best friend Pattie, at the Chicago Tribune. She'd love to sit where you are right now, and listen to my concerns. See, she wants to get out of soft, human interest pieces and get into the nitty, gritty world of investigative journalism. She's young, ambitious as hell, and would love a scoop like this."
"What scoop? There is no scoop!"
"Really? You don't think exposing the sexual promiscuity of a prominent Alderman isn't a scoop? Hmmm," he said, rubbing his chin. "Maybe you're right...what if we throw in the fact that he also has syphilis? Yeah, I think that would definitely tick the scoop box. And you know these press types, Kerry...what else might they learn when the Alderman's sex life is put under the spot light? Maybe the fallout will warrant a closer look at this case," he said, tapping his finger on the file. He saw Kerry's eye twitch involuntarily and knew he'd hit another nerve.
"Maybe, your role will have to be re-examined. You want to lose your license due to malpractice? Or worse? How'd you think you're going to hold up in front of a jury Kerry, 'cause you're not looking too good right now, so sit your ass back down...NOW!"
Kerry lowered herself back down into the chair.
"I know you helped keep it quiet the first time Kerry, and I think your Alderman wanted you to repeat that favour."
"I...I, really don't know what you're talking about, I'm..."
He waved his hand to silence her. "I know all of this Kerry, because I am good at my job. You can sit there and deny it...you can sit there and say I can't prove it. But, I don't need to prove it, because your face tells me everything I need to know. I also know that this is haunting you. I know the guilt is eating you up and the fear of discovery is keeping you up at night.'
"Robert.."
"Now, like I said, I know you're a good doctor, and I know you actually care about this hospital and the poor sods that come through its doors. I know you don't like me, and I don't care. I don't like you. But I do care about this hospital. So here's what's going to happen. You're going to resign from the liaison job citing its too much for you. You're going to ensure that the Alderman appoints me, and you're going to let him know that I know everything."
She snorted. "So you get the liaison role after all. Just who exactly are you helping here, Robert?"
He drove his right fist down hard onto the desk, and she leapt back in the chair. "I am protecting this hospital, and believe it or not Kerry, I am protecting you."
Her face twisted in disbelief. "How?"
"How do you think this would look if it came out? ER Doc gives drugs out to cover up some sleazy politicians sex secrets! You think they'd stop at just cutting the budget? You know as well as I do there are those out there who want us shut down altogether! You are way beyond compromised, can you not see that? Do you honestly think he won't ask you for more 'favours'? When will it end? Where will it end? He thinks he owns you now. I'm going to make Bright fight tooth and nail on every proposal for this hospital. And he'll do it, because I know what he is."
Kerry looked down at her hands. They were shaking and she tried to still them. Was he right? As liaison she would have to continue to see Jonathon. He hadn't cared that Keith had died. He only cared that his precious reputation hadn't been harmed. He wasn't going to change and he'd made that crystal clear. The only reason she was in this mess was because he'd threatened to cut the hospitals emergency services budget if she didn't 'help'. He'd pulled her strings from the moment they met and she knew he wouldn't stop. She was the one who had administered the drug. She was the one who would go to jail. Romano was right, and she tried to suck back the sob she felt threatening to spill out of her throat. She was in way over her head.
Robert leaned back in his chair watching her internal debate and knew he'd delivered the knock out punch. Then he reached forward for the phone and pushed a button.
Kerry looked up alarmed. "No, Robert! Please don't!"
"Brenda?"
She covered her face in her hands and started crying.
"Hold all my calls and make sure no-one disturbs me until I say otherwise, okay? Damn, yeah, I forgot about him...okay, cancel and reschedule for when I get back from LA. Thank you."
He replaced the handset and opened his desk drawer, pulling out the bottle of Scotch he kept there. Kerry slowly moved her hands and watched as he produced two glasses and filled them. He pushed one across the table towards her and picked the other one up.
"I don't think you're a bad person Kerry."
She reached for the other glass and held it in her hand, staring into the amber liquid. She risked a quick look up at him and found his eyes watching her intently.
"I know you didn't mean for any of this to happen, but it did and at some point you're going to want to talk to someone to stop yourself from going mad."
"Who am I going to talk to, Robert?!"
"Think of me as your priest, Kerry."
"What?!" she snorted derisively.
"Not an attractive option I know, but when you wake up in the middle of the night, alone and scared out of your mind, you'll be surprised at just what you're willing to do. Trust me, I have some experience."
She looked at him properly waiting for the punchline. When none came, she took a sip of the scotch and winced at the strong flavour.
"How'd he get you to do it? I mean I can sort of see how you'd take the risk the first time….but twice?"
"He threatened the ER with closure," she said quietly. "He made it very clear that if I didn't do it, he'd vote to cut the emergency services budget."
Robert nodded, and rubbed his hand over his face. "So what went wrong?"
"When Keith turned up I panicked. I just wanted to get him out of there and he didn't tell me he was allergic," she said, and wiped at her eyes.
"Did you even ask?"
She refused to look at him, but shook her head.
"You're a doctor Kerry, and a good one, but you're so driven by ambition that sometimes you let it blind you...and when it does, you make very bad decisions. It was incumbent on you to ask that young man if he had any known allergies and you failed. Your negligence is what should be written here as cause of death, and you're going to have to find a way to live with that."
"Please," she said. "Stop. I will speak to Jonathon and formally resign from the post, and strongly recommend you take over. May I go now?" she said, trying hard to fight back tears.
He nodded, and she slowly rose out of the chair. He watched her stand and walk towards to the door looking utterly defeated.
"Kerry?"
She stopped her hand hovering over the door handle. "Yes?"
"You need to live with this, but I meant it earlier. Nights are a bitch, so if you find yourself desperate enough to want to talk." He couldn't believe he was going to say this. "Call me."
TBC