4. Churn and Burn

4

Churn and Burn

Brighton

Tuesday, May 9 th

8:43 a.m.

Logic would say the easiest way to get this over with would be to relent. But I'm sick of rolling over for men with a complex.

So, I listen.

I listen as Kline explains how our procedures work.

And how the accusations are unfounded—the claimant in error.

When Kline glances in my direction for confirmation, I don't give it. He's burned through my weekly tolerance for self-important assholes.

I set my hand on top of the three additional files I found. And smile. There's no slap to the face quite like feigning ignorance.

Kline's nostrils flare as he readjusts in his seat.

The hospital lawyer, Robert Abbott, clears his throat, and Luca scribbles notes on the pad in front of him.

"You never answered my question. Why am I named in the lawsuit?" I ask.

All eyes flick to me. I ignore Kline's heated stare, making eye contact with Robert.

He averts his gaze, reordering his paperwork. "We'll get to that."

I ignore the urge to glare at Kline because of what it might imply.

Kline smiles, pleased with his narrative, and stands, pushing his chair in as he heads to the door. "That's all you needed, right?"

"Yes, I'll be in touch." Robert nods at Kline, waiting to continue. Kline pauses at the door, his hand outstretched for the handle. He doesn't turn, but I hope he can feel the daggers I'm staring into his back. We all wait in silence as he steps out and the door clicks into place.

"Where were we?" Robert shuffles through his papers and pulls out his pen, scribbling a note at the top of his legal pad at the head of the table. "I wanted to get everyone up to speed about what the hospital is facing and what we plan to do about it."

"Dr. Fields is not being held liable for situations out of her control," Luca says, crossing his arms over his chest. His elbow bumps into me with the movement, and he mumbles, "Sorry," before directing his gaze to the remaining two staff members involved in the litigation who sit across from us at the rectangular table. Their eyes flick toward the door behind Robert and back down to the papers they have in their hands. I can't imagine what the anesthesiologist and his assistant have to do with any of this, and I wish they weren't involved.

I have no idea what Kline was up to or why he's involving me in the cases in question, but I'm drawing a blank. I don't plan when I'll be in surgery with Kline. That's all on him. I work on all hip surgeries, since that's what I specialized in during residency, and any cases that are stage III cancers or above. I'm not nationally renowned for my breakthroughs on my procedures and methods without good reason. Yes, Collins' case didn't end up with a favorable outcome, but it made massive changes in Ewing Sarcoma treatment. Treatments that could have changed my brother's outcome had they been practiced years before.

I don't know everything Robert has regarding the cases, and my lack of knowledge plays in Kline's favor. Luca giving me a heads-up with the phone call was enough to get the ball rolling, but I'm still not sure what angle Robert will take. And it makes me nervous.

"This can't look like another cover-up. You know what happened last time," Robert says, sliding a file in front of me from the head of the table.

Of course Robert would bring up Collins' case. But there's no way to explain to him that I had nothing to do with it being swept under the rug. That was all Kline. And it's not something I want to rehash in light of the new litigation.

"That case was dismissed. We're not liable for any infractions it may have caused. It has nothing to do with what we're here for today, and if you can't be neutral on this lawsuit, we'll request a replacement," Luca says.

"Are you saying Dr. Fields shouldn't be held liable for her actions?"

"I'm saying you need to watch what you're trying to do here. That case was closed, and Dr. Fields was cleared of all involvement."

I appreciate what Luca's trying to do. But the details of how Kline took care of Collins' case and why I was cleared of all charges got tucked away with the rest of the information I'm not privy to. I took the offer to keep my career unblemished in exchange for my unquestionable trust. And now I'm regretting it.

It's not my fault if Robert was on the receiving end of a bad deal. I just hate that he feels like he can take it out on me. If I could take it all back, I wouldn't. I wouldn't change the protocol I chose or the leaps it made in treatment for ES. But I would change that Collins lost his life, and that I let Kline cover it so he could forever hold it over me, even though I don't think it would make a difference.

Robert takes a moment before he offers me a facetious sneer. "Fine. We'll do this your way. According to the allegations, Dr. Fields' collaboration with Dr. Matthews in certain cases is under scrutiny. There's the claim of shared responsibility in the alleged malpractice," he explains, his eyes reflecting delight at my predicament, "and her signature."

The sound of movement comes from the opposite side of the table as the remaining staff members adjust in their seats.

It's rare that I'm struck into silence. Disbelief and frustration surge through me. I fold my hands on the table as I stifle the shiver running down my spine. The trust I placed in Kline and the shared responsibility in patient care is now cast under a harsh spotlight. And I can't come up with a plausible reason why I signed the charts.

"I wasn't aware of the problem until last night," I say, no longer faking politeness.

Luca nods, urging me to continue.

Robert aligns his papers, pulls one from a manila envelope, and slides it toward me. "Markus Nelson. Forty-two. Stage IV Leukemia."

I stare at the sheet in front of me, not taking it. Familiar with every word. I didn't only freshen up on the details of this case last night, but every case I've worked with Kline in the past six months.

Robert watches me, waiting for me to respond.

I don't.

"Rosie Stansbury. Six. Ewing Sarcoma." He pauses, glances up from beneath his glasses, and smiles. He slides her file in front of me and leans back in his chair as he laces his hands behind his head.

"She's not part of the lawsuit." Everything happens for a reason, but what the fuck?

"Correct. But I have some questions."

Luca fidgets in his seat, crosses one leg over the other, uncrosses it, and leans forward with his elbows on the table. "We're here to discuss the two cases in the recent lawsuit. Why are you bringing up a patient who has nothing to do with it?" He reaches forward to grab Rosie's chart and flips through the pages. "Dr. Matthews didn't work on her case."

"However, there's the signature in question. Why would you sign on a document without being privy to the contents, Dr. Fields?" Robert taps the end of his pen on the folder, his eyes assessing my every move.

"I sign many documents every day." I don't have a plausible excuse. "I don't take the time to look at everything I'm signing. I leave that to my nurse." The words are incriminating but true. I'm going to have to keep an eye out and change the way I handle charts from here on out.

Lauren coughs from the far end of the table, averting her gaze. It's not her fault, just part of our routine.

"You're telling me any document set before you could have your signature, yet you shouldn't be held liable for what you sign?"

"You're twisting what I said."

He leans forward, setting his elbows on the table. "Seems like you have an answer for everything."

"I trust the documents my nurse has me sign are the ones I've worked on. We have files everywhere, in case you didn't notice. I don't see what this has to do with anything."

"We'll be doing an internal investigation before taking any action." Luca stands and gives Robert a wordless look of disapproval. "We're done here."

Robert follows Luca's movements, shuffling his papers before situating them in his briefcase. "We're under the obligation of the law to investigate suspicious claims now that the two cases are in question."

And there are more.

I place a hand on the files I pulled from the records room this morning—the patients they're not bringing to the table—but I don't want to use my ammo until it's necessary. It might not be today. Or tomorrow. But I'm ready to give them what I found, and I'm sure there are others.

I stand from my seat, tucking the chair under the table. "I have patients to see." I reach a hand toward Robert. "Thank you for your time."

He examines my outstretched palm for two long seconds and frowns, sheer disapproval and irritation etched across his brow. "I have more questions. And I'm not going to let you get away with it this time."

"And I told you, Dr. Fields got called out for an emergency during Mr. Nelson's surgery," our anesthesiologist says, coming to my rescue. "She wasn't present after I administered the anesthesia. She scrubbed up and had to leave. Dr. Matthews completed the surgical procedure without her. His nurse, the nurse anesthetist, Lauren, and myself were the only ones present. Dr. Fields was not. Talk to them again. Bring them back, they can confirm. Mr. Nelson losing his life is not her responsibility."

"Noted. That still doesn't explain what happened with Ms. Banks."

I set both hands on the back of the chair and lean forward. "We take a group approach to the treatment of our patients, like Kline explained before. It's not a one-size-fits-all protocol. I was present. The surgical procedure noted in the chart was indeed the one performed. The treatment and tests done before the surgery were not under my care. As you stated"—I reach for the chart to his left—"the claimant states it was Dr. Matthews who performed all of her treatment. I signed off on one aspect." I open the chart to the note and point at the bottom. "The surgery."

An arrogant smirk spreads across his lips. "You know, you can't save everyone, Dr. Fields. Maybe you need to take a step back from this, reevaluate how you want to handle things. Some time away could do you good, get your mind on the right track."

"I'm late." I glance at the clock but don't acknowledge his suggestion. "If you have more questions, we can discuss them once I speak to my lawyer."

Shit.

This took longer than I expected, and I hate a lack of punctuality. I expect my patients to be here on time and require nothing less than the same from myself, but unexpected circumstances call for different decisions. And I need to find Kline.

Lauren joins the staff as they make their way to the exit. She pauses near the door, waiting for me, a look of concern darkening her eyes. I take my time gathering my files as I deposit my pens into the front pocket of my lab coat.

Robert stands, gathers his files, and shakes Luca's hand before approaching me. "I'll be watching you."

I smile. "I hope you enjoy the show."