David took a deep breath and plunged into his appointments. In between patients he called the ICU repeatedly to check on John’s status. Each time he was told there had been no change.
In addition to his regularly scheduled patients, a number of semi-emergencies added to the confusion by having to be squeezed in. David would have sent these cases to the emergency room if it hadn’t been for Kelley’s lecture. Two of these patients seemed like old friends: Mary Ann Schiller and Jonathan Eakins.
Although he was somewhat spooked by the way Marjorie Kleber’s and now John Tarlow’s cases had progressed, David felt compelled to hospitalize both Mary Ann and Jonathan. David just didn’t feel comfortable treating them as outpatients. Mary Ann had an extremely severe case of sinusitis and Jonathan had a disturbing cardiac arrhythmia. Providing them with admitting orders, David sent them both over to the hospital.
Two other semi-emergency patients were night-shift nurses from the second floor. David had met them on several occasions when he’d been called into the hospital for emergencies. Both had the same complaints: flu-like syndromes consisting of general malaise, low-grade fever, and low white counts, as well as GI troubles including crampy pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. After examining them, David sent them home for bed rest and symptomatic therapy.
When he had a minute he asked his nurse, Susan, if a flu was going around the hospital.
“Not that I’ve heard,” Susan said.
Angela’s day was going better than expected. She’d not had any run-ins with Wadley. In fact, she hadn’t seen him at all.
Midmorning she phoned the chief medical examiner, Dr. Walter Dunsmore, having gotten his number from the Burlington directory. Angela explained that she was a pathologist at the Bartlet Community Hospital. She went on to explain her interest in the Hodges case. She added that she had once considered a career in forensic pathology.
Dr. Dunsmore promptly invited her to come to Burlington someday to see their facility. “In fact, why don’t you come up and assist at Hodges’ autopsy?” he said. “I’d love to have you, but I have to warn you, like most forensic pathologists, I’m a frustrated teacher.”
“When do you plan to do it?” Angela asked. She thought that if it could be put off until Saturday, she might be able to go.
“It’s scheduled for late this morning,” Dr. Dunsmore said. “But there’s some flexibility. I’d be happy to do it this afternoon.”
“That’s very generous,” Angela said. “Unfortunately, I’m not sure what my chief would say about my taking the time.”
“I’ve known Ben Wadley for years,” Dr. Dunsmore said. “I’ll give him a call and clear it with him.”
“I’m not sure that would be a good idea,” Angela said.
“Nonsense!” Dr. Dunsmore said. “Leave it to me. I look forward to meeting you.”
Angela was about to protest further when she realized that Dr. Dunsmore had hung up. She replaced the receiver. She had no idea what Wadley’s reaction to Dr. Dunsmore’s call would be, but she imagined she’d learn soon enough.
Angela heard even sooner than she expected. Hardly had she hung up than it rang again.
“I’m caught up here in the OR,” Wadley said agreeably. “I just got a call from the chief medical examiner. He tells me he wants you to come up to assist with an autopsy.”
“I just spoke with him. I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about it.” It was obvious to Angela from Wadley’s cheerfulness that Cantor had not yet spoken with Wadley.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Wadley said. “My feeling is that whenever the medical examiner asks for a favor, we do it. It never hurts to stay on his good side. You never know when we’ll need a favor in return. I encourage you to go.”
“Thank you,” Angela said. “I will.” Hanging up she called David to let him know her plans. When he came on the line, David’s voice sounded tense and weary.
“You sound terrible,” Angela said. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t ask,” David said. “I’ll have to tell you later. Right now I’m behind again and the natives are restless.”
Angela quickly told him about the medical examiner’s invitation and that she’d been cleared to go. David told her to enjoy herself and rang off.