“I don’t see how Hodges’ death is the hospital’s problem,” Sherwood said. “It’s not like we killed him.”
“Hodges ran the hospital for twenty-plus years,” Traynor said. “His name is intimately associated with Bartlet. Lots of people know he wasn’t happy with the way we were running things.”
“I think the less the hospital says the better,” Sherwood said.
“I disagree,” Beaton said. “I think that the hospital should issue a statement regretting his death and underlining the great debt owed him. The statement should include condolences to his family.”
“I agree,” Cantor said. “Ignoring his death would seem peculiar.”
“I agree,” Caldwell said.
Sherwood shrugged. “If everyone else feels that way, I’ll go along.”
“Has anyone spoken to Robertson?” Traynor asked.
“I have,” Beaton said. “He doesn’t have any suspects. Braggart that he is, he surely would have let on if he had.”
“Hell, the way he felt about Hodges he could be a suspect himself,” Sherwood said with a laugh.
“So could you,” Cantor said to Sherwood.
“And so could you, Cantor,” Sherwood said.
“This isn’t a contest,” Traynor said.
“If it were a contest, you’d be a leading contestant,” Cantor said to Traynor. “It’s common knowledge how you felt about Hodges after your sister committed suicide.”
“Hold on,” Caldwell said. “The point is that no one cares who did it.”
“That might not be entirely true,” Traynor said. “CMV might care. After all, this sordid affair still reflects poorly on both the hospital and the town.”
“And that’s why I think we should issue a statement,” Beaton said.
“Would anyone like to make a motion for a vote?” Traynor said.
“Jesus, Harold,” Cantor said. “There are only five of us here. We don’t have to follow parliamentary procedure. Hell, we all agree.”
“All right,” Traynor said. “Does everybody concur that we should make a formal statement along the lines Beaton discussed?”
Everyone nodded.
Traynor looked at Beaton. “I think it should come from your office,” he said.
“I’ll be happy to do it,” Beaton said.