Page 143 of Toxic Temptation
“Is that any way to speak to your superior?”
I finally look at him. He’s standing in the doorway, smug, condescending. I hate him so much it hurts. “You’re only my superior on paper. Ethically, it’s not even close.”
His smile makes my stomach turn. “You seem to think you’re untouchable here, Dr. Fairfax. That your father’s reputation protects you. You seem to think you can get away with murder—quite literally—because of who your father was.”
That makes me do a double-take. “What are you talking about?”
“I heard about what happened on the eighth floor.” He saunters over and sits across from me, manspreading his legs wide. “Your interference killed that woman.”
I should have seen this coming. I should be prepared for it. There’s no line that Jeremy Fleming isn’t willing to cross.
It’s my fault for thinking that even he wouldn’t stoop this low.
“You’re insane,” I spit.
“You had no business consulting on a patient outside your department.”
“Since when is helping a colleague against the rules?” I don’t want to sob, but it’s hard not to when there are so many emotions running rampant inside of me. “You used to ask my father for help all the time. Remember Rachel Meyerson? You misdiagnosed her. Dad saved her life after you nearly killed her.”
Jeremy’s leg starts twitching, but his expression doesn’t change.
“Let’s be honest here, Jeremy,” I continue. “You want me gone because I won’t kiss your ass. This is all about power.”
“Gone? No, no, no. No one wants yougone, Vesper,” he purrs. “We here at St. Raphael’s believe in second chances—even when they’re undeserved. But I have noticed you seem… overworked. Tired. You’re making mistakes, and that’s something we cannot afford. We here at St. Raphael’s donotbelieve in making mistakes.”
I feel cold, already shivering in the face of something horrible I know is coming. “What are you saying?” I ask him.
“I’m reducing your hours. Half shifts, effective immediately.”
I shoot to my feet. “You can’t do that.”
“Actually, as director of this hospital, you’ll find I most certainly can.” He smiles serenely up at me. “And since you will be on halfshifts for the foreseeable future, your pay will also be reduced accordingly. I think you’ll agree that it’s only fair.”
“The board signed off on this?”
“Unanimously.”
“Convenient how fast that happened.”
He shrugs. “We’re efficient here at St. Raphael’s.”
“Then I’m sure you’ve reviewed my request for the new incubator for pediatrics?”
Jeremy smooths his tie. “Denied. No funds available, I’m afraid.”
“You just cut my salary!” I cry out incredulously. “Use that money for equipment that saves children’s lives.”
“That money is already allocated elsewhere.”
“Where? To your vacation fund? A fucking beach house in Cabo?”
His eyes narrow. “Really, Dr. Fairfax. Such foul language. Your father would be disappointed.”
He rises and heads for the door, but I can’t stop myself.
“My father was your mentor! He’d be ashamed of what you’ve become.”
Jeremy pauses at the threshold. When he turns back, his smile has devolved into an inhuman grimace. “Your father spent more time with me than he ever did with you. Have you ever considered that I might know him better than you do?”
