Page 86 of Tasting Fire
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Inside,Emmy hadn’t taken ten steps when the ER director intercepted her in the hallway. “Dr. McKay, we need to talk.”
Shit, shit, shit.He’d found out about Emmy’s unethical use of the lab. Not optimal, but as long as she got her hands on the results, she’d take whatever consequences she deserved. “Okay.”
He waved her into the break room and stood with his arms crossed. “We’ve had people sneaking into the ER all day.”
Uh… not what Emmy had expected to hear, so she remained silent.
“They were looking for you and not because they had coughs or any other ailments. Whatever you’re doing in your time outside the ER, you’re upsetting people.”
“I’m sorry about that. It’s just—”
“It’s disrupting our work here.”
She could imagine, based on the mob outside. “Did you realize they’d formed a protest outside the hospital?”
“No,” he said. “But that makes what I’m about to say even more crucial. I’m requesting that you take a leave of absence from the ER.”
“Wha… What?”
“Not permanently. At least not yet. But if you aren’t here, then word will get around and the staff can get back to our real work instead of serving as revolving doormen for the people who’re upset about Jesse Giddings.”
Since she and Cash had driven up to discover the debacle outside, Emmy’s stomach had already been engaged in never-ending cartwheels, but now it hit the mat with a thud.
She was being suspended. Possibly fired.
As in completely jobless.
An ache crawled up the back of her neck and squatted at the base of her skull.
“Add that to the lawsuit that’s cropped up in Baltimore.” The director held out his hands in a helpless shrug. “And it’s just for the best all around.”
Total bullshit. It wasn’t the best forher.Which meant she had to find out how all these pieces fit together as soon as possible.
Although she was boiling inside, it wasn’t wise to buck his decision this soon after she’d been hired. “Should I clear out my locker?”
“Not yet. Consider this your notice of a temporary suspension with a review in seven days.”
“Thanks.” Thanks?Thanks??Why had she said that? It was like showing your undying appreciation to the highway patrol when they issued you a speeding ticket. This suspension, temporary or not, was nothing to be thankful for.
“I’ll e-mail you with the date and time of your review. Until then, please steer clear of not only the ER but the entire hospital.”
“I understand.” Yeah, she mightcomprendo,but that didn’t mean she planned to comply. Not until she’d gotten those lab results. “I’ll… I need to pick up a couple of items from my locker.”
“Get what you need.”
Emmy heard the unspoken remainder of that sentence.And then get out.
The director left and Emmy sleepwalked over to the locker that was empty except for an extra lab coat and a hair tie. She didn’t need either of them, but she stood there staring at the embroidery on the coat.Emerson McKay, MD.
What would she be if someone took those initials from behind her name?
It felt as if someone had been screwing with her ever since she returned to Steele Ridge. Her initial shock at the angry crowd outside and her subsequent suspension began to transform into something edgier. Sharper.
She wouldnotlet anyone undermine the career she’d been building her entire adult life. She slammed the locker door, the metal vibrating against her hand. Then she strode out of the break room and toward the stairs that would take her down to the lab. When she entered the basement, Cash was standing in the hallway waiting.
How long and how many times had this man waited for her?
