Medical Error (38 page)

Elena paused with her fork halfway to her mouth, careful not to drip ranch dressing from the chef 's salad she'd chosen."Right now I mainly divide my time between the FP Clinic and the ER. Sometimes I round with one of the specialists. Good preparation for going out on my own—if I only had a place to practice."

"What's that mean?"

"Are you ready for the next chapter of the Elena Gardner tragedy?" She related the gist of her conversation with Helen Bennett and watched deep concern overshadow David's normally placid countenance.

"I'll add that to my prayers for you," he said. "Be sure to let me know if anything develops."

She nodded before filling her mouth with salad. Doctors learned to eat fast, never knowing when the meal might be interrupted. She noticed David doing the same.

"And did you get a call last night?" David asked.

Elena nodded. "Midnight. A woman sobbing. But I think I recognized the voice."

"You did?"

"I'm pretty sure—but I don't know what to do about it. And until I do, I don't want to say anything—even to you."

"Fair enough. But I'm here for you when you're ready to talk."

Elena dabbed at the corner of her mouth with her napkin. She was opening her mouth to reply when a staccato electronic bleat split the air. Both doctors reached for their belts and extracted their pagers.

"Mine," Elena said. She thumbed the button and read the display. "Dr. Gross's office." She pushed back her chair. "Guess I'd better see what the department chair wants."

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