Terrance indicated the empty seat opposite him. Please. He tried not to notice that easing his considerable bulk onto the booth bench took a bit of maneuvering for Beauchamp.
The older man slid his plate from his tray onto the table and smiled a little self-consciously. He rested the tray against
the side of his seat, out of the way.
Beauchamp picked up a fork with enthusiasm. Yes, just dessert. I really set a poor example, Im afraid. He sank the fork into his serving. A look of anticipation entered his eyes. I know I should be eating better. Physician, heal thyself, and all that, but quite honestly, come midafternoon all I want to do is eat something sweet. The first mouthful had him sighing with pure contentment and pleasure.
Terrance grinned at the unabashed display. I wasnt looking at your choice, Dr. Beauchamp. I was just surprised to see you here. I didnt think you frequented the cafeteria.
Oh theres a small dining hall across the way reserved for doctors only, but I find I like getting down in the trenches with everyone else. We all put our pants on the same way, he said lightly. Another forkful disappeared into his mouth before he asked, So tell me, how is it going? Fitting in?
The pie was disappearing at an impressive rate, yet the man seemed to be slowly savoring every bite. Terrance marveled, watching him. Id like to think so.
Ive been hearing good things about you from the staff, Beauchamp informed him. You seem to have gotten on Wandas good side. He nodded his whole-hearted approval. Always a good thing. She can be a formidable adversary if she doesnt like you.
Though no pushover, the head nurse had been nothing but amiable to him. She made him think of a mother hen. I cant see Wanda actually giving anyone any grief. She seems fair enough.
Oh, she is, she is, Beauchamp agreed enthusiastically, then confided in a lower voice, But she doesnt like people who think they know it all. The older man shook his head. She and young Harris have never gotten along, Im sorry to say. But then, he does seem to have a problem.
Beauchamp suddenly looked startled, as if hed just heard his own pronouncement. Dont get me wrong, he said quickly, launching into damage-control mode. William Harris is a good doctor and all that, its just that It wasnt in him to lie. Well, he could stand to have his ego taken down a notch or two. But thats what comes of having everything handed to you, I suppose. A little hard work is good for everyone.
Terrance estimated that he probably knew far more about William Harris than the man sitting opposite him. There was a two-inch-thick file on the man on his desk back at the agency. But it was one thing to have information before you and another entirely to listen to it being rendered firsthand. Sometimes, that kind of insight was just the thing to break an investigation wide open.
He looked at Beauchamp innocently. If you feel that way, why keep him on?
Oh, it wouldnt do to release the grandson of the founder of the hospital. The money might be coming from other sources these days, but the waves something like that might generate Beauchamp shook his head, finishing his statement silently as he retreated into another bite of his pie. Well, it just wouldnt do, thats all. He peered at Terrance, wanting to change the subject. Getting along well with Dr. DuCane?
Terrance wondered if he was actually being grilled a little. The man had an innocent face, but Terrance was willing to bet Beauchamp wasnt as guileless as he seemed. Yes.
Shes a wonderful woman. And dedicated. Beauchamp nodded as he recalled past events. Refused to take any time off after that terrible accident. She was in the very next week, acting as if nothing had happened. Shes a strong, strong woman.
Terrance looked at him. Hed deliberately refrained from looking into Alixs past, feeling as if he were taking advantage of his position and invading her privacy. But now that Beauchamp had drawn back this curtain to reveal her life, he had to know. What terrible accident?
Why, the one that took her husband, Jeff, Beauchamp said, then seemed to realize Terrances confusion. Jeffrey Caldwell. He was on staff here, too. Just like Dr. DuCane not to mention anything. For a bright, sunny woman, she doesnt talk about her own life very much. Me, he confided, I tend toward ear bending, but Dr. DuCane is more concerned with listening than talkingother than to bolster spirits, of course. They dont make them like her anymore, he said wistfully.
No, Terrance thought, they didnt. But then, he already knew that. He pressed for more information. How long has her husband been dead?
Jeff? Let me see. Beauchamp paused as he made a few mental calculations. Its been almost two yearsno, wait, he corrected himself, a little more than that. Yes, two years ago in April. His head bobbed up and down in confirmation. It was a boating accident. One of those freak things you dont believe
is happening until its over.
Was she there? Terrance couldnt think of anything worse than Alix witnessing her husbands death.