Wanda returned his handshake, nodding in approval. We can always use another set of good hands. Wanda cocked her head, peering at his face. Are you wet behind the ears?
This was a woman who didnt take lies well, he thought. But he had a feeling that she appreciated humor.
Maybe a little, he allowed.
Alix narrowed her eyes as she looked at him. I thought Dr. Beauchamp said you had a glowing record at Boston General.
Im new here, he pointed out.
He could always turn words around to his advantage, Alix thought.
One E.R. is like another, more or less, she heard herself saying.
She wasnt ordinarily this annoyed, this distant and impatient, Alix thought with a touch of self-deprecation. But the sight of Terrance after all this time had sent her reeling. It had also sent her sense of humor into a tailspin.
Dont you listen to her, Wanda contradicted gruffly. They all have their own personalities. Just like doctors, she added, looking pointedly at him. Boston General, eh? When he nodded, she said, I hear its a fine hospital. Wanda crossed her arms before her ample chest. What brings you here?
Terrance had discovered that when confronted with questions he couldnt answer truthfully, it was best to keep his replies simple. That way there was less to trip him up later.
I needed a change, he told her.
Of weather? Wanda asked.
Terrance smiled, managing to completely charm her and every other women within a quarter-mile radius. Except for Alix.
Yes.
He was lying, Alix thought. Something else had brought him here. She could feel it. But lying or not, she reminded herself, it made no difference to her. His reasons for doing things had long since stopped being any business of hers.
Changing the subject, Alix nodded at the sign-in board. Who needs attending, Wanda?
Wanda didnt bother looking at the chart. At any given moment she knew exactly what was going on in her E.R. and who was in which bed. She didnt think of them as patients, or even by their last names. To her they were conditions in need of curing.
Got your choice of a bad case of stomach cramps in bed K, possible urinary track infection in bed L, some woman complaining of the worst back pains shed ever had in bed M or
The electronic back doors flew open as four paramedics charged in, pushing two gurneys between them. A much-battered woman lay very still on the first, a screaming child on the second.
Incoming, Alix announced, snapping to life. Looks like youre on, Doctor.
Terrance wished shed stop calling him that. She sounded so formal, so distant. He fell into step beside her, wondering if he could get used to the new Alix.
But he supposed that he had it coming to him.
He couldnt afford to dwell on the past now. This was a bona fide emergency he had before him. Terrance prayed that the week hed spent at the hospital in Boston was enough to refresh his memory about how to deal with whatever came his way.
Oh, God, Alix groaned. Her eyes were focused on the second gurney, on the child who looked to be just a little older than her own daughter. What happened? she demanded of the closest paramedic.
Mothers got a history of unstable mental behavior, the man with Jerry stitched on his uniform pocket answered. Details came spilling out as quickly as vital signs ordinarily did. Happened at the courthouse. She was despondent over a custody hearing. Grabbed the little girl and ran up to the roof. Jumped holding the kids hand. He saw Alix looking from one gurney to another. Shes DOA, Doc, just waiting for you to make the official call.
And the little girl? Alix wanted to know, raising her voice above the screaming child.
The head of the second team rattled off the small victims vital signs. The readings could all
be far better, but there was reason to hope.
How is it shes still breathing? Terrance marveled.
Kid fell on top of the mother, he was told by the paramedic on the gurneys other side.
Probably saved her life, Alix commented. She looked up. Wanda?
The head nurse understood her shorthand and pointed. Room fours free.
Sliding her arms through the sterile, yellow paper gown one of the nurses was holding out for her, Alix never took her eyes off the child.
You know the way, she told the second team. Together they hurried down the corridor.
Hey, what about Mom? the first paramedic wanted to know.
Alix spared the dead woman a glance. She wasnt a mom, she was a monster. She looked at Terrance. For a moment she thought he almost appeared lost. Ill leave the honor of calling it to you, Doctor. Welcome to Blair, she added dryly.
With that Alix hurried alongside the gurney into Room Four to do everything in her power to save the life of an innocent child whose only sin was to have the misfortune of being born to the wrong woman. Mentally she recited a prayer as the doors closed behind her.
A moment later a man came tearing in through the same electronic doors that had parted to admit the two teams with their gurneys. Frantic, he grabbed the first person he encountered, an orderly who spoke next to no English and looked terrified by the mans demeanor.