Read Online Maddy's Floor by Dale Mayer - Free Book Online Page A

door.
     
    "Come in," she called out, trying to compartmentalize her feelings and lock them down until she had space and time to sort through them.
     
    A tall imposing man stood in her doorway. "I'm looking for Dr. Madeleine Wagner."
     
    Maddy's gaze widened at the dignified stranger in her doorway. "Yes, that's me. What can I do for you?"
     
    He smiled, walked forward, held out his hand. "Nice to finally meet you. I'm Dr. Chandler of Madison House. I'd like to speak with you, if you have a couple minutes to spare."
     
    She stood up, smiling at one of the most respected surgeons and researchers on this side of the country. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Chandler. Please, have a seat." She motioned toward the seating arrangement out on the covered deck. The earlier rain had stopped, letting the sun peek out. "May I offer you some coffee?"
     
    At his surprised nod, she fussed at her machine for a few minutes, then picked up the two cups and joined him outside.
     
    She sat across from him. "Now, what can I do for you, Dr. Chandler?"
     

***
    Several files sat open on Gerard's desk, applications under consideration. Another bed had just opened up on Maddy's floor. Perfect. Who had money and who would be willing to pay handsomely for a chance to move up in life?
     
    His office phone rang. Damn, now what?
     
    "Hello. Oh, hi, John." Gerard rolled his eyes and sank deeper into his high-backed wing chair. "How are you doing?"
     
    "Getting impatient. When is my transfer going through?"
     
    "Soon. I haven't gotten the forms from your doctor yet. Being in a different facility means there's a mess of paperwork to complete."
     
    "If that's the only thing holding you up, I'll take care of it." John's tone made it clear there'd be hell to pay if his doctor didn't move on the issue – and fast.
     
    Gerard smirked. Better to have John target someone else for a change. "Go easy on him. He's probably swamped with work. And it's likely to be his nurse taking care of the paperwork. You may want to check before you snap at him."
     
    John's snort blasted through the phone. "Like hell. It'll get done today."
     
    Gerard pinched the bridge of his nose and did something he rarely did – he excused himself. "John, I'm rushing to a meeting. I'm sorry but I have to run."
     
    "Right. No problem. I have someone else to chase now. Have a good one."
     
    Gerard stared at the phone as he replaced it. Given a new target, John sounded positively perky. That man must have made his department hell for any lollygaggers. Still, he was off Gerard's tail for a bit. Thank God.
     
    Sandra walked into Gerard's office, a large stack of opened letters in her arms. "How bad is it today?" he asked.
     
    "It's an interesting mix. The bulk of them are applications, requests for applications and questions about The Haven, all of which are good things." She dropped the stack in front of him. "And they give me confidence that I'll still have a job at the end of the year."
     
    "Yeah," he growled, "but you may have to take a pay cut."
     
    "Not going to happen, so don't go there." She turned to leave. Before she reached the door she turned back as if she'd forgotten something. "Although, speaking of pay cuts and the employment issues in today's world, I thought I saw Dr. Chandler walking the halls this morning, heading upstairs."
     
    Gerard glanced up at her, his mind already immersed in the morning's mail. "Who?"
     
    "Dr. Chandler. You know the physician with that leading-edge-technology-stuff from Madison House."
     
    Gerard's eyes widened. "What?"
     
    She looked over her glasses at him and frowned. "Is that a big deal?" The glint in her eyes said she knew it was.
     
    He pushed his chair back and stood. "Do you know why he was here or where he was going?"
     
    "Nope. Haven't a clue." She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and walked toward the door again.
     
    Jesus, Sandra had been here since forever. Nothing much happened here she didn't know.