A Degree in Murder

Chapter Fourteen: Solidarity

On the tenth day of her suspension, Eleanor was in the flex room turned home office when she heard a knock on the door. She knew it was Susan and called for her to enter. Instead, Susan peered through the slightly open door and said, "Sorry to disturb you ma'am but a Dr Laura Bailey is here to see you."

Eleanor leapt from her seat, unable to believe what she had heard. Aside from today, Laura had only visited her place one other time: the day she moved in.

"Thank you Susan. Tell her I'll be there shortly," replied Eleanor, shutting down her laptop. She looked down at her outfit and wondered if she should change into something more appropriate. Currently, Eleanor wore a turquoise spaghetti strap top and white tracksuit pants which she was extremely comfortable in.

What's the point of having your own home if you can't be comfortable in it?

With her mind made up, she put on her slippers and headed for the living room where she found her boss comfortably perched on the couch with a cup of coffee before her. Laura wore a white blouse, an apple red skirt that reached just below her knees and apple red loafers.

"You look very comfortable," Laura quipped, "So this is how the ever sharp Eleanor Priest looks when she's off the clock."

Eleanor ignored her boss's little quip and sat in the arm chair to Laura's left. She stared straight at Laura, crossed her arms and said, "This is a pleasant surprise. I did not know you were the type to pay home visits to your employees or has that changed?."

"Usually I avoid interactions outside the workplace but there are exceptions like this one. As a female hospital administrator, any controversy could have an adverse effect on my career," Laura retorted.

"I can't argue with your reasoning. It's not easy being a woman in power," conceded Eleanor, "That doesn't answer my question though."

"I told you that I have your back so I thought I'd pass by and see how you were holding up."

Eleanor's features softened when she heard this. She remembered Laura's words but paid them no mind. She thought keeping her job and position in the anaesthesia department was as far as she would go. "Thank you very much. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. By the way, YOU haven't given me an answer."

"Well, it was weird at first, being this free, but it has grown on me. Anyway, when does Rachael get her new heart?" asked Eleanor.

"Umm... About that... She won't be getting the heart. It's going to Leon Truss after all. Zhang pulled major strings at the level of the national transplant committee. I knew he had some clout but I didn't know it extended that far," Laura replied, a helpless look on her face.

"Then what happens to Rachael? She's been waiting all this time. Her family's been waiting all this time. This is her chance to live a normal life or as near a normal life for someone who received a heart transplant."

"I wish I could tell you something different but I can't. The bastard has also got the board wrapped around his finger, threatening to cut our funding if we didn't fall in line," said Laura, trembling with anger. Eleanor was surprised at what she saw. Laura never let her emotions show one bit.

"The hospital could always find another..."

"It's not easy finding a corporate sponsor willing to donate a hundred million dollars to fund research, equipment and etcetera."

"That explains why they caved so easily," said Eleanor, visibly irritated. "Is there any other way we can get Rachael the procedure?"

"Unless Truss changes his mind or croaks, I don't see how. The surgery will take place eight days from now once Truss's handpicked team jets in from India."

"After all the effort I put in, this is where it all ends?" asked a teary-eyed Eleanor.

"You made a stand when no one else would. You put this guy on notice and while we didn't get the result we wanted, you can hold your head up high knowing that you tried your best."