The Unwritten Rule | Randolph Bell

Chapter 1

A new doctor, a new cardiothoracic surgeon. From what he understood, this was no normal surgeon. She had graduated at the top of her class young, and finished her residency fast. Magazines called her a genius. On the contrary, everyone called her a genius. She had won award after award, gotten praise after praise, done high profile surgeries, Chastain needed her. She was in the market for a new hospital, a new job, and Claire wanted her.

All Randolph could think about was the money it would take to get her to work for them, but the hospital would get excellent exposure with having someone like her at the head of cardio. A genius in her late thirties who had already built quite the career for herself.

"Give her the grand tour, Randolph," Claire said.

Her words broke him from his thoughts. That said doctor would be here any second, he was always the one to do the grand tour to any new doctors that could possibly come to work for Chastain. He could sell anything, he could talk any patient into doing what he asked, he was a schmoozer.

He was also the Chief of Surgery, Claire needed his opinion of her.

"Once you're done, come see me," Claire stopped short, near the door.

"I will." Randolph smiled, watching Claire leave him to it. He looked back towards the door, spotting multiple people entering, but there was one that stood out to him. She wore a white button down shirt and black pants. Her shoes were not flats, but they weren't heels either, but a mix of the two. She wore glasses and had long brown hair. She focused ahead, adjusting the back on her shoulder.

As she opened the door, he figured it had to be her. She looked like she dressed like a doctor, but her eyes were icy and cold once he finally got a look at them. That was definitely her.

The articles didn't do her justice, but they described her to a t.

"Dr. Black?" Randolph smiled, stopping her as soon as she entered.

Jacqueline smiled, taking note of the name on his coat. "You must be Dr. Bell, I've heard so much about you."

The two shook hands.

"I'll be giving you the grand tour of Chastain," Randolph smiled at her and Jacqueline could only nod in acceptance. He stood at her side, walking alongside her. "So, why are you looking for another hospital?"

Jacqueline adjusted her grip on her bag before crossing her arms as they walked. "My brother got a job a few towns over so I figured it would be a nice change of scenery. New York gets stuffy after a while."

She moved for her brother? That was a new one, but she was one of the best doctors in the country. It would be no problem for her to find a new hospital, but would she keep the job if her brother moved again?

"Would you stay here if your brother moved jobs again?"

Jacqueline chuckled. "Interesting question, but yes. The hospital I worked for was nice, but it was all about publicity so the timing was perfect. It was just an excuse to leave. The money was great, the patients had their moments like everywhere else, but I couldn't do so much publicity anymore. Constant reporters whenever I completed what they considered a 'high profile' surgery. My chief didn't exactly have my back when things like that happened. More publicity for the hospital. All they worried about was money, I just want to do my job like everyone else."

Randolph looked at her, listening to her speak. Having her around would be good publicity for Chastain, for cardio, but he couldn't see turning everything into an article or having her up to her neck in questions. "You wouldn't have that here. We pride ourselves on caring for everyone, never turning anyone away, but not throwing out staff under the bus. I'm a doctor, just like you, I would see to it that the same thing wouldn't happen."

Jacqueline smiled, "you sure do know how to talk someone into a job." She looked around as they walked. She took note of everything, all the patients, all the staff, though she could see a few looks. However, those looks seemed to be directed at Randolph.

"Who's all on your list of potential hospitals?" Randolph asked. Least he could get an idea of who he had to work against and how hard he had to work. She wasn't into herself, she left because of publicity, but it would be time to see how well she really worked or if it was all just a lie.

It was perfect. He had a surgery to do that day, he could see just exactly what she was really made of.

Jacqueline chuckled, "I would prefer to keep that list to myself. I hope you understand that, I just prefer to not have hospitals compete to keep me. I would much prefer to make the decision for myself."

It made sense to Randolph, but now he would have to really compete to keep her around. He wasn't entirely sure how, but Chastain could use her.

"I have a surgery at the end of the day, how would you like to scrub in with me? I would love to see you work." He stopped, they were closer to his office now instead of the OR's.

Jacqueline smiled, "I'd actually rather enjoy that. You're the first one to offer such a thing. It would be my pleasure."

"Wonderful."