A Better Next Page 5

  “For you, my dear Jess, anything.” He kissed her hand— another reason she loved having him as a houseguest.

  After he gave them some welcome updates about his family, including Liliana’s wedding plans, they chatted about other characters they had all come to know in the international-research community—whose star was rising, who was moving, whose marriage was faltering, and other tidbits of interest. Jess was relieved that there was no mention of Portland, and took note that Arthur was as charming with his longtime friend as he could possibly be.

  The two men battled over the bill, and Arthur won. Vincente put his wallet away and said, “So, how’s it going with the merger? You two still getting along?”

  Arthur lost himself in conversation with the server, who had come to retrieve the check. After an awkward fifteen seconds of ignoring the question, Jess smiled tightly and answered, “Of course.”

  The next morning, Jess found Dan alone in the break room and described her plan. She was prepared to be forceful about it but didn’t think he would resist her. Why should he? She would be fighting her own battle, and he would be able to stay above the fray. She knew he was supportive of her, but he had a business to run. He seemed relieved, and she fought her initial fear that he might distance himself from her, as if she were yesterday’s problem.

  First, she formally asked for a meeting with Dick. She wasn’t sure he would meet with her, but there was no way she wasn’t going to push hard for a face-to-face with the man who was determined to cut her out of the merger. His assistant, Laura, sounding bored, offered the routine, “May I tell him what this is regarding?” followed by the usual stale excuse, “He’s really booked up, and I can’t make any promises for the next several days.”

  But Laura perked up when Jess said, “Tell him this is about a personal matter that I would like to clarify. Dan Getz knows that I’m asking for the meeting. Just give him my name and my reason, and I’m sure he’ll be willing to see me in the next few days.” She left it at that. Jess thought again how useful it was that she had not taken Arthur’s name when they’d married. The assistant might not put her together with her husband, but clearly Dick had done that and more.

  Jess knew it would take a day or so to hear back from Dick, so she sought Nate out for drinks in the meantime. She hoped that, having worked on Dick’s Midwest Health team and having denied the rumor once on her behalf, he could give her some idea of what she would be walking into. He agreed to meet her not far from the Midwest Health corporate offices, but at a less-traveled neighborhood bar that she liked for quiet conversations.

  “You look good—certainly a hundred times better than the last time I saw you, being hounded in the hallway.” Nate smiled as he slid into the booth next to her and sighed deeply. “What a long day. I’m glad to see you. The tension around the office is so thick. A year ago, I had a big job. But with the merger added to it, it’s almost too much.”

  He was the rare man who could allow himself to sound vulnerable about the grinding workload of health care and what it meant to him personally. He was now on his second marriage and trying to make sure he carved out the time it took to keep his relationship working. There had been a time, after his first marriage ended, when he had made some transparent hints that he was interested in Jess and wondered about the health of her own relationship. Jess had been taken aback, but, knowing he was a friend going through a bad time, she had set him straight and they hadn’t spoken of it again.

  “Nate, I’m sorry things are so complicated for you right now. Don’t you just hate it that we live in such interesting times and that the accelerating changes are almost too much for mere mortals to handle?” She tried to tease him a bit as she saw him rub his temples with his fingers. “I can listen if you want to unburden yourself. I’m all ears. It’s the least I can do after you rescued me the other day. What a friend you are.”

  They ordered and caught up a bit, and then Nate turned to her. “So, how’s the battle against the rumor mill going? I haven’t seen you on campus for a while. Are you staying away from the rumor mongers?”

  “Actually, I wanted to ask you if you know anything about what the grapevine is saying now, and if Dick has asked you anything more about it.”

  “Dick hasn’t asked me anything else, but I don’t know if he’s done with it. He may just not be talking to me about it because I was so certain it wasn’t true. Dick is under a lot of stress, and you know what it means to him to get this merger sorted.” He looked at Jess. “He needs the proverbial ‘closed deal’ on his résumé before he can move on to his next big job. It’s something he’s been pretty open about since he came five years ago.”

  Nate had never been a fan of Dick’s, and he suspected Dick would be long gone by the time the hard work of actually effecting the merger was left to the minions who’d have to carry it out.

  “So, you aren’t hearing anything more about it? It’s cooled off?”

  “Nope, I haven’t heard anything else. But I’ve been pretty deep in the weeds with my own team, working on the operational plans for combining the laboratories. I’ve heard that Sam Hirsch is pretty worried about some departures from the brain trust at the U but that there’s some big plan to keep that from happening. I haven’t heard any names or any details, though.” He paused. “Actually, now that I think about it, it’s pretty hush-hush, and I don’t know what that means.”

  “Well, at least Arthur isn’t still hot news. That’s something.” Nate reported directly to Dick, and the leadership team was pretty close, so if Arthur’s pending departure was an issue, Nate likely knew about it. She smiled at him and finished her drink. “Thanks, Nate.”

  “Jess, you look so much less stressed than you did before. Tell me everything is going OK for you.” Nate smiled at her so empathetically that she almost missed the fact that he didn’t say “going OK for you and Arthur.” She hoped his own marriage was still solid.

  The fact that Nate hadn’t heard any concerns about Arthur should be good news, but it didn’t ring true. She had to put on a brave face for him as they parted with a hug. As she went home to try to enjoy Vincente’s meal, she couldn’t help but feel something gnawing at her.

  Chapter 11

  “Good morning. This is Jess Lawson.”

  “This is Laura, Dick Morrison’s assistant. There’s been a cancellation in his calendar for this afternoon. I know this isn’t much notice, but does four thirty work for you?”

  “Yes, that will work. Thank you.”

  “And, Ms. Lawson, Mr. Morrison is off campus earlier in the p.m. Could you possibly meet him at the Bellrive Country Club?”

  “Of course. That’s fine.” Jess had to smile. Nobody losing face here. Dick’s assistant had found some time due to a cancellation, even though he had no free time. And Dick could hide the fact of the meeting by holding it off campus. Hmm . . . Works for me.

  Jess had delegated the most pressing work on the merger to others, so she left for a late lunch and a run. As she jogged, Jess thought about what she knew of Dick Morrison and how he might approach her. She appreciated his rise to power and influence in health care and knew that he was at the height of his career right now as CEO of Midwest Health. She had not personally seen him lose his temper but had heard from Dan that he could be harsh and sarcastic with those he saw as not bright enough to do his bidding. She didn’t know much about his personal life, other than that he was long married to his college sweetheart and that they had grown children. His wife, who didn’t work outside the home, devoted herself to charity causes in each of the communities to which her husband’s career had taken them.

  The run gave her a great adrenaline rush, and she stopped at home to shower and change before driving out to Bellrive. When she arrived, Jess was happy to see eager golf and tennis players out and about, taking advantage of the weather. She didn’t know this club well, but her impression as she drove through the grounds was that it was a bit pretentious. She got out of her car, welcoming the la
te-afternoon sun on her back. Strolling from the parking lot, she felt just charged enough to be eager for the meeting.

  The host ushered her to a corner table. “Mr. Morrison is running a bit late. May I bring you a beverage?”

  As the waiter delivered her glass of merlot, Dick arrived. “I see you’ve started early.” He glanced at her wine and then turned to the waiter. “I’ll just have a cup of coffee, James. Thank you.”

  The waiter left and dimmed the lights to signal that the evening had begun, and Dick sat down. He was a good-looking man in any light, blessed with that graying-at-the-temples feature that worked so well for men.

  “I appreciate the meeting. I wasn’t sure you’d agree to it. Thank you.” She gave him a warm smile. She didn’t need chill; she needed him flexible.

  “I’m a reasonable man. What exactly did you want to talk to me about?” Dick smiled back. “I believe Dan has relayed my wish that you no longer work on the merger as a consultant for Midwest Health.”

  His voice was firm, and she intuitively identified the style he had honed over thirty-five years of executive leadership: When heading into a meeting after a decision has been made, be firm and resolute, get the objective out immediately, and hold. There it was. Jess gave him credit for getting right to the point.

  “Yes,” she countered, taking her time. “Dan did relay that to me. However, he wasn’t clear on the reason. So I was hoping you’d tell me why you no longer want me working on the team. Surely you can give me that. I like to think I try to continually improve and can take honest criticism of my work. What is it I can do to bring more value to a project as complex as this one?” Guessing he wouldn’t come up with much detail and that he was barely aware of what she did, she was curious to see how he would handle her request.

  “You’re a very bright woman. Nobody would ever mistake you for a naive schoolgirl. I understand you were a smart one, graduating second in your business-school class at Tufts. Is that where you met Arthur?” Dick asked, a smirk threatening.

  Now they were getting someplace. She met his gaze and responded with a coy smile. “Oh, no, no. Arthur is my senior by almost ten years. He was already through Harvard Medical by the time we met in Boston. He was recruited here to the U after we married and has remained here for, let me think, almost twenty years now.”

  “Happily?”

  “Excuse me?” Jess wasn’t going to make this easy. She sipped her wine.

  “You said Arthur has been here twenty years. Have those been satisfying years here at the U?”

  “For the most part.” Jess hesitated, then moved ahead sharply. “But, Dick, I’m sure you could have that conversation with Arthur directly. I asked for this meeting to find out why you’re cutting me out of my role on the merger team. Is there something I’ve done to harm the project? Why are you dissatisfied with my work?”

  Dick leaned back, took a sip of coffee, and casually put his arm over the side of his chair. “Jess, I’d love to keep you on the team. But you need to show your ultimate loyalty to us. You need to remember that the objective of Midwest Health’s successful merger with the university hospital requires an intact faculty. You need to keep Arthur in St. Louis.”

  Jess was so surprised by the direct order that she barked out a laugh, causing a few patrons to turn their way. She looked around and saw that the place was getting busier. The waiter stopped by to refill her wineglass and Dick’s coffee cup. She scanned the room once more, but the people who’d been staring were once again involved in their own conversations.

  She took a deep breath, trying to relax her shoulders. Leaning in closer to him, she said in a low voice, “You can’t be serious. Do you honestly think you can threaten my job unless I prevent Arthur from taking a position elsewhere? Do you have so little faith in the merits of your merger proposal that one faculty defection, if it was real, could destroy your plan? What about the Midwest Health board, the university’s board, all the employees and patients of both institutions? All that, yet the merger could be foiled by one potential departure? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “Jessica.” Dick picked up his coffee cup, slowly took a swallow, and then shifted his posture closer to her. “Arthur is a leader among the faculty. If he left, taking his research and its significant dollars, he could open that possibility to others. We just can’t let that happen. I would expect that if you were thinking as a team member, you’d see that. You yourself just mentioned all those who would be hurt if this didn’t work.”

  Jess just looked at him, wondering how he could be so sure of his position and not have any sense of how off it was. Her mind was ready to burst. Is he really saying this out loud? Beyond the raw sexism of his thinking, he was ignoring any of the conflict-of-interest barriers.

  The smirk was now in evidence. “I can see that you’re thinking about this, and that makes me happy,” he said. “I hope you’re beginning to understand my position and will consider this as the serious matter that it is. We need Arthur to stay, for everyone’s sake. Please take the rest of the week to think about it, and then let me know what you decide.” He leaned back in his chair and finished his coffee.

  After he motioned for the bill, he stood up and said to Jess, with more warmth than he had shown so far, “Have a good evening.” He stopped to greet a few patrons on his way out and to give the signed bill to James. His commanding presence and warm chitchat turned many heads as he left.

  Jess slowly finished her glass of wine, taking time to process the conversation. She knew Dick believed he had won and that she would fall in line. “Let him think so,” she whispered, and willed herself to move beyond the meeting.

  Looking out the windows at the spring green of the golf course and a spectacular setting sun, she realized how hungry she was. She looked at her watch and jumped up. As she left the bar, she walked by the kitchen and caught the wonderful aroma of roasting meat. As good as it smelled, it reminded her of the treat she anticipated at home. Tom was making homemade pizza that night, as a way to thank Vincente for the cooking lessons Vincente had been giving him. She could almost taste it now.

  She was halfway across the lobby when she heard a familiar voice. “Jess, how wonderful to see you.” Charlie Williams, university board member and fellow homeowner in Jess and Arthur’s lake association, was just turning away from a conversation with Dick.

  She approached to accept a warm hug from Charlie and caught a glimpse of Dick’s face as it flushed.

  Charlie started to ask about her family and then found his manners and swiveled around to include Dick in the conversation. “Dick Morrison, this is—”

  “Charlie, Dick and I are acquainted,” Jess interrupted.

  “Yes, Jess is on the merger team representing Midwest Health,” Dick added quickly.

  “Really? I didn’t know that. Well, I’m feeling better already. Jess’s negotiation skills are top-notch—I can attest to that.” Charlie’s eyes twinkled, hinting at shared experiences, as he smiled at her.

  “Thanks for the update, Dick. I’ll be in touch. Jess, can you spare five minutes for a quick catch-up?”

  She couldn’t help but enjoy watching Dick walk away, dismissed.

  Chapter 12

  Jess entered the house to the unmistakable smell of pancetta and basil. Warm male laughter in the kitchen pulled her away from any further thought of Dick’s obvious attempt at a power play. She joined the happy men in her kitchen, their mood infectious.

  “That smells so good! I’m absolutely famished.” She greeted both Tom and Vincente with a kiss and a hug.

  “Hey, Mom, perfect timing. The pizza is just coming out of the oven. Vincente helped me improve my crust technique, and I don’t want you to miss out on how it looks when it’s piping hot.” Tom gave Vincente plates to set the table.

  “Jess, your son is a natural. My work with him is almost done!” Vincente took the plates from Tom.

  “And I’m very grateful.” Jess found a stray bit of cheese on the counter an
d popped it into her mouth. “How many years have you two been on this cooking adventure together?”

  “Well, Tom, how old were you when we started this—nine, maybe?” Vincente’s eyes crinkled as he looked fondly at his protégé.

  Tom chuckled as he caught his mother’s knowing smile. “Mom, don’t tell the story again—I know, I know. We had quite a mess that first time we made sauce, but that’s only because Vincente let me mash and taste everything.”

  Jess squeezed by them and put her briefcase down in the corner office space. “And it was delicious. Once Vincente also taught you the virtues of keeping a clean kitchen, everybody was happy!” They shared a laugh, and Jess realized how fortunate Tom was to have Vincente in his life. Vincente not only was far more patient than Arthur but also genuinely appreciated spending time with Tom, the son he’d never had.

  “Where’s Arthur? Vincente, you know your job while you stay here with us is to make sure Arthur is home for dinner every night. Did you let us down?”

  Vincente looked so upset, Jess wished she hadn’t teased him, and quickly added, “Hey, I’m joking. Tom and I both have experience in how tough it can be to get him home. Right, Tom?” He shrugged.

  She trotted out of the kitchen to wash up before eating and was surprised to find Vincente hot on her heels. He pulled her into the den and put his finger up to his lips, signaling her to be quiet. “Jess, I don’t know if it’s my place to say anything”—he hesitated, then went on—“but I’ve known you for many, many years now, and I do not like what I’m hearing during this trip.”

  “What exactly are you hearing, Vincente?” Jess could see alarm in his expressive eyes.

  “Arthur’s going to Portland.”

  “Oh, that.” Jess’s shoulders relaxed. “That’s not likely.” She took his hand. “You don’t have to worry about that.”