Warrior Reborn Page 4

  Brian blinked once, then twice and his eyes popped wide open to look at Briet. His gaze slid to the machine and then his arm. Seeing the tubes gone and the equipment rolled back, he turned back and gave her a small smile.

  “No more today?” His voice was weak, but the determination in his face was heartening.

  “No more until day after tomorrow.”

  The smile widened and lit up his eyes. Briet bit the inside of her cheek and fought not to hug him. The strength of these kids amazed her.

  CHAPTER 6

  Dr. Erno Sanyu commandeered the head of the conference table. Jason chose to sit to his left, across from Max. The seat offered the best vantage point to view everyone who entered. The room had almost filled with the three teams: fourteen doctors, ten responsible for direct patient care in the trial, the remainder holding positions on the oncology review board.

  Jason had no interest in playing the figurehead. It didn’t mean he wouldn’t influence the agenda. “Dr. Sanyu. I’d like to meet briefly with you and your team leads after this meeting, if that would be possible?” Jason noted Dr. Sanyu stiffened and glanced quickly toward Max.

  Interesting.

  “Of course.”

  To Jason’s irritation, Sanyu didn’t bother to confer with the schedules of his direct reports.

  “This meeting will be quick,” said Sanyu.

  Jason met Max’s gaze and watched his boss lean back in his chair. He wouldn’t interfere, but he’d noted the same lack of courtesy as Jason.

  True to form, Sanyu jumped right in. “I’ve reviewed this week’s data, as well as the compliance reports from each of your teams. We had two patients risking removal from the program based on inability to complete the procedure.” Dr. Sanyu looked directly at Ed Thurmont and Briet Hyden. To their credit, both doctors appeared unfazed by Sanyu’s announcement.

  “The Paulson boy has adjusted and is receiving the treatment as scheduled,” said Thurmont.

  Briet nodded with Thurmont’s answer, though didn’t glance at Sanyu.

  Sanyu continued without response. “And the Murphy boy, Dr. Panelli?”

  “Phin Murphy’s fever and intestinal flu have subsided. He’s currently handling the treatment without issue.” The comment came from a small Asian woman, Lan Makai, seated beside Dr. Panelli. Jason recognized her from the initial introduction sessions with the team. Her stature and delicate features were deceptive, hiding the reality of Makai’s age and more than twenty-five years in the field. She easily outranked Sanyu in experience, could probably have had his job if she’d cared. She didn’t. Makai lived to make a difference in her field. Jason had included her on the team based on direct reference from the hospital’s chief of staff.

  “I believe Dr. Makai included the update in the team’s log. The supporting data is there as well.” Dr. Panelli received Makai’s nod and smile.

  Again, Sanyu gave no response. Either he wasn’t aware of the personal commitment driving each of the team members to participate in this trial, or he didn’t care.

  Jason leaned back in his chair, wondering about Sanyu’s purpose for this meeting. Any fool could read the data or the team updates. These people were professionals with fourteen-hour days, families, and responsibilities. It was hardly necessary to keep them pinned in this room for a show of hierarchy.

  “With reference to the data compiled across the teams, I know you are all aware of the rules for this phase of the testing. A good deal of time and effort has gone toward ensuring that we have the appropriate procedures to quantify our results. Based on this foundation, I would like to know, Dr. Hyden, why you feel compelled to run you own independent series of tests?” Sanyu folded his hands and waited.

  Jason froze, keeping his gaze locked on Thurmont. However, he couldn’t miss the look of shocked betrayal on Briet’s face. Damn it. He’d rarely wanted to throttle another human more, but Sanyu deserved nothing less.

  “I’ve deemed the tests necessary to monitor side effects.”

  Her voice was strong. Jason gave her credit for not buckling under Sanyu’s intimidation.

  “What of the costs associated with those tests?”

  “There haven’t been any additional costs flagged in our team for extraneous tests.” Thurmont replied, his voice also calm and far from demeaning, but the question was there for Briet, nonetheless.

  Jason watched Briet nod and meet Sanyu’s gaze. However, she avoided looking in his direction.

  “There have been no additional charges. I ran the tests myself.”

  “I would expect each of us has the call to determine whether our patients require additional verification.” Thurmont’s response, along with the murmured agreements of Makai and Dr. Chen, corresponded in a tightening of Sanyu’s hand on his report.

  Jason noted the gesture and waited. Thurmont was the head of the oncology board. His support and endorsement carried weight. He’d been a proponent of adding Briet Hyden to the trial team. The very reason Jason had positioned her in his group.

  “Our job is to provide unimpeachable process to the oversight of this drug’s testing. Not to augment the process with wasteful deviations.” Before Briet could even open her mouth, Sanyu continued. “These procedures are the condition of each doctor’s association with this project and this hospital. Is that clear?”

  Jason kept his face a mask and looked to Max, who was still leaning back in his chair watching the proceedings with interest, his expression half-hidden by his hand. The tension in the room rose as the emotional temperature dropped, the cold hostility from the teams barely hidden. Thurmont was clearly uncomfortable, Dr. Arnault refused to look at Sanyu, Chen was staring a hole through his paperwork, and Makai tapped her fingers and looked out the window to the hallway.

  What did Sanyu think he was going to accomplish?

  “I believe we are finished.” His final words were terse, as if Sanyu had dismissed a group of errant children.

  Everyone stood up, determined to flee before more bad will rained down. Jason didn’t blame them. “If the team leaders would please stay, I would appreciate a few more minutes of your time. I promise not to keep you long.”

  At Jason’s request, Thurmont swept a blank gaze to Sanyu, but nodded in agreement and resumed his seat. Doctors Panelli and Chen hesitated only a second and then acquiesced as well. All three doctors remained at the far end of the conference table. The physical distance spoke volumes about their mood.

  Jason leaned forward to address the three team leads, partially blocking Dr. Sanyu from view. “Do any of your teams have patients who would benefit from further testing or evaluation?”

  “I believe I’ve already made our policy clear,” Sanyu cut in quickly.

  Max leaned forward. “Jason, you facilitate the funding and overall review for Welson. What is your take on this?”

  Jason paused, if only to make Sanyu wait for it. Petty, but a necessary power play designed to put the man in his place. “Brommel Laboratories ran a test trial three years ago for a heart medication they subsequently released. During the timeframe of their tests, two of the team physicians concurred that a minor percentage of their patients were exhibiting side effects of potential damage to the liver and kidney. One of these patients died and both doctors were released from the program due to non-compliance with the contracted project scope.”

  Sanyu had leaned back in his chair, presumably confident his vindication was coming.

  “A year later, both doctors produced their secondary test results—in court. The family of the deceased patient, as well as five of the other patient families, received an award of fifty million dollars in damages. The charge—gross negligence on the part of Brommel for not providing open disclosure of their data and modification of their protocol.”

  Jason ignored the sound of Sanyu’s chair scraping away from the table and focused on the three doctors, whose expressions had changed from stoic and guarded to speculative.

  “I agree with Dr. Sanyu’s focus to
keep the project within scope and fight stray costs.” Jason turned to meet Sanyu’s gaze. The man seemed confused, uncertain if Jason was hanging him out to dry or supporting him. Good. “Given Brommel Lab’s experience, I suspect Dr. Sanyu’s instinct will be to re-evaluate the proposal of additional testing as a safeguard for the Welson protocol. Provided, of course, Welson Corp accepts any cost increase. The change would reflect our joint efforts to provide the safest environment for these patients. I know we all agree that following in Brommel Lab’s footsteps would be not only career suicide, but also bankruptcy for Welson. Which I’m sure we all want to avoid.”

  “Logical.” Max’s comment left Sanyu frowning at Jason. “With such recommendations and support of your teams, you will have quite the success on your hands, Erno.”

  “The choice is yours, of course, Sanyu,” Thurmont chimed with a discrete nod of his head to Jason. “But should you go this route I believe the odds of success will increase significantly. The teams will appreciate this token of your support.” Thurmont’s endorsement was targeted directly at the man’s ego, but the posturing slid right by Sanyu as he nodded, accepting the credit as his due.

  “Yes, I believe our teams would be pleased,” Dr. Panelli agreed. Dr. Chen nodded as well.

  “Fine, given this new information, we’ll change our approach, within reasonable guidelines.” Sanyu remarked, obviously easing into the vision of himself on the pedestal.

  It was so easy Jason wanted to laugh.

  “Of course.” Jason made eye contact with each person. “Unless you have something more, that’s all I had hoped to discuss.”

  The team leads left. Sanyu followed behind them.

  “Quite the piece of work there. Teams back in balance, Erno Sanyu gets the credit, and Welson sidesteps a potential issue.” Max tapped his hand on the table. “I didn’t mention anything to him, by the way, except the consideration of new findings based on additional tests.”

  Jason rubbed his hands across his face. “Yeah. I should have anticipated he’d search through every detail for evidence.”

  “You’ve developed rapport with Dr. Hyden?” Max’s comment wasn’t really a question. “A good information source can make or break this trial.”

  For a brief second, Jason felt a shimmer of unease. It wasn’t as if his communication with staff required subversion. A leftover vibe from the meeting? He mentally shook off the image. He’d worked for Max for six years and never received anything but total support for his efforts. And never had Welson encouraged behavior Jason felt unethical. “Perhaps. But Sanyu’s in charge.”

  Max leaned forward. “You have sign-off on all doctors added to and removed from these teams, as well as changes to the procedure and budget.”

  “There is that.” Jason leaned back, crossed his arms, and smiled. “Nice we didn’t need to go there.”

  ***

  Briet focused on the outline of Annie Bremar’s body through the glass of the treatment room. She tried to let her power tunnel down to the musculature and skeletal framework so she could methodically trace through the cell structure and assess Annie’s current state.

  Instead, she saw the red haze that had been suffocating her ever since she’d left the absurd excuse for a staff meeting. She couldn’t even control her breathing enough to stop the racing of her heart. How could she have been so stupid? All this time, all this hope. She’d waited so long and then when she’d healed his burn she just figured life would fall into place.

  She took another deep breath. Somewhere in the fanciful part of her mind, she’d imagined when she found her mate that their relationship would be like Mia and Turen’s. Her fellow Guardian had found his human partner after two hundred years of solitude. The love and devotion those two shared radiated from their close contact, their unspoken understanding of each other’s moods and needs. Never would they consider betraying each other, even if their lives depended on it.

  Not like Jason had just done with her. If this was mating, she didn’t want anything to do with it. She didn’t care if she lived another two hundred years by herself, or a million. She didn’t need someone by her side she couldn’t trust.

  She blinked back the tears as Annie looked up from her chair and held up the drawing from her lap. Today’s pictured depicted sun, bright flowers, and none of the night terrors the child battled. Briet pressed a hand to the glass and smiled.

  Darn it. She couldn’t even go in to sit next to her patient she was so angry. After all Annie had struggled through, she didn’t need a doctor who couldn’t control her emotions. Perhaps if she worked on a logical solution to her emotional reaction she could put this whole episode behind her.

  Maybe human men were different. Perhaps Mia had been unique in adapting because—

  “Briet.”

  Ed Thurmont’s voice broke through her thoughts. His compassionate gaze tamped down her anger. He’d supported her and shown her respect, even during Sanyu’s attempt to humiliate her in front of colleagues. Please don’t let her have pulled Sheri into trouble as well.

  “You look like you could use some good news.”

  “I’d pay for some right about now.”

  His smile widened. “This is free. The issue with the testing is…resolved.”

  “I’m fired.” She tried to keep her face expressionless because she was only half-kidding.

  “No. Good heavens, we wouldn’t allow that.” He nodded his head to the few seats in the hallway. “Do you have just a minute?”

  “Yes. I’m having a little trouble concentrating anyway.”

  He sat beside her and perched his chin on his hand. “The supplemental tests are cleared for funding and addition to the process guidelines.”

  “Ed, I feel so badly you went to bat for me. I—”

  He held up a hand. “Welson wants the tests.”

  She must have looked incredulous because he repeated himself.

  “Really. Sanyu has come around to viewing the testing as a protective measure, to cover potential lawsuits. He’s nothing if not focused on covering his…well, you know. All for the hospital, of course.”

  “Hardly sounds like Dr. Sanyu to be so insightful.”

  Thurmont lips curled up at the corners. “The insight comes from Ballard. Didn’t get the feeling he was any more pleased with Dr. Sanyu’s pronouncement than the rest of us, but he successfully managed the issue.”

  “Quite the manager.”

  Thurmont leaned forward and patted Briet’s hand. “I think you should look at this as a win.”

  She gave him a weak smile. It was what she could muster. “Thank you for coming to tell me.”

  “You were the first on my list. You do a great job. You know that, right?”

  “Thank you, Ed.”

  He left her and she walked back to the observation room, raised her hand again to Annie, and pressed her forehead against the glass.

  Now what? How much credence should she put in this change and what was she going to do when she ran into Jason? It was inevitable. He would manage to track her down no matter where she was in the hospital or the lab facility. When that man wanted to find her, he was a bloodhound.

  Could a Guardian escape her mate?

  ***

  Jason ran a hand over the back of his neck and watched the numbers flash on the elevator’s digital display. It was going to take every bit of skill he could muster to get past Briet’s defenses. Sanyu’s attack had done a real number on her and he’d left Jason holding the bag.

  He was ultimately responsible for what happened. Also living to regret each minute he’d accepted Sanyu as the head for this project. If it hadn’t been for Welson exec, Hauer Gault, Jason would have said no. He should have stuck to his guns.

  The doors chimed and shushed open. Jason was half way across the visitor’s lounge of the pediatric oncology wing when he heard the crying. As he approached, he tried to recall where he had seen the woman before. Seated in the far corner, her body hunched over and arms twi
sted around herself, she looked as if she was trying to disappear.

  “Mrs. Sanchez?” Jason approached the woman slowly, trying not to shock her. The wide-eyed look of horror on her face told him he was the last person on earth she wanted to see.

  Jason did a quick mental recap. None of the children had suffered setbacks. That he was aware of. In theory, one of the team leads or Sanyu would have let him know because Jason would be responsible for the public relations issues of such a tragedy.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, Mr. Ballard. I—it’s nothing, just nerves.”

  He nodded, unconvinced. The stress of having a terminally ill child participating in the trials was harsh. Yet only two weeks into the trial with no setbacks, her reaction didn’t make sense.

  “Would you mind if I sat with you for a moment?”

  Mario Sanchez’s mother gave a quick, scared look toward the hallway, but nodded reluctantly.

  Jason sat, leaned his elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands lightly, doing anything he could to seem smaller and less of a threat to this woman who looked like a good strong breeze would blow her into the next city. “How is Mario doing?”

  She blinked, gripping her tissue like a rosary, thumbs working, and fingers tight. “He’s doing well. Dr. Hyden, she’s so good with him. She’s the first doctor who tried to help him understand, to feel good even with…”

  He nodded for her to continue. She didn’t.

  “I know she’ll do everything she can think of to make sure he gets the best care.” Instead of comforting her, Jason’s words prompted the tears to flow again.

  “No, she’s wonderful. If he could stay with her—”

  Jason shook his head. “Mrs. Sanchez, there’s no reason Dr. Hyden won’t continue to treat Mario.”

  Aww no. The woman’s lips were quivering as she shook her head. She appeared headed for complete meltdown, he was sure of it.

  “You don’t understand.”

  “You’re right. I really don’t want to intrude but—there are few things we can’t fix. How about you give me a chance to try to help?”