Page 45 of Judge Me Not

"The treatment will save Abby's life?"

He glances between us. "I can't—"

"Then we'll talk in hypotheticals."

His lips twitch. "Okay. What's our pretend situation?"

"A child with all the same medical conditions as Abby gets the treatment. What are her chances of survival?"

"The best we've ever seen based on the ten years of studies."

"And side effects?"

"Barely any."

"So, it's a miracle cure?"

"I won't call anything a miracle or a cure, but it's extremely promising."

I lower my voice. "And you could administer it right now?"

His face hardens. "The board approved January third."

"So, the medication is sitting in this hospital right now, and you're not able to dispense it due to the board?"

He double-checks no one is listening. "Hypothetically, you are correct. But you didn't hear it from me."

"And can a child with a fever receive the treatment?"

"No. The studies all show she needs to be forty-eight hours fever-free."

"But then she could get it?"

"As long as her bloodwork comes back normal."

I pat him on the back. "Okay. I'll see you soon."

He raises his eyebrows. "What are you going to do?"

"Be the board's worst nightmare."

He takes a deep breath. "Good luck. Keep my name out of it."

"I will." I move quickly through the building, my rage building with every step I take. When I get to the ballroom, I scan the room for the table several of the board members are at.

I grab an empty seat from another table and spin it so it's backward. I sit behind Dr. Nelson and the other major influencer on the board, Dr. Petri.

"Gentlemen," I say and pat their backs.

They turn and kiss my ass like they always do.

I hold my hand up. "I've got a situation I need your immediate help with."

"Oh?" Dr. Nelson turns in his chair more.

"I assume you appreciate—no, let's cut the bullshit. I know you don't want to lose any of my support for this project or future ones."

Dr. Petri scrunches his forehead. His voice crackles. "Of course not. What can we do for you?"