Page 50 of Crash

The room fell so quiet that you could hear the hum of the fluorescent lights.

“Let me be clear what that means. You’ll have every department head, every attending physician in this hospital, watching you break down one of the most fascinating cases I’ve seen in my career. Presenting will boost your reputation within the hospital. Every department head will know your name.” I pressed my fingers to the files in front of me. “But that’s not all. The intern who cracks this becomes my apprentice for a week.”

A sharp intake of breath from two interns heightened the anticipation in the space.

“That means no more fetching labs or typing notes. For seven days, you’ll be doing real medicine. Hands-on experience you can’t get anywhere else. I’ll teach you everything I know: every trick, every technique, every shortcut I’ve learned in my years of practice.”

I watched skepticism transform into raw hunger in their eyes. Some were already pulling out their notepads, pens hovering eagerly over paper. Others sat perfectly still, as if afraid any movement might cost them their shot.

Now we were getting somewhere.

“Who’s interested?”

Every hand shot up like they were spring-loaded.

“Oh, and one more detail.” I leaned my palms on the table. “Every department head has this case too. Different rewards, same race. But they’re drowning in meetings and paperwork while you’ve got fresh knowledge and hungry minds.”

“We’re competing with department heads?”

“Terrified?” I asked, arching an eyebrow. “Good. Fear makes you sharp. Beat them, and your name becomes legend in these halls.” I checked my watch. “Clock’s ticking. Shall we begin?”

The sound of frantically flipping papers filled the room. Eight minds racing against time, against each other, against the hospital elite.

Perfect.

Game on.

29

BLAKE

SINNERS & SAINTS GROUP CHAT

Axel: Jace, my man, just watched you announce that merger. Your company’s getting so big. You know what Freud would say about your obsession with size? *eggplant emoji*

Jace: Axel, saw you on the arm of yet another model. The fact that no one will sleep with you more than once says everything about your skills.

Axel: Please. I have a LINE of women. A LINE.

Jace: Yes, waiting for their antibiotics after one night with you.

Ryker: It’s 7a.m. I haven’t had coffee yet. I will murder both of you. As a criminal attorney, I know how to get away with it.

Axel: Jace, at least I have social skills. When’s the last time you left your office for something other than our poker nights?

Jace: Yesterday. Spent sixteen hours at my law firm’s headquarters, finalizing the details that will save thousands of jobs at my latest acquisition. Unlike your dating history, I actually finish what I start.

Axel: *yawning emoji* Boring. Aren’t CEOs supposed to be cutthroat? You’re like the Santa Claus of corporate takeovers.

Jace: I am cutthroat. Just ask the executives I fired last week. I just prefer destroying people who actually deserve it.

Axel: You owe me ten grand.

Jace: Improve your poker skills.

Ryker: Blake, any movement on the chief position? Hospital board still dragging their feet?

Me: Moving slower than Axel’s brain after a night out.