Presidential Donor (22 page)

Exactly seven hours fifteen minutes and thirty seconds after Lloyd was taken into surgery--according to Gwen Lloyd's watch-Dr. Roy Gregg emerged from the OR.

Gregg saw her leap to her feet when he came out.

"Everything went fine. His new heart is working perfectly."

"Can I see him?"

"Yes, in just a few minutes. He's in recovery. As soon as they get him situated, you can go in."

A few tears appeared in her eyes and her voice softened. "Dr. Gregg?"

"Yes?"

"How can I ever thank you?"

"Mrs. Lloyd, it's been an honor and a privilege to help the President."

The Press Secretary approached Gregg and Gwen Lloyd.

"Dr. Gregg, the press is waiting in droves outside. We need to brief you before your statement."

"Yes, of course. Mrs. Lloyd, if you'll excuse me, I'll talk with you in just a little while. We'll go over the recovery process and answer any questions you have. The nurses will be out in just a bit to take you to see him."

"Thank you so much."

With that, Gregg went to the briefing room and was told what to say and what not to say in the interest of national security. In any case, he was about to become one of the most celebrated doctors of all time.

The doctor who gave President Thomas Lloyd a second chance at life.

Three days later, with most of his tubes removed and most of his color back, a smiling President Thomas Lloyd sat on the side of his bed as his wife came in.

"It's good to see you up and about."

Lloyd reached out and took her hand. Dr. Gregg says I'll be out of here in a week."

"I know. I talked with him this morning."

"He's a great guy."

"And you're a great guy, too." Gwen Lloyd gazed at her husband with a look that was reserved for their few private moments together. They held each other for a second, then behind them they heard:

"Daddy, how are you today?"

"Fine, sweetheart. How are you?"

"Great, now that I know you're doing better.

"I'm sorry we missed skiing, but I promise we'll come back soon."

"I don't care if we ever ski as long as I have you. I was afraid I was going to lose you."

"No, sweetheart, I'm not going anywhere just yet. We still have a lot of living to do."

Lloyd gave his daughter a squeeze just as Ron Fletcher and a man Lloyd didn't recognize came in.

"Mr. President," Fletcher said. "Great to see you up. I have someone who wants to meet you."

Lloyd looked puzzled.

"Tom, this is Jack McDermott."

* * *

The next day, Viktor Chermonovik paced in his office. An aide came in after tapping on his door. "Comrade President, you have a phone call."

"Who is it?"

"I think you want to take this phone call. It's Thomas Lloyd."

Chermonovik dove at the phone. "Hello Thomas, this is a surprise to say the least. I was worried about you."

"Viktor, I just called to assure you that the summit is still going to take place just as soon as we can arrange it. Our timetable may have changed, but our resolve has not. As soon as I recuperate we're going back to sign that pact just as we agreed at the pre-summit."

"Thomas, I'm thrilled to hear that, but even more thrilled that you're doing well."

"Thank you, you're a true gentleman. I look forward to seeing you soon.

My new Vice President, Ron Fletcher will be in touch with all the details. He is very excited about it."

"Great, Thomas, I look forward to meeting him."

"All right, I'll be seeing you."

"Thank you, Thomas and Good-bye."

Chermonovik hung up the phone and felt the weight of the world lifted from his shoulders. All the worry about what to tell his people, and the Duma, was all solved by that wonderful phone call from Thomas Lloyd. Yes, Russia would be bailed out again. It would take a little while. However, he stalled this long, he certainly could stall a short while longer. He knew he could trust Thomas Lloyd.

Sergai had been listening to the conversation and waited for Chermonovik to speak.

"Sergai, it looks like our luck has changed. Thomas Lloyd has just informed me that the summit is on again as soon as he can set it up. And this time, he has a Vice President who supports it."

Sergai got up and embraced his boss. He was as relieved as Chermonovik.

"Now," Chermonovik said, "we need to call an emergency session of the house to announce the good news. And call the TV stations. Our people want to hear what is going to happen. They know what this summit means."

"Yes," Sergai said. "Yes."

Chermonovik reached into his bottom drawer. Today was a day to celebrate. But first, he placed a call to Graznia Hospital.

He had a promise to keep.

The board for Brighton and Zurich Trauma had met in a closed session. They unanimously decided that although Bob Bradley had not been charged by the United States or Swiss authorities for his part in the conspiracy to kill Jack McDermott, it would not be in the hospitals best interest to let him continue as administrator. He pleaded with them, saying he acted out of fear for his life, reminding them he hadn't been charged. The argument didn't persuade them. He had to go.

That decided, it didn't take them long to pick a replacement. They wanted Jonah Bailey: a fine doctor, a fine human being, and he obviously possessed high ethics. Just the kind of administrator they needed to help them fend off any rumors that might start to circulate about the hospital's donor practices.

It wouldn't be the first time they were called into question, and Jonah was the kind of man who could quickly put an end to any such rumors. He also knew the politics of the hospital as well as anybody.

Therein lies the problem Jonah had told them. He wanted no part of hospital politics. He did, however, offer an alternative that he thought would do a great job: Dave Leah. He was easy going, fair, and without a doubt, one of the best and smartest doctors in the hospital.

The hospital agreed. Leah agreed. So that was that.

Now, at the confirmation meeting three days later to finalize Leah's new position, was Jonah, Eva and several other board members.

"Congratulations, Dave."

"Thank you, Jonah."

"Of course, you know I'll need a new forensics lab now," Jonah said, laughing.

"No problem. Just tell me how big you want it."

"Eva walked over to offer her congratulations. "Thanks, Eva," Leah said.

"You know we're going to miss you around here."

"I'll come back and visit, I promise."

"I hope so. You take good care of Jack. He's my miracle patient."

Eva smiled. "Mine too."

"I may write a paper on him someday," Leah said.

Jonah laughed. "I may write a book on him someday."

All three of them laughed. "Well you guys," Leah said. "I guess I better get to work before they fire me."

"Okay, Dave," Jonah said. "We'll talk to you later."

"Eva you come see me before you leave."

"I will."

"See you guys," Leah said, and walked off.

Eva turned to Jonah. "He's gonna do a great job."

"He sure will. So, when do you leave?"

"About a week."

"You know, Dave is right. We are definitely gonna miss you around here."

"I'll miss you guys more. God, Jonah, how does one's life change so drastically in a week?"

"Fate, Eva. Just fate. I come face to face with it every day in my line of work. Someone does something they don't normally do, or go somewhere they don't usually go, and bingo. Their whole life changes in an instant. So there I am looking at them on that cold-steel stretcher of fate. The same thing that brought you and Jack together. You take care of that boy."

"Don't worry."

"I'm not, Eva." Jonah inhaled deeply to keep tears from welling up in his eyes. "Well, I've got work to do downstairs. Would you like to help?"

Eva raised her brow. "I don't know. The last time you asked me that...

They both laughed and headed to the elevator.

"Mr. President, Jack McDermott is here."

"Wonderful, send him right in."

"Mr. McDermott, you can go in now," the President's aide said.

"Jack, how good to see you."

"Thank you, Mr. President. How are you feeling?"

"Getting stronger every day. I feel better than I felt in years. I'm so glad you decided to stay over while I recovered."

"I wouldn't miss this interview for anything."

"You know, Jack, I could use a guy like you on my staff. My press secretary is leaving next month, and you'd make a perfect replacement."

"I appreciate that, Mr. President, but I don't know anything about politics, except what I report."

"On the contrary, Jack, I'd say you know a lot about politics after what you've been through. A man of your courage, you could face the media without any problem. What do you say?"

"Well, I'm certainly flattered, and I'll think about it, I truly will."

"Great."

"Mr. President, are you ready for the interview?"

"Any time you are, Jack."

Jack unwound the cord to the small black tape recorder and plugged it in next to the President's bedside table. He opened a thin briefcase on his lap.

"Okay, Mr. President, I'm ready."

Jack flipped the play button and the machine began recording. "This is Jack McDermott interviewing President Thomas Lloyd from his hospital bed in Zurich, Switzerland.

"Mr. President. What was the purpose of the Zurich Summit, and what does it mean for U.S.-Russian relations?"

"It is...

* * *

Larry Spalding was about to bite into his pastrami sandwich when his secretary burst in his office.

"Larry pick up line one, it's Jack!"

Spalding dropped his sandwich in mid-bite and nearly tore the phone off the cord as he grabbed it.

"Jack, where on earth have you been?"

"Larry, if I told you, you wouldn't believe me."

"Try me. What the hell happened to you?"

"Like I said, it's a long complicated story. I can tell you this though. When I get back, you'll have the best Presidential interview you ever had."

"Interview?" his voice softened. "You got an interview with Lloyd. I thought he was in critical condition. I mean... how di--"

"I'll explain later. But yes, I went one on one with Lloyd earlier today.

And I tell you what. He's not such a bad guy. I am really impressed with his character."

"Boy, that's a stretch for you, Jack."

"When I get back, I'll tell you all of it. Meanwhile, I still have work to do. I'll see you in about a week."

"Week! Why a week?"

"Unfinished business."

"Okay, Jack, whatever you say. See ya." Spalding hung up the phone and looked at his secretary who had listened on the intercom. She just shrugged her shoulders and smiled. Spalding went back to his sandwich.

* * *

"Jack this has been the most wonderful three days I have ever spent."

"That's funny, Eva, I was just thinking the same thing. The world just lost two lonely hearts this week."

"Yes they did."

"Now what? Where do we go from here?"

"Where ever you want, Jack. I just know this Glu Vein tastes sweeter than ever before."

Jack glanced out the window at the spectacular view of the Zugspitz. He thought how another mountain had brought the two of them together. He smiled at Eva.

"It couldn't be sweeter."