Page 54 of Hollow State

"It still does, but it's getting worse. I'd like to order a CT scan."

"Good call." Liam nodded. "Could be appendicitis or bowel obstruction even though it's not presenting that way at all. And to be safe, you could call for a cardiac consult."

"I was thinking that, too," Amber said.

"Page me if you need me." Liam smiled. "You're doing a great job, Amber."

"Thank you." She turned on her heel and marched back down the hallway.

She hadn't even given Darwin a second glance, much less a first one. He tucked the folder under his arm and let out a slow, controlled breath through his nose.

"Fourth-year med student who wants to practice emergency medicine." Liam pointed down another hallway. "And no matter what gets thrown at her, she's begging me for more. Burnout is gonna hit that one hard."

"We were also all in when we first started out," Darwin said. "And we managed, even when burnout got hard."

Liam chuckled. "We thrived in that environment."

That was true. Darwin had always worked well under pressure. He liked the fast pace of the hospital. And he loved the contrast of research. The demands they both required.

But he didn't appreciate his current situation. As much as he enjoyed Liam’s company, being in these hallways, Darwin figured his blood pressure was about to reach stroke levels.

They turned at the next corner, and a woman emerged from the elevator alcove with a coat folded over her arm.

"Hey Liam. I was hoping to catch up with you." She wore a gray pant suit and her badge pinned to her chest. Her gray and brown hair was pulled back into a low ponytail.

"Evening, Diane."

"Do you have a minute?" She shifted the coat. "I'd really like to talk to you about the delicate situation we have." She arched her brow, tilting her head to the right.

"I'm right in the middle of something else that's a bit sensitive. Can we talk in about an hour?"

"Does my office work for you?"

"I should be done with this, but then I have a med student and a patient I need to check on," Liam said. "If it's going to be more than an hour, I'll let you know."

"I've got loads of paperwork tonight. Don't give it a second thought," Diane said. "I'll see you later." She glanced at Darwin and smiled before turning back toward the elevator.

"Let's get moving." Liam waved his arm and took off at a brisk walk. "If I stay out here, I'll get stopped ten more times, and that won't be good for you."

"Nope, it won't." Darwin breathed in through his nose and slowly pushed out the air through his mouth.

"Right here." Liam took out a keycard, hit the reader, and pushed open the door.

Darwin quickly ducked inside and immediately, he calmed. Not much, but being away from the crowded hallway eased some of his fear—for the moment, anyway.

The room was ten by twelve. It had a desk with a computer near the window. It also had a small table with two chairs.

"How are Sarah and the kids?" Darwin asked as he set the folder on the table and leaned against the small sill near the desk.

Liam pulled out a chair, sat, and stretched out his legs, crossing his ankles. "The kids are great. But they're growing so fast. Some days, I feel like I'm missing so much since I'm always working late."

"I'm sure you're a great dad," Darwin said. And he meant it. "How old are they now?"

"Megan's seven, and she's decided she's going to be a lawyer when she grows up. So, every rule in the house is now subject to argument. Shamus is five and doesn't like rules. So, he likes having his sister for his attorney. It's very loud in my house."

"Loud sometimes can be a moral imperative," Darwin said. "At least, that's what my dad used to tell my mom when my brother and I got out of hand."

"I struggle to believe you’ve ever gotten wild." Liam smiled, but it didn't last long. "Sarah's been worried about you."