“Greg, that was more than thirty years ago. You and I were fresh out of the Navy. This place was brand-spanking-new. A lot has changed over time. She’s not going to remember that.”
“Well, let’s hope not. If she does, we’re in trouble.” “We’re?”
“I’ll just play dumb. My wife says I’m really good at that.” He glanced down at the file in his hand. “Oh, no.”
“Now what?”
“Remember the anonymous check we got for twenty-five thousand dollars after the reception?”
“Dr. White mentioned it. Why do you sound like it’s a bad thing?”
“It’s from Salvatore and Nicholas Harris.” He held up the
printout of donors.
“What? Wait, I thought it was anonymous?”
“Not now, it’s not,” he said just as the door flew open. “May I have a word with you, Doctor?” Shelly asked.
Doris’ eyes grew wide. “Uh, oh,” she whispered. That was her cue. “I’ll get right on those files, Doc.” She stepped around Shelly without making eye contact.
*****
“Something wrong?”
“You could say that,” she said. “I just found out something that caught me off guard.” She put down her soft-sided briefcase. “I ran into Nick Harris. In the parking lot.”
“What’s he doing in the doctors’ lot?” “Waiting for me.”
“My God.”
“Well, I thought he was trying to use a line on me to get a date. So I chewed him a new one. He listened, but then he proceeded to tell me he wanted to help the Foundation. After that, he brought up a little boy named Chucky. Remember Chucky, Doctor? Nick even knew his room number, for God’s sake.”
Dr. Wall sat, hoping Shelly would follow suit. She remained standing.