Page 15 of Wild

Jude wants to tell her to mind her own business or retire, but he knows that if he tries to push back against Nell, she'll flatten him.

"This isn't about assigning blame," the attorney says, smoothing things over, "it's about finding solutions. Why that doctor, Noah?"

"Because she knew how to handle her. She picked up on Mia's symptoms before anyone else did and managed to calm her down when she came to. She got the diagnosis right without any tests, and she doesn't care about Mia's fame. That's what we need, right? Someone this woman can't sweet-talk or bat her eyes at to stay up a little longer." Noah smiles, glancing sideways at Mia as if he's joking, though she knows he isn't.

"I agree," Nell says.

"What did you say her name was?" Violette asks.

"Dr. Dooley — I don't know her first name," Noah answers.

"Her name is Erin," Mia says, sinking further under her hoodie. "Erin Dooley."

Jude shakes his head, resigned.

"Let's table this meeting for an hour," Violette proposes. "I need to look into this woman before we talk about it seriously."

Everyone stands, and within a minute Mia is alone with her friend.

"Are you upset that I suggested her?" he asks quietly.

"I'm upset about any suggestion that involves someone telling me what to do — doesn't matter if it's her or someone else," Mia says, but she feels guilty for lying, because part of her wants Erin Dooley to be the right person — and more than anything, she wants her to say yes.

An hour later, everyone is back in the same seats, looking at the attorney.

"All right — I've managed to pull together a fair amount of information given how little time we had. Here's what I found: Erin Dooley, thirty-seven years old. She's been a staff emergency physician at the hospital where Mia was treated for the past six years. Before that, she completed her residency at Bellenueve, specializing in emergency medicine and critical care. She's been working with MediSupport for some time, covering events — large concerts, games, private events, official visits. Noincidents. Strong references; I was able to speak with one of her former supervisors, and her current one was unavailable."

"What about her personal life? If she has ties here, there's no point even approaching her," Jude says.

"As far as I can tell, she's single with no children. She has a younger sister, and her mother passed away a few years ago. That's all I have."

"If she accepts, I'm on board," Mia says suddenly, making everyone turn to look at her. "What? At least she wasn't condescending — she didn't treat me like a diva, she wasn't afraid to talk to me, and she didn't try to please me, which I can't stand in people. She's a little blunt, but that's fine. I want her."

"Good choice," Nell says.

"All right," Jude agrees, turning to Violette. "You'll need to put together a formal offer for her, and it needs to go out this afternoon — we don't have time to keep looking if she says no. Make it attractive, lay out the general terms, put together a—"

"I know how to do my job, Jude," Violette cuts him off, and Nell smiles openly.

"Right, of course — sorry. All of this has me on edge."

"I'll reach out to her," the attorney says. "If she accepts, I'll set up the signing for tomorrow and give her a day to get ready. She'd leave with us for Toronto on Tuesday."

"Just like that?" Noah blinks. "What about her current jobs?"

"We'll need to work something out with them, but I can handle it if she's interested," Violette says, as if managing something like that were a minor detail.

Ten minutes later the suite has emptied again and Noah is standing up, about to leave.

"You okay?" he asks.

"Thrilled to have a babysitter with a stethoscope," she jokes.

Noah smiles and tucks his hands in his jeans pockets before turning to leave, silently praying the doctor says yes.

Chapter 6

"Dooley, bay five. Chest contusion, suspected rib fracture," Yamila says, poking her head into the break room.