CHAPTER 15

Monica entered the doctors' lounge to recover from her talk with Alan and saw Tony drinking a cup of coffee.

"Hi, Tony," she said, pouring herself a cup. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all. I've been trying to catch up with you to tell you how sorry I was to hear about A.J. and to ask if there was anything I could do."

"Thanks. Actually, I released him earlier today."

"That's great. I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious."

"You and me both. Bobbie told me you know the circumstances."

"She told me in confidence. I think she felt so badly about what happened and needed to tell someone. We both agreed it goes no further."

"I appreciate that. I need to ask another favor."

"Anything. You know that."

"A.J. suspects, and based on what I've seen I agree, that Alan was under the influence of something the night he examined him and that's what caused him to give A.J. the wrong medication. I noticed a bottle of hydrocodone in Alan's office with your name on it as the prescribing doctor. I've come to the conclusion that those pills are what Alan was under the influence of that night and maybe many other times as well, but I can't get him to admit to anything."

"Are you saying that you think Alan is addicted to hydrocodone?"

Monica nodded and sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, yes. I took the bottle from him that you had prescribed, and that's the favor I need. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Alan comes to you saying he needs more pills. Whatever you do, Tony, please do not prescribe any more pills for him."

"Don't worry, I won't. I would question it anyway because I just gave him that prescription."

"So, if he were to come to you without me having said anything, you would ask him why he needed a refill?"

"Yes. I would definitely ask him what's going on."

"So, would you? Maybe he'll say more to you than he has to me."

"I'll see what I can do, but I don't want to make him suspicious."

"I understand. Thanks, Tony."

Tony's pager beeped a moment later, and he informed Monica that it looked as though Alan were summoning him to his office.

"I knew it," Monica said, exasperated. "Please keep me informed."

"I will. I'll catch up with you later."

Tony knocked on Alan's door, and he graciously ushered him in.

"Tony. Thanks for coming."

"No problem. What can I do for you?"

"Sit down," Alan said, as he took his seat behind his desk. "How are you?"

"Fine. How about you?"

"I'm doing as well as can be expected. I guess you heard about A.J. being in the hospital?"

Tony was surprised to hear Alan mention this, but he went along with the conversation. "Yes, I did. Tough break for him, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it was."

"Was it ever determined to be more than food poisoning? His symptoms seemed so much more severe."

"No. No. Food poisoning was the official diagnosis."

Tony saw how uncomfortable Alan was talking about his son. He didn't want to push.

"Monica told me A.J. was released today. That must have made you feel better."

"Yes...yes, it did." Damn her, Alan thought. She hadn't bothered to mention that A.J. had been released. Didn't she know what a relief that would be for him? "We're grateful that he's healthy again."

Tony nodded, but he sensed from Alan's reaction that he didn't know A.J. had been released.

"Well, anyway," Alan continued, trying to get to the real reason he had asked Tony to his office, "Do you remember that prescription you wrote for me the other day?"

"Yes."

"I think with everything that's been going on with A.J., I somehow managed to misplace the bottle. I wouldn't even care except for some reason I'm in agony today with my hand. Is there any way I could get that prescription refilled?"

"Have you looked everywhere, Alan? I don't like the thought that those pills could be someplace where anyone would have access to them."

"Oh, I'm sure they're in my possession, but they just don't want to be found."

"Why don't you continue searching for them? I'm sure you'll find them. I'm reluctant to issue another prescription until you've done a thorough search."

"I have done a thorough search, Tony," Alan said, his voice rising.

Tony stared at him, waiting to see what he would say or do next. Alan realized he was under scrutiny and tried to calm himself.

"What I mean is, I've done a thorough search here, and the pills are nowhere to be found. They're probably at home, but that doesn't do me much good, does it?" He tried to make light of the situation, but Tony wasn't fooled.

"I suggest taking an aspirin or something similar for now. It'll give you the relief you need until you get home and can find your pills. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment waiting for me."

Alan nodded and saw Tony out. He closed the door more gently this time and leaned against it.

"What am I going to do?" he asked out loud. "And why do I have the feeling Monica got to Tony?"


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