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Misconceptions: A suspense novel (Missteps) (Volume 1)

By Colleen Scott

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Chapter One

Dominique Sherwood had her instructions—get the story, then get out. She stared at the solid oak door. Did she have the guts to open it and start living a lie?

Her boss’s words still rang fresh in her mind, but Stew hadn’t pulled any punches when he gave her the assignment. This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, Dominique, but you only have one chance. Your angle on the story is to find out why southern Ohio has a higher birthrate. Why are these women are able to conceive when other women around the country can’t? If you can’t handle it, I’ll find someone who can.

She hated lying, always had. Maybe the life of an undercover TV news reporter wasn’t for her. No. This was the career she chose, and it included undercover work. She had to do this. She would do this. She grasped the brass doorknob, opened the door, and walked into the consultation room of Valley Memorial Hospital.

A dusty fake plant sat in the corner, and the small room smelled of burnt coffee. Two people were sitting at a brown Formica table. A bulky woman with a head of thin, dull brown hair wore an expression that reminded Dominique of a withered grape. The attractive man across from her wore a knee-length, bleached white coat and possessed an incredible smile.
“You must be Dominique Sherwood,” the caustic woman said.
“Yes, I am.”
“You’re late.”
Dominique pulled out the empty chair and sat. “Please accept my apology.” She took a deep breath and organized her thoughts. No sense arguing with a bitter woman. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “Well, we all know who I am. Would it be too much trouble if you two introduced yourselves?”
The harsh woman cleared her throat. “I’m Penelope Nordstrom, Clinical Manager, and your acting supervisor. We spoke briefly on the phone after your interview.”
“Of course.” The polite smile she offered Penelope was met with a disapproving glare.
“I’m Dr. Joseph Armstrong. My friends call me Dr. Joe. It’s nice to meet you, Dominique. Welcome to Valley Hospital.” He flashed her a million dollar smile that sent a tingle all the way to her toes.
Her lips curved in response to Dr. Joe’s gentle tone. From the kind expression radiating from his dark brown eyes, to the appealing dimples that appeared on either side of his mouth when he smiled, his presence had a calming effect on her. Her shoulders relaxed, and she settled back into her seat.
She pulled a thin blue file from her attaché case. “Thank you, Dr. Armstrong…Dr. Joe. If you don’t mind, I’d like to spend a few minutes reading over this case file.”
“First you’re late, and now you’re not prepared,” Penelope said. “The administrator was impressed with your credentials, but you weren’t my first choice. I hope the hospital doesn’t come to regret hiring you.”
Dominique bit down on her tongue. “Rest assured, that won’t happen. I’m more than qualified.”
“There’s plenty of time for her to get acclimated.” Dr. Joe pushed his chair away from the table and crossed the room to where a coffee maker sat on the counter top. “Can I get anyone a cup of coffee or refill?”
Dominique sighed. She needed an ally and Dr. Joe fit the bill. The fact he was attractive and kind only sweetened the deal. She picked up the file and opened it. The name printed at the top of the page read: Emily Sanderson. Scanning the document only added to her confusion. So much had changed in the years since she’d received her bachelor’s in social work. Her degree was pivotal in earning this assignment. That and the fact she had limited “on-camera” exposure and was less likely to be recognized.
After studying the file more thoroughly she had a few concerns. First of all, how did a twenty-eight-year-old woman end up in a coma? Secondly, what in the world was EOT?
As if reading her mind, Dr. Joe leaned in toward her and asked, “Do you have any questions?”
He smelled so inviting—like warm sunshine after a long week of cloudy, rainy days. His deep voice held an engaging tone. She glanced down at his left hand. No ring…just my luck. Regardless of how attractive the man, it was never a good idea to pursue a relationship while undercover.
Penelope slammed her hand on the table. “Dr. Armstrong. As per the hospital and healthcare regulations, you’re not permitted to unduly influence any member of the EOT committee.”
He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We wouldn’t want to break procedure, now, would we?”
Dominique tore her eyes away from the file, but only for a moment. “Please bear with me. This is my first day on the job.” She searched the file for the patient’s name. “I’m aware of all regulations, and I know I’m permitted to ask questions. Can someone please explain how Emily came to be in a coma? I didn’t see this information mentioned.”
Dr. Joe turned in his seat, his eyes met Dominique’s. “Emily was attacked when she was eight months pregnant,” he said in a quiet and somber tone. “The perpetrators are only interested in the baby. They performed a barbaric C-section and left her for dead.”
Dominique gasped.
Penelope retrieved the pen lodged behind her ear. “That’s not pertinent to our meeting today. The sole purpose of this meeting is to determine what treatment, if any, will be offered.”
EOT. Their meaning became clear. End of treatment. The purpose of this meeting was to decide Emily’s fate. Dominique hadn’t agreed to this. Her undercover assignment directed her to investigate why this county was not as affected by the declining birthrate, not make life and death decisions.
She pushed her chair back and stood. “I need to make a phone call.”
“Sit down. We’ve delayed this decision far too long.” Penelope removed her glasses and laid them on the table. “While the hospital sympathizes with the family, we cannot justify the expense of keeping the patient on the ventilator.”
Dr. Joe sat up in his chair and leaned forward. “I acknowledge Emily’s condition hasn’t changed in the past few days, but she is stable and once her body has recovered from the trauma, she has a great chance of making a full recovery.”
“You have no proof to back up your diagnosis. In the interim, the hospital and national health care programs are losing money.”
Dominique swallowed the lump lodged in her throat. Why had she been included in this meeting?
“Let’s vote,” Penelope said.
The woman had to be kidding! Dominique’s stomach clenched. They’d barely discussed the woman’s condition. “What are we voting on?”
Penelope let out a sigh. “On whether or not the patient should remain on the ventilator. As the hospital administrator, I can’t continue to warrant utilizing the hospital’s funds to sustain a comatose patient. The ventilator should be disconnected immediately.”
Silence hung in the room.
“As Emily’s physician, I recommend we continue the current treatment plan.” Dr. Joe picked up his pen and clicked it several times. “All of Emily’s major organs and systems are functioning normally. Her condition has remained stable for the last thirty-six hours. If we remove her from the ventilator too soon, she’ll die.”
Dominique’s vote would make the final decision. That couldn’t be. “What about Emily’s family? Don’t they have a say in her treatment?”
Penelope glared at her. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t ask that question. Every licensed social worker is aware of the fact that the doctor in charge is representing the family.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She wiped away the perspiration on her upper lip. What should she do? If she voted to turn off the ventilator, Penelope would be off her back. The last thing she needed was someone checking into her credentials and deterring her from her investigation. But she couldn’t be involved with terminating a life.
After several long minutes of uncomfortable silence and eyes peering at her, Dominique made her decision. “I agree with Dr. Joe. Hospital administrators and government officials shouldn’t be making life and death decisions, doctors should.”
Penelope stood and grabbed her belongings. “This meeting is over. Ms. Sherwood, I’ll see you in my office. Immediately.” Penelope stormed out of the room.
Dominique released a long, slow breath. She had just made her first enemy. Unfortunately, the woman could annihilate her undercover assignment.
An elderly man in a volunteer’s coat burst into the room. “Dr. Joe, I’m sorry to interrupt, but your brother Houston has been trying to reach you. He wants you to call him back ASAP.”
Dr. Joe grabbed his phone from his coat pocket. “I silenced my phone for this meeting. Thanks for letting me know.” He paced while he made the phone call, and soon the color drained from his face. He clicked off his cell and started picking up his things from the table, his eyes dark with worry.
Dominique leaned forward. “Is everything okay?”
He shook his head. “My nephew’s been kidnapped.”

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