me. I have to pay my lawyer and theirs. These bastards charge $300 an hour. I’m broke. And what’s worse, their hounding me is affecting my marriage to Joan.”
Herman didn’t know much about English’s personal life, but he had heard the rumors. Although Herman regarded English as a friend, their relationship was more or less professional. Herman had heard bits and pieces of the English marital drama through his gossiping receptionist, Sheila. He knew that English’s most recent divorce transpired after his second wife,Susan, found him in bed with the third and current Mrs. English, Joan. Herman wouldn’t be surprised if the first Mrs. English left under similar circumstances or if it was Susan who had been caught in the compromised position.
Herman was in sensitive territory, but that didn’t prevent him from making his sales pitch. Organizing his thoughts, he responded deliberately: “Lawyers and your ex-wives aren’t your problem. You need more money. Alimony, child support, and legal fees are the reality of your life. These are the costs of ten years’ worth of bad decisions. I think I have a solution to your problem. I’ve been doing some research. Gallbladders aren’t the only organ that can be removed laparoscopically. In California and New York, doctors have been removing appendixes laparoscopically for years. It will be just like removing gallbladders. The appendix is a useless organ and won’t be missed. I’ll screen and diagnose the patients, and you’ll perform the surgeries. The real beauty of an appendectomy is that it’s fully covered by insurance.”
His proposal would be a win-win for both parties. The more procedures English offered, the more referrals Herman could make. He made money from every surgery English performed. The plan was perfect.
Herman pressed English further. “We’ll send you down to Atlanta to take another three-day course to get your certification. When you come back, you’ll be the only general surgeon in Plains County who can perform a laparoscopic appendectomy. I’m thinking about buying a second ultrasound machine. Between gall-bladders, appendixes, and the OB-GYN’s practice, I think we can support a second machine. The quicker weget the ultrasounds done, the quicker you can get them into surgery and we get paid. We’ll make money hand over fist, and your financial problems will soon be over.”
“A new machine isn’t cheap. Where are you going to get the hundred grand to pay for it?” asked English.
“I’ve sold some art that was gifted to me by a relative.”
“That must have been some piece of art if you can buy another machine.”
Herman wasn’t about to tell English about Uncle Wilhelm and his Nazi background and stolen art treasures. English was too unstable. “Charlie, don’t worry about how I get the money. All you need to know is that you’ll be doing twice as many surgeries and making twice the money.”
English jumped up and squeezed him so tightly that Herman couldn’t breathe. When he let go, Herman choked out, “I guess that means we have a deal.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE LIBRARY
MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1992
Sammie drove separately from her uncle to the Plains County Library in Davis’s convertible. She listened to a tape of Frank Sinatra and his daughter, Nancy, singing “Something Stupid,” while her long blonde ponytail flapped in the wind. She sang along, “… something stupid like I love you.” Like her mother, she fancied the Rat Pack singers: Sinatra, Martin, and her namesake, Sammy Davis Jr.
She arrived fifteen minutes before Littleton and her uncle and slipped into the back of the library. Her job was to observe the crowd during the presentation and later report the crowd’s reaction. Afterward, she was to help Bella collect the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of prospective clients. She was very excited about getting out of the office. She was sick of making copies and typing letters. This meeting and getting
Herman didn’t know much about English’s personal life, but he had heard the rumors. Although Herman regarded English as a friend, their relationship was more or less professional. Herman had heard bits and pieces of the English marital drama through his gossiping receptionist, Sheila. He knew that English’s most recent divorce transpired after his second wife,Susan, found him in bed with the third and current Mrs. English, Joan. Herman wouldn’t be surprised if the first Mrs. English left under similar circumstances or if it was Susan who had been caught in the compromised position.
Herman was in sensitive territory, but that didn’t prevent him from making his sales pitch. Organizing his thoughts, he responded deliberately: “Lawyers and your ex-wives aren’t your problem. You need more money. Alimony, child support, and legal fees are the reality of your life. These are the costs of ten years’ worth of bad decisions. I think I have a solution to your problem. I’ve been doing some research. Gallbladders aren’t the only organ that can be removed laparoscopically. In California and New York, doctors have been removing appendixes laparoscopically for years. It will be just like removing gallbladders. The appendix is a useless organ and won’t be missed. I’ll screen and diagnose the patients, and you’ll perform the surgeries. The real beauty of an appendectomy is that it’s fully covered by insurance.”
His proposal would be a win-win for both parties. The more procedures English offered, the more referrals Herman could make. He made money from every surgery English performed. The plan was perfect.
Herman pressed English further. “We’ll send you down to Atlanta to take another three-day course to get your certification. When you come back, you’ll be the only general surgeon in Plains County who can perform a laparoscopic appendectomy. I’m thinking about buying a second ultrasound machine. Between gall-bladders, appendixes, and the OB-GYN’s practice, I think we can support a second machine. The quicker weget the ultrasounds done, the quicker you can get them into surgery and we get paid. We’ll make money hand over fist, and your financial problems will soon be over.”
“A new machine isn’t cheap. Where are you going to get the hundred grand to pay for it?” asked English.
“I’ve sold some art that was gifted to me by a relative.”
“That must have been some piece of art if you can buy another machine.”
Herman wasn’t about to tell English about Uncle Wilhelm and his Nazi background and stolen art treasures. English was too unstable. “Charlie, don’t worry about how I get the money. All you need to know is that you’ll be doing twice as many surgeries and making twice the money.”
English jumped up and squeezed him so tightly that Herman couldn’t breathe. When he let go, Herman choked out, “I guess that means we have a deal.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE LIBRARY
MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1992
Sammie drove separately from her uncle to the Plains County Library in Davis’s convertible. She listened to a tape of Frank Sinatra and his daughter, Nancy, singing “Something Stupid,” while her long blonde ponytail flapped in the wind. She sang along, “… something stupid like I love you.” Like her mother, she fancied the Rat Pack singers: Sinatra, Martin, and her namesake, Sammy Davis Jr.
She arrived fifteen minutes before Littleton and her uncle and slipped into the back of the library. Her job was to observe the crowd during the presentation and later report the crowd’s reaction. Afterward, she was to help Bella collect the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of prospective clients. She was very excited about getting out of the office. She was sick of making copies and typing letters. This meeting and getting
Similar Books
