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“How can you sit there and e…eat cookies and m..m..milk, when you have condemned a woman to death!”
Alex rolled their eyes. “So dramatic Barnaby, you know as well as I do the chances of a 78 year old woman even surviving the surgery is next to zero. Would you like a cookie?”
Barnaby was nearly shaking he was so angry. “And without the surgery her chances are actually zero!”
Alex shrugged and dropped his cookie into the milk. Barnaby spun on his heel and stormed away. It was kind of adorable. Just as he was leaving the staff room he was stopped by the janitor. Alex didn’t recognise them but they had a vague idea that they’d seen them around before. Barnaby and the janitor spoke briefly, Barnaby dropped his head and looked dejected, how could one person care so much? The janitor patted him on the shoulder and Barnaby gave them a brave smile. After Barnaby left the Janitor chuckled and shook their head. They made eye-contact with Alex and smirked, giving Alex a wave before moving further into the room to empty the bin.
“Who are you?” asked Alex, suddenly, inexplicably interested.
“Oh doc, I’m hurt. I’ve worked here 10 years. Name’s Morgan, Morgan Sterling. I’d shake your hand but,” they gestured to the full bin bag in their other hand.
“Sterling? Like…”
Morgan sighed. “Yes like Doctor Chad Sterling, he’s my brother. And my Mom is an administrator here, and my sister used to work here as a nurse before she went on maternity leave.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “And you’re a janitor. Your family must be proud.”
Morgan dropped the bag and clutched their chest as if they’d been shot. “Ow doc, I’m hurt. You really are as much of an asshole as everyone says, huh? But don’t worry about me Doc, I’m exactly where I wanna be.”
Alex chuckled, thinking the conversation over. Morgan put a fresh bin bag into the bin from the trolley and picked up the full one from the floor.
“So, why are you such a coward?” asked Morgan so casually that Alex nearly missed the implication.
“I’m sorry,” they said dangerously. Most of the hospital knew about their temper. Their tone would have had anyone else on staff scuttling away.
Morgan just laughed. “You don’t need to be sorry Doc, I guess some people are just scared to fail.”
“Your clearly not,” scoffed Alex.
Morgan’s grin stayed in place. “I take risks, I just plan them out first. On paper you are one of the best surgeons in the country.”
“I am the best,” said Alex with easy confidence.
“And yet you won’t do a surgery because the patient might not survive. Just admitting that you’re not good enough to keep that woman alive. Don’t want to risk your batting average. I get it.” Morgan shrugged.
“It was the best medical decision,” argued Alex. “But I wouldn’t expect a janitor to understand. If a toilet needs scrubbing I’ll call you.”
“Wow, tetchy much? You don’t have to prove anything to me. What does it matter if some random janitor thinks you’re a pathetic coward?” Morgan turned to leave, pushing the trolley infront of them.
“I know what you’re doing,” Alex called after them.
“’Course you do,” answered Morgan still moving away, by the door now. “You’re pretty clever, but it’s working right?”
“Fine,” called Alex, Morgan finally stopped moving. “I’ll do the surgery. And when it is a complete success because I am the best surgeon in the world, you have to take me out for dinner.”
Morgan looked over their shoulder, “Sure Doctor Stewart,” they paused for a moment seemingly thinking something over. “Eh, why not? How do you feel about Feijoada?”
“What?” asked Alex
“Feijoada,” repeated Morgan. “National dish of Brazil. I’m… fond of it.”
“It’s a date,” replied Alex.
Morgan turned back to their cart and laughed. “Gotta do the surgery first Doc.”
**
The surgery was of course a complete success, all Mrs Mitchell had to do now was survive recovery. Which was not Alex’s area. Barnaby was waiting for Alex after the operation.
“Well d..done, Alex,” he said. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do it for you, Barnaby. But I guess you’re welcome,” replied Alex. They looked at Barnaby. “What’s wrong with you, you look constipated.”
Barnaby looked around and leaned in like he was imparting a secret. And here was the reason Alex put up with Barnaby (apart from the fact he was the owner of the world’s best dog) he loved gossip nearly as much as Alex did. “There’s a rumour, someone has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars out of the hospital charity fund. It all transferred to another account early hours of this morning. No one can find it now.”
“Oh my god,” breathed Alex. “Do they have any idea who…” Barnaby looked suddenly guilty. “You know!” exclaimed Alex.
Barnaby shushed him, “I do not. But…”
“Come on Barnaby, but what?”
“Morgan Sterling, you know the janitor?” started Barnaby.
“I know who they are Barnaby, they’ve worked here 10 years,” replied Alex annoyed.
Barnaby looked surprised but carried on. “They also disappeared this morning, the police have cordoned off their apartment, and I heard that they found their laptop, with evidence that they planned the crime and ran away to Japan. But I c…can’t believe that. I’ve known Morgan nearly my whole life, they wouldn’t…”
“Brazil,” said Alex under his breath.
“What?” asked Barnaby.
“If it was me,” said Alex with a smirk. “I’d go to Brazil.”
“W..why Brazil?” asked Barnaby confused.
“I’ve heard Feijoada is delicious,” replied Alex with a chuckle. “Maybe I’m due a holiday.”