Chapter 24

"Can I go into your room, Dr. Ranford?" Kourtney looked up, her face lit with surprise. I didn't have time to talk, so I just nodded quickly. "Do whatever you think works." I quickly grabbed the sandwich and the milk from the table and rushed out the door. Moments earlier, Nora had messaged me about two emergency patients who needed immediate surgery. I had to get there fast. When I arrived, I realized I was the first surgeon to show up. Nora had clearly been waiting for me. "The other lead surgeon is out of town and can't make it back in time," she explained. "We're trying to get someone from another hospital, but it's going to take a while. "One of the patients is in critical condition and has to be operated on within the hour. The other one's not as urgent, but they still need surgery today." Without hesitation, I replied, "We'll start with the one in critical condition." Nora grabbed my arm and lowered her voice. "Dr. Ranford, the other patient is Dr. Crowell's father