ADRENALINE: New 2013 edition Read Online Free

one wall. Two other walls were devoted to the radiology library with countless textbooks and journals interspersed with life-sized anatomic models. On either side of the door could be seen framed photos of the graduating classes of X-ray tech classes all the way back to 1969 when Mercy opened its doors.
    Doug sat down in his usual seat and chuckled; they always sat in the same seats in these meetings. Pecking order didn’t just apply to birds. Bryan Marshall, the chief of the department, occupied the head of the table. Doug and the younger members of the group sat on Marshall’s left, while Joe Raskin and the old guard sat on Marshall’s right. Mike Carlucci generally sat to Doug’s immediate left. Doug sipped his coffee and wondered how Mike was holding up after his hellish case yesterday. He knew Mike was high-strung; hopefully, he could shake it off.
    The door opened and Mike walked in balancing a box of pizza in one hand and a six-pack of Coke in the other. “Hi, Doug,” Mike said as he laid his cargo down on the table. “Shit, it’s cold out there! I brought some pizza. I’m tired of starving at these damn meetings and eating when I get home at ten o’clock.”
    “Great idea,” Doug said, the smell of fresh pizza already filling the room. “What kind—no, wait, let me guess. Pepperoni, right?”
    “Yup.”
    “You Italians. So predictable,” Doug said, smiling.
    “Hey, you don’t like it—more for me.” Mike removed his ski cap, took his coat off, and slung it over the chair to Doug’s left. He helped himself to his own slice and popped the top on a Coke. “So, what do you think this emergency meeting is all about? Have you seen the agenda?”
    “No, I haven’t,” Doug replied. “I’m not sure what it’s about, Mike. I know Marshall’s been agitated all day. He and Raskin have had lots of hush-hush conferences in the hallway today.”
    “Not just today, Doug. All last week. I swear something’s up.” Mike ran his fingers through his prematurely graying black hair in a futile attempt to straighten out the mess left by the cap.
    “Probably just some B-S about our contract with the hospital,” Doug continued. “I think it’s coming up for renewal.”
    “Do you think it’s about my, uh, case?” Mike asked, his thin face darkened by a heavy five o’clock shadow, turning very serious.
    “I don’t think so, Mike. You just said this has been brewing for a week. Marshall likes to call these emergency meetings to rile everyone up.” Although Doug
was
worried that Marshall might bring up Mike’s case. It would be just his style to rub Mike’s nose in it.
    “Yeah, I guess so, and to demonstrate his power over your life. Colleen and I were going to take the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese tonight. She wasn’t too happy about me bagging out at the last minute.”
    Doug could picture Colleen taking that call. She was such a sweetie, but Doug knew she hounded Mike relentlessly about spending time with their two little girls. “Sounds like you’re in the doghouse now, buddy,” Doug said, and proceeded to make howling noises. Mike smiled tiredly but said nothing. Normally, Doug knew, Mike would’ve joined the dog team, but not tonight.
    “Let’s just hope Kim gets here on time,” Mike said.
    “Yeah, remember last time?” Doug asked, matching Mike’s serious tone as he busied himself with the pizza.
    “Marshall ripped her a new one,” Mike said. “She was only ten minutes late.” Mike paused to sip his Coke, a thoughtful look coming over his face. “Why does he have it in for Kim so bad?” Mike glanced at his watch and eyed the door nervously, then added, “Marshall usually has a soft spot for attractive women.”
    Doug lowered his voice a notch and said, “Mike, it’s like this. Marshall hates Kim and everything she represents.”
    “What do you mean?” Mike’s bony hands tapped out some rhythm on the table.
    “Marshall’s from the old school when it comes to doctors, nurses,