Chapter 4 - Four Stars in the Ward
The chief of pediatrics, Dr. Martinez, had come running from his office down the hall, his lab coat flapping behind him. He skidded to a halt at the threshold, taking one look at the stars on the old man's shoulders, and his mouth fell open.
"General Vance, sir!" Dr. Martinez stammered, his hand instinctively rising toward a salute before he caught himself. "We... we received the priority medical clearance from the Pentagon twenty minutes ago, but we didn't realize you were arriving in person."
"When my blood is fighting for breath, Doctor," General Arthur Vance said, his voice a low, rumbling thunder, "I don't delegate the inspection."
Daniel stood frozen in the center of the walkway. The arrogance on his face began to fracture, replaced by sheer bewilderment. He looked at the General, then at the MPs, then at Rachel, who had instinctively shrunk back behind him.
"General Vance?" Daniel repeated, his voice jumping an octave. He suddenly recognized the name. Every defense contractor on the eastern seaboard knew the name. Arthur Vance was the Chairman of the Joint Logistics and Defense Procurement Oversight Committee. He held the power of life and death over billions in federal contracts.
Daniel swallowed hard, frantically pasting on his slick salesman smile. He smoothed his tie and took a tentative step forward.
"General Vance, sir! What an incredible honor. I’m Daniel Miller, CEO of Apex MedTech. We actually have an application pending before your committee regarding the secondary tactical medical supply line for Fort Bragg. I had no idea you had family in this hospital!"
General Vance didn't even acknowledge Daniel’s outstretched hand. He didn't even look Daniel in the eye.
Instead, the old warrior walked right past him, the shoulder of his uniform brushing Daniel aside so forcefully that Daniel stumbled two paces into the wall.
The General stopped at Noah’s incubator.
He took off his officer's cap, tucked it beneath his left arm, and placed one massive, calloused hand against the warm acrylic plastic of the bassinet. His fierce, weathered face softened into something tender and aching.
"He has your chin, Audrey," the General murmured.
May you like
I stood up slowly from my plastic chair, my knees trembling for the first time all day. "And Chloe has your temper, Grandfather. She pulled her feeding tube out twice this morning."
***
