“Let’s stop at the hospital on our way out of town,” Remi said. “I want to talk to Dr. Vanya. I read her presentation last night. It’s pretty well thought out. I think we should plan on adding her to our donation list.”
“You’re the boss. She’ll be over the moon at the news,” Sam said.
“I admire what she’s doing. It’s a thankless job, and obviously she could be working anywhere else and making far more money.”
“True. But I get the sense that for her it’s about making a difference, not money.”
“Which is why we should support her clinics.”
“You’ll get no argument out of me,” Sam agreed, and then his eyes narrowed as he stared at the hospital street. Groups of islanders, some with machetes, roamed the sidewalk, watching menacingly as the van passed, and he could feel Remi tense beside him as he picked up speed. “You sure you don’t want to just keep going to the boat?” he asked. “We can see the doctor some other time.”
“We’re here now. I’d prefer it in broad daylight. Morning’s got to be safer than evening.”
They arrived at the hospital and parked close to the main entrance, reassured to see that there was a security guard standing at the driveway. Only a few other vehicles were parked in the lot, one of them Dr. Vanya’s SUV. They nodded to the nervous guard and entered the hospital, the heat in the interior already stifling.
A tall islander, wearing a white lab coat, a stethoscope draped over his shoulder, glanced up from where he was standing behind the reception counter when they entered.
“Yes? May I help you?” he asked.
“We’d like to see Dr. Vanya,” Remi said.
“I’m Dr. Berry. What seems to be the problem?”
“Oh, it’s nothing like that,” Sam said. “No problem. More of a social call.”
“I see. She’s in her office. Just a second.”
Dr. Berry called into the back of the building and moments later Dr. Vanya appeared, a folder in hand. She smiled when she saw Sam and Remi.
“Well, isn’t this a delightful surprise. What brings you here? All’s well, I trust?” she said as Remi shook her hand.
“Everything’s fine. We wanted to stop by to see how Benji is doing and talk to you a little more about your project.”
“I just looked in on him. He’s asleep. Had a rough night, wit
h a fever. We’re pumping more antibiotics into him to try to stave off infection.”
Remi said, “I reviewed your presentation and I have to say it is impressive. We discussed it and we’ve agreed to match your sponsorship commitments and make up any shortfalls. So, congratulations. You’re fully funded!”
Vanya’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? That’s wonderful news. Thank you. Thank you so much . . .”
Sam smiled. “It’s a worthy cause, and, God knows, the island looks like it can use some help.”
Vanya’s face darkened. “Yes, well, I haven’t considered the effect these most recent events will have on my corporate sponsors. Big pharmaceutical companies can be skittish if there’s even a hint of controversy. I’d hate for them to pull out because of the rash actions of a few zealots, but there’s not much I can do about it other than hope for the best.”
“Do you really think they’d pull out?” Remi asked.
“No way of knowing. But I’ll say this—if there’s rioting, keeping them committed will be a hard sell. Many will view it as the population destroying its own home, like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum, and will be unwilling to do anything that seems like it’s rewarding that behavior.”
“But surely they would be discriminating enough to appreciate that the actions of an unruly segment don’t reflect an entire island’s—”
“The problem is, we’re small potatoes. For most of these companies, we’re no more than an afterthought. It’s all too easy for them to do nothing if there’s even a hint of controversy. We saw that the last time around with the promised foreign aid—too little, too late.” Dr. Vanya shook her head. “Based on history, I’d have to say it doesn’t look positive.”
“Well, we’re committed,” Remi said.
“That’s really the best news I’ve had in months.” Vanya hesitated. “How’s your dive project coming?”
“Oh, we’re plugging away at it,” Sam said brightly, avoiding any details.