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Post by Jordanna on Nov 29, 2008 23:46:02 GMT -5
"Good morning," Proteus replied, adopting the more professional demeanor Beaudry had displayed while in character. "I'm Doctor Strait--I take care of public relations here. Is there something I can help you with?"
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Post by skybright on Nov 29, 2008 23:59:43 GMT -5
"Ah. Yes. Doctor . . . Strait." The tall man glanced at his clipboard, then craned his neck to look at the clipboard in the severe woman's hand. "I'm Agent Thayer, my associate is Doctor Albert. We're with the department of public health and . . ." He glanced up as Steph and Mike emerged from the hallway.
"Ah. Excellent." He cleared his throat. "Er, we would prefer to wait until . . ."
"We need to speak with everyone who's employed here." Doctor Albert interrupted.
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 30, 2008 0:19:46 GMT -5
"Well... not everyone has come in just yet," Proteus admitted cautiously. At the very least, he knew the mysterious Doctor G was absent. "The only one here besides us now is Doctor Voegel. He's probably still in his office."
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Post by skybright on Nov 30, 2008 0:30:45 GMT -5
"He's coming." Steph spoke up, glancing from Proteus to the health department personnel. "So is Doctor Cohen. He's in Dr. Voegel's office as well."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 30, 2008 0:57:19 GMT -5
"I'm sure you'll pardon my curiosity, but I'm not involved in the real clinical work here--I'm just the Ph.D. they put in front of the reporters to explain theories," Proteus spoke up. "Is there a problem with our paperwork, or something?"
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Post by skybright on Nov 30, 2008 23:22:22 GMT -5
Doctor Albert's eyes flicked momentarily from Proteus to her clipboard and then back again, though her severe expression didn't change.
"All we're at liberty to say is that there have been allegations of misconduct at this clinic." She said. "And you won't be allowed to open until we're convinced that everything is being operated in compliance with the law."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 30, 2008 23:49:48 GMT -5
"I see." Proteus darted a glance toward Steph, then turned back to the Health Department officials. "Then the sooner we get this sorted out, the better. Important things are going to happen here soon, you know."
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Post by skybright on Nov 30, 2008 23:59:53 GMT -5
"I couldn't agree more, Doctor Strait." Voegel interrupted as he stepped into the waiting room, looking extremely displeased. Doctor Cohen followed close behind him.
Agent Thayer cleared his throat and consulted his clipboard. "Ah. Doctor Voegel, yes?" He gestured at the team behind him. "Well, as Doctor Albert was saying, we're --"
"I heard her." Voegel interrupted brusquely, folding his arms. "Let's not pretend this is anything other than a stall technique from people who don't want to see this clinic open."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 1, 2008 23:34:42 GMT -5
"And we've seen more than our share of that already," Proteus added in feigned impatience, gesturing toward the front windows that were still marred with spray paint. "Who bribed you to get on our case--that Tiernan person?"
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Post by skybright on Dec 1, 2008 23:45:51 GMT -5
A brief flicker of irritation crossed Doctor Albert's face. "Even if our department were corrupt enough to take bribes, Doctor, we certainly wouldn't be corrupt enough to reveal our sources." She replied archly.
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 1, 2008 23:54:14 GMT -5
"Yeah. Uh-huh." Proteus stifled a smile, and settled for folding his arms with a shrug. "Well, I couldn't tell you when Doctor G is going to get here, so you might as well make yourselves comfortable."
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Post by skybright on Dec 2, 2008 0:04:14 GMT -5
Voegel cleared his throat. "Actually, in Doctor G.'s absence I'm the acting clinic director." He interjected. "You can conduct your business with me."
"Well. Splendid." Agent Thayer rubbed his palms together. "I'm sure you're all as eager as we are to get this underway, so . . ."
"We'll start by interviewing your personnel." Doctor Albert interrupted. "Individually."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 2, 2008 0:16:38 GMT -5
Proteus unfolded his arms with another shrug. "I don't know what you expect us to tell you. We've got every license and permit we required, and then some. As politically touchy as this work is, we've already had to dot every 'i' in triplicate. Now, if you're suggesting we'd do one thing to jeopardize the health of our patients..."
You'd be right, Proteus added mentally.
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Post by skybright on Dec 2, 2008 0:28:11 GMT -5
"Well, nobody's suggestion you'd do anything of the sort intentionally." Agent Thayer said affably. "We're here to make sure that nothing unintentional might do so."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 2, 2008 23:16:57 GMT -5
"So they think we're not malicious--just incompetent." Proteus smirked wryly at Doctor Cohen.
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Post by skybright on Dec 2, 2008 23:23:11 GMT -5
Cohen grinned crookedly at that, and Doctor Albert narrowed her eyes. "What we think is that this is hardly a laughing matter, gentlemen. "
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 2, 2008 23:30:30 GMT -5
"Glad we agree on that," Proteus remarked cynically. "So let's get this over with, if you don't mind... who do you plan on interrogating first?"
As he spoke, he was hoping they wouldn't take him first. The less reason the doctors had to be suspicious of Beaudry, the better.
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Post by skybright on Dec 2, 2008 23:39:28 GMT -5
"Interviewing, not interrogating." Thayer replied amiably, "I can assure you we've no interest in bright lights or playing good cop, bad cop."
As if in deliberate contradiction to his words, Doctor Albert looked up from her clipboard. "Our associates will speak with Miss Andruss," She said sharply. Then she gestured at Mike. "Agent Thayer and I will interview Doctor Secor. I presume there are some empty offices we can use for the purpose?"
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 2, 2008 23:58:04 GMT -5
Proteus frowned. From what he had seen, all of the offices were consigned to one use or another--even if it was only to stash spare supplies and bored actors. And he didn't exactly want to explain that point to the agents, at least yet.
"I'm afraid they're all occupied," he said, hoping that was the right answer. He glanced at the more approachable of the two real doctors. "Doctor Cohen, would you think maybe the office of someone who hasn't come in yet...?"
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Post by skybright on Dec 3, 2008 0:12:58 GMT -5
Cohen glanced briefly at Voegel, who nodded almost imperceptibly. Cohen spread his hands and shrugged. "You're welcome to use my office," he said, "And Doctor Clark won't be in until Thursday, so I'm sure his office would be fine as well."
"Excellent." Agent Thayer glanced expectantly at Steph and Mike, then nodded slightly at Doctor Cohen. "If you wouldn't mind showing us the way?"
Cohen shrugged and turned to lead the way. Albert and Thayer followed, as did two of their companions and (after some hesitation) Steph and Mike.
The last of the health department operatives remained behind, positioning himself with faux nonchalance near the front door of the clinic -- and very obviously keeping an eye on Proteus and Voegel.
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