Free Foundation for Three by Vella Day

opinion. I took so much time trying to make sure the sutures would hold together that I didn’t notice a blood clot had broken off.”
    “It’s not your fault, man.”
    “I keep telling myself that, but it’s not working. I swear we tried everything to revive him, but couldn’t.” What sounded like a fist hit the table. “I was in charge of that little boy. I might have been able to save him if I’d been more careful.”
    Wow . Maybe Zoey had let Kara’s comments color her opinion of the man. He seemed truly distraught.
    “How did the team react? You had a ton of people assisting you. Didn’t any of them claim responsibility?”
    Carson huffed out a laugh. “You would ask. Kara actually went ballistic on me. Said I wasn’t focused. Shit, man. She’s my fucking assistant. She was supposed to pay attention, too.” He drew in a deep breath that sounded closer to a sob. “The bitch of it all is that I couldn’t even get mad at her. She was right. I fucked up.”
    Silverware scraped across plates and cups clanked on the table. “Other than her outburst, is she still calling you night and day?”
    There was a pause, almost as if Carson wanted to think about his response. “Yeah. It’s fucking pissing me off. I told Kara to stop contacting me, but she refuses. If I thought it would do any good, I’d go to HR myself and tell them she came on to me and that she won’t leave me alone.”
    Zoey was stunned. None of his sentiments matched what Kara had said. It was almost as if he was speaking about another assistant named Kara.
    “Harassment doesn’t seem to work in the opposite direction, but it will get better,” Thompson said. “You remember Belinda, from two years ago?”
    “That the nurse in your office?”
    “Yes. She tried to ruin me because I didn’t want a monogamous relationship. Fuck that. I’m glad she couldn’t make anything stick. Women think because I’m a surgeon that I’m fair game.”
    “She’s gone, right?” Carson asked.
    “Hell, yeah. That took work. Trust me.”
    The conversation turned to football and Zoey suddenly needed to leave. Heavy pressure sat on her chest, and confusion swamped her. Dr. Carson truly appeared to be upset over the loss of the boy. Had Kara been harassing her boss instead of the other way around? Did Carson’s attempts to turn her down gently make Kara believe he loved her? It wouldn’t be the first time one of Zoey’s patients had been delusional.
    Only one way to find out. Investigate within the confines of her oath.
    *     *     *
    Zoey had told Thad she’d drive him home tomorrow, but she wasn’t sure when that would be, so she asked Rachel to reschedule all of her next day’s appointments, except for her eight o’clock. She doubted Thad would be released before nine.
    After she finished with her last patient, Zoey headed home. All she wanted to do was kick back with a nice glass of white wine, watch some television, and forget all about Dr. Avery Carson and the continuing drama with Kara Molloy. But damn it. Zoey couldn’t figure out why he and Dr. Thompson had to sit right behind her and speak so loudly. She’d heard every word they’d said. All she could think of was that Kara must have let it slip that she was seeing Zoey. Even if Kara had told Avery about the sessions, she’d never have mentioned they were about him.
    God. Zoey’s head pounded. She had no proof that either party was being completely honest, but with everything that had happened in the last two days, her mind couldn’t stop spinning. She needed a break.
    As soon as her house came into view, she let out a breath. Home sweet home. Once she was inside, she poured a glass of white wine then plopped on the sofa and leaned back her head. Within seconds her pulse slowed, and the tightness around her temples began to ease.
    She closed her eyes, picturing the kind of meal she wanted to prepare this Friday. Cooking had always acted as her stress reliever. If she had