Robin Cook: Harmful Intent

Tense with fear of discovery, Jeffrey walked down the hall trying to appear casual. When he finally turned to glance behind him, Mark was nowhere in sight.

Although he'd been affiliated with the hospital for almost twenty years,

Jeffrey was not acquainted with anyone in personriel. Even so, he was wary when he entered the employment office and took the application a friendly clerk handed him. Just because he wasn't familiar with personnel staff didn't mean they weren't familiar with him.

He filled out the application, using Frank Amendola's name, social security number, and his Framingham address. In the section asking for work preference, Jeffrey indicated housekeeping. In the section asking for shift preference if applicable, he wrote "night." For references, JelTrey listed several hospitals where he'd visited for anesthesia meetings. It was his hope that it would

take time for personnel to follow up on the references, if followups were done at all. Between the high demand for hospital workers and the low wages offered, Jeffrey figured it was an applicant's market. He didn't think that his employment in a position in housekeeping would be predicated on a reference check.

After he handed in his completed application, Jeffrey was offered the choice of being interviewed immediately or having an interview scheduled for a future date. He said he'd be pleased to be interviewed at personnel's earliest convenience.

After a brief wait, he was ushered into Carl Bodanski's windowless office.

Bodanski was one of the Memorial's personnel officers. One wall of his small room was dominated by a huge board with hundreds of name tags hanging from small hooks. A calendar was on another wall. Double doors filled the third. It was all very neat and utilitarian.

Carl Bodanski was in his mid to late thirties. He had dark hair, a handsome face, and was neatly if not too stylishly dressed in a dull business suit.

Jeffrey realized he'd seen the man many times in the hospital cafeteria, but the two had never spoken. When Jeffrey entered, Bodanski was hunched over his desk.

"Please sit down," Bodanski said warmly, not yet looking up. Jeffrey could see that he was going over his application. When Bodanski finally turned his attention to Jeffrey, Jeffrey held his breath. He was afraid he'd see some sudden evidence of recognition. But he didn't. Instead, Bodanski asked

Jeffrey if he would care for anything to drink, coffee, maybe a Coke.

Jeffrey nervously declined. He studied Bodanski's face. Bodanski smiled in return.

"So you've worked in hospitals?"

"Oh, yes," Jeffrey answered. "Quite a bit." Jeffrey smiled weakly. He was starting to relax.

"And. you want to work the night shift in housekeeping?" Bodanski wanted to make sure there hadn't been a mistake. As far as he was concerned, this was too good to be true: an applicant for housekeeping's night shift who didn't look like a criminal or an illegal alien, and who spoke English.

"That's what I'd prefer," Jeffrey said. He realized it was a bit unexpected. On the spur of the moment he presented an explanation: "I'm planning on taking a few courses at Suffolk University during the day or perhaps evening. Have to support myself."

"What kind of courses?" Bodanski asked.

"Law," Jeffrey responded. It was the first subject that came to mind.

"Very ambitious. So you'll be going to law school for a number of years?"

"I hope to," Jeffrey said enthusiastically. He could see Bodanski's eyes had brightened. Besides recruitment, housekeeping had a problem of a high turnover rate, especially on the night shift. If Bodanski thought Jeffrey would stay for several years on nights, he'd think it was his lucky day.

"When would you be interested in starting?" Bodanski asked.

"As soon as possible," Jeffrey said. "As early as tonight."

"Tonight?" Bodanski repeated with disbelief. This was really too good to be true.

Jeffrey shrugged his shoulders. "I've just come to town and I need work.

Gotta eat."

"From Framingham?" Bodanski asked, glancing at the application.

"That's correct," Jeffrey said. He didn't want to get into any discussion about where he'd never been, so he said: "If Boston Memorial can't use me,

I can head over to St. Joseph's or Boston City."

"Oh, no. No need for that," Bodanski said quickly. "It's just that things take a little time. I'm sure you understand. You'll have to have a uniform and an ID card. Also there's some paperwork that has to be done before you can start."

"Well, here I am," Jeffrey said. "Why can't we just get it all over with right away?"

Bodanski paused for a beat, then said, "Just one moment." He got up from behind his desk and left the office.

Jeffrey stayed in his seat. He hoped he hadn't been too eager about starting so soon. He looked around Bodanski's office to pass the time.

There was a silver-framed photo on the desk: a woman standing behind two rosy-cheeked children. It was the only personal touch in the whole room, but a nice one, Jeffrey thought.

Bodanski returned with a short man with shiny black hair and a friendly smile. He was dressed in a dark green housekeeping uniform. Bodanski introduced him as Jose Martinez. Jeffrey stood up and shook the man's hand.

He'd seen Martinez many times. He watched the man's face as he had with

Bodanski, but could detect no sign of recognition.

"Jose is our head of housekeeping," Bodanski said, with a hand on

Martinez's shoulder. "I've explained to Jose your wish to get to work right away. Jose is willing to expedite the process, so I'll turn you over to him."