What Was Said in the Hallway by Maria Ignatieva

“Good news?
That’s your reaction to hearing of someone’s death?”
“I know, I shouldn’t have said that. Now everybody will think I’m petty.”
“Pray that they won’t think it was you who killed him.”
Ann was a plump lady with approximately five feet of hight and a voice just a little too loud for secret hallway conversations.
“Me? A murderer? Don’t be silly! Who on Earth would think that!”
“Anyone who’s watched at least one crime show.”
That, she thought, was fair enough.
“Well, I hope that I can count on you not to put me under the bus.”
“You can, as long as it’s safe for me.”
“You’ve always been a sweetie.” Ann wondered if he took that seriously. Sarcasm was never her strong point.
“I also hope for your support when it comes to deciding who’ll be the one to take his place.”
That, she suspected, was going to be pretty soon. However tragic the death, some people still have work to do. More so in a hospital as respectable as this.
“You know, maybe it’s a good thing that they know he wasn’t an angel. This way they won’t expect him to be the one to die for a noble cause. And the less ttention they pay to– them, the better for us.”
Ann knew exactly who the “they” were. Everyone in a postion higher than a nurse knew. Nobody was really willing to talk about it. Except for Daniel, in the last few days of his life.
Ann sighed. She never really forgave Daniel for jeopardizing her career. But deep inside, she wasn’t a bitter person. Not bitter enough to hold grudges on the dead.
“What a fool. He definitely chose the wrong time to be a good guy.”