“And Dr. Connelly …” He turned his head back to Violet. “Unlike Dr. Hunter, I don’t really care that Matt Sawyer is your brother. I can’t think why you thought it necessary to hide that, but I’m very happy with the work your brother has done over the past few days for us. And I’ll be keen to work with him again in the future.” He tapped his pen against the desk, as if he was contemplating what to say next.
“It’s my opinion that your reaction to Dr. Hunter was unreasonable. He was just exploring every angle regarding the possibility of a smallpox outbreak. We would have checked up on anyone who reported a suspected outbreak, no matter who they were. But what’s clear to me is that Dr. Hunter didn’t explain his rationale for his request very well. But then again, why should he? He was in charge of the team.”
Evan had no idea where this was going. He could see Violet struggling to swallow. She was finding this as difficult as he was. One second he’d thought the director was going to come down on Violet, and the next second he thought his own head was going to be on the chopping block.
Something struck him. Was. The director had said he was in charge of the team. Oh, no.
Violet’s face had fallen again. And he hated it when she looked like that. One minute she was getting her dream transfer the next she was thinking she was being given her marching orders.
“What’s most clear to me here is that the two of you need to learn to work together as a team. I don’t care what your personal issues are. What I do care about is how the staff at the DPA work together. It’s one of the most vital components of our jobs.” His eyes narrowed, “And the display I’ve just witnessed gives me great concern.”
He turned on Evan. “You’re one of my most experienced and senior doctors. I would expect better from you. The exchange outside seemed unprofessional.”
This was it. He was going to be fired.
Unprofessional.
The word that he and Violet had just flung at each other. Hearing it come from the director’s mouth was an entirely different matter.
It was the most offensive word you could say to a doctor. Particularly when it hit home.
“You are two of the best clinically competent doctors that I have and it’s time to put your skills to good use. So I’ve come to a decision. Violet, you will be joining the polio team in Nigeria. I’ve already approved the transfer. They are on the final push to try and stop the spread of polio. Your field assignment will last three months and you’ll be leaving in a week. Start packing.”
Evan swallowed nervously as the director turned to face him. “Evan, I think it’s time for a change of scene for you. And maybe a change of climate. I’m happy with the way you handled the potential outbreak. I’m even happier that it turned out to be monkeypox instead of smallpox, but I think it’s time you learned a different skill set.
“I’ve had no complaints about you—no complaints at all. I am conscious, though, that working in the same area of the DPA can make a doctor complacent. I need adaptable team leaders who can work anywhere, covering every eventuality. You need to work on your interpersonal skills. Specifically, your interpersonal skills with Violet.”
He tilted his head to one side, almost as if he was lost in thought for a moment. “I think, at times, you can be a little hard on your team.” A smile drifted across his face, “A little too alpha. I need a team leader for the polio program at short notice and was struggling to find someone appropriate—someone who could take care of the strategic work alongside the clinical. It seems like I’ve just found him.”
“Me?” Evan could hardly get the word out. This couldn’t be happening. This was like a bad movie.
The director nodded. “That’s why I was late for our meeting. I was taking a call from Africa. One of our team leaders needs to get back home in a hurry—his father has been taken seriously ill. I’m sure you understand.” The words hung in the air—along with the implication.
What a terrible position. There was no way Evan could say no now.
The director gave him a little nod. “You’ll be assigned to work with a national counterpart. The Healthly World Federation and Global Children’s Support Organization are our partners in this area. You’ll have to plan, implement, roll out and monitor the program in your designated area.
“You’ll have to manage a team of civilians and train them to help administer the program.” He almost gave a little smile. “That will take all your people powers. You’ll have to learn to be flexible, working under difficult conditions with people from different cultures.” He gave a curt nod. “It could be the making of you, Evan.”
The director was moving now, picking up his paperwork. He glanced from one to the other. “Maybe three months in a hot climate will help you two sort out your differences.”
The realization of what was about to happen hit him like a boulder on the head. “We’re going together? To Nigeria? I’m going to be Dr. Connelly’s team leader?”
He couldn’t possibly mean that. From the little Evan knew about the polio program it worked across a number of countries. Surely, the director didn’t plan on sending them together on the same field assignment?
“Of course. This is perfect. Hard work in an area uncluttered by other distractions. The two of you are there to represent the clinical expertise of the DPA, so I expect you to iron out any personal issues. Both of you report to Dr. Sanday tomorrow morning. He’ll give you all the background information and travel arrangements that you need.”
“But what about here? What about infectious diseases?”
The director gave him a wry smile. “Donovan’s served his time well. I think he’s ready to take the next step—a more strategic direction. It will stretch him, do him good—just like it will you.”
And then he was gone.
Violet sat in the chair, unmoving. Evan could almost sense she didn’t want to meet his gaze.
There was so much going on in his head right now. And most of it concerned her. She was shifting constantly in his mind. Violet, Sawyer’s sister. Violet, his colleague who’d ignored his instructions. Violet, the woman he’d kissed a few months ago. Violet, the woman who’d asked for a transfer without talking to him first.
Violet, the woman he was going to spend the next three months with—in close proximity.
Was that better or worse than her leaving? Right now he didn’t know.
It didn’t help matters that he was being replaced by a guy he considered a cocky upstart.
“Are you going to say something?” She’d rested her elbow on the desk and was leaning her head on her hand. She looked exhausted.
Then again, she’d barely slept in the past few days. None of them had, thanks to the crisis.
Her eyes were closed. For the first time he noticed she had little dark circles under them. They marred her usually perfect complexion. Her blond hair was swept back with a clip but little strands had escaped around her face. Even in a state of exhaustion Violet Connelly was a thing of beauty.
But her beauty couldn’t distract him from the thoughts rattling around in his brain.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Sawyer? No. Why didn’t you tell anyone that he’s your brother? Are you ashamed of him?”
Her eyes shot open, sparks of fury shooting in his direction. She opened her mouth to speak then pressed her lips together firmly for a few seconds, obviously having second thoughts. Maybe she’d been outspoken enough for one day. She bent forward, putting her head on the desk in exasperation.
“You do that to me,” she mumbled.
He