familiar, but I can’t place him.
“Dr. Fletcher Montgomery,” he identifies himself. “I work at Washington University School of Medicine. Specifically, I’m in charge of placing medical interns such as yourself with residents.”
My eyes widen. This is exactly why I took the summer internship; I need people like dr. Montgomery on my side. “Oh! Hi, Dr. Montgomery. Umm… what can I do for you?”
His smile grows sly. “I heard that you have recently found employment for the summer with a yacht charter company.”
My heartbeat picks up. “Yes, sir. I just took a job with Aurora Borealis Charters. It was the very last spot.”
“Just so.” He smiles tightly. “It just so happens that my good friend Gabe works at that company. Great guy, that rascal.”
Something about this conversation makes my stomach flip flop. “Yes, I… I met him yesterday. He seems… nice?”
It comes out as a question rather than a statement. Dr. Montgomery nods sagely.
“Well Gabe and I go way back. His fiancée introduced us, God rest her soul.”
I frown. What in the world does that mean?
He looks remote for a moment, then continues. “Anyway, I need a favor. And in return, I will make sure that you get your pick of candidates for the resident that will lead you in the fall.”
My eyebrows creep up. “Like… any resident? Whoever I like the most?”
He gives me a dazzling smile. “Whatever makes you happy. As long as I get what I ask you for, that is.”
My heart clangs around in my chest. “And what’s that, exactly?”
“It’s simple. We have been racing our yachts together for years, you see. We are going to compete again in the end of summer. I just need to know his exact route plan for the Highbourne Pointe Regatta.” His smile widens. “I just like to know what my friends are up to.”
My brow hunches. “You want me to… like, spy on him? I don’t even know what a route plan or whatever is, if I’m honest with you.”
Dr. Montgomery’s face zooms in close. I move my head back even though he’s not physically here. I have the worst feeling about Dr. Montgomery, like he’s definitely trying to pull one over on me or something.
“The route plan will be drawn out on a map. I just need a picture of it. Like I said, it’s a very simple request.” His lips quirk.
“When would I…” I wrinkle my nose. “You know, procure a copy for you.”
“He’ll be working on it still. Right up until the race, I’d wager. So he will have it on board the yacht you’re working on. See, I’ve thought of everything.” He smiles coldly.
I bite my lip. “I don’t know… I mean… it kind of sounds like you are asking for something that will give you an advantage in the regatta.”
“Pssh.” He poo-poos my idea, waving his hand. “Not at all. Like I said, it’ll just help me to prepare. Clearly you have no clue about boats because otherwise you would realize that what I’m asking for is for safety.” He rolls his eyes. “I am a doctor, Luna.”
Exhaling, I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Dr. Montgomery. It sounds like you want me to help you cheat.”
Immediately, the smile drops from his lips. His voice rises in pitch and his face contorts with anger. “Do not fuck with me, little girl. Do this very simple and quite reasonable thing I asked you. Take your reward. Otherwise… well, let’s just say that you don’t want to know what happens otherwise.”
I give him a questioning look. “Are you threatening me?”
“Not at all,” he says smoothly.
“That’s not really what it sounds like. Besides, how do you even know that I’ll be able to get his private drawings and stuff?”
Dr. Montgomery cocks his head. “You’re smart and relatively attractive. You’ll figure something out.” He pauses. “But I will need it the second you get the chance. You grab a picture with your phone. You send it to me. In the fall, you will be massively rewarded.”
“It doesn’t sound like I have much alternative,” I say, my eyes narrowing.
“Great! You can just send it to this number when you get a picture.” He smiles brightly. “Bon voyage, Luna.”
And just like that, he hangs up on me. I’m still slightly openmouthed, trying desperately to figure out what I just said yes to.
My future boss wants me to sneak him copy of the route plan that my current boss plans to take on some regatta. Dr. Montgomery says it’s for safety, but I’d