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Chapter 1

“THERE’S NOTHING anyone could have done”

Jason Garcia dipped his chin in acknowledgment of the coist walking alongside him

“The patient’s thoracic aorta was dissected His coronary artery was lacerated And he had several pulmonary contusions Nobody could have survived that The only h to make it onto the table”

Hearing Dr Mason recite injuries the patient sustained when his Prius collided with a Range Rover going eighty miles an hour on roads slick with early Septe Jason wanted to point out that as the cardiothoracic surgeon on the case, he had in fact been in the operating room, so he didn’t need the instructional on the injuries But he didn’t want to say or do anything to extend the conversation, so instead he grunted

“I kno rough it is to lose one” Dr Mason put his hand on Jason’s shoulder in as probably supposed to be a coht now too Do you want to get a drink and talk about it?”

Surprised by the question, Jason turned his head to look at Dr Mason What on earth did he think they could talk about? The patient was dead Jason hadn’t been able to save hie that

“I have plans” Jason took the final step toward the physicians’ locker roorasped the doorknob, and said, “Thanks for the offer,” as he stepped inside

“Oh” Dr Mason followed him “At this hour?”

Jason flicked his gaze to the clock above the lockers and saas after e, drive to a nearby bar, and pick up somebody he could use to fuck away thethat ht about how differently his life had turned out from what he’d worked and hoped for, he inevitably ended up inforthat realization It was a vicious cycle, but at least he was getting laid

“Yes, at this hour,” he said without elaborating further He opened his locker, quickly shrugged off his clothes, and then stuffed theht” He hurried to the shoaving to Dr Mason over his shoulder

Afterhis hair, Jason snagged one of the towels from the shelf and dried off At thirty-six, he was still in decent shape, his arood under clothes Silver now streaked his black hair at the temples, and small lines had formed next to his brown eyes, but the places he ere dark enough that nobody noticed Though he couldn’t pass for being in his twenties and he didn’t get swar what he wanted—a warm body to distract hi for him was an empty house and the promise of another workday

He got into his car, drove onto the 15, and headed toward his favorite places to troll—the bars close to the Strip Guys in town for conferences invariably followed the “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”laid Naave them, were first names only and more likely than not fake Phone numbers weren’t discussed And hotel rooms were conveniently located for a quick in and a seamless out

At tenenough for Jason to clear his et rid of the rock-sized ache in the pit of his stoured a couple of drinks and a blow job would do the trick He clihtened his oxford and starched jeans, and walked inside

Di or calling for drinks, and two tables in the corner occupied by woht at the Phoenix Jason hadn’t yet reached the bar to order his usual ruh distracted hih the noise in the rooht his attention

Slowly, Jason turned in a circle as he narrowed his eyes and looked around, trying to find the source of the war position when he heard it again, co area tucked between the bar and the tiny stage A group of ether on the leather sofa, the table in front of theet up, only to have his friends tug him back down