(Untitled)

[simon_doctor]

The man's name -- or at least the name under which he does most of his business -- is Jacek Chaiprasit. His brother Stefan is the one Simon treated for respiratory infection on Beaumonde, years ago.

He takes a deep breath as the image forms on the screen.

"Mr. Chaiprasit? Thank you for taking the time to speak with me."

Comments

[simon_doctor]

"Sure," Jacek returns. His smile doesn't even come close to reaching his eyes.

"I always have time for anyone who wants to get in touch."

Considering the barriers in place against anyone who shouldn't be able to do so, that is.

[simon_doctor]

There's no smile in his eyes, and no sign of recognition. Simon's heart sinks.

I'm not wrong. I know I'm not. That's him.

"I'm pleased to see you again," he says, carefully. "I hope I'm not presuming too much on our first meeting."

[simon_doctor]

"...Again?"

He stares hard through the screen, scrutinizing Simon's features -- and as he does, his eyes suddenly widen.

"Bozi tgha--"

[simon_doctor]

Simon nods just slightly.

"It was fairly brief," he offers, as though to excuse the man for not recognizing him sooner. "And under rather different circumstances."

[simon_doctor]

"I'll say." It's curtly said, but at the same time, something about his manner relaxes a little. I know what's going on, it says. We're on familiar ground.

"So, Dr. Tam. Let me guess. You have a little problem? Figured you'd trade on past acquaintance to get it taken care of?"

[simon_doctor]

He works very hard to keep his face still.

What he doesn't say: I think that statement is accurate in every sense except the one in which you meant it.

"Not exactly," he says instead. "I'd like to talk to you about the Fremont clinic."

[simon_doctor]

"The Fremont clinic," Chaiprasit repeats, watching him.

"Isn't that a little bit out of your circuit?"

[simon_doctor]

"My circuit's changed a little since we last spoke, Mr. Chaiprasit." Half a beat. "As has your own, I'm given to understand."

[simon_doctor]

"Looks like."

He doesn't quite smirk.

"Gone and done better for yourself back Core-ward, doctor?"

[simon_doctor]

"I'm just visiting, at the moment," he says, a touch deprecating. "Though that does seem to be the popular thing to do lately."

[simon_doctor]

"Nature of business to have expansions."

Jacek looks off to one side away from the screen for a moment. He shakes his head at someone or something out of pickup, then turns back to Simon.

"Shame about the clinic, but these things happen."

He doesn't sound particularly sorry.

[simon_doctor]

"I don't know that happen is the right word for something that's being done deliberately and with full knowledge of the likely results."

His voice has cooled, the smallest bit.

"Or weren't you aware that the clinic doesn't have anywhere else to move to?"

[simon_doctor]

"Like I said," he repeats, flatly. "It's a shame."

A beat.

"What's your interest here, Tam?"

[simon_doctor]

"My interest," evenly, "is in seeing the Fremont clinic survive. And continue to provide care for people who otherwise won't have any."

Half a beat. "Which as you know has long been an interest of mine."

[simon_doctor]

Chaiprasit jerks his head in a sharp nod.

"Yeah." He studies his fingernails for a second or two, then looks back up at Simon.

"Look. What you did for Stefan -- it's worth a lot, doctor. And I can't say as we don't 'preciate it. But this isn't your clinic. Get me? It's different here."

[simon_doctor]

"Just how different do you think it is, Mr. Chaiprasit?"

He's almost sure he knows. Almost sure. And it's an effort to keep from starting to counter an argument that hasn't actually been made yet.

Wait.