Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center by Judith Townsend Rocchiccioli Page B

words, Alex watched him carefully, looking for signs of anxiety and discomfort.  Robert replied, "I know you may think this is stupid and that I' m reading into things and perhaps I am.  But, I feel as if someone is trying to hurt or destroy me . I don't know why.  It's just a gut feeling."
    "What makes you think so?  Anything specific?"  
     
    "Some specifics, but nothing concrete to validate my feelings .  I've had trouble with some business dealings.  I've been pressured to sell some land, but I've refused.  In and of itself, that's really not a big deal.  I've been dating a woman for several months, and that relationship has been deteriorating.  It's probably my fault.  I just don't trust her anymore.  Don't know why exactly.  It's just a feeling.  She's a real-estate broker, very successful, and she's been pressuring me to sell the same land.  Of course, I realize she has a vested interest in the sale, but I have plenty of other property she could sell, and probably make more money. She brought me a generous offer on the property from some out of town venture capital group .  I have a suspicion that someone must want to develop that last bit of river front with a casino or hotel because only an investment like that could pay off.  I don't remember who the v entur e capitalists were .  I turned it down.  Anyway, since then I've gotten several threatening phone calls suggesting that bad things would happen to me or people I cared about if I didn't sell the land.  Truth is, it’s really not mine to sell.  I own it jointly with my father .  I know he won't sell, so I haven't even asked."  Robert paused for a moment to think and then continued :
    "I got another phone call at Gulf Shores this past weekend, sort of a 'sell or else' call.  I hung up on them.  Then, this morning I got to work and found out about Grace Raccine.  I can't help but think that all of this is possibly tied together."
    Alex interrupted him saying, "I hardly think someone attacked Grace Raccine because you wouldn't sell some land.  Think about it.  Whoever attacked her is certainly bad, very evil, but don't you think it's more likely a political maneuver?"   
    "Maybe , but remember that the Raccine’s and my family have been friends for years .   Grace is practically my second mother.  Their son , Ron, was my best friend until he was killed five years ago in Afghanistan .  Ron Raccine and I were practically brothers, and I virtually lived at the Raccine's house when I was growing up. I think they, whoever they are, they're trying to get at me, maybe through the Raccines.  When I put all this together, particularly when I factor in what you told me yesterday about the malpractice actions and the internal compl aints, I can't help but wonder if the events are rel ated, you know, like a conspirac y. "  Robert paused and carefully watched Alex's reaction.
    Alex shook her head but her response was pensive as she clicked through Robert’s concerns.  She remembered the tragic death of Ron Raccine.  It was shortly after t heir divorce , and she had witnessed Robert’s sadness.  He was devasta ted .  It seemed as if his world was crashing down.  She had met Ron Raccine , a West Point graduate, several times , and had really liked and respected him, especial ly his patriotism when he easily could have been dismissed from entering an unpopular war.
    “I don’t know, Robert, I’m not sure.  Some of these things are totally unrelated to the hospital.   It just doesn't make sense.  Anything else going on ?"
    " Just o ne more thi ng and it j ust happened a couple of hours ago.  I g ot a phone call from a man.  Said he had to warn me that someone wanted to kill me.  Told me to be careful, that he thought they were planning to kill me very soon. "
    "What !  That’s awful. What else, did he say anything else?   Did you call the police? "  Alex could feel her heart thudding in her chest.
    "Not really.  Said he