By the following morning, every major medical news site had repeated the tabloid's allegations.
Some commentators said I was lashing out over a failed relationship. Others claimed I had traded s*x for influence. Still others dug up the misconduct ruling from 22 years earlier and argued that I had no right to lead a national fellowship committee.
Minutes before the public hearing, Robert rushed in carrying a tablet.
"The coverage is overwhelmingly against you. If the Board calls an emergency vote, you could be suspended before the end of the day."
"Nervous?" I handed him a USB drive. "Plug this in for me."
At 10:00 a.m., the hearing came to order.
Reporters filled the gallery, and a bank of television cameras faced the long table where the Cole family and I sat.
Vivian spoke first, "
