# Dr. Fred Hajek — The Patient in Room 18 character guide > Dr. Fred Hajek in The Patient in Room 18 by Mignon G. Eberhart. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Dr. Hajek, Fred Hajek, Hajek **First appearance:** 0001-the-patient-in-room-18 ## Snapshot A St. Ann's physician whose quiet objection to reopening Room 18 makes Miss Keate wonder what he and the strange Corole are whispering about. ## Who they are Dr. Hajek moves through the hospital's corridors as a trusted colleague of Dr. Letheny, yet he balks at putting a new patient into Room 18, as if the room itself carries a stain. Miss Keate overhears him in a singular dialogue with Corole that she cannot explain, and the memory of it tightens her nerves. His unease, and his connection to the dead man's circle, make him one of the first figures O'Leary's quiet investigation must weigh. ## Relationships ### [Corole Letheny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/corole_letheny) _professional_ Corole and Dr. Hajek have a professional relationship, likely as doctor and patient or colleague. ### [Maida Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/maida_day) _professional_ Dr. Hajek and Maida Day interact professionally, possibly as doctor and nurse or patient. ### [Dr. Balman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/dr_balman) _professional_ Dr. Balman and Dr. Hajek are colleagues, likely working together in a medical setting. ### [Higgins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/higgins) _professional_ Dr. Hajek and Higgins interact in a professional context, perhaps as doctor and staff. ### [Jim Gainsay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/jim_gainsay) _professional_ Dr. Hajek and Jim Gainsay have a professional relationship, possibly as doctor and patient or colleague. ### [Corole Letheny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/corole_letheny) _professional_ Corole and Dr. Hajek have a professional relationship, likely as doctor and patient or colleague. ### [Dr. Balman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/dr_balman) _professional_ Dr. Balman and Dr. Hajek are colleagues, likely working together in a medical setting. ### [Maida Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/maida_day) _professional_ Dr. Hajek and Maida Day interact professionally, possibly as doctor and nurse or patient. ### [Corole Letheny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/corole_letheny) _professional_ Corole and Dr. Hajek have a professional relationship, likely as doctor and patient or colleague. ### [Jim Gainsay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/jim_gainsay) _professional_ Dr. Hajek and Jim Gainsay have a professional relationship, possibly as doctor and patient or colleague. ### [Higgins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/higgins) _professional_ Dr. Hajek and Higgins interact in a professional context, perhaps as doctor and staff. ### [Maida Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/maida_day) _professional_ Dr. Hajek and Maida Day interact professionally, possibly as doctor and nurse or patient. ## In the story ### [II: In Room 18](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/ii-in-room-18) Called to Room 18; arrives and examines the body. ### [III: Dr. Letheny Does Not Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/iii-dr-letheny-does-not-return) Present in the main office, looking worn and haggard, he informs Keate that Dr. Letheny has not returned. ### [VI: I Make a Discovery—and Regret It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/vi-i-make-a-discovery-and-regret-it) Sarah and Maida meet Dr. Hajek on the porch of Letheny Cottage; he murmurs about the bad weather and his dark eyes slant knowingly. ### [VII: The Disappearing Key and Part of an Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/vii-the-disappearing-key-and-part-of-an-inquest) Testifies about the causes of death, his stolidity shaken. ### [A Gold Sequin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/viii-a-gold-sequin) Objects to placing a patient in Room 18; testifies about his response to the emergency. ### [Under the Barberry Bush](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/ix-under-the-barberry-bush) Mentioned as having a wet coat on the night of the murder; O'Leary explains he claimed rain from an open window. ### [X: A Midnight Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/x-a-midnight-visitor) Arrives with a revolver after the scream; shares a silent, meaningful look with Corole; helps move Mr. Gastin to the charity ward. ### [Room 18 Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/xii-room-18-again) Mentioned as heavy sleeper who should answer the phone but does not wake. ### [The Radium Appears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/xiii-the-radium-appears) Denied being out the previous night, but mud on his trousers and window sill contradict his statement. ### [XIV: A Matter of Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/xiv-a-matter-of-evidence) Present when O'Leary is found; questioned about his actions; appears secretive. ### [O'Leary Tells a Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/xvii-o-leary-tells-a-story) Found at the closet door, putty-colored face, implicated in the theft of radium and conspiracy. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/dr_fred_hajek - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters