Page 117 of Bad Blood

I set the file in front of her, and her eyes bounce over it as she leans in closer, her lips moving as she reads the findings in silence. “Looks like Dr. Matthews had it moved.”

A sudden coldness strikes at my core. The heavy feeling in my stomach starts a flush of adrenaline tingling throughout my body. First the USB and now this? What is he up to now?

I take off around the half-circle counter and swipe my badge against the pad. The door clicks, and I yank it open, running straight into Kline. What luck.

“Brighton.”

“Why’d you change his appointment?”

He holds the door open and stands flush with the wall behind him, guiding me into the hall and away from eager ears. “Tara mentioned Liam in passing and was worried about the time we have between scans. Thought we should move his CT up, see how the chemo’s working.” He shakes his head and gives me a bored look as he lets the door close behind me, leaving us alone in the hall.

“It’s on the schedule for next Wednesday.”

“I want it on Friday.”

I ball my hands into fists as every other part of me tenses. “Liam is my patient.”

“For now.”

His words sting like a slap to the face. There’s no way I’m letting Liam go. I hold my chin high, my nostrils flaring. “For-ev-er.”

I’m not sure where I get the courage to stand up to him. I don’t know if it’s because we’re at the busy hospital in the middle of the day. Or that I know he’s the one who screwed with my USB and emails. Or if it’s that I’m sick of letting him think he can walk all over me.

But this ends now.

“Stay out of my charts.” I grab a hold of the handle and twist as his spindly fingers grab a hold of my elbow.

“You’re still on probation with this one.”

“Since when?”

“Since the moment I agreed to let you have him. I don’t know what you think you’re up to, but I’m still in charge here. This is my hospital. My clinic. These are my patients.”

“Is that why you took the files?” The words spill from between my gritted teeth. “Cleared my emails? Did you think I wouldn’t figure it out?”

He tilts his head to the side, his brow creasing in confusion.

And I instantly regret playing my only card.

“What did you say?” He takes off down the hall a short distance and stops, returning to me with a blank look. “What files?”

He can’t think I’m that stupid. He’s trying to play me. But his reaction seems genuine. Who else would have taken them? Or know where to look? Why would they want them?

My mind scrambles to grasp what’s going on. “I don’t believe you.”

“What files?”

“All of them!” I throw my hands in the air. “I know what you did. And you want to shut me up.” I stab a finger in his direction. “Take the files. I don’t care. I’ll find a way to get Robert what he needs. And stay away from Liam.”

I throw the door open and stomp onto the main floor.

“Brighton, hey!” he shouts after me.

I ignore him as the door closes, all eyes on me.

What have I done?

My phone vibrates as I exit, and I pull it from my pocket.

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