Page 53 of Bad Blood

“You’re a witness. I tried to keep you out of this, but I could only do so much. Your signature is present, but I think this gives us an explanation. I know you aren’t involved in this. We have new information on the files pertaining to the litigation. I wish I would have gotten this sooner.”

I sit taller in the chair, knowing the information he’s talking about is what I gave him, even if Kline somehow messed with it. “I had no idea he was doing this.” Until Monday.

“That’s what I told them.” Relief washes across his face. “I’ll see you next week.” He bobs his head in dismissal and tucks the four files into a pile on the corner of his desk as I leave. I knew something was up long before he got caught, but I didn’t realize the extent.

Or that he would involve me.

16

When It Rains

Brighton

Monday, May 15 th

9:00 a.m.

“Blakely is in room four-sixteen.” Lauren offers me Liam’s file as she passes me and continues to her seat behind the nurses’ station.

I slide the file on top of the rest of the stack and continue writing notes in the chart I’m working on so I can return to finish the dictation once I have a break. “Thanks.”

Two days alone with my thoughts should have been enough to clear my mind, but every time I walk past where it happened, my heart pounds in refusal. I’m not sure if others will notice I’m taking the long way around the nurses’ station to get to the patient rooms, but as long as no one questions me, I think I can keep it together.

I pull out the CT findings one more time and go over them, trying to steel myself. I hate being the bearer of bad news. Maybe Luca was right. Maybe I should have taken some more time off. But I know the real reason I’m hesitant to see Liam. And it has nothing to do with needing time off.

Tucking Liam’s chart in the crook of my arm, I continue my path behind Lauren and only catch a couple of wayward glances.

Pull it together, B.

Liam smiles at me as I enter his room. I drop my eyes to the floor, pull out the rolling chair, and take a seat as I set his chart on the counter beside me.

I can do this.

I yank at the collar of my scrubs. Swallow. Offer Liam a half-hearted smile. I glance around the room as if Dax could be hiding somewhere and frown. I figured he’d be here for this appointment for the CT findings.

No, I can’t.

I wish I could excuse myself for some much-needed air when Liam interrupts. “Dax is running a little late. He had a work thing.” He checks his watch. “He said he’d make it. Can we wait a couple of minutes?”

“Of course.”

Thank goodness.

I try to still the tremor in my hands, rubbing my sweaty palm down the side of my scrubs. Liam’s case is affecting me more than I had figured it would.

I didn’t prepare well enough for this.

I glance toward the door and clear my throat.

How do I prepare him?

A quick scan of his file shows I’ve messed up yet again. I never bring anything short of my A-game, but his case has thrown me off. Dammit.

“I left the report on my desk,” I say, blurring the truth between needing an excuse and forgetting his scan. I struggle to keep it together. I know Liam’s chart inside and out. I don’t need his report, but I need a breather, and this is the only plausible excuse I can come up with to give me a chance to regain my bearings. I hold up a finger, letting him know I’m going to give him a second and a little privacy. “I’ll be right back,” I mouth as I slip out the door.

I crash into Lauren. Charts fly out of her arms and skitter across the floor. I reach for her, trying to keep her upright. “I’m so sorry.”

We kneel, shuffling through the mess of papers and files, trying to organize them. I cast a glance between her and the door to Liam’s room.

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