Page 15 of Bad Blood

He examines my outstretched palm for two long seconds and frowns, sheer disapproval and irritation etched across his brow. “I have more questions. And I’m not going to let you get away with it this time.”

“And I told you, Dr. Fields got called out for an emergency during Mr. Nelson’s surgery,” our anesthesiologist says, coming to my rescue. “She wasn’t present after I administered the anesthesia. She scrubbed up and had to leave. Dr. Matthews completed the surgical procedure without her. His nurse, the nurse anesthetist, Lauren, and myself were the only ones present. Dr. Fields was not. Talk to them again. Bring them back, they can confirm. Mr. Nelson losing his life is not her responsibility.”

“Noted. That still doesn’t explain what happened with Ms. Banks.”

I set both hands on the back of the chair and lean forward. “We take a group approach to the treatment of our patients, like Kline explained before. It’s not a one-size-fits-all protocol. I was present. The surgical procedure noted in the chart was indeed the one performed. The treatment and tests done before the surgery were not under my care. As you stated”—I reach for the chart to his left—“the claimant states it was Dr. Matthews who performed all of her treatment. I signed off on one aspect.” I open the chart to the note and point at the bottom. “The surgery.”

An arrogant smirk spreads across his lips. “You know, you can’t save everyone, Dr. Fields. Maybe you need to take a step back from this, reevaluate how you want to handle things. Some time away could do you good, get your mind on the right track.”

“I’m late.” I glance at the clock but don’t acknowledge his suggestion. “If you have more questions, we can discuss them once I speak to my lawyer.”

Shit.

This took longer than I expected, and I hate a lack of punctuality. I expect my patients to be here on time and require nothing less than the same from myself, but unexpected circumstances call for different decisions. And I need to find Kline.

Lauren joins the staff as they make their way to the exit. She pauses near the door, waiting for me, a look of concern darkening her eyes. I take my time gathering my files as I deposit my pens into the front pocket of my lab coat.

Robert stands, gathers his files, and shakes Luca’s hand before approaching me. “I’ll be watching you.”

I smile. “I hope you enjoy the show.”

5

Betrayal and Blame

Brighton

Tuesday, May 9 th

8:57 a.m.

The sound of the door ricocheting off the wall doesn’t pull Kline’s attention from the papers he’s glancing over.

I kick out the leg of the seat in front of his desk and clear my throat, dropping into it.

He continues to act as if I’m not glaring at him and pushes his smudged glasses up the crook of his nose.

“You can fuck with me, but you better not think about messing with my career.” I don’t give him the chance to explain. I toss the files I found across his desk, the papers spilling onto the floor.

He got me wrapped up in this mess, and I’ll be damned if I don’t figure a way out.

A smug smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. He leans back in his chair and humphs. “I wondered how long it would take for you to stand up for yourself.”

I narrow my gaze. “And you thought you’d pull this shit?” I motion toward the door and the meeting I left.

“It’s not what you think.” He laces his fingers behind his head and yawns.

“Tell me, what do I think?” I’m trying to keep my attitude in check, but he messed with the wrong person.

“It wasn’t on purpose.”

I cross one leg over the other and wrap my arms across my chest. “The charts say otherwise.”

He gathers the papers at his feet, shuffling them together as he straightens them on his desk. “I don’t know what you think you found, but there’s nothing in these.” He sets them in a tidy pile in front of me.

The condescending tone has me biting the inside of my cheek. I don’t want to say something I’ll regret later.

“Look, I should have warned you.”

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