Page 183 of Bad Blood

The page for Dr. Matthews to come to HR vibrates through the static on the overhead system.

“You should go. I don’t want you crossing paths.” Luca shuts my computer and tucks it under some papers next to his phone. There’s something unnerving about his tone. “Can I have that?” He points at the paper I have crumpled in my hand. He tries to tug it from between my fingers as the thought crosses my mind that he’s taking all my evidence, and I tighten my grip.

“You already know about them. I want to keep this.” I stuff it in my front scrub pocket along with the polaroids and focus on his face, curious why he’s so determined to keep the evidence I’ve collected.

“Robert will want to see it.”

I search his eyes for any sign that I’ve made a mistake. But he gives nothing away. Our eyes stay locked until he clears his throat.

“And he can, but not yet. You have everything you need there.” I point at the laptop and files.

The entire look on his face transforms, his expression bordering on fury, but it’s quickly replaced by uncontrollable frustration.

His reaction makes everything tilt and shift. “What’s going on?” I push back in the seat, stumbling as I try to stand.

“I told you I’d keep you out of this. Make sure your name got cleared.” He wipes a hand down his face.

“If you know about all this, you shouldn’t need my laptop.” I reach across his desk to grab it when his hand flies out to stop me.

The shadow of a grin spreads at the corner of his mouth. “I was going to tell you that you don’t have to testify, but”—he holds up both hands in my direction—“I got sidetracked. Good news.”

Our eyes meet and the look he gives me tells me I don’t have a choice. I wish I could take back my decision to come to him with this. I pull at the laptop in a tug-of-war with Luca, swallowing the tightness in my throat as I squint through the sting of tears.

“I’ll get this back to you before the end of the day.” He lets go of my wrist and the blood rushes back into my hand, the icy tingle pulsing through my fingers.

“You don’t understand. I need your help.” I pry his fingers off my laptop and pull it to my chest. “Trust me.”

I explain my plan. The importance of the phone call to warn me. And how the timing of this is everything. Luca agrees. That was the only thing holding me back, and now, nothing stands in my way.

He doesn’t like it, but he decides it could work. I rub at the stinging sensation on my wrist and see the instant regret on Luca’s face as I take my laptop and files. This case has to be wearing on him too. I can’t be the only one it’s affecting.

But I am the only one who can make it stop.

52

All in Vain

Brighton

Monday, June 12 th

11:26 a.m.

“When Luca calls, tell me. Don’t wait.”

“I don’t like this.” Lauren stalls with her hand on her hip when she comes out from behind the counter.

“You don’t have to.”

“But—”

“I don’t have any other options. Kline’s not stupid enough to do anything. There are too many witnesses.” I stuff my hand in the front pocket of my scrubs, confirming the list is still there, and tighten my grip on the laptop. This is the part of the plan I haven’t thought out, and the realization that it could all go wrong at this point makes me queasy. “I need to finish signing some charts. I’ll be in the lounge.”

“Please, wait. I’m sure they can catch him in some other way.” Lauren wrings her hands together, her brow creased with concern. She pulls me in for a hug, and I let the warmth of her embrace quash my nerves. I’ve made up my mind and know my plan will work. It has to. There is no other option.

“I don’t want anything to happen to anyone else.” I get one last squeeze before she lets go. We stand there staring at each other until her gaze falls to her feet. I don’t give her the chance to say anything else before I swipe my badge and enter the hallway. I press myself against the door as it closes and try to regroup.

She’s right. My plan’s not failsafe. And I don’t know the extent to which Kline will take things to protect himself. But I have to do this. I don’t want him to have access to patients anymore, and this is all I’ve got. No matter how bad things get, I remind myself this isn’t on me. I hope one day I can look back on this decision and know it wasn’t a mistake.

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