Page 142 of Check & Chase
Anger surges through me. “And you didn’t think to warn me?”
“I didn’t take it seriously. Carina was always making dramatic threats when she was drunk.” He looks genuinely remorseful. “I figured it was just talk.”
“Well, it wasn’t. And now Emma’s career is on the line.”
“That’s why I’m telling you now. Andrea has access to the scheduling system, treatment notes, all of it. She could have doctored records, made it look like Emma was still involved in your care even after she recused herself.”
“How does this help us?”
“The ethics committee will review all the records, right? If you know what to look for—inconsistencies in dates, forged signatures, unauthorized access logs—you can point them in the right direction.”
It’s more strategic than my usual approach. “Why are you helping us?”
Tyler looks down at his coffee. “I’ve done a lot of terrible things. To Emma, to you, to a lot of people. I can’t undo any of that. But I can try to be better going forward.”
The drive back home is a blur of thoughts and plans. When I pull into my driveway, Emma’s car is still there. I find her in the kitchen, wrapped in one of my hoodies, making coffee.
“How was coffee with Tyler?”
“Surprisingly helpful. He told me who’s been helping Carina. An admin in the medical department named Andrea Flores.”
Her eyes widen. “Andrea? But she’s so sweet.”
“Apparently Carina’s been grooming her for months. She has access to all the medical records, scheduling systems. Could have fabricated evidence making it look like you were still involved in my care.”
Emma sets down her mug, her brow furrowing. “If that’s true, there would be a trail. Access logs, timestamps that don’t match up.”
“Exactly. We can direct the ethics committee toward those inconsistencies during the investigation.”
She studies me for a moment. “This is actually a smart approach.”
“Try not to sound so surprised.”
She doesn’t return my smile. “Chase, I’m still upset about yesterday. About you confronting Carina after promising you wouldn’t.”
The brief moment of hope deflates. “I know. And I’m sorry. It was stupid and impulsive.”
“I just don’t understand why you can’t trust me to handle my own problems.”
“I do trust you—”
“No, you don’t. You think you need to protect me, to fix everything. But all you’re doing is making decisions that affect both of us without consulting me.”
“You’re right. I’ve been treating this like something I can fix on my own, when it’s ours. Together.”
Some of the tension leaves her shoulders. “That’s all I’m asking for, Chase.”
My phone buzzes.
Donny:Coach called an emergency meeting right now. Don’t be late.
“I have to go. Team meeting.”
“On a Sunday?” She frowns.
“Apparently so.” The timing feels ominous.
When I arrive at the Bears facility, I spot Coach talking with Mr. Vaughn, the legal counsel. Their expressions are grave.
