Page 146 of Check & Chase
“So what’s our strategy?”
“Transparency. Complete and total transparency. We provide every record, every email, every piece of documentation showing that you followed protocol.”
My phone rings, interrupting us. Unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Emma? It’s Tyler.”
I nearly drop the phone in surprise. “Tyler?”
“Listen, I’ve been trying to reach you. Can we meet? There’s something I need to talk to you about. It’s important.”
I hesitate, glancing at Maya and Judith who are watching curiously. “I’m kind of in the middle of something right now.”
“It’s about the ethics complaint. I have information that could help your case.”
Against my better judgment, curiosity wins out. “Fine. The coffee shop on Elm Street in an hour?”
An hour later, I’m seated at a corner table, while Maya sits nearby shooting daggers at Tyler when he walks in. He looks different somehow—less cocky, more subdued.
“Thanks for meeting me. I wasn’t sure you would.”
“What’s this about, Tyler?”
He glances around, lowering his voice. “I know who helped Carina file the complaint. It was Andrea Flores, from the medical admin department. But what you might not know is that I’m willing to testify on your behalf. I was there when she planned this whole thing. I heard her admit that she was making it up, that she just wanted to hurt you and Chase.”
I lean back, studying him skeptically. “Why would you help me? After everything?”
A flash of guilt crosses his face. “Because it’s the right thing to do. Because I’ve been a complete asshole to you, to Chase, to pretty much everyone. And because what Carina’s doing is wrong.”
“That’s unexpectedly decent of you.”
He looks down at his hands. “I’m sorry, Emma. For everything. For how I treated you, for cheating, for all of it. I was a terrible boyfriend and an even worse human being.”
The apology catches me off guard. In all our interactions since the breakup, Tyler has never once apologized directly and meant it.
“Why now?”
“Because I’m trying to be better. And because I can see how happy Chase makes you—made you, I guess. Sorry, I heard about the breakup.”
“News travels fast.”
“For what it’s worth, I think he’s being an idiot. Breaking up with you to protect your career? That’s the kind of noble bullshit I’d expect from a Hallmark movie.”
Despite everything, I laugh. “That’s almost exactly what Maya said.”
We finalize the details of his testimony, and I have to admit, Tyler seems genuine. Maybe people really can change.
The hearing the next day goes better than expected. I answer their questions calmly, presenting evidence of my recusal. Mr. Peterson testifies to my professionalism, Andrea tearfully admits to helping Carina access confidential records, and Tyler appears, surprising the panel with his forthright testimony about Carina’s vendetta.
When it concludes, Judith seems confident. “They were receptive. The evidence is overwhelmingly in your favor. I expect a formal exoneration within days.”
“And then what?” I ask, the victory feeling hollow. “I go back to a job where everyone’s been gossiping about me for weeks?”
“That’s up to you, Emma. You could return to the Bears with your head held high. Or you could see this as an opportunity for a fresh start.”
Later that afternoon, I find myself in the Bears’ facility for the first time since being placed on leave. I’m there to collect some personal items, but truthfully, I need to see the place again.
