Page 78 of Free to Breathe
“It might be worth it to see her smile.” I can’t help the faint smile ghosting my lips.
Keene’s face softens slightly. “When things were all over the map for Alison and me, Corinna was the only one who stood toe-to-toe against me for Alison’s sake. She has my everlasting gratitude for that.” Clearing his throat, he continues. “What we’re about to do, we do not only for you, but for her.”
“Agreed,” Caleb says. “Then again, it’s family. We just do it, period.”
“Let’s get started,” Charlie says. “No one fucks with my family.”
My throat tightens. I feel the arms of yet another family wrap around me in one hard embrace. The Freemans. The Army. And now, Hudson.
* * *
Hours later,Caleb has taken copious notes on his computer, while Charlie and Keene grill me within an inch of my life about my family, Jack, and even Corinna.
Their questioning is more invasive than a full-body search. As emotionally exhausting as it is, the conclusion we came to in its wake is almost surreal.
“Make the call,” Keene orders brusquely.
Almost in a daze, I dial the number Caleb had one of the analysts pull up an hour earlier when the pattern started to emerge.
One ring…
Two…
The line connects, and a male voice says, “Who the hell is this?”
I take a deep breath and say the first words to a man I admired my whole life, who I haven’t spoken with since before I left for college. “It’s Colby. I need your help.”
37
Corinna
Thirty-Five Days Before Surgery
“Corinna, I need you to sit down.” Bryan’s voice is calm on the other end of the line.
Each day seems to be getting exponentially harder as we lead up to the surgery. And to think I haven’t even gotten to the fun parts that involve another MRI and spending quality time with a psychologist discussing my greatest concerns about my upcoming surgery.
Instead of voicing all of this aloud, I answer with a simple “Okay” as I ease myself onto one of the stools around my workspace.
“Your primary care doctor is claiming you’ve never been a patient there.” Bryan lets out a sigh. “They’re claiming they don’t have any medical records dating back the last twelve months.”
“You have got to be kidding me, Bryan. I have receipts showing I paid the bills they sent me,” I exclaim.
“I completely believe you, Cori. I have the copies of the orders your doctor put in at Hopkins as well, but since I no longer work there, it could take weeks to pull those records. Weeks we don’t have.”
Jack. He’s behind this. “So he really means for me to die, doesn’t he?” I murmur.
“We’re not going to let that happen,” Bryan says firmly. “I don’t care if we have to rerun every test in the next month, you’re getting that thing out of you. First, I’m calling some friends in Baltimore.” Before I can respond, Bryan hangs up.
Placing the phone on the table so I don’t throw it, I get up to make my way upstairs to Ali’s office.
* * *
“The first thingwe’re going to do is file a complaint with the Federal Office of Civil Rights and the Attorney General. Clearly, there’s been a violation of your rights under HIPAA.” Ali’s fuming.
Jared, who’s on speakerphone, suggests, “You should call Keene and Caleb, Ali. They’re both on a first-name basis with the AG. It might get this resolved faster.”
“Good idea, Jared. Do we know any lawyers who’d want this case?” Ali inquires.
