CHAPTER 2 — THE DOOR CLOSED BEHIND HIM
CHAPTER 2 — THE DOOR CLOSED BEHIND HIM
Evan forced a smile.
"There must be some misunderstanding," he said, taking a careful step toward the examination table.
"There isn't," I replied.
One of the men outside entered the room.
"Dr. Evan Vale?"
"Yes?"
"I'm Special Agent Michael Hayes with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General."
He displayed his badge.
"We need you to remain exactly where you are."
Evan laughed—a short, practiced laugh.
"This is absurd."
"I'm the Medical Director."
"I know who you are," Agent Hayes answered calmly.
"So does the grand jury."
The color drained from Evan's face.
The second investigator quietly closed the examination room door.
Behind them stood two members of the hospital board, the Chief Compliance Officer, and the hospital's General Counsel.
None of them looked at Evan.
They looked at Mia.
The ultrasound technician quietly lifted the paper sheet covering Mia's legs.
Purple bruises stretched across her hips and thighs.
The room became silent.
One board member covered her mouth.
Another whispered,
"My God..."
Agent Hayes turned to the technician.
"Please photograph every visible injury before treatment continues."
Evan finally lost his composure.
"You can't do that without my authorization."
The General Counsel interrupted him.
"Actually..."
She slowly removed his executive security badge from her pocket.
"You no longer have any authority here."
She placed it on the counter beside the ultrasound machine.
"Effective immediately, the Board has suspended your clinical privileges."
The words hit harder than any punch.
For years, Evan had controlled every hallway in that hospital.
Now...
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He wasn't even allowed to touch a patient.
Especially not his own wife.
