Chapter 20 - The Smear Campaign
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Arthur Vance was not a man who surrendered quietly. Blocked from contacting us directly, he launched a vicious smear campaign across our small town.
Articles began popping up on local news blogs, claiming that a "disturbed ER nurse" had manipulated her vulnerable elderly mother into abandoning her loving husband to steal his fortune. Anonymous complaints were filed against my nursing license with the state board, alleging drug diversion and patient neglect.
One afternoon, two investigators from the State Nursing Board walked into St. Jude's Hospital to interview me.
I sat in a small conference room, my hands tightly clasped in my lap, feeling sick to my stomach.
"Ms. Sarah Jenkins," the lead investigator said, reviewing a thick folder. "We received detailed reports claiming you have been using hospital supplies for unauthorized home care, and that you exhibit unstable emotional behavior around patients."
Before I could defend myself, the conference room door swung open.
Dr. Reynolds, Brenda, and six other ER doctors and nurses filed into the room, filling every available chair and standing along the walls.
"If you are investigating Nurse Jenkins, you'll have to investigate all of us," Dr. Reynolds said calmly, leaning against the table. "Sarah is the most dedicated, ethical nurse in this facility. These complaints are fraudulent retaliation filed by a disgraced former judge under active investigation for elder abuse."
Brenda set a petition on the table signed by over fifty hospital staff members. "We stand behind Sarah 100%. If you touch her license based on Arthur Vance's lies, you'll be fighting the entire healthcare union."
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The investigators looked at the wall of unified healthcare workers, then down at the overwhelming petition.
Two days later, the state board officially dismissed all charges against me, citing a complete lack of evidence. Arthur's primary weapon—his social influence—was crumbling to dust.
