Chapter 14 - THE PRICE OF THE TRUTH
Peter's request for immunity did not bring the investigation to an immediate end.
The authorities made no promises, and his account had to be tested against independent evidence.
He agreed to provide a detailed statement and identify the people involved in the disputed transactions.
In return, prosecutors would consider his cooperation under the applicable legal process.
His statement confirmed several facts already supported by records.
He had established vendor relationships that were later used to submit questionable invoices.
He had coordinated payments through companies associated with Serena and other business contacts.
He had also encouraged Grant to use his personal relationships to make the arrangements appear legitimate.
But Peter denied ordering the forged signature.
He claimed that another participant had created the authorization and that he had only used it after being told it was valid.
Investigators continued examining the evidence rather than accepting his account at face value.
Richard Sloan, meanwhile, was confronted with records showing that several approvals had been issued through his department.
He resigned from his position while the investigation continued.
Grant provided a sworn statement about the payments he had received and the conversations in which Peter described the missing equipment.
He also admitted that he had known the financial records were questionable before I discovered the affair.
That admission cost him more than his marriage.
The foundation removed him from its advisory committee, and several business partners ended their relationships with him.
I filed for divorce.
The decision was painful, but it was not impulsive.
For months, I had hoped that the man I married would choose honesty before consequences forced him to do so.
He hadn't.
During our final conversation, Grant sat across from me in the living room where we'd once planned our future.
"I know I don't deserve another chance," he said.
I looked at him.
"This isn't about whether you deserve one. It's about whether I want to spend the rest of my life wondering which version of you is telling the truth."
He lowered his eyes.
"I loved you."
"Maybe you did. But love doesn't make the choices you made disappear."
He nodded, crying silently.
I didn't hate him.
That surprised me.
I had expected anger to consume me, but what remained was a deep sadness for the life we'd built and the person he'd chosen to become.
Several months later, the divorce was finalized.
The hospital's audit identified substantial financial irregularities, and the appropriate authorities continued pursuing the people responsible.
My professional review found no evidence that I had authorized the disputed transfers.
I returned to the operating room without the shadow of the allegations hanging over me.
May you like
Then, on the evening of the hospital's annual benefit, I received a message from an unfamiliar number.
Dr. Mercer, you saved my life once. Now I have something that may help you understand why Laura Bennett was so afraid.
