Chapter 12 - THE DOCTOR WHO BETRAYED HIS PATIENT
I had spent three years believing my father's stroke was a cruel accident.
Now I was staring at evidence suggesting someone had interfered with his medical care.
For several seconds, I couldn't breathe.
Vanessa Cole sat opposite me, trembling.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
I looked at her.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Preston threatened me. He said if I spoke, he'd ruin my career and make sure my family suffered."
I wanted to be angry.
Part of me was.
But another part recognized the terror in her expression.
Preston had spent years using fear to control people.
I knew what that felt like.
Katherine examined the bank statements.
"These transfers establish a financial connection, but we need the medical records and testimony before concluding what happened."
Vanessa nodded.
"I have emails."
She opened her laptop.
Several messages appeared.
Preston had written to Dr. Pierce shortly before my father's collapse.
The language was careful.
Vague.
But deeply troubling.
One message discussed a "medical management arrangement."
Another requested that Pierce remain involved in Arthur Bennett's care.
A third referenced payment after a "successful resolution."
My stomach twisted.
Roman sat beside me.
He didn't interrupt.
Didn't make promises.
He simply remained there.
Then Katherine found another attachment.
A note from Dr. Pierce.
Patient's condition has deteriorated. Additional intervention would be necessary to reverse the complications.
My throat tightened.
"Could Dad have recovered better?"
Katherine looked at me carefully.
"We need independent medical specialists to review his records. I won't speculate about his prognosis."
I nodded.
But the question hurt.
For three years, Dad had struggled to speak.
To walk.
To button his own shirts.
Had some of that suffering been preventable?
I closed my eyes.
Roman gently asked, "Do you need a break?"
I shook my head.
"No."
He studied me.
"Sloan, you don't have to prove how strong you are."
I looked at him.
"I'm not trying to prove anything."
"Then what are you doing?"
My voice broke.
"Trying to make sure they can't hurt anyone else."
For a long moment, Roman said nothing.
Then he nodded.
"That's a good reason."
Katherine arranged for the evidence to be provided to the appropriate authorities.
Independent medical experts began reviewing my father's treatment.
Dr. Pierce was questioned.
Meanwhile, Vincent Caruso's financial records revealed connections to the suspicious company transfers.
For the first time, Preston's carefully constructed empire began showing cracks.
But he wasn't finished.
That evening, I received an email.
From Preston.
The subject line read:
ONE LAST OFFER.
I opened it.
Sloan,
You've made your point.
Meet me tomorrow at the Obsidian Club. Come alone, and I'll sign over enough assets to pay for your father's care.
If you refuse, your little investigation will end badly.
I stared at the message.
Roman read it over my shoulder.
"You're not going."
I turned toward him.
"Don't tell me what to do."
His expression softened.
"You're right. That was unfair."
I blinked.
He continued.
"I'm concerned because Preston has already threatened you, and I don't trust him."
I looked at the email.
"He wants me scared."
"Yes."
"Then I want him to know I'm not."
Roman studied me.
Then nodded.
"Let's talk to Katherine and the investigators about a safe way to handle it."
The next morning, the authorities approved a controlled meeting arrangement.
Preston believed he was speaking privately.
He didn't know the meeting had been documented and appropriate precautions were in place.
I entered the VIP lounge at noon.
The same room where he'd made me kneel.
Preston sat in the same crimson leather booth.
He smiled when he saw me.
"There's my girl."
I stopped.
"I'm not your girl."
His smile tightened.
"Still dramatic."
I sat opposite him.
"What do you want?"
He leaned forward.
"Stop the investigation."
"No."
"Think carefully."
"I have."
Preston's expression hardened.
"You have no idea how much money is involved."
"Enough to destroy my father, apparently."
He laughed softly.
"Your father destroyed himself by refusing to cooperate."
My hands clenched.
"You forged his signature."
Preston shrugged.
"Business isn't always pretty."
I stared at him.
For the first time, I saw exactly how little remorse he felt.
Then I asked the question that mattered most.
"Did you pay Dr. Pierce to harm my father?"
Preston's smile disappeared.
He leaned closer.
"You really want to know what happened?"
"Yes."
He studied my face.
May you like
Then whispered something that stopped my heart.
"Your father wasn't the original target, Sloan."
