Chapter 4 - THE PATIENT WHO ASKED THE WRONG QUESTION
Adrian Blackwood called Elise two days later.
She almost ignored the number.
Then curiosity won.
"Hello?"
"Elise Marwood?"
His voice was deep.
Steady.
But tired.
"Yes."
"Adrian Blackwood."
"I know."
A pause.
Then a faint laugh.
"I suppose Marcus told you."
"He did."
"Thank you."
Elise leaned against her kitchen counter.
"For what?"
"For doing your job when everyone else seemed afraid to."
She looked toward the window.
"That shouldn't require gratitude."
"Maybe not. But it does."
Adrian asked whether she would speak with his attorney and the investigators reviewing the incident.
Elise agreed.
She would not meet him privately.
She would not accept money.
And she would not discuss confidential medical information outside appropriate channels.
Adrian accepted every condition.
That surprised her.
At the meeting, Elise described the syringe, the irregular dressing label, and Dr. Sloane's reaction.
Adrian listened carefully.
Then asked:
"Did you see anyone preparing the medication?"
"No."
"Did you recognize the syringe?"
"Not enough to identify its contents."
He nodded.
"What about the handwriting?"
Elise hesitated.
"It resembled Dr. Sloane's."
Adrian's expression changed.
"Victor Sloane?"
"Yes."
He looked toward Marcus.
Marcus went still.
Elise noticed.
"What?"
Adrian leaned back.
"Dr. Sloane has been treating my younger brother."
Elise frowned.
"Your brother?"
"Daniel."
"What's wrong with him?"
Adrian looked toward the window.
"He's been sick for months."
Elise felt cold.
"What kind of illness?"
"Unexplained episodes of weakness, confusion, and collapse."
She stared.
The symptoms sounded disturbingly familiar.
May you like
Adrian looked back at her.
"Elise, I think someone is poisoning my family."
