Chapter 2 - THE DOCTOR WHO SAW TOO MUCH
Dr. Evelyn Bell arrived at Vincent's private residence shortly after midnight.
She was in her fifties, with silver-streaked hair and the practical manner of someone who had spent decades dealing with emergencies.
She looked at me.
Then at Vincent.
“Out.”
Vincent raised an eyebrow.
“Evelyn.”
“I need to examine my patient.”
He glanced toward me.
“Would you prefer privacy?”
I nodded.
He immediately stood.
“I'll be outside.”
The door closed.
Dr. Bell pulled up a chair.
“I'm Evelyn. May I call you Elena?”
“Yes.”
“I'm going to explain everything before I examine you. You can tell me to stop at any time.”
I nodded.
She checked my pulse, blood pressure, and temperature.
Then gently examined the bruises along my arms and ribs.
When she reached my left side, I cried out.
Her expression tightened.
“I'm concerned about a possible rib fracture. You need imaging at a hospital.”
My stomach dropped.
“I can't afford that.”
She looked at me.
“Right now, your health matters more than the bill.”
I shook my head.
“You don't understand.”
She sat back.
“Then help me understand.”
I stared at the floor.
“I don't have insurance anymore. Graham canceled the employee plan three months ago.”
Dr. Bell frowned.
“He canceled it?”
“He said the hotel was restructuring.”
She said nothing for a moment.
Then asked, “Do you have someone you trust?”
I almost laughed.
The question hurt more than the bruises.
“My mother died when I was nineteen. My father left when I was a kid.”
“Friends?”
I hesitated.
“One.”
“Would you like to call her?”
I nodded.
Her name was Hannah Price.
We had worked together at the Regency for nearly two years.
She was the only person who knew how badly things had deteriorated.
When Hannah answered, she sounded half asleep.
“Elena?”
I began crying.
“Hannah.”
She was instantly awake.
“What happened?”
I tried to answer.
Couldn't.
Then whispered, “Graham hurt me.”
There was silence.
Then Hannah said, “Where are you?”
I looked toward the door.
“Somewhere safe.”
“Tell me where.”
I gave her the address.
She gasped.
“Elena, that's Vincent Russo's building.”
“I know.”
Another silence.
Then Hannah whispered, “Oh my God.”
I closed my eyes.
“What?”
“Elena, Graham's been looking for you.”
My blood went cold.
Hannah continued.
“He told security you stole something from his office.”
I stopped breathing.
“What?”
“He says you took a flash drive.”
I stared at the wall.
Then remembered the small black object that had fallen from Graham's desk when he'd shoved me against it.
I had grabbed my purse while escaping.
I hadn't checked what was inside.
Slowly, I reached for the bag beside the bed.
Unzipped it.
And found a black flash drive beneath my wallet.
May you like
My heart stopped.
Because I hadn't put it there.
