Chapter 7 - THE NURSE WHO TESTIFIED AGAINST HERSELF
Mave's statement to federal investigators lasted six hours.
She described the falsified records.
The reduced staffing.
The medication substitutions.
And the pressure placed on employees to sign documents they knew were inaccurate.
Then she told them about Nathaniel Pike.
She admitted signing a death certificate that contained information she believed was false.
Her attorney advised her carefully about the potential professional consequences.
Mave listened.
Then continued.
"I signed it," she said.
"Why?" Naomi Whitcomb asked.
"Because I was afraid."
"Of what?"
"Losing my job."
Mave looked down.
"And because everyone around me acted as though it was normal."
Naomi studied her.
"Why are you telling us this?"
Mave took a breath.
"Because if I leave out the part where I failed, then I'm doing the same thing Thornfield did."
The statement became part of the investigation.
Mave's professional licensing board was notified of the relevant conduct.
She faced a separate review.
She accepted that.
Rafe learned about the statement that evening.
He found Mave sitting alone in a conference room.
"How did it go?"
She gave a tired smile.
"I may lose my license."
Rafe sat opposite her.
"Do you regret telling them?"
"No."
He nodded.
"Then whatever happens, you can face it."
Mave looked at him.
"Easy for you to say."
He didn't argue.
"You're right."
She stared at him.
Then laughed softly.
"You don't do that often."
"What?"
"Admit I'm right."
Rafe smiled faintly.
"I'm learning."
That evening, they shared dinner in the hospital cafeteria.
It was ordinary food.
Soup.
Sandwiches.
Coffee from paper cups.
Mave watched Rafe struggle with the plastic lid on his coffee.
She laughed.
He looked up.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're laughing at me."
"A little."
He shook his head.
For the first time since she'd collapsed outside his gate, Mave felt something unfamiliar.
Not safety exactly.
Not yet.
But the possibility of a life that wasn't defined entirely by fear.
Later, Rafe walked her to the temporary residence arranged for her protection.
At the door, she turned.
"Rafe."
He stopped.
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
He nodded.
"For what?"
She considered.
"For not trying to make me feel better about something I needed to take responsibility for."
Rafe looked at her.
"You're welcome."
May you like
Then she stepped inside.
And Rafe realized that the woman he'd found in the snow had begun changing him in ways he couldn't yet explain.
