Chapter 8 - THE DOCTOR WHO SOLD SECRETS
Dr. Martin Vale had not been a licensed physician for three years.
Sadi stared at the licensing record.
“His license was suspended?”
Desmond looked furious.
“For improper prescribing and falsified documentation.”
“And nobody checked?”
Frankie looked down.
“His credentials were handled through the family office.”
Sadi turned toward him.
“Then the family office failed.”
Frankie said nothing.
Desmond's voice was low.
“Who approved his continued access?”
Frankie hesitated.
“Your father originally. Then the arrangement was renewed automatically.”
Desmond looked at the paperwork.
“By whom?”
“Caleb's management company.”
Silence.
Sadi felt sick.
Vale had been involved in Lily's disappearance.
He had helped manage Desmond's medical care.
He was connected to the transport contractor.
And now he was missing.
***
Desmond authorized a full independent review of his treatment records.
Dr. Brooks supervised the process.
Several prescriptions were found to be poorly documented.
Some had been continued without appropriate reassessment.
There was no evidence that Vale had caused Desmond's spinal injury.
But his conduct had placed Desmond at unnecessary risk.
Desmond read the report in silence.
Then looked at Sadi.
“You were right.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“About what?”
“Questioning him.”
She smiled faintly.
“I'd enjoy this more if the situation weren't terrifying.”
***
That night, Sadi found Desmond in the library.
He sat before the fireplace.
The family photograph rested on his lap.
“Can't sleep?” she asked.
“No.”
She sat nearby.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Desmond said:
“I'm afraid Lily won't want to see me.”
Sadi looked at him.
“She might not.”
He closed his eyes.
“Thank you for your optimism.”
“I'm not going to lie to you.”
“I know.”
She continued.
“But she might.”
He looked up.
“And if she does, you can listen to her.”
Desmond nodded.
Sadi hesitated.
Then asked:
“Do you ever wish the bomb hadn't happened?”
He looked at her sharply.
“Every day.”
She nodded.
“Of course.”
Desmond stared into the fire.
“But sometimes I wonder whether I'd still be the man I was before it.”
Sadi waited.
He continued.
“I was cruel.”
She didn't contradict him.
“I thought money could buy loyalty. I thought fear was respect. I treated people like pieces on a board.”
“And now?”
He looked at her.
“Now I don't know what kind of man I am.”
Sadi smiled softly.
“Then you get to decide.”
***
The next morning, Sadi received a call from an unfamiliar number.
A woman's voice spoke.
“Is this Sadi?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Emily Hart.”
Sadi stopped breathing.
The woman continued.
“I think you know my brother.”
Sadi sat down.
“Lily?”
A long silence.
Then:
“Nobody has called me that in twenty years.”
Sadi's eyes filled.
“I'm sorry.”
Emily's voice trembled.
“I don't know whether I want to see him.”
“You don't have to decide today.”
Another silence.
Then Emily whispered:
“Does Desmond still blame himself?”
Sadi looked toward the office.
“Yes.”
Emily began crying.
“Tell him I remember.”
Sadi swallowed.
“Remember what?”
“The day they took me.”
A pause.
May you like
Then:
“And tell him it wasn't his fault.”
