Chapter 5 - THE MAN AT HER HOSPITAL DOOR
Rey arrived at the hospital shortly after midnight.
He carried flowers.
White lilies.
Sadi hated lilies.
He knew that.
The nurse stopped him outside her room.
"I'm her boyfriend," he said.
Sadi heard his voice through the door.
Her entire body stiffened.
The monitor beside her bed began beeping faster.
Elaine, the social worker, was still completing paperwork nearby.
She noticed immediately.
"Do you want him here?"
Sadi shook her head.
"No."
"Then he doesn't come in."
Rey raised his voice.
"She's confused. She's on medication."
The familiar lie.
The same explanation he used whenever Sadi tried to ask for help.
Elaine stepped into the corridor.
"She has declined visitors."
Rey became angry.
"She doesn't know what's good for her."
Security arrived.
Rey left only after threatening to file a complaint.
But before he disappeared into the elevator, he sent Sadi a message.
YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME.
Sadi stared at the screen.
Another message appeared.
GIVE IT BACK OR YOU'LL REGRET IT.
She showed Elaine.
This time, she did not hide the evidence.
Elaine helped her contact an advocate and discuss a protection order.
Leo learned about the visit the next morning.
He wanted to confront Rey.
Donnie warned him against it.
"Boss, if you go after him now, Serrano will know we're looking."
Leo looked at the photograph of Sadi's bruised shoulder.
"He's already hurting her."
"Then let the investigators handle him."
Leo hated the advice.
But he knew Donnie was right.
His usual methods would make everything worse.
For Sadi.
For the investigation.
For anyone caught between him and Serrano.
He put the photograph down.
"Find a lawyer who doesn't work for us."
Donnie nodded.
"And Leo?"
"What?"
"Don't make this about revenge."
May you like
Leo looked toward the hospital corridor.
For once, he understood the difference.
