Chapter 5 - The Offer
Julian Cross was arrested forty-eight hours later.
Richard Vale agreed to cooperate after prosecutors confronted him with the financial records.
My disciplinary case was reopened.
Suddenly everyone wanted to talk to Elena Reyes.
Reporters.
Lawyers.
Hospital administrators.
I ignored them.
Except one.
The Louisiana nursing board scheduled an emergency review.
Gabriel drove me there.
“You don’t need to come.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you here?”
He adjusted his cuff.
“Tommy threatened to come instead.”
I looked at him.
“He can barely walk.”
“Exactly why I came.”
I smiled despite myself.
Three hours later, I walked out carrying a letter.
Gabriel stood from the bench.
“Well?”
I handed it to him.
He read.
His eyes lifted.
“License reinstated pending final administrative review.”
I nodded.
“You’re a nurse again.”
“Almost.”
“You were always a nurse.”
“That sounds dangerously sentimental for you.”
“I’ll deny saying it.”
We walked toward the stairs.
Gabriel stopped.
“I have an offer.”
“No.”
“You haven’t heard it.”
“You’re a mafia boss.”
“I prefer businessman.”
“I prefer reality.”
“Fine.”
He handed me an envelope.
Inside was a contract.
Director of Emergency Medical Operations.
Moretti Foundation.
I stared.
“What is this?”
“A legitimate medical foundation.”
“You have a medical foundation?”
“I do now.”
I looked up sharply.
“You created this?”
“Yesterday.”
“For me?”
“For people like the nine men you found underground.”
He continued.
“Street clinics. Emergency training. Free trauma care. Forensic support for victims who can’t afford private representation.”
I looked back at the contract.
The salary was more money than I had earned in three years combined.
“This is insane.”
“Probably.”
“You’re offering me a hospital without a hospital.”
“A medical program.”
“Why?”
Gabriel’s expression softened.
“Because you spent three years believing someone took your purpose away.”
He nodded toward the contract.
“They took your license.”
A pause.
“They never took what made you good at the job.”
I closed the envelope.
“I need time.”
“Take it.”
“How much?”
“Until tomorrow.”
I stared at him.
“That’s not time.”
“It is in my world.”
“Your world is ridiculous.”
“I’ve been told.”
Then my phone rang.
My sister.
I answered.
“El?”
“Hey.”
“You sound different.”
“How?”
“Like something happened.”
I looked at Gabriel.
“It did.”
“Good or bad?”
I smiled.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
Gabriel opened the car door.
I looked at the contract again.
May you like
Then climbed inside.
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