Chapter 5 - The Clinic
Daniel’s convoy reached the clinic shortly before midnight.
Maya sat beside him.
“My daughter was treated there for two years.”
Daniel looked at the building.
“Then somebody had access to her records.”
“And every other child’s.”
Ryan called.
“We identified the clinic administrator.”
“Name?”
“Dr. Victor Hale.”
Maya stiffened.
“He handled Lily’s financial assistance applications.”
Daniel looked at her.
“So he knew exactly which families couldn’t afford interruptions.”
Maya’s face filled with disgust.
“He knew which parents would become desperate.”
Daniel nodded.
“And desperate people pay.”
Inside the clinic, Dr. Hale was preparing to leave when Daniel entered.
“Mr. Foster.”
Daniel closed the office door.
“We need to talk.”
Hale looked at Maya.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Maya stepped forward.
“You knew.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Daniel placed the USB drive on Hale’s desk.
Hale’s eyes immediately moved toward it.
That was enough.
Daniel smiled without humor.
“You should’ve looked at me instead.”
Hale said nothing.
“You created shortages,” Daniel continued. “Then brokers approached the families.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“You used my docks.”
“I run a clinic.”
“You used Frank Bennett.”
Hale’s confidence slipped.
Daniel leaned toward him.
“You made one mistake.”
“What?”
“You threatened Maya.”
Hale laughed nervously.
“You’re threatening a doctor because your maid invented some conspiracy?”
Maya stepped forward.
“My daughter missed medication because of you.”
“Mrs. Santos—”
“She couldn’t breathe.”
Hale looked away.
“She spent two nights in the hospital.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
Maya’s voice stayed remarkably steady.
“You knew exactly what would happen.”
Daniel placed another document on the desk.
“Federal investigators are already receiving copies.”
Hale’s head snapped toward him.
“You contacted authorities?”
“Of course.”
“You don’t understand what you’ve exposed.”
Daniel straightened.
“I understand perfectly.”
Hale suddenly reached toward his computer.
Ryan caught his wrist before he could touch the keyboard.
“Bad idea.”
Hale went still.
Daniel said, “Passwords.”
“No.”
“Then investigators will obtain them.”
“You think this ends with me?”
“No.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“I think it starts with you.”
Police and federal investigators arrived minutes later.
Frank, Sam, and Hale were taken into custody for questioning while authorities secured the warehouse and clinic records.
Outside, Maya stood beneath the awning.
Daniel approached.
“It’s over.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“What?”
“Lily still needs her medicine.”
Daniel stared at her.
Of course.
In the middle of exposing a multimillion-dollar scheme, he had almost forgotten the thing that started everything.
$2,800.
He pulled out his phone.
Maya immediately said, “No.”
Daniel stopped.
“I know what you’re doing.”
“Do you?”
“You’re going to pay for it.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Daniel looked genuinely confused.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to owe you.”
“You won’t.”
“People like you always say that.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed.
“People like me?”
“Rich people.”
“That’s extremely prejudiced.”
Maya stared at him.
Then, despite the nightmare surrounding them, she laughed.
Daniel smiled.
It surprised both of them.
Maya’s expression softened.
“I appreciate everything you did tonight.”
“But?”
“But Lily is my responsibility.”
Daniel put his phone away.
“Fine.”
She blinked.
“Fine?”
“You won.”
“That easily?”
“No.”
Daniel looked toward the clinic.
“I’ll solve it differently.”
Maya immediately became suspicious.
“Daniel.”
“What?”
“What are you planning?”
He opened the SUV door for her.
May you like
“You’ll find out.”
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