Chapter 5 - The Price of Saving Vincent Hale
The investigation exploded across Chicago.
Simon Vale was charged in connection with Evan’s kidnapping, financial crimes, evidence tampering, and Daniel Cross’s death.
St. Catherine Medical Center reopened Molly’s case.
Two weeks later, she received a phone call.
“Ms. Carter?”
“Yes.”
“This is the Illinois Board of Nursing.”
Molly sat down.
“We’ve reviewed the newly recovered evidence.”
She stopped breathing.
“Your disciplinary finding has been vacated.”
Molly closed her eyes.
Three years.
Gone in one sentence.
But her problems weren’t over.
Arthur lost his position at the restaurant.
Not because Vincent demanded it.
Arthur resigned.
When Molly found him packing his knives, she leaned against the kitchen doorway.
“You’re leaving?”
“I contaminated a man’s dinner.”
“You were trying to save Evan.”
“I still did it.”
“What will you do?”
Arthur smiled sadly.
“Cook somewhere that doesn’t serve people with enemies.”
“Good luck finding that in Chicago.”
He laughed.
Then his expression softened.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Three years ago.”
Molly froze.
Arthur looked down.
“My brother worked for Vale Medical. He told me about Daniel Cross after it happened. I knew something wasn’t right.”
“You could have said something.”
“I was afraid.”
Molly was silent.
“I know that doesn’t fix anything.”
“No.”
Arthur nodded.
“I know.”
She walked away.
Outside, a black sedan waited.
Vincent leaned against it.
Molly stopped.
“You’re becoming a habit.”
“You didn’t answer my calls.”
“I was working.”
“At the restaurant that fired the chef?”
“Someone has to feed people.”
Vincent opened the passenger door.
“Dinner.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“The last time I had dinner with you, someone tried to poison you.”
“Statistically, it’s unlikely to happen twice.”
“With you?”
He considered that.
“Fair point.”
Molly smiled despite herself.
Then she noticed a folder inside the car.
“What’s that?”
Vincent handed it to her.
Inside was an employment offer.
She read the first page.
Then looked up.
“What is this?”
“St. Catherine wants you back.”
“I know.”
“That isn’t from St. Catherine.”
Molly read the letterhead.
Hale Foundation Medical Center.
She stared at him.
“You own a hospital?”
“I fund one.”
“And you want me working there?”
“No.”
“Then why give me this?”
“I want you to interview.”
“For what?”
“Patient safety director.”
Molly nearly laughed.
“You think I’m qualified to run patient safety?”
“You identified a dangerous substance from one drop touching your skin.”
“That isn’t exactly standard management training.”
“You challenged me, Grant, Arthur, and thirty witnesses before you had proof.”
“That sounds worse when you say it.”
“You were right.”
Vincent became serious.
“I have enough people who tell me what I want to hear.”
Molly looked at the offer.
“And you want someone who doesn’t?”
“I want someone who grabs my wrist before I do something stupid.”
She laughed.
“You can’t afford that salary.”
“I think I can.”
Molly looked again.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh.”
Vincent smiled.
May you like
“Apparently I can.”
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