“Where is the nurse?”
“Hospital.”
“Keep her there.”
“She won’t stay.”
“Then keep her somewhere safe.”
The boss almost smiled.
“She does not respond well to being told what to do.”
“Smart woman.”
“Extremely inconvenient.”
The detective smiled faintly.
Then became serious.
“If the same organization is involved, do not let them know you’re looking.”
The boss nodded.
“Legal channels.”
The detective blinked.
“You?”
“Yes.”
“Your father would be disappointed.”
“No.”
The boss looked at the photographs.
“He’d be relieved.”
The nurse returned to the clinic two days later.
Against medical advice.
Against her supervisor’s advice.
Against the crime boss’s advice, which mattered least to her.
She walked through the front doors at eight fifteen.
The receptionist nearly dropped her coffee.
“You’re supposed to be home.”
“I was home yesterday.”
“That is not how rest works.”
“It was enough.”
The receptionist looked at her wrist.
The nurse had stopped covering the bruises completely.
Not intentionally.
She simply did not have the energy anymore.
“Did you tell anyone?”
“Yes.”
“Police?”
The nurse hesitated.
“No.”
The receptionist frowned.
“Then who?”
Before the nurse could answer, a black sedan stopped outside.
The receptionist looked through the glass.
A suited driver stepped out.
Then opened the rear door.
The boss emerged.
The receptionist stared.
“Oh.”
The nurse closed her eyes.
“No.”
“What?”
“He cannot be here.”
The boss entered.
Every conversation in the waiting room became quieter.
He ignored everyone.
Walked directly toward the nurse.
“You left the hospital.”
“Yes.”
“You were supposed to rest.”
“I rested.”
“For one day.”
“I’m talented.”
The receptionist turned away to hide a smile.
The boss stared at the nurse.
“You should not be here.”
“This is my job.”
“Someone associated with this clinic assaulted you.”
“Someone associated with the foundation.”
“Same difference.”
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“This clinic is patients.”
“Nurses.”
“Doctors.”
“Receptionists.”
“The foundation is money.”
“Do not confuse them.”
The boss studied her.
Again she had said something he had not expected.
“Fine.”
She frowned.
“You say fine too easily.”
“I’m learning.”
The nurse almost smiled.
Then a voice came from behind them.
“This is inappropriate.”
The clinic administrator approached.
She looked nervous.
Not because of the nurse.
Because of the boss.
“Sir, this is a healthcare facility.”
“I know.”
“You cannot intimidate patients.”
“I haven’t spoken to any.”
“Your presence is enough.”
The nurse looked at the boss.
He lifted both hands slightly.
“I am standing.”
The administrator sighed.
The nurse asked:
“Did the foundation chairman call?”
The administrator’s face changed.
The boss noticed immediately.
“So he did.”
The administrator looked at the nurse.