Chapter 6 - The Patient Next Door
Hayes showed Ethan the evidence already collected inside the hospital.
Investigators had intercepted forged records identifying Ethan as an unknown crash victim. Dr. Pierce intended to delay confirmation of Ethan’s identity while declaring his condition hopeless.
A private medical aircraft was scheduled to arrive before sunrise.
Conrad Sloane was waiting at a secure facility in New Mexico.
Preston’s illness had been invented to create an explanation for Beatrice’s unusual interest in transplant medicine. If questions arose, she could claim every conversation, payment, and hospital visit had concerned her eldest son.
“Preston was the cover story,” Hayes explained.
Ethan stared through the glass at his healthy brother.
“He knew?”
“He signed several documents.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Hayes understood.
“We don’t know how much he knew at the beginning.”
Preston entered the neighboring suite with Dr. Pierce.
Their conversation was captured by a microphone installed near the ventilation system.
“This was supposed to frighten Ethan into leaving,” Preston said.
Pierce answered, “Your mother was clear about the final arrangement.”
“I never agreed to kill him.”
“You created the medical history. You authorized the accounts. You brought him here.”
“I thought Sloane’s people would find another donor.”
Pierce laughed coldly.
“There is no other donor.”
Preston began pacing.
“I want out.”
“You have been paid.”
“I don’t care about the money.”
“Then perhaps you care about prison.”
Preston stopped moving.
Pierce handed him a phone.
“Delete the messages between you and Mercer. Security will remove the remaining files after the transfer.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
His brother had warned him to leave, but he had still helped build the trap.
Beatrice’s voice sounded outside Ethan’s door.
“Doctor, why is he still alive?”
The confrontation unfolded quickly.
Hayes revealed himself.
Beatrice was arrested.
Preston ran.
He reached the hospital parking structure while deleting messages from the phone Pierce had given him. Rangers blocked the vehicle exits, but Preston climbed onto an upper level and threatened to throw the device onto the highway below.
Hayes left Ethan with armed protection and went after him.
Through a hospital security feed, Ethan watched his brother standing near the edge of the structure.
Rain blew across the concrete.
Hayes approached slowly.
“Put down the phone.”
Preston held it over the barrier.
“You need what’s on this, don’t you?”
“We already have Beatrice’s confession.”
“No, you have part of it. You don’t have Sloane.”
Hayes stopped.
Preston’s voice shook.
“My mother recorded every agreement. Insurance. She kept copies away from the company.”
“Where?”
“Give me immunity.”
“You are not in a position to negotiate immunity.”
“I can give you Conrad Sloane.”
“First, give me the phone.”
Preston looked down at the traffic.
Then he looked toward the security camera.
He knew Ethan was probably watching.
For once, there was no confident smile and no practiced charm.
Only fear.
“I tried to warn him,” Preston said.
Hayes remained calm.
“You also helped them.”
“I didn’t think she would actually do it.”
“That does not make you innocent.”
Preston lowered his arm.
Hayes stepped forward and took the phone.
Officers placed Preston in handcuffs.
Back inside the hospital, Dr. Pierce attempted to leave through a service entrance dressed as an orderly. Investigators arrested him before he reached the loading area.
By sunrise, St. Augustine was under state control.
Ethan was transferred to a secure public hospital.
As he was taken through the corridor, he passed Beatrice.
She stood between two officers.
“Ethan,” she called.
He expected an apology.
Instead, she said, “Tell them this was all Pierce’s idea.”
May you like
Ethan looked at her for a long moment.
Then he allowed the nurses to wheel him away without answering.
