Chapter 3 - The Demand
Victor entered the ICU corridor as if he owned it.
Margaret followed him in an elegant cream coat. Marcus walked behind them, holding two phones and speaking urgently to someone from the family’s legal office.
Victor approached Daniel without greeting him.
“You need to leave.”
Daniel stood between Victor and the hospital room.
“My wife is inside.”
“She needs her family.”
“I am her family.”
Victor’s jaw tightened.
Margaret stepped forward.
“Tessa is confused. She had an unfortunate accident.”
Daniel looked at her.
“She told me what happened.”
For the first time, Margaret’s expression slipped.
Marcus ended his call.
“My sister is medicated. Anything she says right now is unreliable.”
Daniel studied all three of them.
They were not frightened for Tessa.
They were frightened of Tessa.
Victor lowered his voice.
“You are in uniform, Captain. Think carefully about how you behave.”
Daniel understood the warning.
Victor wanted him angry. One raised voice, one threatening step, and the Hale attorneys would accuse Daniel of intimidation.
So Daniel remained still.
“I’m thinking very carefully.”
A hospital administrator approached and asked Daniel to step into a private consultation room.
Inside, she explained that Victor Hale had requested Tessa’s transfer to a private clinic owned by a Hale company.
Daniel refused.
The administrator looked uncomfortable.
“Mr. Hale says he is responsible for her medical decisions.”
“He isn’t.”
Daniel produced the digital copy of his marriage certificate.
“I am her legal husband, and Tessa is conscious enough to make her own decisions.”
The administrator reviewed it twice.
A few minutes later, Tessa confirmed that she wanted Daniel to remain and did not consent to a transfer.
Victor’s request was denied.
The first locked door had appeared.
Victor responded by calling the hospital board.
Daniel called the military legal assistance office.
He also contacted local police.
The first patrol officer who arrived spent less than ten minutes speaking with Victor before describing the incident as a family misunderstanding.
Daniel watched the officer leave without interviewing Tessa.
That was when he realized how far Victor’s influence reached.
A nurse named Elena Park had been standing nearby.
She waited until they were alone before speaking.
“That officer has attended several Hale Foundation events.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Are you saying he won’t investigate?”
“I’m saying you should ask for someone outside the county.”
May you like
Elena glanced toward the ceiling camera.
“And you should request that the hospital preserve every recording from tonight.”
