O.C. Andrea
XAVIER
Damn it! The jerk lied to me. This was supposed to be my day off.
I’m so mad today that I blew through every red light on my way to work without even realizing it.
Trying to do my breathing exercises—because I need to stay focused and not let my anger get the best of me—I run another red light, and then I hear it… A cop car is now on my tail.
Just perfect; it’s the ideal way to start my work day—with a ticket.
But the old man isn’t off the hook, not by a long shot. Last-minute appointment, my ass.
I bet this was his plan all along: to dump all the tough cases—that all the other doctors refused to take—on me, pretending they were patients of Dr. Trace.
And then he has the nerve to demand I come to work on my day off and meet him for a debrief about an “urgent case.” Those don’t just appear out of nowhere!
There are procedures that have to be followed first: assessments, police reports, and all that paperwork, which usually take days before the file even lands on my desk…let alone an actual patient.
These thoughts are all racing through my mind as I head to my so-called boss’s office. That, and the fact that my hair is probably a mess from all the times I’ve run my hands through it in frustration.
Which is a real shame; I had that bad-boy look down pat just before leaving my house. And not to brag, but it’s one of my best features. Damn, and now I’m mad all over again.
I bet steam is coming out of my ears as I walk through the gated courtyard. That’s when I hear one of the permanent residents of the psych ward calling my name. Well, my nickname.
“Hey, Doctor Love…why the long face? I know a few ways we can turn that frown upside down.”
“Hi, Lenore. And it’s Dr. Knights. We’ve been over this already.” I say it with a sharp edge and a tone of finality in my voice.
I don’t linger for small talk any longer because I’m a man on a mission. Besides, I know that’s what they call me around here. I want to say one patient came up with it, but it was probably the nurse that kept giving me the googly eyes.
I can’t say I’m not flattered, but I’m also completely uninterested. Despite what people might think, I am a professional, and I don’t mess around with anyone I treat or work with.
Bursting through the door, I’m not surprised to find the disgusting man zipping up his pants as his fifty-something assistant—who is not his wife—quickly exits the office. I dive right in.
“This is a low blow, and you know it! And you lied to me!”
“Good morning to you too, Dr. Knights! Lucky for you, I’m having a great day, so I’ll let that little outburst slide. Now, the reason I called you in today is for a time-sensitive matter. We just got a dangerous patient after an arrest was made, and this is the paperwork.”
“What? We don’t get those. Not right away, this being a permanent facility. Shouldn’t this person be at a hospital?”
“That’s not your concern. She has a history of mental issues, was off her meds, and in a manic episode attacked several close friends and family members, including her adopted sister.
“The police could barely restrain her, but not before she trashed property. This is a done deal, really; there’s no need for further assessment. The reports are all in this file.
“Just stamp the paper for a forced but necessary commitment. I’ll handle the rest.”
“But that’s not how…”
“Great. I knew I could count on you, Dr. Knights. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for a meeting. Oh, before I go…make sure this goes smoothly, and I’ll take a look at the investment plan.”
Waving me away with a dismissive hand gesture, I grab the file and head down the hall to my office in a daze. What just happened? How did I get myself tangled up in a crime?
Because one thing I’m absolutely sure of is that if I sign this, I’ll be condemning someone to a life of misery. There has to be more to this story, and all of it so far screams illegal and malpractice.
I know my reputation isn’t the best, but I’ve always conducted my professional life with integrity. Is this why this jerk hired me in the first place? To do his dirty work and become his fall guy in the process?
No way, I won’t risk my medical license for this lowlife. Or anything else, for that matter. There’s an alarm blaring in the background but I don’t care. I won’t even consider going there unless someone specifically asks me to.
Reaching the door to my office, I walk in to get the final blow this day could have thrown at me.
Angela Carson was standing in the middle of my office, on shaky legs, face flushed and smeared with make-up, but still as beautiful as ever. No, it can’t be. She’s the dangerous patient?
If I thought my day was bad so far, it was about to get even worse. She and her family are the ones responsible for all my problems and the current mess I’m in.
But if finally getting my revenge means losing my ability to ever practice medicine, I’m willing to risk it. That’s how much I hate her.