Chapter 11 - Simone Changes Sides
Dr. Shah examined Leah privately.
Her blood pressure was elevated.
Her incision was intact.
Eli was healthy.
Leah answered every question clearly.
When the examination ended, Dr. Shah faced the security officers.
“There is no medical justification for forced sedation at this time.”
Dr. Rusk protested.
“You haven’t reviewed the behavioral notes.”
“I have.”
Dr. Shah’s expression hardened.
“And some were entered before the patient arrived.”
Dr. Rusk went pale.
Nobody spoke.
Then Mae appeared at the end of the corridor.
Simone walked beside her.
She was crying.
Not elegantly.
Not quietly.
Her mascara had streaked beneath both eyes.
Doreen arrived from the opposite direction.
The moment she saw Simone, she stopped.
“You.”
Simone laughed through her tears.
“Yes.”
“Me.”
Doreen stepped forward.
“What have you done?”
“What you should have expected.”
Simone held up her phone.
“I kept everything.”
Nathan stared at her.
“Simone.”
“Don’t.”
She pointed at him.
“You lied to me too.”
Doreen’s composure began cracking.
“This woman is unstable.”
Simone laughed harder.
“That’s your favorite word.”
“You call every woman unstable after you finish using her.”
Mae handed printed screenshots to Dr. Shah.
One message from Doreen read:
KEEP LEAH TIRED AND ANGRY.
Another read:
IF SHE RAISES HER VOICE, MAKE SURE A NURSE HEARS IT.
Another said:
THE PSYCH FILE IS ALREADY STARTED.
Leah felt physically ill.
Dr. Shah continued reading.
Nathan leaned against the wall.
His face had lost all color.
Simone looked at Leah.
“I’m sorry.”
Leah stared at her.
“You slept with my husband.”
“Yes.”
“You came into this room knowing who I was.”
“Yes.”
“You helped provoke me.”
Simone nodded.
“Yes.”
Leah swallowed.
“Why should I believe anything you say now?”
“You shouldn’t.”
Simone wiped her face.
“But you should believe the messages.”
She unlocked her phone.
“There are voice recordings too.”
Doreen moved suddenly.
She reached for the phone.
Mae stepped between them.
“Don’t touch her.”
Doreen glared at her.
“You have no idea what you’re interfering with.”
Mae did not move.
“I know exactly what I’m interfering with.”
Doreen looked at security.
“Remove this nurse.”
Nobody moved.
Dr. Shah turned toward the officers.
“Actually, nobody leaves this floor.”
Doreen laughed.
“You cannot detain me.”
“No.”
Dr. Shah nodded toward the hallway.
“But those two Columbus police officers probably can.”
Leah looked up.
May you like
Two uniformed officers were walking toward them.
For the first time since entering the hospital, Doreen Carver looked frightened.
