Tyranny of Secrets by John Statton

Author:John Statton [Statton, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
ISBN: 9780999205006
Published: 2017-07-24T23:00:00+00:00

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Chapter 11

Bad Medicine

July 2016

Mariana’s phone rang, the caller ID showed the California Medical Center. She noted it was almost noon. Odd, she thought. She knew no one at the hospital. “Mariana speaking,” she answered.

“Ms. McAllister, this is California Medical admissions. Do you know a Sander Bonham?” It was a tired, almost bored-sounding voice; a woman who had to make a lot of these calls every day.

“Yes, what's this regarding, please?”

“You are listed as his emergency contact. We’re letting you know he’s been admitted.”

“This is crazy; I have not seen him in years,” she replied. On the inside she thought, My God, is this the call I’ve always dreaded? A flood of conflicting emotions swept over her. She paused to get herself under control and with an uneven voice asked, “What happened to him? Can you tell me, please?”

“I see it’s an auto accident; he's in intensive care for close observation. As his contact, you can visit if you like.” The voice sounded more sympathetic the longer the conservation went on.

Mariana was stunned and wrapped up the call after confirming the hospital's address. She set her phone on her desk and spent a long moment staring at its black screen, then sat back in her office chair. She took a moment to look out the window at the Bay and gather her thoughts.

She was surprised both at the intensity of her concern for Sander, but equally by his apparently continued feelings for her. Perhaps not completely unexpected. On both counts. She thought last year's encounter would be the last and had carefully walled it off, for his and her continued protection.

Her suspicions about Mansfield rushed back in. Was NetSecure involved? Had they tried to kill him? Regardless, Sander had been hurt and needed her help. Damn, why can't I let go of you? she silently voiced to the outside world.

Time to go to the hospital and see what all of this is about, she thought. She took a moment to set her email and voicemail to return an out-of-office reply, gathered her laptop, grabbed her coat, and climbed into a waiting Lyft car as soon as she left the building.

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