“You can’t do that.”
“I can and will.”
“It proves nothing.” His voice has gone tight. “This is inadmissible.”
“And also quite damning. What will your colleagues think? Your supervisors? The hospital board? Your wife’s friends. Everyone on this island will know what you did, even if I can’t prove it.” I take a step closer. “Dr. Keller is loved. Your life as you know it will be over.”
“That’s called defamation of character. You will lose your job.” He turns now, slowly, his face bright red. “You will lose your home. You will lose your career. I will sue you for every dollar you will ever earn. I will see you in a cell.”
I laugh. “I don’t give a fuck.” I mean it. “Sue me. Destroy me. We’ll go down together.”
“Are you mad?”
“No, I care about Dr. Keller. And I think you do too. I am asking you one more time, Doctor. Please. Do the right thing here. Let me help you. Let me help your family.”
He looks at me for a long time, then he opens the door and walks out.
I stand in the consultation room feeling like a complete loser. It didn’t work. I was so sure I could convince him.
Fuck!
I put my forehead on the desk and then sit up straight, breathing deeply.
I plan on following through. I’m going to bury him. I don’t give a shit about myself.
The door opens, and Patel walks back in. His tie is undone. His white coat is gone. He looks ten years older than he did fifteen minutes ago.
His eyes meet mine, and they’re filled with fear. He lowers himself into the chair across from me.
“I’ll confess. I cannot live with this, with what I did,” he says. “I didn’t have a choice. They threatened my boys. You have topromise to keep them safe. My wife, too. I planted the evidence. I did what I was told. It wasn’t Dr. Keller. She is innocent. Please help me.”
“I will,” I tell him. “You have my word.”
“Ask your questions, Ridge.” He stops, and his eyes lift to mine at last. “I will answer all of them.”
“Let me get a team of guards to your house…to the school.”
His shoulders slump, and he starts crying in wracking sobs.
