Part 5: The Medical Board's Betrayal
Part 5: The Medical Board's Betrayal
The dial tone echoed through the speaker like a ticking clock.
I sat frozen on the hospital bed, the chilling calm of Aaron’s threat hanging heavy in the air. Beside me, Dr. Reed’s face had hardened into stone. Detective Vance immediately stepped into the room, snapping her radio off her belt.
"Trace that call!" Detective Vance ordered into her radio. "He’s using a burner line, but see if you can isolate the cell tower."
"He meant every word, Detective," I whispered, my voice shaking as I clutched my belly. "Aaron knows everyone in this hospital system. His family donated millions to the surgical wing. He’s spent years building an bulletproof reputation while making me look like a fragile, unstable wreck."
"He can try, Mrs. Mitchell," Detective Vance replied firmly. "But he doesn't have the upper hand anymore. We have blood work, ultrasound imaging, and a sworn statement from Dr. Reed."
However, less than two hours later, Aaron’s chilling promise began to manifest.
The door to my private room opened, and Dr. Arthur Sterling—the Chief of Staff at St. Jude’s and a close personal friend of Aaron’s father—walked in flanked by two hospital legal representatives. He didn't look at me with sympathy; his expression was cold, clinical, and bureaucratic.
"Dr. Reed," Dr. Sterling began, his tone sharp and dismissive. "I am placing a administrative hold on all records generated during Mrs. Mitchell’s visit to your independent clinic."
Dr. Reed stood up instantly, stepping between Dr. Sterling and my bed. "On what legal grounds, Dr. Sterling? Those records are part of an active criminal investigation into severe domestic abuse and illegal medical procedures!"
"On the grounds that Mrs. Mitchell has a documented history of severe prenatal psychosis managed by her primary physician, Dr. Aaron Mitchell," Dr. Sterling declared smoothly, holding up a sleek tablet. "According to her official medical file—which Dr. Mitchell updated this afternoon—she has been suffering from auditory hallucinations, paranoia, and self-harming tendencies."
I gasped, a sudden knot of ice tightening in my throat. "That's a lie! Aaron forged those records today to cover his tracks!"
"Mrs. Mitchell, please lower your voice," Dr. Sterling said condescendingly, adjusting his gold spectacles. "Dr. Reed’s findings cannot be verified internally. The blood samples collected at her outside clinic were handled without proper hospital chain-of-custody protocols, rendering them inadmissible for hospital review. Until a court-appointed psychiatric evaluation is completed, you are being placed under a 72-hour involuntary medical hold."
"You corrupt bastard!" Dr. Reed spat, her eyes blazing with fury. "You’re helping him cover up the poisoning of a pregnant woman!"
"Watch your language, Doctor," Dr. Sterling warned coldly. "Your privileges at this hospital are under immediate review."
Detective Vance stepped forward, flashing her police badge directly in Dr. Sterling's face. "You can play politics with hospital policy all you want, Dr. Sterling. But if you touch those physical evidence bags or attempt to move this patient without a judge's order, I will arrest you personally for obstruction of justice."
Dr. Sterling’s jaw tightened, but he didn't back down. "The court order will be here by morning, Detective. Dr. Mitchell has already filed for emergency medical conservatorship over his wife and unborn child."
He turned on his heel and swept out of the room, leaving behind a suffocating, terrifying silence.
I looked down at my hands, trembling so hard I could barely hold the blanket. Aaron was using his power, his money, and his corrupt network to systematically trap me again—turning the very system meant to protect patients into his personal prison.
Dr. Reed knelt beside my bed, taking both of my cold hands in hers.
"Listen to me, Anna," Dr. Reed whispered fiercely, her eyes locked onto mine. "They think they can corner us because they control this hospital. But they don't control the State Medical Board, and they don't control the District Attorney. We are getting you and those blood samples out of this building tonight."
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"How?" I sobbed. "Sterling put a lock on the floor!"
"Because," Dr. Reed said, a dark, brilliant smile touching her lips, "Aaron isn't the only doctor with friends in high places."
