Chapter Twenty Her

Chapter Twenty Her

Present Day

Elias groaned and shifted in his chair. Even took a minute to stare out the window, deliberately prolonging his response.

“I heard you went to Richmond’s medical office this morning.”

So that was it. The gossip had found its way back to him. “People in this town are very chatty. Funny how they all chat to

you.”

“Thomas contacted me because he was trying to figure out what obligation he had to share information with you.”

Squirrelly bastard. “Are you his attorney, too?”

“No.”

“Then I hope you told him to open the verbal vault and answer my questions.”

“Since it’s possible you’ll need to deal with the collateral damage, I’ll answer questions, if I can.” Elias brushed a piece

of lint, or something visible only to him, off his navy dress pants. “What do you want to know?”

Every last thing. “What were Peter and Richmond fighting about?”

“Peter blames Richmond for the death of his son, Ben. He died during a complex surgery. A radical neuroblastoma excision.”

I regretted starting with that question. “One of those words sounds like cancer.”

“Yes. The procedure was made more difficult due to Ben’s age and the tumor’s location in his abdomen.” Elias stopped and took

in a long breath, as if he dreaded the rest of what he intended to say. “There were complications. Ben lost a lot of blood

and then went into cardiac arrest. He was six when he died.”

My conversation with Peter outside the café hinted at a horror but hearing it spelled out in detail was so much worse. Traumatic,

shitty, and unfair. “Now I understand why Ben’s father is a mess. He’s claiming this is a case of medical malpractice?”

Elias winced. “Yes and no. There were several accusations, some of which were unexpected.”

More legal vomit. “You used a lot of words to avoid saying anything interesting.”

“Mr. Cullen insists Richmond wasn’t the one who actually performed the surgery.”

“What? I don’t get it.”

“Peter received an anonymous tip that Richmond had someone step in for him during surgery. Allegedly, that person didn’t have

the necessary oversight and surgical skills, which caused Ben’s death.” Elias started to take out his cell when it buzzed

but then stopped. Even he must have realized prioritizing anything else above this conversation was a bad idea. “This source

claimed to work at the hospital and contends Richmond frequently relied on other people to perform his surgeries for him.”

The allegation didn’t make sense. “I know there are teaching hospitals. Is that what we’re talking about?”

“No. Richmond and everyone in the room insist Richmond was the one in control during the entire eight-hour operation and that he did everything possible to save Ben.”

Richmond insists was a bad start to any defense. “Were these other professionals in the room employed by Richmond or the hospital?”

“They were handpicked by Richmond.” Elias quickly pivoted, not leaving room for questions. “Mr. Cullen is convinced Richmond

had a drinking problem or some other issue that drove him out of surgery and that the hospital and members of the surgical

team are conspiring to cover it up.”

“I didn’t see any signs of drug or alcohol use.” I supported any question anyone had about Richmond without much convincing

or any evidence. But this? “Richmond wasn’t a total dumbass. Why would he take the risk of handing off the surgery?”

“He wouldn’t. He shouldn’t need to with his expertise.”

Hmmm. Too quick. Too practiced. Too sure. “What aren’t you saying?”

“Mr. Cullen obtained a lawyer and was threatening to sue Richmond before his death. The hospital is involved.”

Not a surprise. But, no, there was something else. Some nugget of ugly information Elias was dancing around to avoid spitting

it out. If I couldn’t get it from him, I’d find someone else. “What’s the name of the person who supposedly performed the

surgery? Was it Thomas? That guy seems like a problem.”

“August Christopher. He’s a doctor who frequently assisted Richmond during complex surgeries.”

An unusual jumpiness radiated off Elias. It made me nervous. “What does August say about all of this? Where is he?”

“He separated from the hospital and the medical practice and left town right after Richmond died. There’s been an issue with finding him.”

Bingo. “You mean he’s gone.”

“He’s been difficult to locate.”

Elias sure did like to have the last word. He’d learn I did, too. “Let’s skip the verbal gymnastics. You’re saying a person

who could have ruined Richmond’s reputation is missing.”

“What are you implying?”

That Richmond might have killed again.