Chapter 4: The Pharmacist's Second Move
Ivan went directly to the medical director's office.
Dr.
Patricia Howe was still there, even at that hour — a compact woman in her sixties who had run the hospital for eleven years and did not rattle easily.
"Tell me you haven't approved it," Ivan said.
Patricia looked up from her desk.
"I haven't approved anything.
But his attorney called twenty minutes ago.
They're citing spousal rights to medical information."
"She's conscious and competent.
She has the right to restrict access."
"I know that."
"Then we need a formal restriction order on file before morning rounds.
His name, specifically.
No access to her chart, her room, or her treatment team."
Patricia studied him for a moment.
"Ivan.
How deep does this go?"
"Deep enough that I've already called Rachel Vance at the Sheriff's Department."
Something shifted in Patricia's expression.
"The detective?"
"Yes."
She reached for her phone.
"I'll have legal draw up the restriction order within the hour.
But you should know — his attorney also asked about the personal effects recovered during treatment."
Ivan went very still.
"The patch."
"They want it returned as the patient's property."
"That patch is evidence in an active investigation."
"I told them it was being held for medical review." Patricia's voice was even.
"But they'll push harder in the morning."
"Then Rachel needs to take formal custody of it tonight." Ivan turned toward the door.
"Don't release anything.
Not one piece of paper."
He was back in the hallway when his phone rang.
Unknown number again.
He answered it.
Silence for two seconds.
Then Luca's voice — calm, almost gentle.
"I know you called Rachel, Ivan.
I know what you think happened."
"Then you know I'm not going to stop."
"You're making a mistake." A pause.
"Jessi has been unwell for a long time.
She says things.
Imagines things.
You of all people know how she gets."
Ivan kept his voice flat.
"Is that what you're going with?"
"I'm going with the truth.
She applied that patch herself.
She's done things like this before." Another pause, longer this time.
"You remember what happened in 2008, don't you?"
Ivan's hand tightened on the phone.
"I thought so," Luca said quietly.
"Be careful, Ivan.
You're a doctor with a spotless reputation.
Think about what it would mean if certain things about that year came out.
Old stories.
Old mistakes." His voice softened further.
"I'm not threatening you.
I'm asking you to think clearly."
The line went de@d.
Ivan stood in the corridor for a long moment.
His reflection stared back at him from the dark window at the end of the hall.
2008.
He hadn't thought about 2008 in years.
He put the phone in his pocket and walked back toward Rachel's temporary office.
She needed to know about the call.
May you like
All of it — including the part about 2008.
Because if Luca knew what to look for, he had been preparing this for longer than any of them had realized.
