Chapter 19
The Doctor’s Debt
By morning, Julian’s hospital grant had been suspended.
The board cited a conflict of interest. His access to the restricted archive was revoked. His surgical schedule disappeared from the staff system.
“They’re punishing you for the child,” Mara said.
Julian was standing in the locker room, still wearing his scrubs.
“They’re punishing me because I disobeyed Iris.”
“You saved her.”
“I don’t know what I saved her from.”
Adrian entered the room.
Julian turned.
“Did you do this?”
“No.”
“You own part of the hospital.”
“Not the board.”
“You could restore my schedule.”
“I could. You would owe me.”
Julian’s mouth hardened.
Mara stepped between them.
“Not here.”
Julian looked at her.
“You brought him.”
“He brought the legal protection.”
“You mean he brought the money.”
Adrian’s gaze turned cold.
“Your grant was financed through a foundation controlled by Victor Mercer.”
Julian stared at him.
“What?”
Daniel placed a document on the bench.
The foundation had funded Julian’s trauma research for three years. It had also received transfers from Northbridge.
Julian looked at Mara.
“I never knew.”
“I know.”
Adrian said, “That is why they chose you. You would look clean while they moved dirty money.”
Julian folded the document.
“I’m not taking help from you.”
“Then take the evidence.”
Adrian left it on the bench.
Before leaving, he looked at Mara.
“He is not the only person whose life Victor can reach.”
After he left, Julian asked, “Are you safe with him?”
Mara thought of the contract in the penthouse.
“No.”
“Then leave.”
“I’m trying to make sure you can survive if I do.”
Julian looked down at the document.
His phone rang.
The hospital director told him he was suspended indefinitely.