“She will be in her office on the fifth floor in five minutes.”

“I’ll go to the basement and get the contractor logs,” Daniel said.

“Victoria, you go with Bernadette to the admin office.”

“We meet in the hallway outside Sterling’s office in ten minutes.”

“Are you sure about this?” I asked, looking into Daniel’s grey eyes.

“He could ruin your firm’s reputation too.”

Daniel gave me a small, reassuring smile.

“Some things are more important than a contract, Victoria,” he said.

He turned and headed toward the service stairs, his heavy steps fast and purposeful.

Bernadette reached into her deep pocket and pulled out a heavy brass ring of keys.

“Come, my dear,” she said.

“Let’s go find the truth.”

We walked quickly down the quiet corridor toward the administrative wing.

The fluorescent lights overhead hummed in the quiet night.

The hospital felt different now, no longer a place of healing, but a battleground.

We reached the heavy oak door of the records office.

Bernadette selected a small, silver key and slid it into the lock.

It turned with a soft click.