“He’d have to come back for that, but these types of things could take years.”
“You don’t think he did anything wrong do you, Mia? Not even by accident.”
I shook my head. “I haven’t seen anything that is blatant, but there’s still more to check into.” I wished I could tell my dad more, like how the IT person found a glitch in the EMR system, or questions about whether Ms. Mason came in too late to be saved. But I couldn’t.
“Do you think Eli has a calling?” I asked, changing the subject.
My father sat back and sighed. “I hope so, honey.”
31
Nick
As it turned out, after one drink, I felt the need to get out of dodge. Even in my own home, Mia haunted me. Seeing her unconscious completely undid me and I couldn’t get it out of my head. The best thing I could do for her was to leave. If I did, she wouldn’t be in danger. She wouldn’t have to risk her job. She wouldn’t be stuck between me and Eli.
I decided to head to my parents in San Diego. It wasn’t a long-term plan, but it would get me away long enough to think straight and make a new plan. Plus, it was close to Mexico if that was where I ended up. I couldn’t imagine any U.S. hospital hiring me while I was being sued for malpractice, but maybe there was a clinic in Mexico that needed doctors enough to look the other way on that.
I headed to my bedroom and started to pack a bag, all the while grappling with whether or not I should call Mia and let her know. I saw on my caller ID that she’d called me. I even listened to the message. But I didn’t call back. There was a part of me that felt like I needed to make a clean break. Like a Band-Aid, I needed to simply rip away from her and start new.
And then there was Jim. I should probably call him, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that either. I was sure he’d try to talk me into staying. Or maybe I was too much of a coward to say goodbye. Either way, it just felt easier, even if it was crueler to leave.
I was checking all the windows and doors to make sure they were locked when there was a knock on the door. I couldn’t imagine who it would be. The head injury Mia had would keep her in the hospital overnight at least.
I opened the door.
“Eli.” At first, I was surprised, and then pissed. I looked behind him. “You bring your pitchfork carrying friends since you failed to get who you really wanted?”
“I’m alone.” His voice was tense, like he didn’t want to be there.
“What do you want?”
“Mia is worried about you. She asked me to check on you.”
I quirked a brow. “Since when do you give a shit?”
His jaw ticked. “Can I come in?”
I wanted to slam the door in his face, but then I’d be the asshole. I opened it and walked into my living room. “What do you want?”
“Do you have a drink or something?”
Was he kidding? “My liquor is behind you.” He could help himself.
He pulled out a bottle of vodka from the cabinet. “You going somewhere?” He nodded toward my packed bag as he poured himself two fingers of the clear liquid.
“Yes.” I sat on the couch and watched him.
He downed the drink and poured another two fingers, then he sat in the recliner across from me. “Are you going to say goodbye to Mia and my father?”
I shook my head. “No.”
His eyes narrowed. “Sort of an asshole way to leave things.”
“I’d think you’d be glad to be rid of me. Why are you here anyway?”
He sipped his drink. “I didn’t send Lyle and his cronies down to the hospital. What happened wasn’t my fault.”
I rolled my eyes. “Nothing is ever your fault, Eli.”