Chapter 16 - The Order to Erase
“Call the clinic director,” Nora said. “Not Graham. Not your father. The director.”
Madison dialed while they stood under the patio lights. The director, Dr. Priya Nair, sounded confused.
“We haven't requested any archive removal. We were told your company ordered an equipment assessment.”
“Please don't release anything,” Madison said. “Our lawyer is coming.”
Dr. Nair paused. “A truck arrived ten minutes ago.”
Nora's stomach dropped. “Are patients still inside?”
“Yes. Evening appointments.”
“Tell your staff what's happening. Let them handle patient safety. We'll contact the investigators.”
Patrice reached the police fraud investigator assigned to the foundation records, then obtained an emergency preservation letter for the clinic. Deirdre arranged for copies to be secured by independent technicians with the director's permission.
By the time Nora and Madison reached Emberwood, two workers were wheeling locked archive cabinets toward an unmarked truck. Tomas stood beside the entrance with Dr. Nair.
“You're not authorized to take those,” Dr. Nair said firmly. “Put them back.”
One worker showed her a signed work order bearing Madison's name.
“It's not my signature,” Madison said.
The man frowned. “Our dispatcher said this was urgent.”
“Then call your dispatcher,” Dr. Nair replied. “The building isn't yours.”
The workers returned the cabinets and waited for instructions. No one threatened them; they'd been sent with paperwork that looked legitimate.
Inside a cabinet, the independent technician found a box of paper invoices and a small backup drive. The clinic's staff documented its condition before it went into evidence storage.
Nora recognized June's handwriting on the side of the box: Do not discard. Patient safety reports.
Her mother had been right to insist the records be kept.
May you like
Then the clinic director handed Nora a second envelope recovered from the bottom drawer.
It was addressed to Nora Hayes, if she ever comes looking.
