AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re new, aren’t you, dear?”
In a short time, I witnessed what Callie’s life with her mother was like, and this was with the amazing treatment provided to her. I didn’t blame her at all for wanting to hold onto this. Regaining even the smallest connection with her mother must have been exhilarating.
“Yes, I’m new,” I smiled warmly. “I just wanted to check in with you.”
“Oh, you are a kind boy,” Sarah smiled. “A very kind boy.”
I engaged in a little small talk before removing myself from the chair. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it far before a nurse made a beeline for me across the room and stopped me a few feet from the exit.
“Who are you?” she hissed, catching my elbow. “What do you think you are doing, talking to patients?”
Part of me understood that she was simply doing her job, but it made me see red. The things I had learned that Callie had been keeping from me only stoked the fire to find her and make sure she was alright. Whatever the actual result of this mess was, we would help her fix it.
“Don’t touch me,” I snapped, keeping my voice low. “Why I am here and what I am doing is no business of yours, but maybe you can help me with something. It is a disgrace how long it took me to get in here to see my mother.”
“Your mother?” She lifted her brow. “Who?”
“Sarah Everheart.” A small lie. “My sister is supposed to be taking care of things and instead, I am flooded with calls and texts constantly about bills and updates I did not ask for. This was all supposed to be sorted.”
The nurse's eyes widened. “I’m so sorry?—”
“Callie is supposed to be taking care of everything, but I have to be here because you run such a shoddy business!”
“Sir, I am sorry. Your sister, Callie, was here earlier today and she was somewhat distraught about the financial situation but I told her that what she was asking for was impossible?”
“And what was that? You can tell her, but all I get in nuisance calls? I thought we had agreed that everything would go through me and yet here I am hearing that Callie is in charge.”
“Well sir, it is her name on the account, and her husband never mentioned anyone else. I didn’t even know she had a brother.”
“That sounds like a fault in your record keeping,” I snapped. “What was she here talking about? You better not have undone what I worked hard to set up.” The nonsense lie flowed quickly, catching the nurse off guard. Lucky for me, she didn’t overthink and carried on speaking.
“She wanted to see if we would waive the cancelation fee. She only switched your mother here a few months ago, but as I told her, such a change is terribly disruptive for patients, and we cannot be liable for any changes in Sarah’s health due to another move. I’d already explained all of this to her husband as well.”
“Her husband?”
“Yes, Eli.” The nurse narrowed her eyes slightly. “Do you all not talk? I think this would be better hashed out in a family meeting than here in the rec room.”
Ah. Eli. That conniving little rat had forced his way onto her records as a husband. I was so stupid for not seeing that before. With my suspicions confirmed, I forced a smile.
“Thank you for the information. You really should keep a better eye on who has access to patients, though.” With a tip of my head, I strode through the room and back under the archway.
Liam and Kane were still busy at the desk but upon catching my eye, they said their goodbyes and we headed outside together.
“Well?” Kane asked, falling into step beside me as we headed back to the car. “Was she here?”
“Did her mother say anything?” Liam asked.
“I know how it looks,” I began, glancing between them both. “Callie is an honest woman and right now it looks like she is the one who leaked the info. With Eli being so wrapped up in her life, I don’t think she did it willingly.”
“How did we miss this?” Liam asked, his frown deepening. “I thought she trusted us. I thought she could talk to us.”
“Callie is very secretive,” Kane pointed out. “She slept with all of us without telling each other. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing but she does keep secrets.”
Reaching the car, Kane opened the door for us and we slipped inside. I slumped back against the opposite door, running things over in my mind.
“Eli is the key,” I decided. “I just don’t know how, exactly. We have hints and ideas, but we won’t know for sure unless we find Callie. He manipulated her, but at the same time, her mother is in an excellent facility. I can see why she would want to keep that.”
“You don’t think they were really friends, do you?” Liam asked. “She knows better than that. I mean, look what he did to Bianca.”
