Kent access to the patient.
The financial review has also begun.”
Cora turned her head toward me.
“What financial review?” she whispered.
I took her hand.
“The one he signed permission for six years ago.”
Outside, Marcus began issuing orders to someone in the hallway.
“Override the lock.
Remove that nurse.
Call legal.
I want this entire wing cleared.”
No one answered him.
His authority had always depended on instant obedience.
The moment people hesitated, he sounded smaller.
A man from hospital security spoke next, his voice careful.
“Dr.
Kent, your access has been suspended.
I need you to step away from the door.”
“I am the hospital director.”
“Not under the current directive.”
Marcus struck the wall.
Cora flinched so violently that the fetal monitor shifted.
The nurse steadied it and looked at her.
“Has he struck walls near you before?”
Cora stared at the ceiling.
“Yes.”
“Has he struck you during the pregnancy?”
Her lips trembled.
“Yes.”
The nurse documented the answer.
Marcus heard the keys tapping through the door.
“Cora, stop talking.”
That command was captured by the hallway camera, the security officer’s body microphone, and the nurse’s contemporaneous report.
He had just ordered a patient to stop describing injuries he was accused of causing.
The evidence-preservation clause was less than five minutes old, and he was already feeding it.
My attorney’s voice came through the phone again.
“We need the patient’s decision regarding police involvement and protective services.
It must be hers.”
I looked at Cora.
She was still crying, but something had changed in her face.
The fear had not left.
It had simply made room for anger.
“I want the police,” she said.
Marcus heard that too.
The hallway erupted.
He accused the nurse of manipulating her.
He accused me of bribing the board.
He threatened to fire the security officer.
When none of that opened the door, he switched tactics.
“Cora,” he said gently, “think about the baby.
You are emotional.
Your mother is confusing you.”
Cora’s fingers tightened around mine.
He continued.
“You know I would never hurt our child.”
She turned toward the door.
