CHAPTER 8
The heavy glass doors of St. Jude Memorial Hospital swarmed with local news reporters and television crews within an hour of the federal agents' arrival.
Sensational headlines flashed across news networks: "ST. JUDE CHIEF SURGEON INVESTIGATED FOR FEDERAL BRIBES AND CRITICAL MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE."
Kirsten sat inside Kenneth Boyd’s high-rise law office on Pennsylvania Avenue, watching the chaos unfold on a large flat-screen television mounted on the wall.
Kenneth threw a stack of printed server logs onto the coffee table between them, his face pulled tight with deep concern.
"Richard signed a full confession regarding the trust fund theft three weeks ago, Kirsten," Kenneth said, pacing across the room. "He was supposed to be sitting in a federal holding cell awaiting his sentencing next month."
"He didn't act alone, Kenneth," Kirsten said softly, her mind connecting the scattered pieces of the puzzle with terrifying precision. "Richard didn't have the technical expertise to hack St. Jude’s medical mainframes at two in the morning while sitting in a holding cell."
Kenneth stopped pacing, looking at her with sudden realization. "He has an accomplice inside the hospital administration."
"Not just an administrator," Kirsten corrected, standing up and walking toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Washington Monument. "Someone with master encryption keys to the pediatric unit... someone who stood to gain everything if my promotion to Chief was revoked today."
Her phone buzzed on the glass table, displaying an unknown, restricted phone number.
May you like
Kirsten picked up the device, pressing it to her ear without saying a word.
"Did you really think it would be that easy, Kirsten?" a smooth, familiar voice sneered through the receiver, dripping with arrogant satisfaction. "Did you really believe you could strip away my freedom, my reputation, and my fortune without paying the ultimate price?"
