Page 51 of Forgotten Path
“Sharon and I told you we’d handle it with Glazier.”
“I know. And the construction violations are a real estate development issue. But as the sustainability officer, it’s my job to address public health concerns. After I met with you and Sharon, I called Doc and told him that the next time he came to town, I’d like a few minutes of his time.”
“Blast it, Brianna,” Chad growled through his clenched teeth.
She ignored his mounting anger and pushed on. She had to get it all out now. “So I popped into the clinic. He was apologetic about it, but he brushed me off and rushed me out of there.”
“Guess he wasn’t as worried about it as you thought.”
“No, it wasn’t that. Turns out, he was meeting someone to discuss a big donation to the clinic.”
They locked eyes, and Brianna used all her willpower not to look away first.
“Did he tell you who it was?”
She shook her head. “No. But I saw you, Chad. I decided to stop in for a juice before I came to the office. I was on my way up the hill when I saw you crossing the marina. I was surprised to see you there. I watched you knock on the clinic door. I saw Doc let you in.”
Chad’s nostrils flared, and he clenched his hands into fists, then relaxed them. Clench, relax. Clench, relax.
“What does any of this have to do with this Bodhi King person?” he finally asked.
“I told him I saw Doc at the clinic before it opened last Friday morning and that he was alive when I left.”
“Did you tell him you saw me there?”
“No. But you need to.”
“Brianna, you don’t know what you’re getting into the middle of. Stay out of it.”
She tensed at the warning in his voice but went on. “Believe me, Chad, I want no part of whatever you and Sharon are up to. But I’m not going to stand by and—”
“I said, stay out of it,” he ordered. “Don’t talk to him again.”
She stood and smoothed her skirt over her thighs. “Fine. But you should know I told him the files from the paper mill dumping are missing.”
“What?”
“When I left the clinic, I promised Doc I’d get him copies of the paperwork from the investigation into the chemical dumping from the mill. I didn’t get to it right away, but last night, I stopped by the mill to get them from the records room, and they weren’t there.”
“And you told this Dr. King that the records are missing?” he said slowly.
“I did,” she confirmed.
“Get out.”
“Of course. You need to get ready for your call. I just wanted you to know what I know and encourage you to go to Dr. King before he and the investigators get the wrong idea.”
“No, Brianna. Get out. Clear your crap out of your desk, turn in your badge to HR, and get out of my building,” he thundered.
She shook her head as if she might unhear what he’d just said. “You’re firing me? Chad, let’s talk about—”
He pointed toward the door. “Out. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your damned mouth shut.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
Felicia surveyed her bathroom counter to confirm she’d packed all the toiletries she’d need for a short trip. She spotted the dental floss on the corner of the counter and tossed it into her case. Then she turned out the light and closed the bathroom door.
She shoved the cosmetics bag into her carry-on bag, zipped it closed, and headed out of her bedroom. She took the stairs two at a time. The cab was already waiting out by the curb.
