Chapter 4 - The Morning the Mafia Boss Bought the Hospital|
At 8:15 the following morning, Marcus Vale was smiling.
He stood in the executive conference room at St. Augustine Medical Center wearing an expensive gray suit.
Beside him sat Brittany Collins.
She looked delighted.
Across the table were the hospital's chief financial officer, legal counsel, and three members of the governing board.
Marcus adjusted his tie.
"Once we finalize the new leadership structure, Brittany can begin overseeing the emergency department's public-facing initiatives."
Brittany smiled.
"I'm excited to help modernize the department."
The chief financial officer cleared his throat.
"Before we discuss appointments, there's been a development."
Marcus frowned.
"What development?"
The board chair looked toward the door.
"A change in ownership."
Silence.
Marcus laughed.
"I'm sorry?"
"The hospital's parent company finalized an emergency sale agreement overnight."
Marcus stared.
"With whom?"
The board chair hesitated.
Then the conference-room doors opened.
Rocco entered first.
Behind him came a tall attorney carrying a black leather briefcase.
And behind them, moving carefully with one arm supported in a sling, walked Adrian DeLuca.
Marcus went pale.
"Mr. DeLuca."
Adrian looked around the room.
His expression was cold.
"Good morning."
Nobody spoke.
Adrian took a seat at the head of the table.
The attorney placed several documents before him.
"My name is Daniel Reeves," the man said. "I represent DeLuca Holdings."
Marcus swallowed.
"What is this?"
Daniel opened the folder.
"As of seven o'clock this morning, DeLuca Holdings has acquired a controlling interest in the company that owns St. Augustine Medical Center."
Brittany's smile disappeared.
Marcus stared.
"That isn't possible."
Adrian looked at him.
"Apparently it is."
The board chair shifted uncomfortably.
"The transaction was approved under the applicable corporate procedures."
Marcus's voice rose.
"You can't simply buy a hospital overnight!"
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"I didn't buy it overnight. My company has been negotiating with its creditors for months. Last night's events accelerated the closing."
The room went silent.
Marcus stared.
"Why?"
Adrian folded his hands.
"Because I discovered serious problems."
Daniel placed a report on the table.
"Medication inventory discrepancies. Questionable vendor contracts. Unexplained financial transfers. And complaints suggesting possible discrimination and retaliation against staff."
Marcus's face drained of color.
Brittany looked toward the door.
Adrian noticed.
"Something wrong, Miss Collins?"
She swallowed.
"No."
"Good."
He turned toward Marcus.
"I understand you terminated a charge nurse yesterday."
Marcus straightened.
"Yes. A difficult personnel matter."
"Her name?"
Marcus hesitated.
"Clara Bennett."
Adrian nodded.
"The nurse who helped keep me alive until emergency services arrived."
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
"Yes, but—"
"And you fired her because of her appearance?"
Marcus's face reddened.
"That's not accurate."
Adrian opened another folder.
Inside was a typed account of the termination meeting.
Marcus stared.
"Where did you get that?"
Adrian's expression hardened.
"Did you tell her she took up too much space in a trauma bay?"
Silence.
The board chair slowly turned toward Marcus.
"Did you?"
Marcus swallowed.
"That comment has been taken out of context."
Adrian leaned forward.
"What context makes that appropriate?"
Nobody answered.
Then Adrian continued.
"Did you threaten her nursing license using allegations that had not been independently established?"
Marcus's hands began trembling.
"We were following policy."
Daniel spoke.
"An independent investigation will determine whether that is true."
Brittany suddenly stood.
"I think this meeting is becoming inappropriate."
Adrian looked at her.
"Sit down, Miss Collins."
She froze.
He continued.
"You may wish to have independent legal counsel before making statements about the inventory records."
Her face went white.
Marcus turned sharply.
"Brittany?"
She wouldn't meet his eyes.
Adrian looked at the board chair.
"Effective immediately, I want qualified independent investigators reviewing the medication records and employment decisions. Any potential misconduct should be reported through appropriate channels."
The board chair nodded.
"And Marcus?"
Adrian looked at the man who had humiliated Clara.
"Mr. Vale should be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, consistent with the hospital's policies."
Marcus stood abruptly.
"You can't do this!"
Adrian regarded him calmly.
"An independent process will determine what happens next."
Then he added:
"One more thing."
Marcus stopped.
Adrian's voice became cold.
"You told Clara Bennett she didn't represent the image this hospital wanted."
Marcus said nothing.
Adrian looked toward the windows.
"I think this hospital needs to decide whether its image matters more than the people it exists to serve."
Across the city, Clara sat at her tiny kitchen table wearing an old sweatshirt.
Her sister Emily had brought coffee and groceries.
A stack of unpaid bills lay beside Clara's laptop.
She was reviewing the employment documents Marcus had given her.
Emily watched her.
"You're going to fight this, right?"
Clara nodded.
"I have to."
"You didn't steal anything."
"I know."
"Then don't let him destroy your career."
Clara closed her eyes.
She had spent six years building that career.
Six years of overnight shifts.
Missed holidays.
Double shifts.
Patients who needed someone to hold their hands.
Families who needed someone to explain what was happening.
She wasn't going to let Marcus erase all of that.
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered cautiously.
"Hello?"
"Miss Bennett?"
"Yes?"
"My name is Daniel Reeves. I'm calling on behalf of the new ownership of St. Augustine Medical Center."
Clara froze.
"New ownership?"
"Yes."
She frowned.
"What happened?"
"The hospital has changed controlling ownership."
Clara sat upright.
"To whom?"
A pause.
"Adrian DeLuca."
Clara stared at Emily.
Emily raised her eyebrows.
"What?" she mouthed.
Clara shook her head.
Daniel continued.
"Mr. DeLuca asked that I contact you about your termination."
Clara's heart raced.
"What about it?"
"We'd like to arrange a meeting concerning the circumstances surrounding your dismissal and the allegations against you."
Clara swallowed.
"Am I being offered my job back?"
Daniel hesitated.
"The investigation is ongoing. But your employment status and professional record are being reviewed."
Clara looked at the bills on her table.
Then she asked the question she'd been afraid to ask.
"Why is Adrian doing this?"
Daniel paused.
Then answered:
"Because he believes you saved his life."
May you like
Clara stared.
"And because he believes someone at the hospital tried to make sure he never left it alive."
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