Chapter 4: The Missing Page
We returned to St.
Matthew’s before midnight.
Dr.
Pike was waiting in Ethan’s room with a folder tucked beneath his arm.
“You took an extremely vulnerable patient out without medical clearance,” he said.
“It was an approved trip,” I replied.
“Your social worker arranged it.”
Dr.
Pike looked at Walter.
“And he used it to gain access to Ethan.”
Walter stepped between him and the bed.
“Show us the molecular panel.”
“There was no useful result.”
“That isn’t what Dr.
Shaw said,” Ethan replied.
Dr.
Pike placed the folder on the counter.
“Ethan, rare markers are complicated.
People with no responsibility for your care can promise anything they like.”
Dr.
Shaw appeared on Walter’s tablet through a video call.
“I have responsibility now,” she said.
“Mr.
Carter signed a request for an independent review.”
Dr.
Pike’s jaw tightened.
“You are not licensed at this hospital.”
“I don’t need privileges to read a laboratory report.”
I held out my hand.
“Give us the report.”
He opened the folder and removed six pages.
Dr.
Shaw watched as Walter held each one before the camera.
“Page seven is missing,” she said.
Dr.
Pike closed the folder.
“There is no page seven.”
A nurse standing near the doorway shifted her weight.
Her badge read LENA ORTIZ.
“Doctor,” Lena said softly, “molecular reports always include an interpretation page.”
Dr.
Pike turned.
“Nurse Ortiz, this is a private family discussion.”
Lena lowered her eyes.
“Yes, doctor.”
Ethan pulled his blanket higher.
“Did the test find something?”
“The result was inconclusive,” Dr.
Pike said.
“Chasing another treatment could take away what little comfortable time you have.”
Ethan looked at me.
“Maybe we should stop, Grandpa.”
The words took the strength from my legs.
I grabbed the rail of his bed, but my knees still folded.
“Daniel.” Walter caught my arm before I reached the floor.
I shoved him away.
“Don’t call me that.”
Ethan’s eyes filled.
“I’m tired of watching you sell everything.
I’m tired of seeing you pretend you’re not scared.”
“I am scared,” I said.
“I’m terrified.
But I will not let anyone decide you’re finished while one page is missing.”
Walter placed both hands flat on the bed rail.
“Ethan, I lost fourteen years because pride told me there would always be more time.
Don’t let another man’s pride make that choice for you.”
Dr.
Pike picked up the folder.
“This conversation is over.”
“No,” Ethan said.
“I want Dr.
Shaw to review everything.”
“You are fifteen.
Your guardian makes that decision.”
I stood beside my grandson.
“Then you have your answer.”
Dr.
Pike moved toward the door, but Lena did not step aside.
“Doctor, the archive keeps duplicate reports.”
His face changed.
“Nurse Ortiz, leave this room.”
She reached into her pocket and handed me a small paper slip.
“What is this?” I asked.
“The archive reference number,” she said.
“I printed it when the result came in.”
Dr.
Pike snatched for it, but Walter caught his wrist.
“Don’t touch him,” Dr.
Pike warned.
“Then don’t reach for evidence that belongs to Ethan.”
Lena pointed to the bottom of the slip.
“Look at the authorization line.”
My name had been typed beneath a signature.
I stared at it until the letters blurred.
“That isn’t my signature.”
Lena swallowed.
“I know,” she said.
“I watched Dr.
Pike sign it.”
