Wednesday, June 23rd, 4:15 p.m., Greenbeck Dermatology

Jake

The last time I sat in this conference room facing Al and Nina Greenbeck, they were about to offer me a job. Now, one year later, they’re getting ready to fire me.

Good luck with that, assholes.

“Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with us,” Nina says as soon as we’ve settled into our seats around the conference room table. Her smile is perfectly calibrated to show both confidence and compassion. I picture her practicing it in the mirror for hours.

“Yes,” Al echoes, looking equally sincere. “We know you’ve been through so much, Jake. It’s really good of you to come.”

“No problem,” I say, forcing a smile.

After a few awkward beats of silence, Nina clears her throat. “How are you and Jess holding up? We’ve been so worried.”

I tell her we’re doing fine under the circumstances.

“Did you get our card and flowers?”

“Yes, thank you. That was a very kind gesture.”

“We rush ordered it from Nanook’s Florals. They’re the best.”

“The arrangement is lovely,” I say, leaning back in my chair.

Al asks if I’ve heard any news about Erin. When I meet his gaze, it’s like staring into a fog bank.

“She’s still in a coma,” I say, trying to sound appropriately grim. “Looks like a persistent vegetative state. Her parents flew in last week. They’re considering withdrawing life support.”

Nina reacts with a gasp and sob, while Al shakes his head and murmurs “Tragic… just tragic.”

"Yes it is." I clench my fists beneath the conference table, steeling myself for a fight. Time to slash through the bullshit. "Now, what did you want to discuss?"

They exchange a loaded look before Nina finally answers. “Well... Al and I wanted to see how you’re coping, of course, but we were also wondering about your future plans." She sniffs and dabs at her eyes, all tears and smeared mascara. "As you can imagine, this whole affair has been quite devastating for all of us.”

“Yes, devastating,” Al echoes. “The whole practice is suffering as a result. The negative press alone could cost us millions.”

“Millions?” I cover my mouth, like this is the worst news I’ve heard all week. “So sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Guess they miss my sarcasm, because Nina takes this as a cue to retrieve a large manila envelope from her bag. She hands it to me with a flourish, like she’s Oprah giving away some extravagant gift.

“Actually, Jake, we’d like to help you. That’s why we’ve decided to offer you a very generous package to help you and your family through this difficult time.”

I hold the envelope unopened as she explains: “As you’ll see, the terms are exceedingly generous. We’re offering you three months of severance pay, plus ten percent of your pending accounts receivable, and of course we’ll furnish excellent references to help you find a new position.”

“Wait a moment…” I drop the envelope, pantomiming shock. “You mean you asked me here to… to fire me?”

Nina lets out a shrill laugh. “No, of course not, Jake! We just… well, surely you didn’t expect to pick up here next week like it was business as usual. Given what’s happened, you must see the benefit of moving on.”

“You mean moving on like Erin did?” I turn to Al, frowning. “Tell me: Did you offer her one of these envelopes too?”

“What did you just say?” he spits out, eyes narrowing into Clint Eastwood-style slits.

I raise my hands in mock surrender. "Hey… don’t shoot me. I was just wondering what you offered Erin to keep her mouth shut. You know, when she caught you red-handed in Jean Clark’s treatment room.”

If Al is surprised by my accusation, then he hides it well. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” he says in a low, menacing voice. “I was out of the office during Mrs. Clark’s tragic accident.”

“That’s your cover story,” I shoot back, “but you could’ve easily slipped into her treatment room undetected. We were conveniently understaffed that morning, so no one would have seen you return.”

“Oh, now you're just embarrassing yourself!” Nina squawks. “Are these paranoid delusions really necessary? We’re all victims here, and if you try to spread any misguided and…” Her voice cracks with outrage. “And frankly malicious rumors, we’ll have no choice but to sue you for slander.”

“I’m sorry, Nina,” I reply calmly, “but a psychotic hit man just tried to murder me and my wife. Do you really think I give a fuck about your threats right now?”

The Queen of Greenbeck Dermatology reacts like she's just been slapped. Her face goes into spasm, red blotches flowering on her cheeks. “How dare you come into our office and swear at us like some trailer park trash!” she shrieks, pointing to the door. “Get out! If you don’t leave this instant, we’ll call the police!”

“Don’t bother,” I say. “Detectives Popov and Mackey are already on their way, and they’ll be bringing the FBI’s computer forensics team with them to look at your network.”

“Impossible,” Al hisses. “Our lawyers --"

“Will drop you like you’re radioactive when they learn about your relationship with Roy Caulder.”

“Mr. Caulder is one of our patients, you idiot!” Nina rants. “Our relationship is protected by patient-doctor privilege!”

“Please, Nina.” I give her my best eat-shit-and-die smile. “Do you really think you’ll be able to hide behind that smokescreen? I mean, Roy Caulder’s your broker. According to Detective Mackey, he’s been managing your finances for the past decade.”

“That proves nothing,” Al says, regaining his composure. "Caulder handles all the big money in Greenwich."

“Really? And what about your multi-million dollar investment in Saber Pharmaceuticals? How are you going to explain that one?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he answers, glowering at me. “Is this how you repay me for giving you the opportunity of a lifetime?”

“Opportunity of a lifetime?” I choke out the words. “Is that some kind of sick joke? Jess and I almost died because of you.”

“We had nothing to do –”

“Spare me the bullshit, Al. We’re way past that phase of the game. Do you want to know what gave you away?”

“Sure.” The arrogant prick actually leans back in his chair and gives me a smile. “Why don’t you enlighten me?”

“It was the science. Think about it: How would a man with no scientific training like Roy Caulder figure out how to turn Replacidin into a murder weapon?”

Al nods, still smiling. “Go on.”

“And then there’s that trick you played with the fake reversal agent. You knew the study protocol would force me to use it. I have to admit, tricking me into injecting those markers of latex anaphylaxis into your victim was a brilliant stroke.”

“Yes.” He glances at Nina, who has gone mute for a change. “Mr. Caulder certainly did his research. I, on the other hand, had nothing to do with it.”

“So how did it start?” I ask, ignoring his denial. “Was it when you realized Pulsar was sitting on a goldmine? Or was it when you figured out they weren’t prepared to share?”

When Al doesn’t answer, I press on, thinking of the recording device in my pocket. Detective Mackey humored me when I asked to be wired for my meeting with the Greenbecks. He's probably right that they won’t confess, but maybe if I stroke Al's ego enough…

“The thing is,” I say, “I understand your outrage, Doctor Greenbeck. Without your research, Pulsar would’ve never gotten FDA clearance to run the Replacidin trial. You used your reputation, spent your professional capital to get them the green light. Those thankless bastards owed you everything.”

Al nods once but says nothing. Shit. He’s too smart to slip up. But what about Nina?

I shift my attention to her. “But they didn’t see it that way, did they? All they gave your husband was a pat on the back and the promise of a few more academic awards to hang on his wall. I bet they wouldn’t even give you any stock options. Probably said it would be a conflict of interest.”

Nina’s lips twitch but Al grabs her arm to silence her.

“That’s a nice theory, Jake,” he says. “But the problem with all theories is that without any proof, they remain just that.”

“And if you try to smear our good name by going public with your wild accusations,” Nina adds in shrill voice. “Our lawyers will shred you! We’ll slap you with a slander lawsuit that will make your head spin!”

I get up and start backing toward the door. “It's not my job to make you pay for what you've done, but believe me: That's going to happen.”

Al shakes his head, still smiling. “Not without any proof.”

“You’re right." I mirror his smirk. “Which must be why the cops spent so much time talking to Erin this morning.”

I wish I had a video to capture the Greenbecks' expressions right now. The confusion, morphing into shock and then pale-faced horror as my words finally sink in.

"But... she's a vegetable," Nina murmurs, still apparently in denial.

Time to hammer the nail home.

“Yeah, I kinda lied about that," I say. "Truth is, Erin's awake and doing great. Greenwich PD and the FBI were both able to interview her this morning. I hear she talked up a storm about you, Al.”

There’s your proof. Checkmate, motherfuckers.

I reach behind me to open the door, keeping my eyes fixed on the Greenbecks until I’m safely out in the hallway.

No way I’m turning my back on these monsters again. Not even for a second.

***

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