Belmont Springs

Monday, 6:45 PM

Ethan

Ethan pulled into the visitor’s parking lot at Belmont, already doubting his decision. What was the point of coming here, and in the evening no less? He’d stopped by his apartment to pick up his ID, which made him even later. Unless Sophie was on call tonight, she’d be home already.

I should’ve called ahead.

But what would he have said? Sophie and Doctor Grieves still blamed him for Callie’s signing out against medical advice. He blamed himself too, but for a different reason.

It all came down to that almost-kiss. He’d panicked, and not just because of the video camera in Callie’s room. He’d been shocked by how much he wanted to kiss her. How every nerve in his body screamed for it. Even now, when he remembered the way she’d closed her eyes and parted her lips, his heart raced and his skin flushed.

You did the right thing. She’s your patient. You had to back off.

But then why did everything feel so wrong? Why did it feel like he’d lost his only chance at happiness?

To hell with the consequences. I should have told her how I feel.

With every passing second, he grew surer of that fact. If he’d been honest, Callie would have stayed. She would have given him a chance to defend himself instead of leaving without warning.

Why didn’t I just tell her that I love her?

Because that was the truth. Whenever he closed his eyes, he pictured her face. Every trill of laughter made him think of her smile. When he saw something beautiful, or amusing, or surprising, he couldn’t wait to share it with her. She’d brought wonder back into his life – the kind of magic he thought he’d lost forever when Abbie died.

He couldn’t survive that loss again. This time, he had to save her.

He massaged his aching knee, cursing himself for wasting time with his thoughts. Callie was in danger. That’s all that mattered. She could be anywhere. He couldn’t afford to squander another second.

Belmont would probably be a dead end, but he had to check that box before moving on.

He forced himself into a jog, gritting his teeth through the pain.

*

As he’d feared, Sophie was signed out for the night and unreachable. On a whim, he checked Doctor Grieves’ office. Attending physicians never stayed late, so he was surprised to see a crack of light under the psychiatrist’s door.

When he knocked, he heard shuffling inside. Moments later, the door opened.

“Mister Chase.” Grieves greeted him without a hint of surprise, as if the visit had been expected. “Please come in.”

They crossed the room to the same alcove where they’d met the week before. It blew Ethan’s mind how much had changed since then. Grieves even looked different: older and wearier, with silver stubble and white threading his hair. His intense expression hadn’t changed though. Those dark brown eyes still peered right into his soul.

“Chuck Vermeer warned me not to speak to you,” he said after they’d both settled into their chairs. “But he isn’t here now, is he?”

“No. I suppose not.” Ethan glanced around the room, as if the lawyer might be hiding behind the curtains or under the desk. “I realize you’re going out on a limb just by talking to me, sir. Thanks.”

Grieves waved dismissively. “Vermeer is the least of my concerns. I’m at a point in my life where I don’t trouble myself with the opinions of bureaucrats.” He laced his fingers together and dropped his hands to his waist. “Sophie told me about the conversation you had earlier today. She mentioned your theory about our EMR being hacked.”

“That’s right. It’s the only possibility that makes sense. I had nothing to do with the leak, but I’m not here to talk about that.” He took a deep, pained breath. Fuck, his knee was killing him.  “I need your help.”

Grieves leaned closer. “What’s this about, Mister Chase?”

“It’s about Callie. She’s missing, and I don’t know what to do.”

Ten minutes later, Ethan waited for Grieves to say something. Anything.

He’d just recapped all the details he’d learned from Maya, including what she’d told him about Callie’s fight with Elin. If the psychiatrist was surprised by the news of Callie’s disappearance, he showed no outward sign.

“Well?” Ethan finally blurted out. “Do you have any advice?”

Grieves cleared his throat. “I assume you’ve notified the Providence police department.”

“Yes. And her roommate Maya reported what happened to Psychiatric Services at Brown. She texted me to say they’re searching the campus right now.”

“That’s a start.” Grieves paused. “But I’m afraid I don’t see what else we can do.”

“That’s not good enough.”

“I know, but Miss Perrin isn’t a minor. Even if the police locate her, they won’t be able to detain her. This is a tragic situation that could have been avoided.”

Ethan flushed at the implied accusation. “I didn’t leak Callie’s personal information if that’s what you’re getting at. And I don’t think you or Doctor Choi did either. We’re the only ones who knew the details printed by that gossip site. Even her nurses didn’t have access to her full chart, right?”

Instead of answering, Grieves went into silent shrink mode again. Seconds dragged by like nails across a chalkboard.

“So you think I’m lying?”

Grieves steepled his hands under his chin. “Actually, I’m inclined to believe you, but that’s immaterial now. We are where we are. I’m as distressed by Miss Perrin’s predicament as you are.”

“And yet you’re going to do nothing.”

“I’ll do whatever I can,” Grieves answered, “starting with calling her mother. I don’t imagine that will be a pleasant conversation, but if her daughter is missing, she deserves to know.”

“What about tracking Callie through her cell phone?”

“We’ll explore that possibility with her mother and law enforcement, but that will probably take days.” He furrowed his brow. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of time.”

Ethan twisted in his seat. “What should I do?”

“Go home, Mister Chase. You’ve done everything you can, and this next week will be a challenging one.”

“You’re referring to my disciplinary hearing?”

“That’s right. Vermeer and Mitchell plan to pin all the blame on you. They’ve asked Dean Fischer and the Review Board to suspend you pending a full investigation.” He pointed to the ID tag hanging from a lanyard around Ethan’s neck. “I suspect they’ll be contacting you to return that badge.”

Ethan clutched his ID. “They can’t do that.”

“They already have.”

“Then I’ll fight them.”

“And I hope you prevail.” Grieves’ deep voice resonated with regret. “You were wise to retain an attorney. I’ll testify in your defense if it comes to that.” He looked past Ethan to a stack of cardboard boxes by the wall. “Even if it’s from across the pond.”

Ethan followed his gaze, eyes widening. The bookshelf was already empty. “Wait a minute. You’re leaving?”

Grieves nodded. “It’s time. What happened with Miss Perrin only reinforces the decision I’d already made. Life is short. I’d like to spend what remains of mine with my family.”

“Are you saying you’re retiring because of me?”

“It’s a bit more complicated than that.” Grieves cracked his knuckles, which reminded Ethan of weathered mahogany. “I’ve built my career on questioning conventional wisdom. I may not look the part, but I’ve always fancied myself a rebel. Most of the risks I’ve taken have paid off, but what happened between you and Miss Perrin…” His shoulders heaved. “That’s one gamble I wish I could take back.”

He rose from his chair, the stiff motion betraying his age. “In my resignation letter, I’ve spelled out the role I played in this unfortunate affair. I’ve taken full responsibility for my poor judgment. I should have never placed you in this position, Doctor Chase. Knowing your history, it was inexcusable. For that, I am truly sorry.”

Ethan stood and followed him to the door. “But what about Callie?”

“We’ll contact her mother to offer our help, but beyond that…” He shook his head. “I don’t see what else we can do.”

“I can't accept that.”

“I understand how you feel. This isn’t the outcome any of us wanted. But sometimes, we fail despite our best efforts and intentions.” The Oracle of Belmont’s head bowed from the weight of his words. “Miss Perrin’s fate is in her own hands now.”

Five minutes later, Ethan limped back to his car. He reached into the glove compartment for Larry’s stash of ibuprofens, knowing they wouldn’t touch this kind of pain.

He could ask Dad for a cortisone shot, but that would take time. Time he didn’t have.

He checked his watch. Shit. Almost eight o’clock. He only had half an hour to get to the Mayflower Gallery on Newbury Street.

Earlier on, he’d called to inquire about Callie’s artwork. Thanks to his recent spending spree at the SoHo Gallery, he had the credentials to set up a private viewing.

If Callie had come to Boston, she might have dropped by the gallery to visit the owner. He was grasping at straws, but he’d run out of ideas.

Besides, Newbury was only a few blocks away from a neighborhood where he could find something to shut down the chainsaw that was chewing up his knee. He didn’t need much.

Just a few pills to get him through the next few days.

***

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