Chapter 17 - THE DOCTOR WHO KNEW MY NAME|
I wanted to believe the connection was a coincidence.
Hospitals employed hundreds of consultants. Doctors moved between clinics. A name on a receipt did not prove anything.
But Evelyn was careful.
She called the hospital's legal department and asked whether Dr. Martin Ellis had access to my medical records.
The answer came back that afternoon.
He did.
Not because he was my doctor, but because he had requested access under a general consultation authorization.
I felt my blood run cold.
“Who authorized it?”
The hospital refused to disclose the information without a formal investigation.
Evelyn filed one immediately.
Alexander called me that evening.
I answered.
“I need you to listen carefully,” he said.
“What happened?”
“I found out Douglas has been using a medical consultant to monitor certain people connected to the trust.”
“Dr. Ellis?”
A pause.
“Yes.”
My hand tightened around the phone.
“Did you know he had access to my records?”
“No. I swear.”
“You keep swearing, Alexander.”
“I know. But this time, I have proof. Douglas requested the access through a company account. He wanted to know whether you had discovered the ledger.”
I looked at Evelyn.
She was already writing notes.
“Why would he care about my pregnancy?”
“I don't know.”
“Maybe he wants to know whether I can be pressured.”
Alexander's voice dropped.
“Claire, I want you to leave the clinic and see a doctor who has no connection to that hospital.”
“I have a doctor I trust.”
“Then let me arrange protection.”
“No. Evelyn and I will handle it.”
He was silent.
Then he said, “All right.”
That simple agreement surprised me.
The next day, Dr. Miller called me personally.
She apologized for the unauthorized access and assured me that my medical care would remain with her. She had also requested that my records be restricted to the clinical team.
I thanked her.
Two days later, I went in for a routine appointment.
Everything was normal until the receptionist told me that Dr. Miller had been called into an emergency meeting.
A substitute physician would see me.
I asked for the name.
“Dr. Ellis.”
I stood immediately.
“No.”
The receptionist looked confused.
“I'm sorry?”
“I will not be examined by him.”
I turned to leave.
A man in a dark suit appeared near the elevator.
“Mrs. Bennett?”
I stopped.
He held out a hospital identification card.
“I'm with the security office. We need to speak with you.”
Evelyn stepped in front of me.
“Show me your identification.”
The man hesitated.
That was enough.
Evelyn called the police.
The man moved toward the stairs, but a security guard blocked his path.
When officers questioned him, they discovered that his identification was false.
He had been carrying a printed copy of my appointment schedule.
I sat in the hospital lobby, shaking.
Alexander arrived twenty minutes later.
He didn't touch me.
He crouched in front of my chair.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Did he get near you?”
“No.”
He nodded, visibly fighting his anger.
“I should have told you sooner about Douglas.”
“Yes.”
“I thought I could handle him quietly.”
“You thought you could decide what I needed to know.”
He looked down.
“Yes.”
I took a breath.
“Alexander, I don't need a man who promises to protect me after someone gets through the door. I need a life where I don't have to be afraid of who knows my name.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
For the first time, I believed he might.
Then the detective called.
May you like
They had arrested Dr. Ellis.
And he had confessed that Douglas Keane had ordered him to alter my mother's medical records.
