Chapter 3

“Could you tell us again what the situation was when the patient arrived?”

“Yes. I was on night duty at the time. The patient arrived at around three in the morning. Less than ten minutes after entering the trauma bay, the surgery began right away.”

“What was the patient’s condition?”

The detective began writing swiftly in a small notebook.

“She was unconscious and the bleeding was severe. Her blood pressure was dropping very rapidly.”

“What about the people who accompanied her?”

“That… I’m not sure. From what I saw, the only people who came into the trauma bay looked like bodyguards. They didn’t feel like family or guardians.”

The detective’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“So the patient was unconscious the entire time and could not say anything about the assailant.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know anything about Mr. Jonathan Harrington. Have you met him in the hospital or spoken with him. What is your relationship with him.”

Suji shook her head frantically.

“I do not know anything about that.”

The detective continued questioning her relentlessly for a while. But all Suji knew was the patient’s medical condition. Most of the things the detectives wanted answers to were things she could not possibly know.

“Everything you said today will be recorded. Thank you for your cooperation.”

“Not at all. I hope the culprit is caught soon.”

Suji bowed her head to the detectives.

It was after her rounds, while she was resting in the lounge, that her fellow interns burst through the door all at once.

“Suji, do you know the hospital is chaotic right now.”

“What happened.”

“The news blew up. About the VIP gunshot patient.”

“What. There is already a news article.”

“Already. What do you mean already.”

“Oh… there was a gunshot patient brought into the trauma bay at dawn today. A VIP patient.”

“For real. Then why didn’t you say anything. You should have told me right away.”

Fimm leaned in toward Suji as if she’d found the perfect piece of gossip.

“It is not something good, so I cannot go around telling people.”

But still… is it fine that it became news.

Professor Crowell’s face came to mind. He’d emphasized secrecy so intensely. Could it be that the conversation she had with the detectives had been directly leaked to the press. But the detectives already knew more than Suji expected.

A strange uneasiness made her mouth feel dry.

“What is the story. Was it a random shooting. Or revenge. Why would someone suddenly get shot and brought in.”

“I do not know that much.”

“How can you not know.”

“Because nobody told me anything.”

Fimm and Liam exchanged puzzled looks. At that moment, Suji’s pager vibrated. It was a message from Professor Crowell.

“Guys, I think I need to go see Professor Crowell.”

“Go. See you later.”

Suji headed straight to Professor Crowell’s office.

* * *

Knock knock.

Standing outside his office, Suji knocked and waited nervously. Soon, Professor Crowell’s voice told her to come in.

Inside the office, he wasn’t alone.

Jonathan Harrington.

He was sitting there too. His clean, expensive suit gave off a heavy, intimidating air.

“Sit down.”

Professor Crowell’s expression wasn’t normal. Anyone could tell he was extremely displeased.

“Hello.”

Suji greeted Jonathan and Professor Crowell, but neither of them returned the greeting. A tense silence filled the room. Feeling the tight atmosphere, Suji quietly took her seat.

Professor Crowell placed his electronic tablet on the table almost as if he threw it.

“Did you tell the police everything from beginning to end.”

“What.”

“You didn’t read the news.”

“I have not read it yet. I heard there was an article though.”

Professor Crowell clicked his tongue and Jonathan’s face twisted openly in irritation.

“Did you forget what I told you this morning already.”

His voice was so loud that it echoed. Suji instinctively shrank her shoulders.

“I just… You said you already contacted the police, and I thought answering their questions about the patient was my responsibility as a medical professional. Did I do something wrong.”

“Of course you did. What did I say. I told you this patient is not like ordinary patients. It wasn’t even days ago. It was this morning when I sat you down right here and explained it to you. You said you understood.”

“But the police asked me…”

“Enough. Still!”

Professor Crowell’s voice boomed again.

“Do you know how much trouble Mr. Harrington is in because of you. Look at these articles. They’re reporting that he’s the patient’s guardian.”

“…”

Suji felt lost.

Did I say that. I do not think I did. The detectives already knew a lot more than she had told them.

While she was trying to recall what had happened, Professor Crowell began firing accusations again.

“Mr. Harrington does not want even the smallest rumor spreading. Yet people who know nothing are now making wild assumptions about a law firm employee being shot at dawn. Do you think this is pleasant for anyone. Look at this news.”

“…”

“He trusted our hospital and came here quietly, and within a day you leaked his secret. You will be disciplined. Keep that in mind.”

“But professor. I didn’t file the police report and I didn’t tell them…”

“Do not try to escape responsibility with such cheap lies.”

“I really didn’t…”

Suji stopped speaking. A knock interrupted her, and then the office door opened.

“It is me.”

Lucas stepped in. All three turned toward him in surprise.

“It was me. I’m the one who reported it to the police. I’m the one who gave information. I’m the one who handed over the shell casing.”

“What.”

Jonathan’s face contorted instantly. Suji could tell his composure had cracked.

“A gunshot victim was brought to the hospital. Reporting it is the obvious thing to do.”

“Lucas, no… Dr. Harrington.”

Jonathan forced a strained smile as he tried to swallow his anger.

“If I came here without an ambulance, can you not see why. I wanted this matter to go nowhere.”

“Well. That is your standpoint. Mine is different.”

“Lucas.”

Jonathan could not hold back his anger any longer. It burst out.

“I know you always loved doing the opposite of what I said, but angering me this much will do you no good.”

“Was that a threat.”

Lucas asked calmly, unfazed.

“I do not care where you go or what you do, Father, but do not force illegal things on me. And not on my junior either.”

“Lucas.”

Jonathan shot up from his seat. The sharp tension between the two men made Suji’s heart shrink inside her chest.

“They need to catch the culprit. Someone ended up like that. You’re a man of law and justice. Why act like this.”

“…”

Jonathan glared at Lucas, still seething.

“Come with me, Dr. Park.”

“What.”

“Come.”

Lucas gestured toward Suji. Reading the situation, Suji bowed to the two older men and moved to Lucas’s side.

* * *

Once they left the office, Lucas let out a long breath. He’d tried to stay composed, but seeing Suji trembling in fear twisted something inside his chest.

Why were her shoulders curled up like that.

Why was her voice shaking that badly.

Why did she look seconds away from crying.

“Follow me, Dr. Park.”

“Yes, doctor.”

Suji obediently followed him.

Lucas led her into the emergency stairwell. The two of them stood facing each other. Lucas looked down at Suji, still breathing unevenly, unable to calm her surprise.