THE LAST CALL

Episode2 , continuations

Dr. Victoria Hayes arrived at 8:00 a.m.

By 8:05, Amara was standing outside her office.

"Come in."

Amara entered.

Victoria Hayes was elegant even at the beginning of a long day.

She sat behind her desk reviewing several reports.

"Dr. Adeyemi."

"Doctor."

"I heard about last night's case."

"Jonathan Vale."

Victoria's eyes lifted.

Only briefly.

But Amara noticed.

"Yes."

"He's stable."

"So I've been told."

Amara placed the authorization form on the desk.

"I'd like access to his old records."

Victoria leaned back.

"Why?"

"He is currently under our care."

"His current records are available."

"I'm asking for the records from eight years ago."

Silence.

Victoria looked at her.

"Why?"

"Because Dr. Kane told me my father operated on him."

Something changed in Victoria's expression.

It disappeared almost immediately.

But Amara saw it.

"You should speak to Dr. Kane."

"I did."

"And?"

"He wasn't very helpful."

Victoria gave a small smile.

"That sounds like Elias."

"Can you authorize the file?"

"No."

Amara's jaw tightened.

"Why?"

"Because the records are restricted."

"Why?"

"Confidentiality."

"My father was the surgeon."

"Your father was also deceased."

Amara stared at her.

Victoria's tone softened.

"Dr. Adeyemi, I understand that this case is personal."

"It isn't only personal."

"It is personal enough that you're trying to access an old confidential file."

"I am trying to understand why a patient connected to my father's final case has suddenly appeared in our emergency department."

Victoria stood.

"Your responsibility is to treat the patient."

"And if the past affects the present?"

"Then you let the appropriate people handle it."

"Who are the appropriate people?"

Victoria looked directly at her.

"Not you."

The words landed harder than Amara expected.

She picked up the form.

"Understood."

She turned to leave.

"Dr. Adeyemi."

Amara stopped.

Victoria's voice was quieter now.

"Your father was a talented surgeon."

Amara turned around.

"You knew him?"

"Everyone knew Marcus."

"What happened to him?"

Victoria looked away.

"Some questions don't have useful answers."

"That's not an answer."

"No."

Victoria returned to her desk.

"It's advice."

Amara left.