Chapter 34
34
Howard’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “Don’t play dumb. You’ve been digging through reports, asking questions, pulling strings. You’re the one who pointed him in my direction. The only one it could have been. Everything was going just fine until you hired on as Caine Alvaro’s favorite piece of ass on the side.”
Would the entire hospital just stop saying that? She’d never even been alone with Caine outside of a professional setting.
“It’s my job to oversee compliance with drug regulations and with Carrington’s,” she said. “If you’ve been following the rules, you don’t have anything to worry about.”
“You think this is about rules? You’re trying to ruin me. You’ve been trying since the day you walked into this position. To destroy everything I’ve built here.”
“That’s not true,” she said, her voice firm. “I’m just doing my job.”
She glanced past him toward the security camera mounted near the corner. It was aimed in their direction, its small red light blinking steadily. The sight calmed her slightly. She wasn’t alone. Someone would see this. She really hoped someone would see this.
“I think we’re done here. You can voice your concerns with the Laughlins yourself. Or with Jordan or Dathan Carrington. Or Dr. Alvaro. I am just acting on their orders.”
“Sure you are. I know you’ve been watching me. Constantly. Watching, and planning to ruin everything. You have been since the moment you stole the assistant COM job from me.”
“I haven’t actually watched you at all. Your name didn’t even come up as problematic with the audits. Like I said, if there is a problem with the investigation by Thor Laughlin, you should discuss it with him directly. I have only met that man twice. Tennison is the one helping with the audits. Again, I have places to be shortly. People are waiting for me now. If you’ll excuse me…”
She shifted slightly, her back brushing against the wall. When had he moved so close? Aubrey pulled in a sharp breath. Slowly, she pulled the phone free and unlocked the screen. She typed quickly.
In hallway outside my office. Come now. I need you. Howard.
Howard’s gaze flicked to her hand. She kept her expression calm, her movements steady. Guthrie was in the hospital. If she sent the message, he’d come. She knew he would.
“What are you doing?” Howard asked. He grabbed her wrist and yanked. Twisted.
So hard she felt something pop .
Aubrey just screamed. Right in his face.