Chapter Twelve #2
“This is a gross mischaracterization of the situation,” Dr. Phillips sputtered, his professional composure cracking like thin ice.
His colleague nodded vigorously, both men suddenly scrambling to reframe their “compromise” as something other than the naked self-interest it clearly was.
I watched them squirm, my rage giving way to something colder and more focused.
These men in their pressed white coats thought they were better than me.
Than my family. These were the gatekeepers standing between my daughter and her chance at a normal life.
“We have ethical obligations to consider,” Dr. Winters insisted. “The transplant committee reviews each case on its individual merits --”
“Save it,” I growled. “You weren’t planning on the committee reviewing anything fairly. That’s why you came here early to pressure me into this bullshit compromise.”
Lana didn’t say a word. Instead, she calmly pulled out her phone and began typing with deliberate keystrokes, her red-lacquered nails clicking against the screen. The sound filled the room like a countdown timer.
Dr. Phillips leaned forward, sweat beading on his forehead. “What are you doing?”
Lana looked up, her smile cold enough to give frostbite. “Calling a press conference.” Her voice was velvet over steel. “I’m sure the public would be fascinated to learn how this hospital’s transplant director prioritizes the adult son of the chief of staff over an eleven-year-old girl.”
“You can’t do that!” Dr. Winters exploded, half-rising from his chair. “That would be a gross violation of patient confidentiality! You’d be violating HIPAA laws --”
“Would I?” Lana’s fingers paused on her phone.
“I already told you I learned about Dr. Phillips’ son’s condition from his wife.
Not through any privileged medical information.
” She tilted her head slightly. “Social circles, gentlemen. Your son bragged about his supplement regimen to anyone who would listen, Dr. Phillips. Including how his father” -- she pointed at him --”assured him he’d be fine despite the lack of FDA approval. ”
Dr. Phillips swallowed hard enough that I could see his Adam’s apple bob. “That’s… that’s not relevant to the current situation,” he managed, but his voice had lost its authoritative edge.
“Bullshit,” I countered.
Dr. Phillips and Dr. Winters exchanged panicked glances. The weight of what they’d attempted to do seemed to finally settle on their shoulders. Their precious reputations, their careers, their standing in the medical community -- all of it would be destroyed if this story broke.
“This will destroy you too,” Dr. Winters said weakly. “No reputable hospital will work with a lawyer who threatens medical professionals.”
Lana laughed, the sound sharp as broken glass.
“You think I care? I’m a family attorney who represents women and children escaping abusive situations.
I’m very comfortable being the bad guy in the eyes of men who abuse their power.
” She leaned forward. “Are you comfortable having your names and faces on the front page tomorrow morning? Because the first thing I’m going to do is point out how big a conflict of ethics it is for either of you to have any say whatsoever in this.
Especially indirectly through a board who doesn’t know about all the side quests.
Which, by the way, they will, the second any of them set foot in this conference room.
So will Dr. Patel, since it directly affects her patient’s outcome. ”
The silence stretched between us, taut as a wire. I could practically see the calculations running behind Dr. Phillips’ eyes, weighing his son’s needs against his career, his reputation, everything he’d built.
Finally, he broke. “Fine.” The word seemed to physically pain him. “I’ll… clear my objections. The committee will hear the case on its merits alone. As long as you don’t mention my son.”
“That’s not good enough,” Lana replied immediately. “You’re going to do more than that. You’re going to actively support Dr. Patel’s recommendation that the transplant proceed immediately.”
Dr. Phillips’s jaw tightened, but he nodded stiffly.
“And,” Lana continued, “you’re going to recuse yourself from any further decisions regarding Brynn Leahy’s case or anyone else’s, as well as take a leave of absence until your son gets a kidney match due to your obvious conflict of interest. You can afford it.
Do it voluntarily, and you might have a chance to make it without facing organ trafficking charges. ”
“You just said you were a family lawyer,” Dr. Phillips said angrily. “Now you’re the fucking DA?”
“No.” She gave him a carnivorous grin. “But I know the DA. And I happen to know the hospital records all meetings by committees like this one. So, I asked them to start it early. You’ll do what I tell you or this tape happily makes it to the DA.”
“That’s blackmail.”
“That’s making sure there are no impediments to this surgery taking place the second Dr. Patel is ready.
Starting a criminal investigation runs the risk of at least a small delay.
While I’m fully prepared to make good on my threat -- and will if you don’t keep your word -- I’d rather punish you myself and let Brynn get the kidney she needs without delay. ”
Dr. Phillips sighed. “You have my word,” he muttered, defeat evident in every line of his body. “I’ll take a leave of absence effective immediately and until my son gets his transplant.”
“Goes without saying you can’t work anywhere else to do with organ transplant or donation. Yet I feel the need to say it.” Lana gave him an evil smile.
Dr. Winters looked like he wanted to object, but one glance at his colleague’s face silenced him. They both knew when they were beaten.
“We’ll inform Dr. Patel she can proceed with the transplant as scheduled,” Dr. Winters said, gathering the folders with shaking hands. “The committee meeting won’t be necessary.”
I sat frozen, hardly daring to believe what I was hearing. After weeks of testing, days of anxiety, and hours of rage, it had come down to this. Two corrupt doctors folding under the weight of their own schemes.
“You will also mail me a copy of your leave of absence paperwork and get it notarized.” Lana’s tone made it clear they did not want to fuck with her. “I will be keeping my eyes on you, doctors. Good day.”
We stepped into the hallway. The weight that had been crushing my chest since all this started lifted so suddenly, I felt lightheaded. My daughter would get my kidney.
Once the doctors were out of sight, I pulled Lana to me, engulfing her in a fierce embrace. She stiffened for a moment in surprise before returning the embrace with a soft laugh.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice rough with emotion I couldn’t suppress. “You may have just given her a chance at a normal life.”
“You’re the one giving her a kidney,” Lana replied, stepping back with a small smile. “I just cleared the path.”
Movement at the end of the corridor caught my eye. Lavender hurried from the waiting area, her face streaked with tears. She must have read the outcome on our faces because her hand flew to her mouth, a sob escaping her.
“It’s happening?” she asked, her voice breaking. “They’re going to let Knight donate?”
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Lavender broke into a run, closing the distance between us in seconds. She jumped into my arms, and I caught her against my chest, burying my face in her hair as her tears soaked my shirt.
“Dr. Patel texted me right while I was waiting,” she said, her voice slightly muffled.
“She said they called her to schedule the surgery for first thing tomorrow morning. I couldn’t believe it.
I thought --” She pulled back to look at me, her hazel eyes swimming.
“What happened? How did you change their minds?”
“Lana happened,” I said, reaching out to include her in our circle. The three of us stood united in this crucial moment for Brynn’s future. “She knows the Chief of Surgery. Apparently, they tried to redirect my kidney to the Chief Surgeon’s son.”
Lavender’s eyes widened in shock. “His son? But that’s --”
“Criminal,” Lana supplied, her professional demeanor softening. “And now it’s over. Tomorrow, Brynn gets her father’s kidney.”
My eyes burned as I reached for Lavender’s hand, interlacing our fingers. “We’re going to be OK,” I said, the words a promise and a prayer. “All of us.”
For the first time since learning about my daughter’s condition, I fully believed it. Tomorrow would bring pain, risk, and uncertainty, but also hope. A chance for Brynn to live the life she deserved. A chance for us to be a family without the shadow of illness hanging over us.
A chance I’d fight heaven and hell to give her.