CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Dr. Alden Johns was sitting at the emergency room desk talking to the staff and laughing. It had been an extremely slow morning and he was grateful for it. When the doors slid open, he stared at the large shadows walking toward him, the sunlight behind them.
He realized who they were too late. He stood, then grasped there was nowhere to run.
“Hello, Alden,” said Mitch. Yoz walked toward the desk with the hospital administrator.
“Dr. Johns, we need to talk to you about an issue with your license,” said the administrator.
“Seems everyone wants a piece of my ass,” he frowned. “My license is revoked, Yoz. I’m sorry. I just wanted to start over, work again. But I have a feeling, these men are going to come first.”
“Where’s your mother?” asked Brooks.
“I have no idea. She’s been blowing up my phone leaving threatening messages about Marnie and me. She’s that kind of mother.”
“What’s going on here?” asked Yoz. “I trusted you!”
“And I’ve been a good doctor while I’ve been here, Yoz.
I’m sorry. Truly, truly sorry.” Local and federal authorities walked in and Dr. Johns walked casually around the desk, holding out his hands.
“I have to go away, Yoz. I’m sorry I’m leaving you in the lurch.
You’ll find someone great. You’re all amazing. All of you.”
Mitch and Brooks stared at one another, then back at the man who seemed completely remorseful for his actions.
“Why does your mother want Marnie?” asked Mitch.
“She thinks she’s the root of all our issues. Honestly,” he said shrugging, “I did too.”
“But not anymore?” asked Brooks.
“No. My issues were my own. How did you find me?”
“Ariel. We didn’t exactly tell her the whole truth but she did say you changed her life. We made sure she was rewarded for her help. She’ll be okay.”
“Good. She’s a good kid and deserves a break.” Mitch and Brooks were confused. He was calm, thoughtful, and willing to tell all. “In my back pocket is a list of all the drugs I took from the cabinet. Every last one. I was going to pay you back.”
“You stole the drugs?” asked Yoz.
“Yes. I’m sorry. My mother was harassing me for them, for her and her friends.”
“And you,” said Mitch.
“No,” he said shaking his head. “I stopped taking them a few weeks ago. I’m clean. You can test me. This place gave me a second chance and I hope to prove that I was worth it.”
“Has your mother attempted to reach out to you?” He scoffed, nodding.
“A million times. She wanted to know which hospital Marnie was working at. I didn’t tell her but rest assured, my mother is a resourceful woman. Keep her safe. I never meant to be cruel to Marnie. It was my fault, all of it.”
“I’ll tell Marnie you said that,” said Mitch. Brooks touched his ear and gripped his brother’s arm.
“Mitch, we gotta go. Trouble at the hospital.”
“I’m going to guess that will be my mother. I told you, she’s resourceful. Hey, one more thing. Is Lawrence okay? He was a good man, good stepfather of many.”
“He’s fine. He changed his will and locked your mother out. All of them did.” Alden grinned, nodding.
“Good for them.”