Both men looked alarmed.
Richard saw Maya.
Then Victoria.
Then the papers on the floor.
He stopped.
Dr. Price did too.
Victoria smiled in relief.
“Finally.”
She turned her phone toward Richard.
“I need to speak to whoever is in charge.”
Richard barely looked at her.
His eyes remained on Maya.
“Ms. Brooks.”
The corridor changed.
Not visibly at first.
Then everywhere.
The receptionist straightened.
The technician near the wall turned.
Dr. Price closed his eyes for half a second as though he already knew this was going to become a very long day.
Victoria’s phone lowered slightly.
Richard approached.
“The board has been waiting for the company’s founder.”
Silence.
Victoria stared at him.
Then at Maya.
Then at the navy scrubs.
Then back at Richard.
Maya bent down.
Picked up the first page from Oliver’s file.
Richard immediately crouched to help.
Maya stopped him.
“No.”
He froze.
She looked toward the receptionist.
“What is her name?”
Richard followed her gaze.
“Jordan.”
Maya looked at Jordan.
“How long have you been here?”
Jordan swallowed.
“Two years.”
“Are VIP clients routinely allowed to override triage?”
Jordan’s face went pale.
Richard said:
“Maya—”
She held up one hand.
Not looking at him.
Jordan glanced at Richard.
Maya noticed.
“Don't look at him.”
Jordan looked back at her.
“I'm asking you.”
Jordan swallowed again.
“Sometimes.”
“Who tells you?”
“Management.”
“Which management?”
No answer.
Maya waited.
Dr. Price finally said:
“Usually operations.”
Maya looked at him.
“Usually?”
He exhaled.
“There’s an informal protocol.”
“Informal protocols are interesting.”
Richard stepped closer.
“We can discuss this upstairs.”
Maya looked at Victoria.
“No.”
“We're discussing it here.”
Victoria had gone completely still.
Oliver shifted again.
Then coughed.
Not a small cough.
A harsh, dry series.
Maya’s attention changed instantly.
“Put him down.”
Victoria blinked.
“What?”
“Oliver.”