Surgical Shadows

3. Tangled Motives

The tension in the air was palpable as Hera, Helen, Michael, and Alfred made their way to Dr. James Harris's office. Known for his strict adherence to traditional methods, Dr. Harris had often clashed with Dr. Nathaniel Smith's more progressive approach. If anyone had a motive, he would be a prime suspect.

As they reached Dr. Harris's door, Hera hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves before knocking. The door swung open, revealing a tall, stern-faced man with graying hair and piercing blue eyes. He regarded the group with a mixture of curiosity and impatience.

"What can I do for you?" Dr. Harris asked, his tone curt.

Helen stepped forward, her voice steady. "Dr. Harris, we need to talk to you about Dr. Smith. We understand you had some disagreements with him."

Dr. Harris's expression hardened. "Disagreements? Yes, we had many. Nathaniel was reckless, always pushing boundaries without considering the consequences. But that doesn't mean I had anything to do with his death."

Michael, ever the analyst, studied Dr. Harris's face for any sign of deceit. "We're not accusing you, Dr. Harris. We just need to understand more about the nature of your disagreements. Did you ever feel his research posed a threat to the hospital or anyone in particular?"

Dr. Harris sighed, rubbing his temples as if the mere thought exhausted him. "Nathaniel was brilliant, but he was also stubborn. He believed in experimental treatments that weren't thoroughly tested. I was concerned about patient safety, yes, but I never wished him harm. Our arguments were purely professional."

Hera, sensing an opportunity, pressed on. "Did Dr. Smith ever mention receiving threats because of his research? We found some emails that hinted at someone trying to intimidate him."

Dr. Harris looked genuinely surprised. "Threats? No, he never mentioned anything like that to me. If he was being threatened, he kept it to himself."

The group exchanged glances. It was clear that while Dr. Harris had his differences with Dr. Smith, he might not be the key to solving this mystery. However, his perspective provided valuable context.

"Thank you for your time, Dr. Harris," Alfred said, sensing the conversation had reached its natural end. "If you think of anything else, please let us know."

As they left Dr. Harris's office, Helen couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. "We're running in circles. We need something concrete, a lead that can point us in the right direction."

Hera nodded, deep in thought. "Let's review what we know. Dr. Smith was working on experimental treatments, received threats, and someone with medical knowledge poisoned him. We need to dig deeper into his research and find out who stood to lose the most from his discoveries."

Their next stop was the hospital's research lab. Dr. Smith's workspace was cluttered with papers, vials, and equipment, a testament to his relentless pursuit of medical breakthroughs. As they sifted through his notes, a pattern began to emerge.

"Look at this," Michael said, pointing to a series of entries in Dr. Smith's journal. "He was onto something big, something that could revolutionize treatment for chronic illnesses. But it also looks like he was close to exposing some unethical practices within the hospital."

Hera's eyes widened. "If he was about to blow the whistle on someone, that could explain the threats and his murder. We need to find out more about these unethical practices."

Alfred, who had been quietly reading through a stack of documents, suddenly looked up. "I think I found something. There's a list of names here, people Dr. Smith was working with. One name stands out—Dr. Elizabeth Turner. She's mentioned multiple times in connection with the experimental treatments and some controversial decisions."

Helen's expression turned grim. "We need to talk to her. She might hold the key to unraveling this whole mystery."

With a new lead in hand, the group set out to find Dr. Elizabeth Turner, unaware of the dangers and revelations that awaited them. The deeper they delved into Dr. Smith's work, the closer they came to uncovering a truth that someone was willing to kill to protect.

~ Tales From The Moon