Priceless

Chapter 29: the dark background

Chapter 29: the dark background

The hospital was dead today.

I expected it to be since it was a Sunday. No one was at the clinic either. I walked into the hospital and only saw a couple people in the waiting area and the receptionist at the front desk. I almost couldn't remember where I had left my research. I was in such a hurry that I blanked out completely.

I passed by the front desk, giving the receptionist a slight nod to let her know I was coming in. I hadn't been here much since Liv was released from the hospital.

I made it to the fourth floor and sped down the hallway, eager to get back to the clinic. I wanted to prove to Dr. Altman that it could be a possibility, as rare as it was.

As I opened the door to the locker room, a figure caught my eye. But I ignored it, until I actually saw who it was. He turned and did a double take, before rolling his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Decker turned back to the locker he was currently shoving his bag into.

"Don't even start." I advanced toward him and grabbed him by the back of the shirt slamming him against the lockers.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I almost growled and he seemed unamused, almost bored. I was done with his bullshit.

"I only did what you and your girlfriend couldn't. Told the truth." I scoffed and was about to shoot back, but he kept going.

"It doesn't matter anyways. Lexi isn't talking to me so you won I guess."

"You guess? You realize Liv could've lost her best friend because of you?" I was getting heated. I could feel my hands clenching to my sides. I almost forgot I still had Decker slammed against the lockers.

Suddenly the doors opened, and closed, and in walked Dr. Altmen, recognizable by his defined gray hair.

"What the hell is going on in here?" He looked from me to Decker, "O'Brian don't tell me I have to break up another fight with you."

I took one more look at Decker before pushing off of him. Dr. Altmen seemed to brush off the fact that I almost beat the living shit out of him.

"Have you guys seen Helm? He was supposed to come in today, but he never did. And god damn that kid is never late for anything."

We both shook our heads and I took the time to open my locker and grab my notebook filled with all the research I had been working on the past couple months.

Dr. Altmen turned to me. "What are you doing here Will? You weren't even scheduled to come in today."

"I'm just getting my research to take back to the clinic." I held up my notebook.

He furrowed his eyebrows.

"The clinic? Why would you go there?"

"Didn't your brother tell you? He offered me a job there."

Dr. Altmen scoffed. "You've made a big mistake Will. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

"What are you talking about? Didn't he tell you?"

He almost laughed. "We don't really talk. For many reasons."

I was getting frustrated at this point. I had no idea why they were on the outs for each other, but it wasn't getting me anywhere.

"What is it with you two? What did he do that was so bad you can't even trust him anymore?"

Dr. Altmen opened and closed his mouth, as if he was shocked. I sure as hell wasn't going to hold back my questions any longer.

"How would you know anything about that?"

"I heard you two talking when I was delivering Olivia's test results. Why do you hate him so much? What did he do!"

"He's a murderer!!" He ripped his stethoscope from his neck and smashed it to the ground.

I flinched. My eyes stayed on the stethoscope, and I already noticed a dent in it. I was speechless. The last thing that I expected was for him to say that kind of shit.

Dr. Altmen's eyes softened and he sat down on the bench behind him, his head in his hands. I was reluctant to do what I did next, but I slowly walked over and sat next to him.

"Rus.. what happened?"

He peeled his face away from his hands, tears forming in his eyes. The wrinkles around them tightened as he opened his eyes further.

"We were partners. Great partners. We had a dream to start the hospital together. And we did. But at first, it wasn't going so well."

I couldn't even imagine this hospital not doing well. It was busy almost every day.

He continued. "Hal was never the one who liked to lose or fail. So he did something about it. I remember the day clearly when there were so many people that came in. And I can't believe I wasn't suspicious about it."

"My daughter. Rose. She was interning at the time. All she wanted was to be a doctor like me. And I sure as hell would make sure she would. But she was suspicious about how Rus was running things. And she got in too deep."

I was almost on the edge of my seat.

"One day, she called me. She was supposed to be on her way home from her night shift. I remember she was so tired. So exhausted. I expected her to call and let me know where she was going or what happened with patients that day. But it was far from that. Rose was in so much panic. She was hyperventilating. I knew she was driving and that made me more worried than I already was. And I didn't expect her to tell me everything she did."

"Rus was forging illnesses and diseases from patients." He finally blurted and I felt my stomach drop. Everything I thought about this man. My boss. Was completely wrong. Forging illnesses could mean big jail time, especially if you're making money from them.

"She knew. Too much. She told me if she disappeared, it was all Rus. And not to trust him. Next thing I know.." he was basically sobbing now, and I tried to keep myself together.

He took a deep sigh. "Next thing I know, I have to identify her body after a collision. And he wasn't charged for any of it. Not fucking any. They ruled it as an accident. From lack of sleep." He scoffed and wiped his face.

I didn't know what to think in this moment. I looked up and Decker was almost gaping, leaning against the lockers. But suddenly it hit me and I wanted to beat myself up.

I left Olivia with him. Alone.

"Oh my god!" I stood up fast quickly grabbing my research.

"What. What?" Rus watched me move frantically and I turned to him.

"I left her alone. Fuck what have I done!" I ran a hand through my hair.

His eyes grew big. "What the hell are you doing here then?! Go! Get out of here!"

I started to run for the doors until Decker stopped me.

"Wait. I'm coming with you."

"I don't have time for this Conrad!" I glared at him but his eyes softened. God what am I getting myself into? After a few long moments I sighed and motioned for him to follow me.

We ran out of the hospital, and my heart was pounding so hard. The only thing I could think about was to get back to Liv.

Because I would not let him take her away from me.

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A/N: guys we're getting close to the end and I just wanna say thank you for reading. This book has come so far since I first started, and I didn't ever think that it would get as many reads as it has now. Thank you for everything