Chapter 2 - The Missing Hour.
The next morning arrived without sunlight.
Rain pressed against the hospital windows, turning the city outside into a blurred gray wall.
Cal had not left the chair beside Mara's bed.
At six seventeen, Nina Reyes walked into the room carrying a slim leather folder and two cups of coffee.
She was in her early forties, sharp-eyed, composed, and dressed like someone who knew the value of being underestimated.
She handed Cal a cup without greeting him.
"You were right."
Mara stirred under the blanket.
Cal stood.
"How bad?"
Nina placed the folder on the rolling table.
"Bad enough that I came in person."
She opened it.
The first page showed three names.
Dylan Rourke.
Trent Bell.
Mason Pike.
Underneath them were photographs from charity events, university boards, private clubs, and business openings.
Their smiles appeared in every frame.
"They've known each other since college," Nina said.
"Their families also do business together."
Cal turned a page.
"And last night?"
Nina tapped a printed timeline.
"Mara entered the emergency department at 11:42 p.m."
"Security logs show her arrival."
"Then there is a missing hour."
Mara opened her eyes.
"What hour?"
Nina looked at her carefully.
"From 11:51 to 12:48, the camera feed covering the ambulance entrance is unavailable."
Mara's breathing changed.
"That's when they brought me in."
Cal leaned closer.
"They?"
Mara stared at the ceiling.
"I woke up in the back of a black SUV."
"Dylan was in the front seat."
"Someone else was driving."
"I never saw his face."
Nina turned another page.
"The hospital's incident desk has no statement from you."
Mara's mouth went dry.
"I gave one."
"To whom?"
"A man with a red hospital badge."
Cal looked toward the door.
"Doctor?"
"No."
Mara frowned, struggling to remember.
"He said he was risk management."
Nina pulled out her phone.
"There are four risk managers assigned to this hospital."
She showed Mara their photographs.
Mara studied each face.
Then she shook her head.
"None of them."
Cal felt the room shrink around him.
Nina lowered the phone.
"Then someone interviewed her under a false title."
A soft knock interrupted them.
Hospital administrator Warren Hale entered with a smile that never reached his eyes.
"Ms. Ellis, I'm glad to see you awake."
Cal stepped between him and the bed.
"Can we help you?"
Hale adjusted his tie.
"I need a private word with the patient."
Nina closed the folder.
"She has representation present."
Hale looked at her.
"And you are?"
"Someone who reads records before people rewrite them."
The administrator's expression changed for less than a second.
Cal caught it.
Hale folded his hands.
"There appears to be some confusion about last night."
Mara's voice was weak but clear.
"There is no confusion."
Hale took a step closer.
"The young men in the hallway have stated they do not know you."
Mara stared at him.
"They're lying."
"That is a serious accusation."
Cal's voice remained calm.
"So is deleting an hour of security footage."
Hale froze.
Nina said nothing.
She did not need to.
The administrator slowly looked from Cal to the folder.
Then he straightened his jacket.
"You should be careful with assumptions."
Cal met his eyes.
"You should be careful with missing records."
Hale left without another word.
The door clicked shut.
Nina waited three seconds before speaking.
"He knew about the footage."
Cal nodded.
Mara gripped the blanket.
"There's something else."
Both of them looked at her.
"Before I passed out in the SUV, Dylan said one name."
Cal leaned closer.
"Whose name?"
May you like
Mara's face went pale.
"Your brother's."
