Chapter 3 - THE EMAIL ADRIAN FORGOT TO DELETE
Mara had not come to the rehab expecting betrayal.
She came with coffee.
The lockdown button was already on her phone because of something else.
Two days earlier, foundation counsel sent her a preservation warning.
A staff accountant had reported unusual consulting payments from the rehab’s operating account.
Four payments.
Total:
$486,000.
Recipient:
Apex Transition Partners.
Mara had never heard of it.
She asked who approved them.
The answer:
Dr. Hale.
Supporting authorization:
Adrian Pierce.
Mara stared at the name.
Adrian served as an outside strategy advisor to the foundation.
He did not have authority to approve clinical expenditures.
When Mara called him, he laughed.
“Probably a coding issue.”
She asked Dr. Hale.
He said:
“I’ll review it.”
Then no one called her back.
That morning, Mara received a forwarded email from the center’s accounting manager.
Adrian to Dr. Hale:
Once Celeste is discharged, the foundation vote becomes easier. Keep Mara away from the patient side until then.
Dr. Hale:
She is board chair.
Adrian:
Not for long if the restructuring passes.
Mara read the message six times.
She did not confront Adrian.
She drove to the rehab.
With coffee.
Because part of her still hoped there was an explanation.
May you like
Then he walked out holding Celeste’s hand.
The explanation became much smaller.
