“Marla,” I called, walking back to the nurses’ station. “Chief Ror’s chart…it’s missing some things.”
Marla barely glanced up. “Probably just misfiled. It happens.”
“A psychological evaluation doesn’t get ‘misfiled.’ That’s a mandatory form. And the trauma screening? It’s standard protocol for anyone with his service record.”
Dr. Concincaid finally looked up. “Parker, don’t start. We’re busy.”
“Someone deliberately removed those files. It’s…it’s concerning.”
He sighed. “Look, the Chief has been…difficult. Maybe someone didn’t want to deal with a lengthy psych report.”
I felt a prickle of unease. This wasn’t about efficiency. This was about control. Back in Room 12, Caleb was watching the hallway, his expression unreadable. He noticed me return, and a single question formed on his hands: “Find anything?” I hesitated, then signed: “Something’s not right.” He nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing. Then, he tapped his prosthetic leg. A small, almost imperceptible gesture. Something I hadn't noticed before.
Chapter 3: The Hidden Compartment
The tap on his prosthetic leg… it kept replaying in my mind. It wasn't a nervous habit. It was deliberate. After a particularly tense shift change, where Marla made several pointed comments about my “special project,” I found an opportunity. Caleb was asleep, or at least, his eyes were closed. I knew it was a breach of trust, but I had to know. I gently lifted the prosthetic, my heart hammering. It wasn't as heavy as I expected. And then I felt it: a slight give in the casing. A hidden compartment.
Inside, nestled in foam padding, was a small USB drive and a sealed envelope. The envelope was addressed to “Agent Miller, Federal Bureau of Investigation.” My breath caught in my throat. What was a Navy SEAL doing with classified information? I quickly concealed the items, my hands trembling. I couldn’t involve anyone here. Not yet. I needed to understand what I’d found.
Later, in the quiet of the break room, I plugged the USB drive into a hospital computer—a risky move, I knew—and accessed the files. They were encrypted, but I managed to bypass the security with a program I’d learned from my tech-savvy brother. The files contained surveillance photos, dates, names… a complex network of individuals involved in what appeared to be a black market operation. The operation centered around the illegal sale of military-grade equipment. And Caleb Ror, it seemed, had been undercover, gathering evidence.
Suddenly, his “difficult” behavior made sense. He wasn’t combative; he was protecting himself, protecting the evidence. And someone here at the VA knew. Someone was trying to silence him. I returned to his room, my mind racing. He was awake, watching me. He signed, “You found it.” I nodded, holding up the USB drive. “Who are they?”
He hesitated, then signed, “People I trusted.” He pointed to the hallway. “They’re watching.” Just then, Dr. Concincaid appeared in the doorway. “Everything alright, Parker?” His voice was too smooth, his smile too wide. He was looking directly at Caleb, not me.
Chapter 4: The Betrayal Unveiled
Dr. Concincaid’s gaze lingered on Caleb for a beat too long. It wasn’t a medical assessment; it was a threat. “Just checking on our…difficult patient,” he said, his eyes finally meeting mine. “Everything seems to be under control?”