Chapter 4: The Payment File

Curtis told my staff I had stolen money meant for patients.

He stood beside Bev's desk and asked everyone to listen before they answered me.

'I'm asking Maureen to return what belongs to the hospital,' he said.

Bev set down the claims folder.

'You're telling the people whose paychecks she signs that she stole from patients?'

Curtis held out his hand toward me.

'The payment records, Maureen.'

My staff had stopped working. A woman by the printer still held her pen.

He treated the firm I built as his to command.

'You can ask for them,' I said. 'You don't get to take them.'

'Must we make a scene out of a straightforward request?'

I opened the payment file he demanded.

My fingers shook against the paper. His accusation hurt more with my employees watching.

I found the pavilion payment and placed the record on the table.

'My company paid the full two hundred thousand dollars,' I said. 'It came from our account.'

Curtis glanced at the entry.

'That doesn't answer what happened to the fellowship funds.'

'It answers what you said I stole.'

Bev came to stand beside me.

The payment record named the hospital and the pavilion account. It showed my company paid.

'No patient money went to that pavilion,' I said.

Curtis pushed the record back toward me.

'You know perfectly well what I meant.'

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