Chapter 10 - THE DIAGNOSIS THAT ENDED EVERYTHINGDr. Sloan spread the old records across Dante’s conference table.
“This is messy.”
Dante hated the word.
“Explain.”
“Multiple diagnoses. Inconsistent documentation. Missing follow-up.”
“Missing?”
“Yes.”
She showed him.
Six months after the accident, a neurologist in Boston recommended reassessment for a treatable nerve-inflammatory condition.
No follow-up record.
Dante stared.
“I never saw this.”
“Apparently not.”
“Was it sent?”
“Yes.”
“To whom?”
“Your office.”
Dante’s expression changed.
His office did not manage medical correspondence.
Victor did.
Dr. Sloan continued.
“Another specialist requested repeat imaging.”
“Done?”
“No record.”
“A third recommended intensive neuro-rehab.”
“Done?”
“Not that I can find.”
Dante’s face hardened.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
He looked toward Rosalie.
She sat across the room reading.
Not listening.
Or pretending not to.
“How much did this cost her?”
Dr. Sloan answered carefully.
“We cannot assume missed care caused her disability.”
“I’m not asking legally.”
“I still can’t tell you.”
Dante leaned back.
“But?”
“But someone should have followed these recommendations.”
There.
Enough.
Dante called Victor.
“Come now.”
Victor arrived forty minutes later.
Gray suit.
Confident smile.
“What’s happening?”
Dante handed him the Boston report.
Victor’s smile faded.
“Where’d you get this?”
“Why didn’t I?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Try.”
“It was years ago.”
“Two.”
Victor exhaled.
“Dante, Rosalie saw dozens of doctors.”
“Did you cancel this follow-up?”
“I may have.”
“Why?”
“Because Kerwin said it was unnecessary.”
Dante looked toward Dr. Sloan.
“Did Kerwin document that?”
She shook her head.
Victor became defensive.
“You’re digging for somebody to blame.”
Dante stood.
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“I’m digging because my daughter stood.”
Victor looked away.
Only for a fraction.
Dante noticed.
“What are you afraid of?”
Victor laughed.
“Nothing.”
Dante watched him.
Then knew.
Not the whole truth.
But enough.
May you like
Victor Salerno was afraid of old paperwork.
And powerful men did not fear paperwork unless paper could talk.
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