�It�s really important that I talk to her now,� Diane urged.

�I can�t do it. It�s my job, lady.�

Andy huffed and rolled his eyes at the little barracuda. �You tell her to stay put at one-thirty. We�ll be here. And that time, even if she�s knee deep in someone�s guts, we won�t take no for an answer. Nice fish tank," Andy nodded at the tank behind Angie's head. Angie scowled at the little bald man as the detectives left the office.

Dr. Pachla finished washing her hands and checked her watch for the third time in the last five minutes. Twelve twenty-five. She wasn�t willing to help Dr. Muzqu�z blow a gasket over a triviality like punctuality while he was so angry over this mysterious NYPD thing. Drying her hands on a paper towel, she made her way down the hallway to Dr. Muzqu�z�s office. She stepped on the foot pedal to lift the lid on a trashcan that was just outside his office, and she tossed in her towel. She stopped in her tracks for a second, hoping that wasn�t to be a metaphor for what faced her inside.

Dr. Pachla knocked on the door, and she could hear Dr. Muzqu�z shout, �Come.�

Of all the people...Who does he think he�s kidding? Dr. Pachla shook her head, sighed, and turned the door handle.

�Dr. Pachla, please have a seat. We�re going to review your cases for the last few weeks.�

�Well, we should have lunch brought in, because I have patients again at two.�

Dr. Muzqu�z growled again, but he picked up the phone and commanded Angie to bring them lunch. They reviewed cases for half an hour while they ate. Not one of them had anything to do with the NYPD. Dr. Pachla noticed Dr. Muzqu�z looked at the door several times.

�Dr. Muzqu�z, we don�t seem to have touched upon the NYPD at all today. Is one of these cases suing or something? Do we have a malpractice issue?�

�It�s about Russell. There�s a problem with the Russell case,� Dr. Muzqu�z squinted at Dr. Pachla, watching her closely for any sign of panic.

�Well, what about her?�

�You�ve accused this clinic of manipulating her chart,� Dr. Muzqu�z spoke softly through his gritted teeth, his eyes challenging her to defy him.