Pushing through the bushes, Theo glanced back, keeping close to tree trunks to stay hidden. The crack of branches under his pursuers’ feet grew louder. The highway, where he could hitch a ride, was three hundred yards away—across open ground. The voices closed in. His heart pounded, his mouth went dry, sweat poured down his face.
He forgot his own troubles, focused only on saving the woman. A little farther, and they’d catch him. He’d have to fight or… Suddenly, a car veered off the highway and stopped on the shoulder. Loud music blared from it. Moments later, a group of young people appeared, clearly looking for a campsite. “They’ll set up by the river,” Theo thought. It spooked the pursuers—they retreated to their SUV.
Theo regretted not noting the SUV’s license plate, but he’d had no time—he was saving a life. Seeing the pursuers retreat, he trudged with his last strength toward the car with the loud music. Spotting a tall man in glasses carrying an unconscious woman, the group grew nervous. “Hey, man, what’s going on? Need help?”
Theo caught his breath. “Yeah, guys, I really do. Can you give us a lift to my place? It’s nearby. I’ll pay, I swear.” “No need for that, man. Hop in, we’ll clear some gear. We’re here for a fishing trip,” the driver said briskly.
Theo exhaled with relief. Ten minutes later, they were cruising down the highway to his house in Bangor. He didn’t want to take the stranger to a hospital—as a doctor, he saw no serious injuries. She was likely drunk or sedated. At home, he planned to set up an IV to clear her system. He had experience: his late mother, Margaret Bennett, had been ill for years, living with him as his patient. She passed two years ago, leaving him an orphan.
Thankfully, his wife, Eleanor, was no longer home—she’d left for her new businessman boyfriend. Theo didn’t envy him. Commerce and entrepreneurship were alien to him; his passion was medicine and languages. Sometimes he blended them, translating medical texts, including from Latin, essential in his field. His translations weren’t groundbreaking, but they honed his skills.
Struggling to open the door, Theo carried the woman inside and laid her on the couch. He turned on the light, washed his hands, and prepared an IV. By now, the stranger was stirring but still disoriented. “Easy, lie still. I’ll set this up, you’ll feel better,” he said, expertly inserting the IV.
Besides a blood-cleansing solution, he added a sedative to help her sleep—it wouldn’t hurt in her state. There was no alcohol smell, so Theo figured it was likely poisoning. Sitting in an armchair, he watched the solution drip into her vein. Unconsciously, he slipped into anxious memories of the day.
The morning started as usual, without major shocks. Patients came for appointments; Theo examined, advised, and wrote prescriptions. Some were regulars, especially in spring and fall when weather affected health. Today, Barbara Peterson visited—his high school language teacher who sparked his love for translations. “Morning, Theo. Sorry, this cough’s killing me—spring weakens me,” she said from the doorway. “I only asked for you at the desk. No other doctor for me.”
Theo smiled. “You shouldn’t say that, Barbara. If I’m not here, see anyone—don’t delay. We’ve got good doctors. The patient’s health comes first, the rest doesn’t matter.” She fussed and pulled out a worn book in a foreign language. “You still remember?” he asked, genuinely delighted. Barbara’s eyes glistened with tears.
“Take it, I don’t need it anymore. Kids and grandkids don’t care for translators—fancy gadgets do it as well as people. My job’s becoming obsolete,” she sighed. Theo waved it off. “Nonsense! No machine replaces a person, especially a teacher like you. Your lessons still warm my heart.”
They chatted a bit, and Theo began the exam. Barbara’s condition wasn’t serious but needed care—ignore it today, complications hit tomorrow. Over time, she’d become almost a mother to him. They lived far apart, but their meetings were warm, filled with talk of the past and his early translation attempts. “You were my best student, Theo. Such talent—translated complex texts on the fly,” she said, wiping a tear.
Theo wrote a prescription, nodding in thanks. As always, the meds were affordable—he knew budget alternatives and didn’t burden patients with costs. “Thanks, Theo, you’re a lifesaver. I felt awful yesterday, thought about calling an ambulance but held out till morning,” she said, promising to bring more books.
The day went on, but the nurse kept disappearing, leaving Theo to fetch lab results and do her work. Arthur Powell sent no replacement—clearly retaliating, showing who was boss. “Play along, I’ll promote you; resist, you’ll rot in this backwater,” his actions seemed to say. But for Theo, that approach was unacceptable.
By noon, the patient flow stopped. Theo glanced into the empty hall: “Guess that’s it for today.” Before he could review charts, Arthur Powell burst in without knocking, flanked by two cops. Theo’s heart sank. “Something wrong, Theodore? Show us your desk. That book on the shelf,” Arthur smirked.
Confused, Theo grabbed Barbara’s gift. “Open it yourself, let everyone see,” Arthur demanded. With shaking hands, Theo opened the book—large bills were tucked inside. “Well, doctor, a bribe?” a cop asked, staring at him. “What are you implying? It’s a gift! How was I supposed to know what’s inside?” Theo protested.
Arthur shook his head. “Don’t dodge, Theo. We’ve been watching you. I put a camera in your office—saw everything, how the old lady handed you the book. Clever way to hide cash.” “What scheme? What are you talking about?” Theo snapped. But Arthur was triumphant. Now the town hospital’s GP was a suspect in a bribery case, money hidden in an old book.
Theo could swear Barbara didn’t put money there—where would a retiree get such sums? “You set this up, Arthur? Be honest!” he flared. “Don’t shift blame, Theo. Get ready for court,” Arthur shot back. The cops added, “We’re not arresting you yet, but don’t leave town and show up when called.”
Theo paled. His life flashed before him: school, college, residency—and now this, accused of a bribe he didn’t take. An hour later, Arthur announced his firing, backdated. “You’re done, no discussion. Cameras were my idea. We’ll root out violations and replace staff,” he declared. Theo shook his head. “Replace away, but count me out.”
“I’ll find the truth, and I took no bribe,” Theo threw out, but Arthur just smirked. “Doesn’t matter if you did or not. Money’s with you—you’re guilty. The camera clearly caught her passing the book. Get a lawyer and prepare for court. I don’t want you sent to a labor camp—you’re a good doctor, but don’t mess up.”