I havent had a chance to get those papers notarized. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He would get to it today, one way or the other. He would make it a priority.

No. You havent. But thats not what this is about. This isnt a personal call.

Morgan sat up a little straighter in bed, the sheet puddling at his waist. Okay.

Morgan, were you using your privileges here at Georgetown to look through multiple patients charts? Patients that werent yours?

Oh. Thats what this was about. The snooping through Lexas cases looking for a connection with Michelle. Georgetown University granted Morgan permission to admit and treat patients. Thats what his privileges were. It didnt give him carte blanche to maraud through files. Hed known that when hed done it. Hed been convinced that it was the key to finding Lexas killer and stopping whatever twisted spree he was on. Instead, it hadnt gotten them anywhere. It certainly hadnt helped Brianna. How had he gotten busted so fast? How do you know that?

Thats hardly relevant, Morgan.

She was right. He sighed. All right. What is relevant?

Whats relevant is that not only did you access patients private information without their consent, you then shared that information with the FBI. Its a huge breach of trust, Morgan. You know that. If people think were going to be turning their personal information over to law enforcement without officials so much as even getting a warrant or a subpoena, they wont seek health care. Were talking here about our most vulnerable, too. She was building up a head of steam. She wasnt wrong, though.

Youre right. Im sorry. I . . . I just wanted to figure out what happened to Lexa and to Michelle. Really, my main goal was to protect others. Its possible Briannas death is linked as well. Who knows when this person is going to stop? How many more he might kill if we dont find him and stop him? She needed to understand that while his methods might have been questionable, his motives were not.

There was silence on the other end. Hed taken the wind out of her sails with an argument he knew shed have trouble countering. Preventing someone from coming to harm? That was one hundred percent Ashleys goal in life. The young woman on the news last night? She was one of ours?

Morgan rubbed his forehead. Probably shouldnt have let that particular cat out of the bag. Yes, but its not public knowledge yet. They have to notify the family.

Whats going on here, Morgan? Do you think someone is targeting people on the Georgetown University Hospital staff? A note of fear had crept into her voice.

I do. He hadnt wanted to frighten her. That hadnt been his intention. Maybe a little fear was a good thing, though. Maybe shed be a little more careful and maybe shed understand a little bit better why he had so seriously violated protocol.