Chapter 12 - THE LAST CONVERSATION WITH DOMINIC
Dominic requested to speak with me.
My attorney said I had no obligation.
I went anyway.
Federal counsel present.
Recorded.
Dominic looked nothing like a cinematic traitor.
Tired.
Expensive suit.
Dry hands.
Controlled voice.
“You think I ruined your life.”
“You paid people to destroy my credibility.”
“I paid consultants to protect an investment.”
“By destroying my credibility.”
He exhaled.
“You were one scientist.”
“There were patients.”
“There are always adverse events.”
That sentence told me more than remorse would have.
“You knew about Sofia.”
His face changed.
“I knew her case was being reviewed.”
“You knew Rafael didn’t.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he would have reacted emotionally.”
The same language used against me.
Emotional.
Fixated.
Unable to see the larger picture.
“What was the larger picture?”
“Thousands of jobs. Investors. Retirement funds. A company that made useful drugs.”
“And dead patients become what?”
“Uncertain causation.”
He said it like a spreadsheet label.
Then:
“I did not put poison in Rafael’s glass.”
I watched him.
Maybe he was telling the truth.
Major crimes often involve layers.
Did he personally introduce it?
Did someone act for him?
That question belonged to evidence.
Not instinct.
Then Dominic leaned forward.
“You know Rafael is using you.”
“Yes.”
That surprised him.
“He’ll throw you away when you stop being useful.”
“Possibly.”
“And you still help him?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“I’m helping the people whose records were buried.”
For the first time, Dominic had no framework for me.
Not Rafael’s ally.
Not Caldera-Kline’s enemy.
Not disgraced scientist.
May you like
Not dishwasher.
Just a witness refusing the role assigned to her.
