The blue chemical ink on Form 99 did not just stain the fabric of Dr. Tallow’s yellowed surgical gown.
It bit into the weave like burning lye.
Elena Rostova watched from the doorway of Room 412 as the letters began to smolder.
Bright cobalt embers traced every stroke of Julian’s grease pencil.
The smell of scorched mutton fat and hot zinc billowed through the corridor.
“Penalty interest,” Julian said, his voice level and cold. “Three hundred percent on fraudulent billing under Section Twelve of the Municipal Charter.”
“You charged for an amputation without a living pulse, Doctor,” Julian added.
“Under emergency triage code seven,” Elena stated firmly, “no physician may sever living tissue without documented EEG activity and confirmed arterial flow.”
