2025-09-29 00:13:04
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Chapter Four Hundred And Fifty
The restaurant was called Situatie, which Lukas had always found grimly appropriate — a Dutch word for circumstance, for the particular shape of things as they stood, and as he was shown through the main dining room toward the private corridor at the back, he thought it was exactly the right name for a place where men like Volkov conducted their business. The maître d' moved ahead of him without speaking, as though he had done this before, as though Lukas was expected in exactly the way one expects a utility bill or a weather front, something arriving on schedule that no one is particularly pleased about but no one can avoid either.The private room was smaller than he had imagined, which somehow made it worse. A round table, four men already seated, candles in low glass holders throwing warm light across faces that were carefully arranged into expressions of welcome. Volkov rose first, extending his hand across the white linen with the easy grace of a man who had never once in his li
Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Nine
Lukas sat in his apartment that evening with the flash drive on his desk, staring at it like it was a live explosive. Which, in a sense, it was.He hadn't reviewed the contents beyond the initial text file. Opening those documents, examining that evidence, would transform him from someone who possessed information to someone who knew specific details. It would make him more valuable as a witness, but also more dangerous as a potential threat to Volkov's network.Simply having this information in his possession created enormous legal and personal risk that he wasn't equipped to manage. If discovered, the network would almost certainly view him as active threat rather than just reluctant medical provider who they were pressuring to cooperate. The break-in at his apartment had been a warning. What would they do if they knew he was holding evidence against them?He faced agonizing decision about what to do with the files, and every option carried devastating potential consequences.Give t
Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Eight
Lukas sat in his parked car, staring at the note Alexei had slipped him. The carefully printed words seemed to pulse with desperation."Please help me. I want to leave but they're watching me. Don't react."His first instinct was to dismiss this as teenage melodrama, an adolescent's exaggerated sense of being trapped by parental control. But the note's carefully planned delivery, Alexei's glances toward the door during their appointment, the teenager's subdued demeanor—these details suggested something more serious than typical parent-child conflict.Over subsequent appointments, Lukas developed a system of communication that appeared like normal medical discussions but allowed deeper conversation. He'd ask questions about stress triggers and coping mechanisms that Alexei could answer truthfully while appearing to discuss his chronic condition."When did you first notice the pain intensifying?" Lukas asked during their next session, two weeks after receiving the note."About eighteen
Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Seven
"That's very kind of you, but I've already addressed the security issue," Lukas said carefully, keeping his voice neutral and professional. "New locks installed, alarm system connected to security company, cameras monitoring the entrance. I appreciate your concern, but I'm managing the situation independently.""New locks and alarm systems." Volkov's tone suggested gentle skepticism, the kind reserved for naive children who don't understand the adult world. "Dr. Brandt, I don't think you fully understand the risks you face operating independently without proper community support. Amsterdam has various dangerous elements—organized crime, opportunistic criminals, people who target professionals precisely because they operate without protection. Lone practitioners are particularly vulnerable. You live alone, you work late hours, you see patients in private settings without witnesses or institutional oversight."The words were framed as concern for Lukas's wellbeing but carried unmistakab
Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Six
Lukas spent the night cataloging exactly what had been disturbed. The systematic nature of the intrusion became clearer with each discovery. His files had been examined—medical records left in slightly different order, folders opened and not quite closed properly. Personal papers reviewed—bank statements, tax documents, correspondence all showing signs of careful inspection. His computer had been accessed—the cursor position different from where he'd left it, browser history indicating someone had examined his recent searches and emails.No forced entry. The door lock showed no damage, no scratches from picks or tools. Either they had a key, or their lock-picking skills were professional grade. The windows were all secured from inside, ruling out entry through those routes. Someone had walked through his front door as easily as if they belonged there.The message was unmistakable: they could reach him whenever they chose. His privacy was illusory. His safety depended entirely on their
Chapter Four Hundred And Forty Five
Lukas took a breath, centering himself before responding. The timing of Konstantin's visit—late evening, unannounced, after the assistant had left—was clearly calculated. This wasn't spontaneous plea from desperate husband. This was orchestrated pressure tactic."Mr. Volkov, I understand your wife is suffering and that you're desperate to help her. As a practitioner, I sympathize with that deeply." Lukas kept his voice professional, measured. "But I cannot treat patients under circumstances designed to avoid proper documentation and legal scrutiny. That crosses ethical lines I'm not willing to compromise.""Ethical lines." Konstantin's expression shifted, the veneer of friendliness beginning to crack. "You're refusing to help a dying woman because of ethical concerns about documentation?""I'm refusing to participate in arrangements that deliberately circumvent medical oversight. Your initial request was explicit about wanting treatment that wouldn't be recorded in ways that might com
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