I wanted to protect her from the conversation, but she insisted on hearing the allegations herself.

She asked detailed questions about evidence and the safety of the clinic’s patients.

She did not ask whether Kyle was embarrassed or how the family would look.

Her first concern was whether devices with uncertain maintenance histories were still being used.

Dr.

Park had already removed the affected units from service pending independent inspection.

State regulators were checking records from other clinics, and the distributor had placed several employees on leave.

The process was slower than rumors suggested.