The hospital established a direct patient-navigation contact so families would no longer be told by a private intermediary that their care depended on staying quiet.

Teresa stared at the news release June printed for her.

The wording was cautious and legal, full of phrases like alleged misconduct and ongoing review.

“What if he gets away with it?” she asked.

“He might contest every charge,” June said.

“But you didn’t get away with anything.

You told the truth.

That’s different.”