Brenda’s bravado seemed to wilt under his scrutiny. “Sir, she didn’t have an appointment,” she protested weakly, but her voice lacked the earlier venom.

James’s expression hardened. “Emergency situations often don’t come with the luxury of appointments. Dr. Monroe instructed her to come in urgently. Is it standard procedure here to ignore a doctor’s directive and threaten a patient in distress?”

The officers exchanged glances, clearly reevaluating the situation. One of them, a younger officer with a sympathetic look, addressed Brenda. “Ma’am, perhaps it would be best to check with Dr. Monroe, given the circumstances.”