Free Dissident by Cecilia London Page B

took a step toward the larger man. “She is still recovering from her injuries. The ones inflicted by your subordinates, in case you’ve forgotten. I cannot in good conscience release her from this facility.”
    “Your conscience doesn’t matter. Our national security does.”
    Bill frowned. “I served this country in Vietnam. I saw atrocities that would make you retch, treatment of soldiers and civilians that would curl your toes. I don’t give a shit about Santos’ Executive Orders. I know proper military and criminal justice protocol, Colonel. I also know my own obligations as a medical practitioner. And I’ll be damned if you’re going to waltz in here without a warrant, without any proof whatsoever, and send a good American toward an inevitable death sentence. It isn’t going to happen. Not on my watch.”
    Slade leered at him. “So it finally comes out. Are you harboring seditious thoughts yourself, Dr. Livingston?”
    Maureen broke in. “Are we really at the point where merely expressing a desire to abide by the law is a treasonous offense?”
    Bill brought his hand up. “Don’t get involved in this, Dr. Savage.”
    Slade chuckled. “Wouldn’t want the little lady getting herself in trouble too, now would we?”
    She stepped forward and opened her mouth, but Bill pushed her behind him.
    “I mean it, Maureen. Don’t get involved in this.” He turned back to the colonel. “Ms. Gerard is in no condition to be released. I will not let her leave the confines of this hospital without a warrant signed by a judge. Is that understood?”
    Slade narrowed his eyes. “You don’t want this fight, old man.”
    “My obligations to my patients far outweigh any obligation I have to the United States Military,” Bill said. “This is my hospital, my rules, my profession’s ethical standards. And you know damn well that you’re breaking any number of laws by behaving in this manner. Unless those laws no longer apply to you. Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”
    The colonel straightened his uniform jacket. “Ms. Gerard will be transferred to our holding facility within the next week. Is that clear?”
    Bill folded his arms. “Not without papers. Am I clear?”
    Slade tucked his dress hat under his arm and started marching toward the door. He spun around to face the doctors. “Yours is not the last word on this matter.”
    “I’ve worked for the American people for almost fifty years,” Bill said. “As a grunt, as a Marine officer, and as a VA doctor. They would be appalled if they knew what was really going on with this Administration. I am ashamed of all of you who have tossed this country’s values and principles into the trash.” He could feel Maureen shudder behind him.
    “Your lack of cooperation will be recorded in my files,” Slade’s face was bright red. He turned and left the room.  Bill slammed the door behind him.
    Maureen turned to him, shaken. “Bill, what the hell? Do you want to get yourself arrested too?”
    He rubbed his chin. “We can’t let this happen, Maureen. We just can’t. It stops now.”
    “What are we supposed to do about it?”
    “We’ll figure something out. You and I both know that young man was not reassigned.”
    Maureen shuddered again. “I don’t want to think about that.”
    “Do me a favor,” Bill said. “Make sure at least one of your friends or family members knows where you are at all times. Got it?”
    Maureen nodded.
    “They are violating the Constitution,” he said. “They are violating any number of international treaties and conventions. They are violating the laws of human decency. And they are not going to get away with it.” He strode toward the door. “I’ll go check on Ms. Gerard. Go home and get some rest, Maureen. You look like shit.”
    Bill stood there, waiting for her to leave. Her hands were shaking.
    “Go home,” he repeated.
    Her eyes widened. Maybe he’d sounded harsher than he intended. She pulled her car keys out