Page 42 of The Criminal’s Cure

“You kicked Maddie out?” Joe stares at me like I’m speaking a completely different language as I explain everything to him. I know my anger is so intense that my words sound less like English and more like caveman grunts, but is that really all he got out of that?

“Did you listen to anything I just said? It’s been Bauer all along. With medication that Maddie signed off on. I think he’s Doc.”

“You realize what you’re saying here, Roman? You’re going to accuse a decorated, respected surgeon of being a part of the criminal organization,” Dante clarifies, as if I haven’t thought any of this through. I didn’t come here for their shitty opinions, just to let them know.

“I’m not just accusing him, Dante. I’m going to make it my life’s mission to take that man down.”

“Roman, you know none of this is Maddie’s fault, right?” Joe rubs his forehead. “Especially if Bauer is the ‘Doc’ that Ryker was talking about.”

Of course, I know that. I know that with every rational bone in my body.

That she was played, just like we all were, but it still stings.

Maddie didn’t deserve my fury, but it was all I felt when I looked at her a few hours ago.

It’s wrong and misplaced, and I know that better than anyone, but I’m so fucked up that it doesn’t even matter.

I’ve never felt like less of a man than I did when she was standing in the kitchen, clearly torn up about the whole thing, a complete wreck herself.

All she needed was for me to tell her I didn’t blame her.

She wasn't at fault. That I do love her. Instead, I threw out the only person who’s ever meant a damn thing to me besides my son.

Honestly, it’s probably for the best. I tried to warn her—people around me get hurt. Maddie deserves more than me, and tonight is proof of that. All I did was show her I’m no better than all the shitbag men she’s used to, and I pushed her away. Forced her away. Threw her away.

Of all the things I’ve done to Maddie, this might be the worst.

Joe slides a glass of whiskey my way and I throw it back, almost as quickly as it appeared.

If I don’t get something to take the edge off soon, I’m going to go out of my mind.

“Here’s the thing, Roman. Maddie is a good person.

Did you ever stop to think why she even had that file in her bag to begin with?

She probably went searching for it so she could help you .

She could have easily hid it from you. She could have gone on like she never found out and, honestly, you probably would have been better off.

But she didn’t. She knew what it would look like for her, and how angry you’d be, and she told you anyway. ”

I clench my jaw. It’s not fair how right he is. Joe’s never been the friend to sugarcoat something to make me feel better. He gives it to me straight, and as painful as it is, that’s exactly what I need right now.

“You’re right.”

“We’re going to get Bauer, Roman. I promise you that.

But you’ve got to find a way to fix this with Maddie.

You’ve been a completely different person these last few months.

Fun, sarcastic, adventurous…like the guy we used to know and the one your son deserves.

Not this angry, impulsive guy who can’t even see how badly his son needs him, or how much that woman loves him.

She brings out the very best in you, and I know you love her, so why is she taking the brunt of all of this when this wasn’t her fault? ”

That’s a great question. Maybe Maddie was an easy target.

Maybe she was there, and I needed someone to lash out at.

Or maybe this is something else entirely.

Maybe I’m scared about how in love with her I am and maybe this was an easy out.

Maybe I reverted to my old ways, and this was my conscience’s way of pushing her away.

“She isn’t going to want to talk to me after the way I acted tonight.” I rub my forehead, replaying the things I said to her. Or more importantly, the things I didn’t say.

I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. I love you.

“I think that’s a decision you should let her make herself.” Dante shrugs.

They’re right. None of this bullshit matters if Maddie isn’t around.

She’s completely transformed my life, and Ty’s life, and I’m a complete moron for casting her aside.

Fuck Bauer. All that matters is making sure that Maddie knows this isn’t her fault and I’m not upset with her.

Obviously. I didn’t communicate that the first time we talked and I have to clear the air before it’s too late.

Leaving Joe and Dante to track down Bauer, I race back to the house as fast as I can.

“Maddie!” I burst through the front doors. My first stop is the kitchen, as if she’ll be in the same place I left her. Instead, the mess has been completely cleaned up and there is no sign of her.

Still calling her name, I head up the stairs, taking them two at a time until I reach the top. “Maddie!”

I throw the door to my bedroom open, and my heart sinks the second I do. All of her stuff is gone. Everything off the nightstand. The clothes that hung over the back of the armchair just this morning. Even her scent is gone. The bathroom is the same way, her side of the counter cleared off.

God, I fucked up so badly this time. I ruined everything.

Just to be sure, I check her old bedroom, but it’s dark and empty. Okay, think, Roman. Where could she have gone?

She canceled her old apartment lease, so she wouldn’t have gone there, and I highly doubt she would run back to her parents. No, she was still in the city somewhere. She has to be. Maybe a hotel or a friend or a coworker from the hospital?

Determined to find her and make this right, I fly back down the stairs right as the doorbell rings.

I’m not expecting anyone, and it’s pretty late at night. I get a small glimmer of hope when I think that maybe Maddie left her key, and she was coming back.

It’s not Maddie, though. It’s two police officers.

“Good evening, Mr. Molinari. Can we come in? There have been a few developments in your wife’s case,” one of them says with a sympathetic smile.

“Uh, sure.” I swallow, moving aside so they can come in. Having police officers in my house is an entirely new concept for me. This will be interesting.

“We wanted to let you know that we have a suspect, and will be making an arrest. It seems the Doctor who treated her at the hospital made a mistake with her medication. We are arresting Greg Bauer for negligent homicide.”

It feels like all the air has been sucked out of my lungs.

They’re actually arresting him. He’s going to pay for what he did, and Talia will see some kind of justice.

It isn’t the justice I would’ve provided, but maybe that’s a good thing.

Maybe it’s time to finally put all of this to rest and move on with the rest of my life. Just as soon as I find Maddie.

“Thank you so much. That’s great news.” I smile with relief. Who knew that the police could actually be good for something? “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you find out?”

“A woman came to us this evening with the proof that we needed, but we can’t give you much more information than that. As soon as we locate Dr. Bauer, he’ll be taken into custody,” he says politely. “Have a good evening, sir.”

Maddie. She must’ve gone to the police station when she left. That means she’s still here, and I have to find her.