Chapter 30: Kent continues investigating Koa

Chapter 30: Kent sat at his desk in his office, surrounded by the soft hum of the air conditioning and the distant murmur of voices from the main floor of the Hilo Police Station.

His latest lead, after a frustrating hour or so on the phone with staff at the Hilo hospital, was a retired OB-GYN named Dr. Samuel Ito, who had delivered the baby Mary Anderson gave birth to twenty years ago. The additional procedure, the tubal ligation, was not in the hospital’s records.

After tracking down Dr. Ito’s contact information, Kent input the doctor’s number, his fingers tapping on the desk as he listened to the ringing.

“Hello.” A weary male voice answered.

“Is this Dr. Samuel Ito?”

“Speaking.” The voice firmed. “This better not be a telemarketer.”

“No, sir. I’m Detective Kent Higa with Hilo Police Department. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me regarding a bit of a mystery.” Kent tried to keep his tone formal yet warm.

A pause as the man digested that. “Of course, Detective. How can I assist?”

Kent cleared his throat, aware of the sensitivity of his inquiry and confidentiality laws. “I’m currently investigating a case that may involve a woman who was a patient of yours about two decades ago. I understand you delivered a stillborn daughter to a Mary Anderson in September of 2005. Do you recall the case?”

Kent could almost hear Dr. Ito’s mind turning over the memories. “Yes, I remember that patient. Patient confidentiality prevents me from discussing it.”

“All I need is confirmation that you performed performed a tubal ligation on that patient following the baby’s delivery.”

“I repeat, HIPAA law prevents—”

“Sir. There is a young woman claiming to be Mary Anderson’s daughter. Mary is now deceased and cannot speak to the girl’s identity. There is no birth certificate on file for this young woman. We need to know if it’s even possible for her to have been born to Mary Anderson, after 2005.”

“This is highly irregular. I need to confirm a few things.” The doctor asked for Kent’s badge number. Kent gave it.

“I’ll call you back when I’ve checked with my legal counsel and verified your identity as a detective,” Dr. Ito said. “Please send a photo of your credentials to my email address.” He rattled off the address.

Kent copied down the info. “I’ll do that right away, Dr. Ito.”

“Meanwhile, I’ll contact my attorney and verify that Ms. Anderson is deceased and whether or not the ends justifies answering the question and violating my patient’s confidentiality.” The man ended the call.

Kent dropped the phone into is cradle. Though annoying, he respected Dr. Ito’s caution and integrity.

He glanced out the window; darkness had filled the square of tinted glass. His stomach gave a loud rumble, reminding him how long it had been since that burger and fries with Koa at the drive-through.

He probably had time for a bite before Dr. Ito called him back.

Kent took a phone photo of his badge and ID and emailed them to Dr. Ito, along with his cell phone number. Then he left the station to get dinner before going home for the night.

He couldn’t help thinking of Koa.

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