The Doctor cooperated and Vivian offered her a smile that was restrained but not unfriendly. If they could work together, they'd have a better chance at fixing what was going so wrong in this city.
"Thank you, Dr Jansen, I'll let you get back to your work."
"One more thing," Teja stated, signing off on the clearance form before looking up to glance at Vivian. It would come up in Medina's file. "I take full responsibility for Mr Medina's death. I was the cause of his suicide."
The surprise hit her like a wall of bricks, but Vivian tried not to let it show. "I read the report you filed. That you knew him personally, that he followed you to your home... is there anything you need to tell me, Teja?" She used her first name consciously, doing away with titles to bring the conversation to a private standing. As though what they said here was said in confidence. As though Washington wasn't listening.
"He had attempted suicide prior to his readmittance, I personally saw to it that his bonds were removed in my consultation with him. They were not put back into place after I left." Teja steepled her hands together, watching Vivian's expression as she talked. "I believe what I told him may have encouraged him to try again." And I watched him do it. "By the time the medical team reached his room, it was too late."
Vivian sat very still as she listened, expression blank but not disinterested. Interesting. "The absence of restraints was noted in the report, but there was no mention of your conversation with him. What exactly did you two talk about?" Did you push him? Why would you push him? What was in it for you?
"We talked about the threat he had made to me when he cornered me at my condo. He had said that if we saw each other again that one of us would be dead." she said with a shrug. "I wanted to see if there was any merit to his words."
Vivian's tongue twisted over the sharp edge of her teeth. "Are you telling me that this was an experiment, Doctor?" Had she really gambled the Center's reputation on a test?
"No." Not exactly. "He wanted to rule me with fear, and I wanted to show him that his words and actions had no effect over me. In hindsight, I should have returned him to his restraints."
"That would have been prudent," Vivian nodded, unable to shake the feeling that there was more to what she was being told. That there had to be. "Your value to the Center notwithstanding, you understand I'll have to report this to HQ."
"I am aware of it, as well that my statement will be confirmed in the information that will be released to you." Teja smiled calmly. "The head office will find my actions were within the bounds of my position."