Chapter 12: Chapter 12: What Happened the Night Grandma What Happened the Night Grandma Died
I called my mother back immediately.
She Died
I called my mother back immediately.
She didn't answer.
I tried again.
Voicemail.
Eleanor took the phone from my hand.
“Don't keep didn't answer.
I tried again.
Voicemail.
Eleanor took the phone from my hand.
“Don't keep calling. If she has something important to disclose, we need to arrange a recorded calling. If she has something important to disclose, we need to arrange a recorded statement through the proper legal process.””
I shook my head.
“She just statement through the proper legal process.””
I shook my head.
“She just told me my grandmother didn't die naturally.””
Thomas had gone told me my grandmother didn't die naturally.””
Thomas had gone completely still.
Daniel was staring at the floor.
Then Thomas spoke.
“Evelyn was ill completely still.
Daniel was staring at the floor.
Then Thomas spoke.
“Evelyn was ill, but she wasn't dying.””
I turned toward him.
“What do you mean?””
“She had a heart condition. It was manageable. Her, but she wasn't dying.””
I turned toward him.
“What do you mean?””
“She had a heart condition. It was manageable. Her doctors believed she could live for several more years with doctors believed she could live for several more years with treatment.””
“Then why did she die?””
Thomas rubbed his forehead.
“Because someone changed her medication.””
Silence.
Eleanor immediately treatment.””
“Then why did she die?””
Thomas rubbed his forehead.
“Because someone changed her medication.””
Silence.
Eleanor immediately looked up.
“Do you have evidence of that?””
“I have looked up.
“Do you have evidence of that?””
“I have a copy of a medical report. Evelyn gave it to me shortly before she died.””
“Why wasn't it investigated a copy of a medical report. Evelyn gave it to me shortly before she died.””
“Why wasn't it investigated?””
Thomas looked ashamed.
“Richard told everyone she had suffered a sudden cardiac event. The family?””
Thomas looked ashamed.
“Richard told everyone she had suffered a sudden cardiac event. The family doctor signed the initial report. By the time I learned doctor signed the initial report. By the time I learned about the medication discrepancy, the funeral had already taken place.””
Daniel stepped about the medication discrepancy, the funeral had already taken place.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“Did you tell the police?””
“No.””
“Why?””
Thomas's eyes filled with regret.
“Because I closer.
“Did you tell the police?””
“No.””
“Why?””
Thomas's eyes filled with regret.
“Because I was afraid. Richard threatened to expose private information about Elizabeth and Daniel. He said he would make sure Daniel never received anything from his mother's family.””
Daniel shook his head.
“So you let him get away with it?””
was afraid. Richard threatened to expose private information about Elizabeth and Daniel. He said he would make sure Daniel never received anything from his mother's family.””
Daniel shook his head.
“So you let him get away with it?””
“I was wrong.””
Thomas didn't defend himself.
“I have lived with that mistake for years.””
I felt“I was wrong.””
Thomas didn't defend himself.
“I have lived with that mistake for years.””
I felt sick.
My grandmother had protected everyone.
She had protected Daniel's inheritance.
She had protected the company.
She had protected me.
And sick.
My grandmother had protected everyone.
She had protected Daniel's inheritance.
She had protected the company.
She had protected me.
And the people she trusted most had apparently turned her final the people she trusted most had apparently turned her final days into a battlefield.
Eleanor stood.
“Thomas days into a battlefield.
Eleanor stood.
“Thomas, I need that medical report. Immediately.””
He nodded.
“I have it at home.””
“Then, I need that medical report. Immediately.””
He nodded.
“I have it at home.””
“Then we need to preserve it and have it reviewed independently. We cannot conclude that anyone caused her death based on a medication discrepancy alone.””
I looked we need to preserve it and have it reviewed independently. We cannot conclude that anyone caused her death based on a medication discrepancy alone.””
I looked at the trust documents.
“Can we establish who had access to her medication?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Abigail.””
My mother's at the trust documents.
“Can we establish who had access to her medication?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Abigail.””
My mother's name felt like a stone in my chest.
“She was managing Grandma's medication?””
name felt like a stone in my chest.
“She was managing Grandma's medication?””
“Yes. She insisted on taking responsibility during the final weeks.””
“Yes. She insisted on taking responsibility during the final weeks.””
Daniel looked toward the door.
“And Richard?””
“He visited frequently.””
I closed the leather-bound book.
“Daniel looked toward the door.
“And Richard?””
“He visited frequently.””
I closed the leather-bound book.
“Then we're going to find out what happened.””
Two hours later, we were sitting in Eleanor's office.
She had contacted Margaret Ellis,Then we're going to find out what happened.””
Two hours later, we were sitting in Eleanor's office.
She had contacted Margaret Ellis, who agreed to join us by video call.
Thomas who agreed to join us by video call.
Thomas placed the medical report on the desk.
It contained three pages.
The first placed the medical report on the desk.
It contained three pages.
The first described my grandmother's medical history.
The second listed described my grandmother's medical history.
The second listed her prescribed medication.
The third contained an observation from the hospital physician her prescribed medication.
The third contained an observation from the hospital physician.
I read it slowly.
*Patient presented with symptoms consistent with acute cardiac distress. Family reports recent.
I read it slowly.
Patient presented with symptoms consistent with acute cardiac distress. Family reports recent medication adjustments. Prescription history does not correspond with the dosage currently being administered.
I looked up.
“Someone medication adjustments. Prescription history does not correspond with the dosage currently being administered.*
I looked up.
“Someone gave her the wrong medication?””
Margaret spoke through gave her the wrong medication?””
Margaret spoke through the computer.
“That's what the report suggests. It does not establish whether the computer.
“That's what the report suggests. It does not establish whether the error was accidental or intentional.””
Eleanor nodded.
“Do the error was accidental or intentional.””
Eleanor nodded.
“Do we have the prescription records?””
Margaret confirmed that the original pharmacy had we have the prescription records?””
Margaret confirmed that the original pharmacy had retained them.
She had already requested copies retained them.
She had already requested copies.
Then she shared another document.
It was a handwritten note.
Then she shared another document.
It was a handwritten note from my grandmother.
*Abigail insists the from my grandmother.
*Abigail insists the new medication is necessary. I don't feel right new medication is necessary. I don't feel right after taking it.
I have asked Richard to contact my doctor, but he says I'm becoming after taking it. I have asked Richard to contact my doctor, but he says I'm becoming paranoid.*
My hands began trembling.
There was another paragraph.
If paranoid.
My hands began trembling.
There was another paragraph.
If something happens to me, please make sure Maya receives the original trust agreement. Do not let Abigail or Richard something happens to me, please make sure Maya receives the original trust agreement. Do not let Abigail or Richard change it.
I covered my mouth.
Thomas looked change it.*
I covered my mouth.
Thomas looked away.
Margaret continued.
“Evelyn gave me these notes away.
Margaret continued.
“Evelyn gave me these notes three days before she died.””
“Why didn't you tell the three days before she died.””
“Why didn't you tell the authorities?”” I asked.
“I didn't know about the medical authorities?”” I asked.
“I didn't know about the medical report until much later. At the time, I was report until much later. At the time, I was dealing with the trust dispute.
I was also told that the family had already dealing with the trust dispute. I was also told that the family had already received a medical explanation.””
Eleanor leaned toward received a medical explanation.””
Eleanor leaned toward the screen.
“Who provided that explanation?””
Margaret checked the screen.
“Who provided that explanation?””
Margaret checked her records.
“Richard Carter.””
I looked down.
Of course.
her records.
“Richard Carter.””
I looked down.
Of course.
My father had controlled the story from the beginning.
But then Eleanor noticed something else.
“MargMy father had controlled the story from the beginning.
But then Eleanor noticed something else.
“Margaret, do you have the original trust appointment documents?””
“Yesaret, do you have the original trust appointment documents?””
“Yes.””
“Please look at the date Abigail became trustee.””
Margaret checked.
“Six months before Evelyn died.””
“And when.””
“Please look at the date Abigail became trustee.””
Margaret checked.
“Six months before Evelyn died.””
“And when did the first unexplained withdrawal occur?””
Margaret sc did the first unexplained withdrawal occur?””
Margaret scrolled through her records.
“Approximately five weeks later.””
I stared at the screenrolled through her records.
“Approximately five weeks later.””
I stared at the screen.
“How much?””
“Forty-two thousand dollars.””
The next withdrawal was $27,000.
Then $15.
“How much?””
“Forty-two thousand dollars.””
The next withdrawal was $27,000.
Then $15,000.
Then the $92,000 transfer we'd discovered.
The,000.
Then the $92,000 transfer we'd discovered.
The amounts were spread across different accounts.
Some went to my amounts were spread across different accounts.
Some went to my mother.
Others went to companies associated with Peter.
And one payment had been made to an account I recognized.
Riverside Builders mother.
Others went to companies associated with Peter.
And one payment had been made to an account I recognized.
Riverside Builders.
My father hadn't simply stolen from the company.
He had used the family trust to keep the company afloat while.
My father hadn't simply stolen from the company.
He had used the family trust to keep the company afloat while telling everyone the business was profitable.
I looked at Eleanor.
“Can we trace all of it?””
“Yes. But we'll telling everyone the business was profitable.
I looked at Eleanor.
“Can we trace all of it?””
“Yes. But we'll need the original banking records and a forensic accountant.””
Margaret nodded.
“I need the original banking records and a forensic accountant.””
Margaret nodded.
“I can provide the trust's historical statements.””
Then she paused can provide the trust's historical statements.””
Then she paused.
“There is one additional document Evelyn left.””
“What document?””
“A letter to Abigail.””
My chest tightened.
“Do.
“There is one additional document Evelyn left.””
“What document?””
“A letter to Abigail.””
My chest tightened.
“Do you have it?””
“Yes. I never delivered it because Evelyn you have it?””
“Yes. I never delivered it because Evelyn instructed me to hold it until the trust was challenged.””
Margaret held up a scanned instructed me to hold it until the trust was challenged.””
Margaret held up a scanned page.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
*Ab page.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Abigail,
I know about the transfers.
I know about Peter'sigail,
I know about the transfers.
I know about Peter's company.
And I know you have been helping Richard move money company.
And I know you have been helping Richard move money that does not belong to either of you.
I gave that does not belong to either of you.
I gave you the position of trustee because I trusted you as my daughter-in-law.
But you the position of trustee because I trusted you as my daughter-in-law.
But you have mistaken my kindness for weakness.
I swallowed you have mistaken my kindness for weakness.*
I swallowed.
*If you continue, I will remove you from the trust and make sure Maya.
If you continue, I will remove you from the trust and make sure Maya knows everything.
You have one chance to tell the truth.
Please don't make me choose between protecting my granddaughter knows everything.
You have one chance to tell the truth.
Please don't make me choose between protecting my granddaughter and protecting your family.
The letter ended with my grandmother's signature.
I looked at the date.
It had been written just four and protecting your family.*
The letter ended with my grandmother's signature.
I looked at the date.
It had been written just four days before she died.
My mother had known.
She had days before she died.
My mother had known.
She had received a warning.
And instead of telling the truth, she received a warning.
And instead of telling the truth, she had apparently continued.
At 6:30 p.m., my mother finally had apparently continued.
At 6:30 p.m., my mother finally called.
I put her on speaker.
“Mom.””
called.
I put her on speaker.
“Mom.””
“Maya, is Eleanor there?””
“Yes.””
She“Maya, is Eleanor there?””
“Yes.””
She began crying.
“Please don't let your father know we're talking.””
Eleanor began crying.
“Please don't let your father know we're talking.””
Eleanor leaned closer.
“Mrs. Carter, I'm present leaned closer.
“Mrs. Carter, I'm present as Maya's legal representative. If you have as Maya's legal representative. If you have information, you should understand that it may have legal consequences.””
“I know.””
“Are you willing to explain what happened?””
My information, you should understand that it may have legal consequences.””
“I know.””
“Are you willing to explain what happened?””
My mother took a shaky breath.
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“ mother took a shaky breath.
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“Mom, did you change Grandma's medication?””
“No!””
Her answer came immediately.
“I would never hurtMom, did you change Grandma's medication?””
“No!””
Her answer came immediately.
“I would never hurt Evelyn.””
“Then why did you say she didn't die naturally?””
“I said she didn't die the way everyone believes Evelyn.””
“Then why did you say she didn't die naturally?””
“I said she didn't die the way everyone believes.””
I gripped the edge of the desk.
“Explain.””
My mother was quiet for several seconds.
Then she spoke.
“Your grandmother discovered the.””
I gripped the edge of the desk.
“Explain.””
My mother was quiet for several seconds.
Then she spoke.
“Your grandmother discovered the money transfers. She confronted Richard the night before she died.””
Thomas money transfers. She confronted Richard the night before she died.””
Thomas leaned forward.
“Were you there?””
“Yes.””
“What leaned forward.
“Were you there?””
“Yes.””
“What happened?””
“Richard told her that if she went to the authorities, Peter would lose everything. He said the company would collapse. He said dozens happened?””
“Richard told her that if she went to the authorities, Peter would lose everything. He said the company would collapse. He said dozens of employees would lose their jobs.””
I shook my head.
“Grandma wasn't responsible for Dad's decisions.””
“I know that now.””
“What happened of employees would lose their jobs.””
I shook my head.
“Grandma wasn't responsible for Dad's decisions.””
“I know that now.””
“What happened next?””
My mother began sobbing.
“She called me next?””
My mother began sobbing.
“She called me into the room. She asked me to help her into the room. She asked me to help her get the original trust documents. She said she wanted to remove me as trustee.””
“And?””
“I told Richard.””
Nobody moved get the original trust documents. She said she wanted to remove me as trustee.””
“And?””
“I told Richard.””
Nobody moved.
My mother continued.
“He became furious. He said Evelyn was trying to destroy the family. He took her phone and called the doctor.””
I felt.
My mother continued.
“He became furious. He said Evelyn was trying to destroy the family. He took her phone and called the doctor.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Did he change her medication?””
“I don't know.””
“Mom!””
my stomach tighten.
“Did he change her medication?””
“I don't know.””
“Mom!””
“I swear I don't know, Maya! I wasn't in the room when he spoke to the doctor.””
Eleanor interrupted“I swear I don't know, Maya! I wasn't in the room when he spoke to the doctor.””
Eleanor interrupted.
“Did you personally administer medication to Evelyn that night?””
My mother stopped crying.
“Yes.””
“What did you give her?””
“The.
“Did you personally administer medication to Evelyn that night?””
My mother stopped crying.
“Yes.””
“What did you give her?””
“The pills in her evening medication organizer.””
“ pills in her evening medication organizer.””
“Were they prescribed by her physician?””
“I thoughtWere they prescribed by her physician?””
“I thought so.””
“Did you check the labels?””
“I didn't.””
My mother began crying harder.
“Richard had prepared everything. He said the doctor had changed her so.””
“Did you check the labels?””
“I didn't.””
My mother began crying harder.
“Richard had prepared everything. He said the doctor had changed her dosage.””
I felt cold.
“Did Grandma question the medication?””
“Yes.””
“What did you do?””
“I told her to take dosage.””
I felt cold.
“Did Grandma question the medication?””
“Yes.””
“What did you do?””
“I told her to take it. I said Richard had spoken to the doctor.””
Thomas stood abruptly.
“Abigail, did you know the it. I said Richard had spoken to the doctor.””
Thomas stood abruptly.
“Abigail, did you know the dosage was different?””
My mother didn't answer.
Then she whispered:
“I saw the prescription bottle.””
Eleanor leaned closer.
“What did dosage was different?””
My mother didn't answer.
Then she whispered:
“I saw the prescription bottle.””
Eleanor leaned closer.
“What did it say?””
My mother started breathing rapidly.
“It was a different medication. I didn't recognize the name.””
I looked it say?””
My mother started breathing rapidly.
“It was a different medication. I didn't recognize the name.””
I looked at her.
“Why didn't you call the doctor?””
“Because Richard told me it was an emergency replacement.””
“Did you believe him?””
“I at her.
“Why didn't you call the doctor?””
“Because Richard told me it was an emergency replacement.””
“Did you believe him?””
“I wanted to.””
That answer hurt more than I expected.
My mother continued.
“After Evelyn became sick wanted to.””
That answer hurt more than I expected.
My mother continued.
“After Evelyn became sick, Richard told me not to mention the medication change. He said the hospital would investigate the family. He said Peter would lose the property, Richard told me not to mention the medication change.
He said the hospital would investigate the family. He said Peter would lose the property deal, Blake would lose his business, and we would all be ruined.””
“And you stayed silent.””
deal, Blake would lose his business, and we would all be ruined.””
“And you stayed silent.””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
For years, I'd thought“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
For years, I'd thought my mother was simply weak.
Now I was beginning to understand my mother was simply weak.
Now I was beginning to understand that she had made choices.
Terrible choices.
And she had kept that she had made choices.
Terrible choices.
And she had kept making them.
Eleanor asked one final question.
“Mrs. Carter, do you have any evidence of the medication change?””
My making them.
Eleanor asked one final question.
“Mrs. Carter, do you have any evidence of the medication change?””
My mother whispered:
“Yes.””
“What evidence?””
“The original prescription bottle.””
I sat upright.
“Where is it?””
“Your mother whispered:
“Yes.””
“What evidence?””
“The original prescription bottle.””
I sat upright.
“Where is it?””
“Your father kept it.””
“Where?””
“In the locked cabinet in his home office.””
I looked at Thomas.
Then Eleanor.
My mother spoke father kept it.””
“Where?””
“In the locked cabinet in his home office.””
I looked at Thomas.
Then Eleanor.
My mother spoke again.
“But Maya, there's something else.””
“What again.
“But Maya, there's something else.””
“What?””
She hesitated.
“Your father knows I've been talking to you.””
My heart began pounding.
“How?””
“I don't know. But he?””
She hesitated.
“Your father knows I've been talking to you.””
My heart began pounding.
“How?””
“I don't know. But he took my phone this afternoon. He said if I told took my phone this afternoon. He said if I told you anything, he'd make sure I was blamed for everything.””
The call suddenly went silent.
Then I heard a door slam.
My mother screamed.
And a you anything, he'd make sure I was blamed for everything.””
The call suddenly went silent.
Then I heard a door slam.
My mother screamed.
And a man's voice shouted:
“Abigail! Who are you talking to?””
The line disconnected.
I immediately called back.
man's voice shouted:
“Abigail! Who are you talking to?””
The line disconnected.
I immediately called back.
The phone was switched off.
Eleanor stood.
“We need to contact the authorities and make sure your mother is safe.””
The phone was switched off.
Eleanor stood.
“We need to contact the authorities and make sure your mother is safe.””
Thomas reached for his coat.
“I know where Richard keeps the office keys.””
I looked at him.
“We're not going toThomas reached for his coat.
“I know where Richard keeps the office keys.””
I looked at him.
“We're not going to break into anything.””
“No,” Eleanor replied.
“But we can secure the records through the appropriate legal process.””
She gathered break into anything.””
“No,” Eleanor replied.
“But we can secure the records through the appropriate legal process.””
She gathered the documents.
Then her computer chimed.
An incoming email.
It was from Margaret Ellis.
The subject line read the documents.
Then her computer chimed.
An incoming email.
It was from Margaret Ellis.
The subject line read:
*URGENT — ORIGINAL MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION RECEIVED.*
Eleanor opened it.
There was a scanned:
*URGENT — ORIGINAL MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION RECEIVED.*
Eleanor opened it.
There was a scanned prescription.
The doctor listed was real.
The medication was real.
But the signature at the bottom was not the doctor's.
It belonged prescription.
The doctor listed was real.
The medication was real.
But the signature at the bottom was not the doctor's.
It belonged to someone else.
I recognized it immediately.
It was to someone else.
I recognized it immediately.
May you like
It was my father's.
my father's.
