Chapter 12: The Prescription With Chapter 12: The Prescription With My Father's Signature
Nobody spoke My Father's Signature
Nobody spoke.
Eleanor enlarged the scanned prescription.
The medication.
Eleanor enlarged the scanned prescription.
The medication listed was a powerful cardiac drug. The dosage was nearly three times the amount recorded in my grandmother's previous prescription.
At listed was a powerful cardiac drug. The dosage was nearly three times the amount recorded in my grandmother's previous prescription.
At the bottom was a signature.
Richard Carter.
I stared at it.
“Can he legally prescribe medication?””
“No,” Eleanor replied.
“ the bottom was a signature.
Richard Carter.
I stared at it.
“Can he legally prescribe medication?””
“No,” Eleanor replied.
“Not unless he holds the relevant medical qualifications, which I have no reason to believe he does.””
Thomas leaned closer.
“WhereNot unless he holds the relevant medical qualifications, which I have no reason to believe he does.””
Thomas leaned closer.
“Where did this come from?””
Margaret's voice came through the computer.
“The pharmacy retained the original prescription. It was submitted three days before Evelyn's death.””
Eleanor examined did this come from?””
Margaret's voice came through the computer.
“The pharmacy retained the original prescription. It was submitted three days before Evelyn's death.””
Eleanor examined the document.
“Was the prescription verified with the doctor?””
“The pharmacy's records show a telephone confirmation.””
“ the document.
“Was the prescription verified with the doctor?””
“The pharmacy's records show a telephone confirmation.””
“From whom?””
Margaret hesitated.
“Abigail Carter.””
I closed my eyes.
My mother had confirmed it.
She had signed offFrom whom?””
Margaret hesitated.
“Abigail Carter.””
I closed my eyes.
My mother had confirmed it.
She had signed off on medication that wasn't prescribed by the doctor.
But there was still something missing.
“Did the pharmacy dispense the medication?””
“Yes,” on medication that wasn't prescribed by the doctor.
But there was still something missing.
“Did the pharmacy dispense the medication?””
“Yes,” Margaret answered.
“Who collected it?””
Another pause.
Then Margaret said:
“Peter Bennett.””
I looked at Thomas.
He Margaret answered.
“Who collected it?””
Another pause.
Then Margaret said:
“Peter Bennett.””
I looked at Thomas.
He slowly sat down.
“Peter collected Evelyn's medication?””
“Yes.””
Margaret continued.
“The pharmacy recorded his slowly sat down.
“Peter collected Evelyn's medication?””
“Yes.””
Margaret continued.
“The pharmacy recorded his identification and the collection time.””
Eleanor immediately asked for the supporting records.
Margaret promised to send them securely identification and the collection time.””
Eleanor immediately asked for the supporting records.
Margaret promised to send them securely.
I stared at the prescription.
Three people.
My father had signed it.
My mother had confirmed it.
.
I stared at the prescription.
Three people.
My father had signed it.
My mother had confirmed it.
My uncle had collected it.
And my grandmother had died less than seventy-two hours later.
It was no longer simply a familyMy uncle had collected it.
And my grandmother had died less than seventy-two hours later.
It was no longer simply a family inheritance dispute.
It was a matter for investigators.
Eleanor looked at me.
“We need to stop here. We cannot determine what caused Evelyn inheritance dispute.
It was a matter for investigators.
Eleanor looked at me.
“We need to stop here. We cannot determine what caused Evelyn's death from this document alone. The original medical records, toxicology information, and pharmacy evidence need to be examined by's death from this document alone. The original medical records, toxicology information, and pharmacy evidence need to be examined by qualified investigators.””
I nodded.
“Then let's give them everything.””
She began organizing the files.
Before leaving, I looked qualified investigators.””
I nodded.
“Then let's give them everything.””
She began organizing the files.
Before leaving, I looked at Thomas.
“Did Grandma know?””
He nodded sadly.
“She suspected something was wrong. That's why she made at Thomas.
“Did Grandma know?””
He nodded sadly.
“She suspected something was wrong. That's why she made the recording.””
I remembered her voice.
I wanted to tell you everything while I was alive.
My throat tightened.
“Why the recording.””
I remembered her voice.
I wanted to tell you everything while I was alive.
My throat tightened.
“Why didn't she tell me directly?””
“Because she loved you. She knew Richard would punish anyone who challenged didn't she tell me directly?””
“Because she loved you. She knew Richard would punish anyone who challenged him, and she was afraid he'd turn you him, and she was afraid he'd turn you against yourself before you were old enough to understand against yourself before you were old enough to understand.””
I looked at the photograph of Grandma in the yellow cardigan.
She had spent her final days trying to protect me.
And I'd.””
I looked at the photograph of Grandma in the yellow cardigan.
She had spent her final days trying to protect me.
And I'd spent years believing she had left me nothing.
The following morning, Eleanor arranged for the documents to be spent years believing she had left me nothing.
The following morning, Eleanor arranged for the documents to be delivered to the appropriate authorities.
She also contacted the bank regarding the trust accounts and requested an urgent review delivered to the appropriate authorities.
She also contacted the bank regarding the trust accounts and requested an urgent review of all disputed transactions of all disputed transactions.
By noon, we had confirmation that the proposed Westbridge transfer had been flagged for legal.
By noon, we had confirmation that the proposed Westbridge transfer had been flagged for legal review.
Peter's company could no longer proceed as though the property belonged to Riverside Builders.
But my father wasn't finished.
At 1:24 review.
Peter's company could no longer proceed as though the property belonged to Riverside Builders.
But my father wasn't finished.
At 1:24 p.m., my phone rang.
Richard Carter.
I answered.
“What do you want?””
His p.m., my phone rang.
Richard Carter.
I answered.
“What do you want?””
His voice was unnervingly calm.
“I voice was unnervingly calm.
“I think we need to talk.””
“About what?””
“Your mother.””
I stood.
“ think we need to talk.””
“About what?””
“Your mother.””
I stood.
“Where is she?””
“At home.””
“Put her on the phoneWhere is she?””
“At home.””
“Put her on the phone.””
“She doesn't want to speak to you.””
“Then tell her I want to hear that from her.””
He laughed.
“You really think you're in control of this situation?””
I.””
“She doesn't want to speak to you.””
“Then tell her I want to hear that from her.””
He laughed.
“You really think you're in control of this situation?””
I didn't answer.
He continued.
“Your grandmother was old and sick. Your mother did her best. Whatever happened was unfortunate.””
didn't answer.
He continued.
“Your grandmother was old and sick. Your mother did her best. Whatever happened was unfortunate.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Don't talk about Grandma like that.””
“I'mMy fingers tightened around the phone.
“Don't talk about Grandma like that.””
“I'm telling you the truth.””
“No. You're telling you the truth.””
“No. You're telling me what you want people to believe.””
His voice hardened.
“You've been listening to Thomas. He's always hated me.””
“Why did you sign the prescription?””
Silence.
Then a quiet laugh.
“What prescription?””
“The one with your signature.””
His breathing changed.
I heard something being moved on the other end.
Then he said:
“You have no idea what you're accusing me of.””
“Then explain the signature.””
He lowered his voice.
“Come home, Maya. Bring the documents. We'll settle this privately.””
“There's nothing private about what happened.””
“You don't telling me what you want people to believe.””
His voice hardened.
“You've been listening to Thomas. He's always hated me.””
“Why did you sign the prescription?””
Silence.
Then a quiet laugh.
“What prescription?””
“The one with your signature.””
His breathing changed.
I heard something being moved on the other end.
Then he said:
“You have no idea what you're accusing me of.””
“Then explain the signature.””
He lowered his voice.
“Come home, Maya. Bring the documents. We'll settle this privately.””
“There's nothing private about what happened.””
“You don't want this to become a public scandal.””
I almost laughed want this to become a public scandal.””
I almost laughed.
“Dad, you humiliated me in front of hundreds of people at graduation. You called me useless. You told everyone I was incapable of.
“Dad, you humiliated me in front of hundreds of people at graduation. You called me useless. You told everyone I was incapable of doing anything right.””
“That was different.””
“How?””
“Because you're my daughter.””
I stared at the wall.
For years, that sentence doing anything right.””
“That was different.””
“How?””
“Because you're my daughter.””
I stared at the wall.
For years, that sentence had been used as an excuse.
An excuse for his insults.
His demands.
His lies.
His theft had been used as an excuse.
An excuse for his insults.
His demands.
His lies.
His theft.
I finally understood that being.
I finally understood that being his daughter had never meant I was entitled to his respect.
It had meant he believed I was obligated to forgive him.
“I'll speak his daughter had never meant I was entitled to his respect.
It had meant he believed I was obligated to forgive him.
“I'll speak to you through Eleanor,” I said.
His voice suddenly turned cold.
“You're making a mistake.””
“No, Dad. I'm making a record.””
to you through Eleanor,” I said.
His voice suddenly turned cold.
“You're making a mistake.””
“No, Dad. I'm making a record.””
I ended the call.
Then I forwarded the call details to Eleanor.
I ended the call.
Then I forwarded the call details to Eleanor.
Ten minutes later, an email arrived from Margaret.
She had located another document in my grandmother's estate file.
It was a letter written toTen minutes later, an email arrived from Margaret.
She had located another document in my grandmother's estate file.
It was a letter written to the family doctor.
The date was two days before Grandma died.
I opened it.
Doctor,
*I am concerned about the medication being provided the family doctor.
The date was two days before Grandma died.
I opened it.
Doctor,
I am concerned about the medication being provided to me. Richard says you approved the change, but I have not spoken with you.
I have asked Abigail to contact to me. Richard says you approved the change, but I have not spoken with you.
I have asked Abigail to contact your office, but she refuses.
Please confirm whether you authorized this prescription.
I am frightened.
Evelyn Carter your office, but she refuses.
Please confirm whether you authorized this prescription.
I am frightened.
Evelyn Carter.
I read the last line twice.
My grandmother had been frightened.
She had asked for help.
And nobody had listened.
I forwarded the letter to Eleanor.
Then.*
I read the last line twice.
My grandmother had been frightened.
She had asked for help.
And nobody had listened.
I forwarded the letter to Eleanor.
Then another email arrived.
This one was from the doctor himself.
He had responded to an another email arrived.
This one was from the doctor himself.
He had responded to an inquiry from Margaret.
*I never authorized the medication change. I never issued the prescription bearing Richard Carter's signature. I became inquiry from Margaret.
I never authorized the medication change. I never issued the prescription bearing Richard Carter's signature. I became aware of the discrepancy only after Evelyn's death.
My hands went cold.
Eleanor read aware of the discrepancy only after Evelyn's death.*
My hands went cold.
Eleanor read over my shoulder.
“This is significant.””
“Can he confirm it officially?””
“He's agreed to provide a formal over my shoulder.
“This is significant.””
“Can he confirm it officially?””
“He's agreed to provide a formal statement.””
I nodded.
Then my phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
It showed my mother sitting in the kitchen of our family home.
Her face statement.””
I nodded.
Then my phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
It showed my mother sitting in the kitchen of our family home.
Her face was pale.
Her hands were folded on the table.
was pale.
Her hands were folded on the table.
Behind her stood my father.
The message beneath it read:
*Your mother wants to tell you the whole truth. But your father has one final secret heBehind her stood my father.
The message beneath it read:
Your mother wants to tell you the whole truth. But your father has one final secret he hasn't shared.
I stared at the photograph.
Another message appeared.
Ask Richard what happened to the hasn't shared.
I stared at the photograph.
Another message appeared.
Ask Richard what happened to the original recording from the night Evelyn died.
I immediately called original recording from the night Evelyn died.*
I immediately called Eleanor.
She answered.
“Maya?””
“Someone just sent me a photograph of my mother.””
“Where is she?””
“At home. I think.””
“Don't go Eleanor.
She answered.
“Maya?””
“Someone just sent me a photograph of my mother.””
“Where is she?””
“At home. I think.””
“Don't go there alone.””
I forwarded the photograph.
Then I noticed something in the background.
On the kitchen counter sat an old silver there alone.””
I forwarded the photograph.
Then I noticed something in the background.
On the kitchen counter sat an old silver voice recorder.
The same model as the one Grandma had left in the safety deposit box.
I zoomed in.
A voice recorder.
The same model as the one Grandma had left in the safety deposit box.
I zoomed in.
A small label was visible.
*EVELYN — FINAL NIGHT.*
My heart stopped.
There was another recording.
Not the one Grandma had made for me.
small label was visible.
*EVELYN — FINAL NIGHT.*
My heart stopped.
There was another recording.
Not the one Grandma had made for me.
A recording from the night she died.
I called Thomas.
He answered immediately.
“Have you seen the photograph?””
“Yes.””
His voice wasA recording from the night she died.
I called Thomas.
He answered immediately.
“Have you seen the photograph?””
“Yes.””
His voice was unusually tense.
“That's the recorder Richard took from Evelyn's bedroom.””
I swallowed.
“What's unusually tense.
“That's the recorder Richard took from Evelyn's bedroom.””
I swallowed.
“What's on it?””
Thomas didn't answer.
“Thomas?””
Finally, he whispered:
“It recorded the argument between Evelyn and Richard.””
“ on it?””
Thomas didn't answer.
“Thomas?””
Finally, he whispered:
“It recorded the argument between Evelyn and Richard.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I believed it had been destroyed.””
I looked at the photograph again.
The recorder was sitting in plain sight.
MyThen why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I believed it had been destroyed.””
I looked at the photograph again.
The recorder was sitting in plain sight.
My mother had found it.
Or someone had placed it there.
Then Thomas said something that made my blood mother had found it.
Or someone had placed it there.
Then Thomas said something that made my blood run cold.
“Maya, if that recording still exists, it could establish who was in your grandmother's room before she run cold.
“Maya, if that recording still exists, it could establish who was in your grandmother's room before she died.””
I stared at the image.
“Who was there?””
Thomas took a shaky breath.
“Richard. died.””
I stared at the image.
“Who was there?””
Thomas took a shaky breath.
“Richard. Abigail. Peter.””
A pause.
“And someone else.””
“Who?””
His voice dropped almost to a whisper.
“You.””
I Abigail. Peter.””
A pause.
“And someone else.””
“Who?””
His voice dropped almost to a whisper.
“You.””
I froze.
“What?””
“You were there that night, Maya.””
I shook my head.
“No. I was at college.””
Thomas froze.
“What?””
“You were there that night, Maya.””
I shook my head.
“No. I was at college.””
Thomas was silent.
Then he said:
“Your father told you that you never visited Evelyn that evening. But was silent.
Then he said:
“Your father told you that you never visited Evelyn that evening. But your grandmother's final appointment records show you arrived at the house at 9:17 p.m.””
I couldn't breathe.
I had your grandmother's final appointment records show you arrived at the house at 9:17 p.m.””
I couldn't breathe.
I had no memory of being there.
Not one.
Thomas continued.
“Evelyn was conscious when you arrived. She asked to speak to you alone.””
My fingers no memory of being there.
Not one.
Thomas continued.
“Evelyn was conscious when you arrived. She asked to speak to you alone.””
My fingers went numb.
“What did I say to her?””
“I don't know.””
He paused.
“But I know what happened afterward.””
“What?””
“Your father went numb.
“What did I say to her?””
“I don't know.””
He paused.
“But I know what happened afterward.””
“What?””
“Your father took you upstairs, gave you something to drink, and told everyone you were exhausted.””
I stared at the photograph.
The took you upstairs, gave you something to drink, and told everyone you were exhausted.””
I stared at the photograph.
The silver recorder.
My mother's terrified expression.
My father's hand resting on her shoulder.
And silver recorder.
My mother's terrified expression.
My father's hand resting on her shoulder.
And suddenly, the question wasn't just what had happened to my grandmother.
It was what my father had made me forget.
**And why suddenly, the question wasn't just what had happened to my grandmother.
May you like
It was what my father had made me forget.
*And why the last person who remembered that night had been silent for four years. the last person who remembered that night had been silent for four years.*
