Chapter 7: The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
Daniel stared at the phone in his hand.
"Dr. Reeves, I need you to repeat that.""
"Your father did not die from a heart attack," the doctor whispered.
"The original medical report was altered. I have the first version, and I have spent thirteen years regretting that I didn't come forward sooner.""
Behind Daniel, the knocking at the front door stopped.
He turned toward it.
"Where are you right now?"" Daniel asked.
"Somewhere I can speak without being overheard.""
"Are you in danger?""
A long silence followed.
"Mr. Carter, I received a visit from Harold Whitmore this morning. He told me someone had been asking questions about your father's estate. He didn't threaten me directly, but he reminded me that my medical license could have been revoked years ago.""
"Why?""
"Because I signed the second report.""
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
"What did the first report say?""
Before the doctor could answer, a sharp crack sounded from the front of the house.
Evelyn gasped.
Vanessa stumbled backward.
Someone had struck the door hard enough to rattle the frame.
"Daniel," Evelyn whispered, "we need to leave.""
He moved toward the living room and looked through the narrow window beside the door.
A black sedan sat at the curb.
The driver was still inside.
Daniel couldn't see the passenger's face, but he recognized the vehicle. Harold had arrived in a similar sedan earlier that evening.
He stepped away from the window.
"Dr. Reeves, send me your address.""
"I will. But you must understand something. Your father knew he was in danger before he died. He came to my office that afternoon, and he asked me to document a medical condition that didn't exist.""
Daniel frowned.
"What condition?""
"An irregular heartbeat. He wanted it recorded because he believed someone might try to make his death look natural.""
Daniel felt the air leave his lungs.
"My father knew someone might kill him?""
"He said he had discovered a plan to make him disappear without leaving evidence of foul play.""
"Who did he name?""
The doctor hesitated.
Then he said, "Harold Whitmore.""
Daniel looked at Evelyn.
She was crying again, but this time she wasn't trying to hide it.
"Why didn't you tell the police?"" Daniel demanded.
"I was a young physician. Harold had financial interests in the clinic where I worked. He showed me documents suggesting your father had a serious heart condition. After the death, he told me the family needed closure, not suspicion.""
"So you changed the report.""
"I did.""
Daniel clenched his jaw.
"You helped cover up my father's death.""
"Yes," the doctor replied.
"And I've hated myself every day since.""
A heavy thud struck the front door.
Daniel ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket.
"Everyone upstairs," he said.
Vanessa stared at him.
"What?""
"Now.""
They moved toward the staircase. Daniel helped Evelyn up slowly, keeping his arm around her waist. Vanessa followed, glancing repeatedly toward the front door.
Halfway up the stairs, the doorbell rang.
Then Daniel's phone vibrated.
A text from Dr. Reeves appeared.
**I have the original report. Meet me at St. Catherine's Hospital, entrance C.
Come alone if possible. Do not tell Whitmore.**
Daniel read it twice.
A second message arrived.
*There is another name in the report. Someone you know.*
He looked at Vanessa.
She was staring at his phone.
"Who was that?"" she asked.
"Someone who may be able to prove what happened to my father.""
"Daniel, please. If it's my father—"
"I don't know what it is yet.""
"But if he's involved, you have to understand—"
"Understand what?"" Daniel snapped.
"That he's your father? That he deserves protection because you share his blood?""
Vanessa recoiled.
Evelyn touched Daniel's shoulder.
"Not now, sweetheart.""
He closed his eyes briefly.
His mother was right.
He couldn't afford to lose control, not when every person in the house seemed to be carrying a different piece of a thirteen-year-old crime.
They entered the guest room.
Daniel locked the door.
Then he moved the wooden box onto the bed and examined the remaining papers. Beneath the letter, he found an old photograph of the farmhouse, a copy of a land survey, and a folded note addressed to Evelyn.
The note was in his father's handwriting.
Evelyn,
If Daniel ever has to choose between the truth and his inheritance, tell him to choose the truth.
Money can be recovered. Time cannot. And some mistakes cannot be undone.
Daniel read the words aloud.
His mother covered her mouth.
"He knew," she whispered.
"Knew what?""
"That something would happen to him.""
She sat on the bed.
"Your father had been acting strangely for weeks. He checked the locks every night. He kept his car keys beside him when he slept. Once, I woke up and found him standing in the kitchen at three in the morning, staring out the window.""
"What did he say?""
"He told me that if anything happened, I had to make sure you never trusted a man simply because he spoke politely.""
Daniel glanced toward the door.
"Harold.""
"Yes.""
"Mom, did Dad ever tell you why he believed Harold wanted him dead?""
Evelyn rubbed her hands together.
"He said the land was only the beginning. There was a company account, a secret partnership, and a payment that could destroy several powerful people.""
"Who?""
"I never knew all their names.""
"Did he mention Vanessa's father?""
She hesitated.
"Once.""
Daniel leaned closer.
"What did he say?""
"He said Harold wasn't working alone.""
A faint sound came from the hallway.
Footsteps.
Daniel motioned for both women to remain silent.
The footsteps stopped outside the guest-room door.
Someone tried the handle.
Once.
Twice.
Then a man's voice spoke from the other side.
"Daniel, I know you're in there.""
Harold.
Daniel moved toward the door, but Evelyn grabbed his wrist.
"Don't open it.""
Harold knocked gently.
"I only want to talk.""
Daniel stared at the door.
"You had your chance.""
"Then at least listen. Your wife has been lying to you, and your mother has been lying to you for thirteen years. I am the only person in this family who can explain what really happened.""
Vanessa went pale.
Daniel looked at her.
"What does he mean?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know.""
Harold continued.
"Daniel, if you take those papers to the police, you will destroy your mother's life. You will also discover that your father wasn't the innocent man you've imagined.""
Daniel's hand tightened around the blue folder's empty sleeve.
"What are you talking about?""
"The original medical report doesn't tell the whole story. Neither does the letter.""
"Then open the door and tell me the rest.""
A pause.
Then Harold said something that made Evelyn sink onto the bed.
"Your father wasn't murdered because of the land, Daniel. He was murdered because he was about to expose what your mother had done.""
Silence swallowed the room.
Daniel turned toward Evelyn.
Her face had become completely white.
"Mom?""
She began to shake her head.
"No.""
Harold's voice came again.
"Ask her who was driving your father's car that night.""
Daniel stared at his mother.
"Mom, what is he talking about?""
Evelyn pressed both hands to her mouth.
May you like
Then, through her fingers, she whispered four words.
"I was in the car.""
