Chapter 13: What## Chapter 13: What Really Happened at the Hospital
For several seconds, I Really Happened at the Hospital
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
The hospital.
Those words dragged me back four couldn't move.
The hospital.
Those words dragged me back four years, to the fluorescent lights, the smell of disinfectant, and the sound of machines years, to the fluorescent lights, the smell of disinfectant, and the sound of machines keeping my wife alive.
I remembered sitting beside Emily's bed, holding her hand while she slept.
I remembered Vanessa arriving with coffee keeping my wife alive.
I remembered sitting beside Emily's bed, holding her hand while she slept.
I remembered Vanessa arriving with coffee and telling me to go home for a shower.
I remembered Richard calling to say he would handle some business matters while I stayed and telling me to go home for a shower.
I remembered Richard calling to say he would handle some business matters while I stayed with my wife.
And I remembered the final morning.
Emily had been conscious when I left her room.
She had squeezed my fingers with my wife.
And I remembered the final morning.
Emily had been conscious when I left her room.
She had squeezed my fingers and whispered, “Don't let anyone make decisions for Lily without and whispered, “Don't let anyone make decisions for Lily without you.””
I had kissed her forehead.
“I promise.””
When I returned, she was unconscious.
The doctors told me her condition had deteriorated suddenly.
By evening, she was gone.
I had never questioned the you.””
I had kissed her forehead.
“I promise.””
When I returned, she was unconscious.
The doctors told me her condition had deteriorated suddenly.
By evening, she was gone.
I had never questioned the medical explanation.
Not once.
Now Ethan was telling me that Vanessa had written something about what happened at that hospital.
“Read me the email,” I medical explanation.
Not once.
Now Ethan was telling me that Vanessa had written something about what happened at that hospital.
“Read me the email,” I demanded.
Ethan hesitated.
“Mr. Carter, I think you should see it yourself. There are several attachments.””
“Send them to Daniel.””
demanded.
Ethan hesitated.
“Mr. Carter, I think you should see it yourself. There are several attachments.””
“Send them to Daniel.””
“I already did.””
My attorney's phone vibrated.
He opened the email.
Margaret moved closer.
I watched Daniel“I already did.””
My attorney's phone vibrated.
He opened the email.
Margaret moved closer.
I watched Daniel's expression change as he read.
“What does it say?”” I asked.
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
He opened the first attachment.
It was a message exchange's expression change as he read.
“What does it say?”” I asked.
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
He opened the first attachment.
It was a message exchange between Vanessa and Richard.
The date was four years earlier.
*Vanessa:* Emily has started asking questions again between Vanessa and Richard.
The date was four years earlier.
*Vanessa:* Emily has started asking questions again.
*Richard:* She needs to stop.
*Vanessa:* She's already spoken to Daniel.
*Richard:* Then make sure Marcus.
*Richard:* She needs to stop.
*Vanessa:* She's already spoken to Daniel.
*Richard:* Then make sure Marcus doesn't find out.
The next message was from Vanessa.
*Vanessa:* I handled the hospital situation. Marcus believes everything doesn't find out.
The next message was from Vanessa.
*Vanessa:* I handled the hospital situation. Marcus believes everything is normal.
I felt my stomach tighten.
Daniel continued.
*Richard:* What about the documents?
*Vanessa:* They're is normal.
I felt my stomach tighten.
Daniel continued.
*Richard:* What about the documents?
*Vanessa:* They're signed. The medical team has everything they need.
*Richard:* And the money?
*Vanessa:* Once she's gone, the insurance claim can signed. The medical team has everything they need.
*Richard:* And the money?
*Vanessa:* Once she's gone, the insurance claim can be processed.
I stepped backward.
“No.””
Margaret covered her mouth.
Daniel looked up.
“Marcus, we need to be very careful about be processed.
I stepped backward.
“No.””
Margaret covered her mouth.
Daniel looked up.
“Marcus, we need to be very careful about what this establishes. These messages are deeply concerning, but we need the complete records and independent medical review.””
I barely heard him.
I was staring at the screen.
There was another attachment.
A scanned medical what this establishes. These messages are deeply concerning, but we need the complete records and independent medical review.””
I barely heard him.
I was staring at the screen.
There was another attachment.
A scanned medical authorization form.
It contained Emily's name and a signature that looked almost identical to hers.
The form authorized a change in the handling authorization form.
It contained Emily's name and a signature that looked almost identical to hers.
The form authorized a change in the handling of certain financial and medical records.
But something was wrong.
The date was two days after Emily had been admitted to the hospital.
According to the hospital's records of certain financial and medical records.
But something was wrong.
The date was two days after Emily had been admitted to the hospital.
According to the hospital's records, she had been heavily sedated during that period.
I looked at Daniel.
“Could she have signed this?””
“We'll, she had been heavily sedated during that period.
I looked at Daniel.
“Could she have signed this?””
“We'll need handwriting and medical experts to assess it.””
Margaret opened another folder.
“There's something you should know.””
She pulled out a letter from Emily.
It was dated need handwriting and medical experts to assess it.””
Margaret opened another folder.
“There's something you should know.””
She pulled out a letter from Emily.
It was dated six weeks before her death.
*Margaret, I no longer trust Vanessa with anything involving Lily. She has been asking questions about my medical records and six weeks before her death.
Margaret, I no longer trust Vanessa with anything involving Lily. She has been asking questions about my medical records and the insurance policy. I believe Richard is helping her. If I become unable to speak for myself, please make sure Marcus receives the original documents.
I closed my eyes.
the insurance policy. I believe Richard is helping her. If I become unable to speak for myself, please make sure Marcus receives the original documents.*
I closed my eyes.
Emily had tried to warn us.
She had known.
And I had been standing in the middle of it all, believing the people closest to me wereEmily had tried to warn us.
She had known.
And I had been standing in the middle of it all, believing the people closest to me were helping.
My phone rang.
The hospital's name appeared on the screen.
I answered.
“Mr. Carter?””
“Yes.””
“My helping.
My phone rang.
The hospital's name appeared on the screen.
I answered.
“Mr. Carter?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Dr. Samuel Bennett. I was one of the physicians involved in your wife's care.””
I stood completely still.
“Why are you calling?””
“I received a request from your attorney regarding name is Dr. Samuel Bennett. I was one of the physicians involved in your wife's care.””
I stood completely still.
“Why are you calling?””
“I received a request from your attorney regarding archived medical records. Before those records are released, I believe you should know that an internal review was opened several years ago.””
My heart began pounding.
“An internal review?””
“Yes. Regarding an authorization entered archived medical records. Before those records are released, I believe you should know that an internal review was opened several years ago.””
My heart began pounding.
“An internal review?””
“Yes. Regarding an authorization entered into your wife's medical file shortly before her death.””
“Who authorized it?””
There was a pause.
“That is part of the review into your wife's medical file shortly before her death.””
“Who authorized it?””
There was a pause.
“That is part of the review. The original authorization was submitted by someone listed as an emergency family representative.””
“Vanessa?””
“I cannot confirm that over the phone. But I can tell. The original authorization was submitted by someone listed as an emergency family representative.””
“Vanessa?””
“I cannot confirm that over the phone. But I can tell you that the hospital preserved the original paperwork because a nurse questioned its validity.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“What did the nurse you that the hospital preserved the original paperwork because a nurse questioned its validity.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“What did the nurse notice?””
“The signature date did not match the patient's documented level of consciousness.””
The room went silent.
I looked at Daniel.
He notice?””
“The signature date did not match the patient's documented level of consciousness.””
The room went silent.
I looked at Daniel.
He was writing everything down.
“Can I speak to that nurse?””
“She is no longer employed here. However, I can provide her contact information through the was writing everything down.
“Can I speak to that nurse?””
“She is no longer employed here. However, I can provide her contact information through the appropriate legal process.””
“Please do.””
Dr. Bennett lowered his voice.
“Mr. Carter, there's one more thing.””
“What?””
“The hospital received a complaint shortly appropriate legal process.””
“Please do.””
Dr. Bennett lowered his voice.
“Mr. Carter, there's one more thing.””
“What?””
“The hospital received a complaint shortly after your wife's death. Someone alleged that a staff member had altered the records.””
“Who made the complaint?””
“I believe it was a woman after your wife's death. Someone alleged that a staff member had altered the records.””
“Who made the complaint?””
“I believe it was a woman named Patricia Wells.””
I turned toward Patricia's name in the documents.
“Patricia?””
“Yes. The complaint was withdrawn before the investigation was completed.””
I felt the named Patricia Wells.””
I turned toward Patricia's name in the documents.
“Patricia?””
“Yes. The complaint was withdrawn before the investigation was completed.””
I felt the pieces shifting.
Patricia had known more than she had told us.
I called her immediately.
She answered on the first ring.
“Marcus?””
“ pieces shifting.
Patricia had known more than she had told us.
I called her immediately.
She answered on the first ring.
“Marcus?””
“Why did you file a complaint with the hospital after Emily died?””
Silence.
Then she began crying.
“I was hoping you'd never have to ask me that.””
“PatWhy did you file a complaint with the hospital after Emily died?””
Silence.
Then she began crying.
“I was hoping you'd never have to ask me that.””
“Patricia, tell me what happened.””
She took a shaky breath.
“I was working for Vanessa at the time. Two days before Emily died, Vanessa asked me to deliver an envelope to the hospital.””
“What was inside?””
“Documentsricia, tell me what happened.””
She took a shaky breath.
“I was working for Vanessa at the time. Two days before Emily died, Vanessa asked me to deliver an envelope to the hospital.””
“What was inside?””
“Documents. She said they were insurance and administrative forms.””
“Did you deliver them?””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“What. She said they were insurance and administrative forms.””
“Did you deliver them?””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“What happened next?””
“When I returned the following day, I overheard Vanessa speaking to Richard on the phone. She said the hospital had happened next?””
“When I returned the following day, I overheard Vanessa speaking to Richard on the phone. She said the hospital had accepted the paperwork.””
“And?””
“She said, 'Now nobody can question the arrangement.''”
My voice accepted the paperwork.””
“And?””
“She said, 'Now nobody can question the arrangement.''”
My voice became cold.
“What arrangement?””
“I didn't know. But after Emily died, I saw a copy of the medical authorization on Vanessa's desk. The signature looked wrong.””
“Why didn't you became cold.
“What arrangement?””
“I didn't know. But after Emily died, I saw a copy of the medical authorization on Vanessa's desk. The signature looked wrong.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“I tried. I called your office, but Vanessa told me you were too devastated to speak to anyone. Then she threatened to have me arrested for tell me?””
“I tried. I called your office, but Vanessa told me you were too devastated to speak to anyone. Then she threatened to have me arrested for stealing company documents.””
I looked at Daniel.
He was listening carefully.
“Why did you withdraw the complaint?””
Patricia's voice broke.
“Because she stealing company documents.””
I looked at Daniel.
He was listening carefully.
“Why did you withdraw the complaint?””
Patricia's voice broke.
“Because she showed me photographs of my son leaving work. She said she knew where Ethan lived. She told me that if I continued asking questions, something would happen to him.””
I closed my eyes.
For showed me photographs of my son leaving work. She said she knew where Ethan lived. She told me that if I continued asking questions, something would happen to him.””
I closed my eyes.
For years, Patricia had carried that fear alone.
“Do you still have the original envelope?””
“No. But I have something else.””
“What years, Patricia had carried that fear alone.
“Do you still have the original envelope?””
“No. But I have something else.””
“What?””
“A photograph I took of the documents before I delivered them.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Send?””
“A photograph I took of the documents before I delivered them.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Send it to us.””
Patricia agreed.
Within minutes, the photograph arrived.
Daniel enlarged it.
There were three pages.
The first was a medical authorization.
The second was an insurance release it to us.””
Patricia agreed.
Within minutes, the photograph arrived.
Daniel enlarged it.
There were three pages.
The first was a medical authorization.
The second was an insurance release.
The third was a handwritten note.
At the bottom of the note was a signature.
Richard Carter.
And beneath it, a sentence that made my blood run cold:
*Proceed before Marcus returns to.
The third was a handwritten note.
At the bottom of the note was a signature.
Richard Carter.
And beneath it, a sentence that made my blood run cold:
Proceed before Marcus returns to the hospital.
I stared at the screen.
Then my phone vibrated again.
This time, the message came from an unknown number.
*You have no idea what happened to Emily the hospital.
I stared at the screen.
Then my phone vibrated again.
This time, the message came from an unknown number.
*You have no idea what happened to Emily. Stop digging before you destroy what's left of your family.*
Daniel immediately saved. Stop digging before you destroy what's left of your family.**
Daniel immediately saved the message.
“That's a threat.””
I nodded.
But I wasn't thinking about myself.
I was thinking about Lily.
I called Patricia.
“Bring Lily somewhere safe the message.
“That's a threat.””
I nodded.
But I wasn't thinking about myself.
I was thinking about Lily.
I called Patricia.
“Bring Lily somewhere safe. Don't go home.””
“What's happening?””
“I'm not sure yet. But I don't want anyone approaching her.””
I ended the call and looked at Daniel.
. Don't go home.””
“What's happening?””
“I'm not sure yet. But I don't want anyone approaching her.””
I ended the call and looked at Daniel.
“We need to find the nurse.””
He nodded.
“And we need to preserve the hospital records.””
Margaret stood and picked up her coat.
“There's someone else who can help.””
“Who?””
“The nurse who questioned the authorization. Her name is Rebecca Lawson. She“We need to find the nurse.””
He nodded.
“And we need to preserve the hospital records.””
Margaret stood and picked up her coat.
“There's someone else who can help.””
“Who?””
“The nurse who questioned the authorization. Her name is Rebecca Lawson. She left the hospital shortly after Emily died.””
“Where is she?””
Margaret looked toward the window.
“She's working at a hospice center left the hospital shortly after Emily died.””
“Where is she?””
Margaret looked toward the window.
“She's working at a hospice center in Ohio.””
Ohio.
The same state Vanessa had booked Lily's one-way ticket to visit.
I felt a chill run down my spine.
Then Margaret handed me a folded note.
“Emily in Ohio.””
Ohio.
The same state Vanessa had booked Lily's one-way ticket to visit.
I felt a chill run down my spine.
Then Margaret handed me a folded note.
“Emily gave me this shortly before she died. She asked me to keep it until you were ready.””
I opened it.
There was only one sentence.
*Marcus, if you ever discover that my final gave me this shortly before she died. She asked me to keep it until you were ready.””
I opened it.
There was only one sentence.
Marcus, if you ever discover that my final days were not what they seemed, ask Rebecca what she saw in Room 417.
I looked at Daniel.
“Room 417?””
He days were not what they seemed, ask Rebecca what she saw in Room 417.*
I looked at Daniel.
“Room 417?””
He checked the hospital records.
Emily's room.
The same room where I had kissed my wife goodbye.
And where someone checked the hospital records.
Emily's room.
The same room where I had kissed my wife goodbye.
May you like
And where someone had apparently made a decision that changed all our lives.
had apparently made a decision that changed all our lives.
