Chapter 5: The Woman Outside My Door
I didn't move.
The bedroom was dark except for the pale blue light of my phone.
I could hear Sophie and Daniel speaking in the corridor.
Their voices were quiet, but the door wasn't thick enough to hide everything.
"How do you know he didn't take it?"" Sophie whispered.
"I checked the glass.""
"You were supposed to make sure.""
"I did what you asked.""
"Apparently, you didn't do it very well.""
There was a pause.
Then Daniel said, "Keep your voice down.""
I slowly reached for the emergency button beneath my bedside table.
It was connected to the security office downstairs.
I pressed it once.
A tiny green light appeared.
The corridor went quiet.
Then Sophie spoke again.
"We cannot keep waiting. The lawyer needs the signed documents by Friday.""
"Then get him to sign them.""
"He won't.""
"Make him.""
A cold sensation moved through my chest.
Sophie laughed without humor.
"You think I haven't tried?""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"What about the other plan?""
I leaned closer to the door.
"What other plan?"" Sophie asked.
"The medical transfer.""
I froze.
"What medical transfer?""
Daniel continued.
"We move him to a private rehabilitation facility. We tell everyone he's having complications. Once he's there, we can control who sees him.""
"And if he refuses?""
Daniel's response was immediate.
"Then we make sure he can't.""
I felt my fingers tighten around the phone.
Sophie whispered something I couldn't hear.
Then Daniel said, "The doctor is expecting us tomorrow.""
"Is he trustworthy?""
"He has already been paid.""
Footsteps moved away from my door.
I waited several seconds before calling Thomas.
He answered immediately.
"Alexander?""
"They're planning to move me to a private medical facility.""
"Where?""
"I don't know yet. They mentioned a doctor who has already been paid.""
Thomas cursed under his breath.
"Listen carefully. Don't leave that room with either of them. I'm arranging additional protection.""
"How long?""
"Twenty minutes.""
"Make it ten.""
I ended the call.
Then I opened the security application on my phone.
The emergency signal had been received.
But something was wrong.
The camera outside my bedroom had gone offline.
So had the cameras in the eastern corridor.
Someone had disabled them.
I pressed the security button again.
Nothing happened.
A shadow appeared beneath my door.
Then came three gentle knocks.
"Alexander?""
Sophie's voice.
I didn't answer.
"Darling, I know you're awake.""
I remained silent.
She knocked again.
"I brought you some fresh water.""
I glanced at the glass on my bedside table.
Then I heard the handle turn.
Locked.
"Alexander, open the door.""
Her voice had lost its sweetness.
I reached for the small wooden walking cane beside the bed.
It wasn't necessary for me anymore.
But it was useful to have something within reach.
"Go away, Sophie.""
Silence.
Then she laughed softly.
"You're being childish.""
"Good night.""
"Alexander, don't make this difficult.""
I heard another sound.
Metal against metal.
She was trying a key.
My pulse quickened.
I moved toward the opposite side of the bedroom, where a narrow connecting door led into my private dressing room.
Before I could reach it, the lock turned.
The main door opened.
Sophie stepped inside.
She was wearing a silk robe over her nightdress. Her hair was loose, and her face was completely free of makeup.
Daniel stood behind her.
He held a small medical bag.
"What is that?"" I asked.
Sophie closed the door.
"Something to help you sleep.""
I stared at the bag.
"You're both making a habit of bringing me medication.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Alexander, don't turn this into a scene.""
"Then leave.""
He glanced at Sophie.
She nodded.
Daniel placed the bag on the bedside table.
"We've spoken to a specialist. He's concerned about your recovery. He thinks you need more supervision.""
"Which specialist?""
"Dr. Collins.""
"I don't know him.""
"He's excellent.""
"Where does he work?""
Daniel hesitated.
"At a private facility.""
I smiled faintly.
"Of course he does.""
Sophie approached my bed.
"Darling, you need to understand that we're doing this because we care.""
I looked at her.
"Do you remember the first Christmas after my accident?""
She frowned.
"What?""
"You bought me a model sailing boat. You said that one day we'd take it out together.""
Her expression softened.
"Alexander...""
"I kept it on the shelf beside my bed for three years.""
I pointed toward the window.
"It's still there.""
She glanced at the small model boat.
For a moment, something like guilt crossed her face.
Then it disappeared.
"That was a long time ago.""
"Not to me.""
I looked at Daniel.
"And you remember when Dad died? You promised you'd never let anyone hurt me.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Don't bring Dad into this.""
"Why not?""
"Because this isn't about him.""
I stared at my brother.
"You're right. It's about thirty million dollars.""
His face went pale.
Sophie immediately turned toward him.
"What did you tell him?""
Daniel said nothing.
I continued.
"Did you think I wouldn't find the insurance policy?""
Sophie stepped backward.
"You've been investigating us.""
"Yes.""
Her face twisted.
"After everything I've done for you?""
I looked at her.
"You mean after everything you've taken from me?""
She suddenly grabbed the medical bag.
"Daniel, we're leaving.""
But Daniel didn't move.
He was staring at the open drawer beside my bed.
Inside it was a small black device.
A voice recorder.
I had switched it on when I heard them outside the door.
Daniel noticed the red light.
His expression changed.
"What's that?""
I picked it up.
"Something that records conversations.""
He lunged.
I pulled the device away.
His hand struck the bedside table, knocking the glass to the floor.
"Give it to me!""
I raised my voice.
"Marcus!""
The bedroom door burst open.
Marcus entered with another guard.
Daniel stepped away immediately.
Sophie began shouting.
"This is outrageous! He's having another episode!""
Marcus looked at me.
"Sir?""
"Get them out.""
Daniel pointed at me.
"You have no idea what you're doing!""
I held up the recorder.
"I know exactly what I'm doing.""
Sophie moved toward the guards.
"You're making a terrible mistake. We're his family!""
Marcus stepped between her and me.
"Mrs. Bennett, please leave the room.""
She looked at me one last time.
Her expression was no longer frightened.
It was furious.
"You think you've won?"" she whispered.
I said nothing.
She leaned closer.
"Ask your investigator what happened the night of your accident.""
Then she walked out.
Daniel followed.
The guards remained until I locked the door again.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the recorder.
A few minutes later, Thomas called.
"I'm outside.""
I let him in.
He entered carrying a leather folder and a small evidence bag.
His expression was serious.
"Are you hurt?""
"No.""
"Did they bring you anything?""
I showed him the medical bag.
He examined its contents without touching them.
"Good thing you didn't take anything.""
I handed him the recorder.
"They admitted they were planning to move me.""
Thomas listened to a few seconds of the recording.
Then he stopped.
"What?""
I told him what Sophie had said.
Ask your investigator what happened the night of your accident.
Thomas closed the folder.
"Alexander, there's something I've been trying to verify.""
"What?""
"Your accident wasn't as straightforward as the police report suggests.""
I stared at him.
He removed a photograph from the folder.
It showed my wrecked black Mercedes at the bottom of a ravine.
The front end was crushed.
The windshield was shattered.
But something caught my eye.
A small dark object on the passenger-side floor.
"What is that?""
Thomas placed a magnifying glass over the photograph.
"A second mobile phone.""
I looked at him.
"Whose?""
"We're still investigating.""
He turned the photograph over.
On the back was a handwritten note.
*Recovered from vehicle. Not included in official evidence inventory.*
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Why was it hidden?""
Thomas looked directly at me.
"Because the phone contained a message sent eleven minutes before the crash.""
He placed another photograph on the desk.
It showed a message on the phone's screen.
May you like
The sender's name was partially visible.
*DANIEL.*
