The Necklace She Was Willing to Steal

Marcus read Danielle's note again.

Someone has already lied to you about the night I died.

The page trembled in his hand.

For three years, he'd told himself that Danielle's death had been a terrible medical tragedy. There had been unanswered questions, of course. A doctor who seemed reluctant to discuss details. A hospital administrator who had offered condolences before Marcus had even understood what had happened.

But he'd been grieving.

He'd had a little girl who woke crying every night and asked when her mother was coming home.

He'd accepted the explanation he was given because he couldn't imagine surviving another possibility.

Now the paper in his hand suggested that someone had deliberately changed the truth.

“Who in my family?”” Marcus asked.

Vanessa shook her head.

“I don't know.””

He placed the report on the coffee table.

“Stop.””

She flinched.

“You know something. You keep giving me pieces of a story and expecting me to fill in the rest. I'm done guessing.””

“I never saw the name.””

“Whose name?””

“The person Danielle suspected.””

Marcus stepped closer.

“What did she tell you?””

Vanessa pressed her fingers against her temples.

“She said the person had access to her medical information. She said they knew what tests she'd undergone, what medication she'd been prescribed, and when she'd be alone.””

“Was she afraid someone was trying to hurt her?””

“I think so.””

“You think so?””

Vanessa looked at him desperately.

“She wouldn't say it directly. She kept asking whether I remembered a conversation we'd had months earlier. She said if I remembered, I'd understand why she couldn't trust anyone.””

Marcus stared at her.

“What conversation?””

“I don't know what she meant.””

He turned away, fighting the urge to shout.

His gaze fell on a photograph on the mantelpiece. Danielle stood between her parents at a family reunion, laughing with her head thrown back.

Marcus remembered how easily she'd made people feel welcome. She remembered birthdays, brought soup to sick neighbors, and kept emergency cash in her purse for anyone who needed help.

She'd trusted people.

He'd trusted them too.

And someone had used that trust against her.

His phone buzzed.

A message from his attorney appeared.

Do not alter or discard the report. Can you identify the hospital?

Marcus photographed the envelope and sent him the details.

Then he called the hospital's main number.

After explaining that he was Danielle Carter's surviving spouse and had found a potentially altered medical record, he requested to speak with the records department.

The receptionist transferred him twice before a woman answered.

“Medical records. This is Ms. Bennett.””

“My name is Marcus Carter. My wife, Danielle Carter, died at your hospital three years ago. I've found a document suggesting her medical report may have been altered. I need to know how to request a formal review.””

There was a pause.

“Mr. Carter, I'm sorry for your loss. I'll need to verify your identity and determine what records can legally be released.””

“I understand. I also need to know whether an original laboratory report from the date of her death still exists.””

Another pause.

“I can't confirm that without reviewing the archive.””

“Please do.””

“May I ask why you're requesting it now?””

Marcus looked at Vanessa.

“Because someone threatened my daughter to get a necklace that may contain evidence related to my wife's death.””

The woman fell silent.

When she spoke again, her voice was more careful.

“Mr. Carter, I'm going to refer this to our compliance office. Please preserve the document you've found and avoid sharing patient information publicly.””

“That's already been done.””

“Someone from our office will contact you.””

The call ended.

Marcus lowered the phone.

Vanessa sat with her hands clasped so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

“You shouldn't have called them,” she whispered.

“Why?””

“Because if the record was changed, they'll know someone is looking.””

“Good.””

“You don't understand what you're dealing with!””

“Then help me understand.””

Vanessa stood and walked toward the window. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass for a moment before turning back.

“Danielle believed someone had accessed her records without permission. She told me that the first time she saw the altered report, she thought it was a clerical mistake.””

“And the second time?””

“She said the same change had appeared in another system.””

Marcus stared at her.

“What change?””

Vanessa hesitated.

“Her blood type.””

He frowned.

“Why would someone change that?””

“I don't know.””

“Was she given the wrong blood?””

“I don't know, Marcus!””

Her voice cracked.

She covered her mouth, then lowered her hand.

“I'm sorry. I don't know whether it had anything to do with her death. Danielle wouldn't explain the medical details to me. She only said that the change was deliberate.””

Marcus looked at the report again.

He was not a doctor, but he knew enough to understand that a blood-type discrepancy could have serious implications in certain medical situations.

He wasn't going to jump to conclusions.

But he wasn't going to ignore it either.

“Did you tell anyone about this?”” he asked.

“No.””

“Not your friends? Not your family?””

Vanessa shook her head.

“Only the person Danielle asked me to contact.””

“Who was that?””

“A woman named Renee.””

Marcus frowned.

“Renee who?””

“I never knew her last name. Danielle said Renee worked in an office connected to the hospital. She was supposed to help us find the original record.””

“Us?””

Vanessa nodded.

“She wanted both of us to meet Renee after the funeral. But then Danielle died, and I received that threatening call.””

“What happened to Renee?””

“I never met her.””

Marcus picked up the report and examined the signature at the bottom.

It looked like Danielle's handwriting, but the document itself contained details he couldn't verify.

He needed an expert, not another guess.

His phone rang again.

This time, the hospital's compliance office had called back.

A man introduced himself as Mr. Holloway and confirmed that the hospital had received Marcus's inquiry.

“We're reviewing the information you've provided,” Holloway said.

“I can't discuss the contents of any medical record until we've verified your legal authority to access it.””

“I understand.””

“However, I need to ask whether anyone else has had access to the document you found.””

Marcus looked at Vanessa.

“My wife has seen it.””

“Has anyone handled it?””

“Yes.””

“Who?””

“My wife.””

There was a pause.

“Mr. Carter, please place the document in a secure location. Don't write on it, alter it, or attempt to remove any markings. We may need to arrange for an independent examination.””

Marcus agreed.

Before ending the call, he asked one question.

“Is there any record of an employee named Renee working in your medical records department three years ago?””

Holloway took a moment to respond.

“I can't verify that information during this call. I'll include your question in the review.””

When the call ended, Marcus placed the report inside the envelope and set it on the highest shelf of the study.

He returned to the living room.

Vanessa had moved to the sofa. She looked exhausted, as though the truth had been pressing down on her for years and had finally become too heavy to carry.

Marcus sat opposite her.

“Why did you marry me?””

She looked up, startled.

“What?””

“Did you marry me because you loved me, or because you wanted to stay close to Danielle's secret?””

Vanessa's eyes filled again.

“I loved you.””

“Did Danielle know you loved me?””

“She knew I cared about you both.””

“That isn't what I asked.””

Vanessa looked at her hands.

“I don't know what Danielle knew.””

Marcus stood.

“I'm taking Lily somewhere safe tonight.””

Panic crossed Vanessa's face.

“Where?””

“That's not your concern.””

“Marcus, please. If you leave with her, the person threatening me might follow you.””

“Then we'll take precautions.””

She hurried toward him.

“Don't go to the police yet.””

Marcus stopped.

“Why?””

“Because if you tell them about the necklace, they'll ask about the second pendant. They'll ask why I have it. They'll ask where I got it.””

“And you'll tell them the truth.””

Vanessa shook her head.

“I can't.””

“Then you've made your choice.””

He turned toward the staircase.

Vanessa's voice followed him.

“Marcus, there's something else.””

He stopped without turning.

“The night Danielle died, I wasn't the last person to see her.””

He slowly faced his wife.

“Who was?””

Vanessa looked toward the front door, then back at him.

“Your brother, Andre.””

Marcus felt the floor disappear beneath him.

Andre had been his closest friend since childhood. He'd stood beside Marcus at the funeral, helped him carry Lily to bed when she cried, and promised to look after them both.

Marcus had never once suspected him.

“That's impossible,” he whispered.

Vanessa shook her head.

“I saw him at the hospital.””

“When?””

“Less than an hour before Danielle died.””

Marcus stared at her.

“Why didn't you tell me?””

“Because Andre told me Danielle had asked him to keep something from you.””

“What?””

Vanessa's face crumpled.

“He said it was about the necklace.””