Chapter 6: The Woman at the Door
“Don't bring her in yet.””
Nia's order stopped the security officer before he reached the corridor.
Maya stared at the general.
“Why not? That's my aunt.””
“I know.””
“She's the only family I have left who might know what happened to Daniel.””
Nia crouched beside the bed, keeping her voice calm.
“I understand why you want to see her. I'm not saying she can't come in. I'm saying we need to establish who's sending these messages and why they're warning us about her.””
Maya's eyes filled again.
“You think my aunt is involved?””
“No. I think someone wants us to believe something before we've verified it.””
The distinction mattered to Nia. She had spent enough years around frightened people and powerful institutions to know that a warning could be genuine, manipulative, or both.
She wasn't going to let an anonymous text decide whom Maya could trust.
Nia turned toward the officer.
“Please ask the visitor to wait in a private consultation room. Confirm her identity and let the hospital know we're arranging a supervised visit. No accusations, no unnecessary confrontation.””
“Yes, General.””
The officer left.
Maya gripped the blanket.
“What if she leaves?””
“Then we'll speak to her another way.””
“But she came here.””
“And that means we have an opportunity to ask questions. We just need to make sure the opportunity isn't being used against you.””
Maya lowered her head.
“I don't know who to believe anymore.””
Nia sat beside her.
“You don't have to decide that right now.””
For a moment, the room was quiet.
The fluorescent ceiling panels cast clean, even light across the white sheets and the metal medical tray. Maya's damaged phone lay beside her water cup, its cracked screen reflecting the ceiling.
Then the hospital door opened.
Denise Walker entered without waiting for permission.
Nia stood.
“Who authorized you to enter?””
Denise glanced toward Maya.
“I need to speak with her.””
“The patient is resting.””
“This cannot wait.””
“Then explain why.””
Denise set a sealed envelope on the medical tray.
“This is an updated settlement offer. The company is prepared to cover Maya's medical expenses and provide additional compensation in exchange for a confidential resolution.””
Maya stared at the envelope.
“You want me to sign another waiver?””
“It's not the same document,” Denise said.
“This one has been reviewed by counsel.””
Nia didn't touch it.
“Has Maya requested a settlement?””
“No, but—”
“Then why are you presenting one to her while she's receiving medical care?””
Denise pressed her lips together.
“Because the company wishes to avoid a prolonged dispute.””
“Over what?””
“The accident.””
“An accident that hasn't been fully explained?””
Denise shifted her weight.
“We have preliminary findings.””
“From whom?””
“I cannot disclose that.””
Nia gestured toward the envelope.
“Take it with you.””
Denise looked offended.
“General, you have no authority to interfere with a legitimate offer.””
“I'm not interfering. I'm asking you to stop pressuring an injured patient who has already told you she doesn't want to sign.””
Maya swallowed.
“I don't want your money.””
Denise turned toward her.
“You should consider what you're giving up.””
“My brother might be dead.””
The words silenced the room.
Maya's chin trembled, but she forced herself to continue.
“I don't even know if he's alive. And you're asking me to accept money so everyone can pretend nothing happened.””
Denise's face softened for a fraction of a second.
Then she looked at Victor through the glass.
He had appeared in the corridor again, speaking into his phone.
“I'm trying to protect you,” Denise said.
Maya shook her head.
“No. You're trying to protect someone.””
Denise picked up the envelope.
“You may regret refusing this.””
Nia stepped toward the door.
“That's enough.””
Denise left.
Nia watched her walk toward Victor. He listened as Denise spoke, then abruptly turned away from her and began typing on his phone.
Maya's voice came from behind Nia.
“General?””
Nia turned.
“Do you think my aunt is in danger?””
“I don't know yet.””
Maya reached for her phone.
“But I know what Daniel told me. He said if anything happened, I should trust Patricia.””
Nia considered the message again.
Someone had known Patricia was coming to the hospital. Someone had known exactly where Maya was being treated. And someone had sent a warning specifically about the woman Maya trusted most.
It could mean Patricia was compromised.
It could also mean Patricia possessed information someone desperately wanted to keep away from Maya.
Nia called the security officer.
“What's the status of the visitor?””
“She's been identified, General. Patricia Brooks, age fifty-two. Her identification matches the name Maya provided.””
“Did she say why she came?””
“She says she has records relating to Daniel's vehicle and wants to show them to Maya.””
Nia's expression changed.
“Records from where?””
“She didn't specify. She asked to speak directly with you.””
“Keep her in the consultation room. I'll come to her.””
Maya caught Nia's sleeve.
“Please don't send her away.””
“I won't.””
Nia gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
“I'll find out what's happening.””
Before leaving, she asked the nurse to remain with Maya and ensure that no one removed the phone or documents from the room without authorization.
Then she stepped into the corridor.
Victor was waiting near the elevators.
“General,” he said, adjusting his suit jacket.
“We need to talk.””
Nia continued walking.
“If you have something relevant to report, give it to the appropriate investigator.””
“Your involvement is creating a dangerous situation.””
“For whom?””
“For everyone.””
Nia stopped.
“Is that a warning?””
“It's a fact.””
“Then you shouldn't have any trouble explaining it.””
Victor glanced toward the hospital room.
“Keep that girl away from her aunt.””
Nia's expression became unreadable.
“Why?””
Victor hesitated.
It was the first time he'd appeared to struggle with an answer that wasn't prepared in advance.
“Patricia Brooks has been involved in matters she doesn't understand.””
“What matters?””
“Records. Documents. Things that don't concern her.””
Nia studied him.
“You knew Patricia was coming before she arrived.””
Victor's jaw tightened.
“I have people who inform me when a situation changes.””
“Why would the arrival of Maya's aunt change anything?””
He stepped closer.
“Because Daniel made a terrible decision, and Maya is about to make the same one.””
Nia held his gaze.
“What decision?””
Victor's voice dropped.
“Digging into things that should have stayed buried.””
Nia took out her phone.
“Would you like to repeat that for the record?””
Victor immediately stepped back.
“I think we're done.””
“You're welcome to leave.””
He walked toward the elevators, but before the doors closed, he looked back at her.
“Ask Patricia about the original inspection report.””
The elevator doors shut.
Nia stood motionless for a moment.
Then she headed for the consultation room.
Patricia Brooks sat alone at a small table, wearing a beige cardigan over a simple blouse. Her eyes were red, and she clutched a thick manila envelope against her chest.
When Nia entered, Patricia stood.
“General Carter?””
“Yes.””
“Is Maya all right?””
“She is injured, but stable. She's asking for you.””
Patricia closed her eyes briefly in relief.
“Thank God.””
Nia gestured toward the chair.
“Before we take you to her, I need to ask about Daniel's vehicle.””
Patricia went still.
“What did Victor tell you?””
“He mentioned an original inspection report.””
Patricia looked toward the closed door.
Then she slowly placed the envelope on the table.
“I was hoping he wouldn't know I still had it.””
Nia sat opposite her.
“What's inside?””
“Copies of the inspection records Daniel was trying to report. I kept them because the original entries were changed after he raised concerns.””
“Changed by whom?””
Patricia shook her head.
“I can't prove who made the changes. But I can prove the reports were different before they were replaced.””
She opened the envelope.
Inside were several pages of printed records, each bearing dates, vehicle identification numbers, and handwritten notes.
Nia examined the first page.
One line had been circled in red.
The vehicle's final inspection was listed as complete at 8:40 p.m.
But a second attached record showed that the vehicle had been checked into the workshop at 9:17 p.m.
The times couldn't both be accurate.
“Where did you get these copies?”” Nia asked.
“Daniel gave them to me. He said someone had changed the official records and that he was afraid they would blame him if anything went wrong.””
“Did he tell you which vehicle was involved in the accident?””
Patricia nodded.
She turned to the last page.
Her finger stopped beside a vehicle identification number.
“This is the one.””
Nia compared the number with the notes.
Then she looked up.
“Patricia, do you know who authorized the inspection?””
Patricia's eyes filled.
“Yes.””
“Who?””
She leaned forward and whispered a name.
“Victor Hale.””
Nia glanced toward the corridor.
The elevator doors had opened again.
Victor was standing inside, staring straight at the consultation room.
And in his hand was a document Nia recognized immediately.
The original inspection report.
He stepped out of the elevator and spoke loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.
“Patricia, you need to tell the general what you did with the missing page.””
Patricia's face turned white.
Nia looked down at the records on the table.
One page had been torn cleanly from the report.
May you like
And beneath the empty space, someone had written a note in Daniel's handwriting:
*IF I'M NOT THERE WHEN YOU READ THIS, ASK WHO WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.*
