Chapter 10: My Mother's Final Medical Report
“Say that again.””
Dad's voice was barely recognizable.
Aunt Laura stood beside the bedroom door, holding her handbag against her chest.
“Your mother was poisoned, Marcus.””
Dad shook his head.
“No. She was sick. We spent months in the hospital. The doctors said—”
“The doctors treated the symptoms they could see. They never identified what was causing the sudden deterioration.””
I looked at the yellow envelope in Dad's hand.
“Why didn't you tell us?””
Laura looked at me.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of Vanessa?””
She nodded.
“And of what might happen if I spoke.””
Dad tore open the envelope.
Inside was a medical report, several laboratory results, and a handwritten statement from a doctor.
He read the first page.
Then the second.
His face grew paler with every line.
“What does this mean?”” he asked.
Laura approached him.
“Your mother had unexplained episodes of weakness, confusion, and internal bleeding. The hospital initially believed her condition was related to complications from her treatment.””
Dad stared at her.
“But she wasn't receiving treatment for anything serious.””
“I know.””
“Then why didn't anyone investigate?””
“They did. But the results were inconclusive.””
I took the medical report.
There was a section marked Toxicology Findings.
Several substances were listed, along with a note recommending further testing.
I looked at Laura.
“Was something found in her system?””
Laura nodded.
“An abnormal concentration of a substance that shouldn't have been there. The doctor suspected repeated exposure to a toxic medication interaction.””
Dad gripped the paper.
“Who gave it to her?””
Laura didn't answer.
I looked at the report again.
There was a handwritten note near the bottom.
*Patient's family reports recent changes in prescribed medication. Medication administration to be reviewed.*
Dad looked up.
“Who was managing her medication?””
Laura hesitated.
“Vanessa.””
The room fell silent.
Dad closed his eyes.
Then he pulled out his phone.
“I'm calling the police.””
Laura grabbed his arm.
“Wait.””
He turned sharply.
“What else?””
“There is something you need to understand. I didn't just keep this report. I kept a copy of the original medication log.””
“Where is it?””
“Safe.””
“Laura!””
“I couldn't bring everything here. Vanessa searched my house last year.””
Dad stared at her.
“Why didn't you report this?””
“Because I didn't have enough evidence. The report alone doesn't prove intent.””
I looked at her.
“Then why tell us now?””
Laura reached into her handbag again.
She pulled out a small flash drive.
“Because I finally found something that connects Vanessa to the hospital records.””
Dad took it.
“What is this?””
“An archived email exchange between Vanessa and someone at St. Mary's. It was sent three days before your mother died.””
He looked at the flash drive.
“Who was she communicating with?””
Laura's eyes filled.
“Patricia.””
Dad stared.
“Her own sister?””
Laura nodded.
“Patricia handled the records. Vanessa handled the medication. They were working together.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why would Patricia help?””
Laura looked toward the open window.
“Because she was protecting her own family.””
“Which family?”” I asked.
She looked at me.
“Her daughter. Lily.””
I frowned.
“What does Lily have to do with Mom's death?””
Laura took a shaky breath.
“Your mother had discovered that Vanessa was changing the adoption records. She planned to tell Marcus everything. She also planned to contact Rebecca and bring Noah home.””
Dad looked at the papers.
“So they wanted to stop her.””
Laura nodded.
“I believe that was the reason.””
Dad's face hardened.
“You believe?””
“Marcus, I wasn't there. I can't tell you exactly what happened. But I know Vanessa visited Eleanor's room the night before she became critically ill.””
Dad sat down.
His hands were shaking.
“I was there too.””
Laura looked at him.
“You were?””
“I left at eleven. Vanessa said she was going home to get some clothes. She told me Eleanor was resting.””
Laura closed her eyes.
“That was the night.””
I felt tears gathering.
I remembered Grandma Eleanor.
She had been the only person in Dad's family who never made me feel like an outsider.
She used to sneak chocolate into my schoolbag.
She called me her little sunshine.
And someone had possibly taken her life because she knew too much.
Dad stood.
“I'm going to find Vanessa.””
Laura shook her head.
“Not yet.””
“Move.””
“Marcus, if you confront her without securing the evidence, she'll destroy everything.””
Dad stopped.
Laura pointed to the flash drive.
“Give that to Evelyn. Let the police handle the rest.””
He reluctantly nodded.
I looked at the report.
“Was my mother afraid of Vanessa?””
Laura nodded.
“She told me once that she didn't recognize the woman Vanessa had become.””
“Did she say anything else?””
Laura looked at me.
“Yes.””
“What?””
“She said Vanessa had been asking questions about your biological father.””
My throat tightened.
“Daniel?””
Laura nodded.
“She believed Vanessa wanted to use the adoption and inheritance records to make sure none of Daniel's children could challenge her.””
Dad looked confused.
“But Caleb is Daniel's child too.””
Laura nodded.
“Exactly.””
Dad turned toward Caleb's photograph on the dresser.
“Then why would she do this to her own son?””
Laura's answer was quiet.
“Because Vanessa never wanted Caleb to know who his father really was. She wanted him to believe he was entitled to everything without ever questioning where it came from.””
Dad's phone began ringing.
It was Evelyn Carter.
He answered immediately.
“Evelyn?””
“Marcus, I need you to come to my office.””
“We found more evidence.””
“I know. I received an anonymous email containing copies of the hospital records.””
Dad looked at the flash drive.
“From whom?””
“That's what I'm trying to determine. But there's something else. I ran a preliminary check on the adoption paperwork.””
“And?””
“Lily's adoption was never legally finalized.””
Dad froze.
“What?””
“Patricia obtained temporary guardianship, but the final adoption order appears to be missing.””
Laura covered her mouth.
Evelyn continued.
“And there's a second problem. The person listed as the child's biological father on the original hospital paperwork isn't Daniel.””
Dad stared.
“That makes no sense.””
“I thought so too. The original record identifies another man.””
I felt my heart pounding.
“Who?””
Evelyn paused.
Then she said:
“Marcus, the name is your brother's business partner.””
Dad looked at Laura.
“Who?””
“Graham Whitmore.””
The name meant nothing to me.
But Laura reacted immediately.
She stepped backward.
“No,” she whispered.
Dad turned.
“Laura?””
She shook her head.
“Graham was there the night Daniel died.””
I stared at her.
“Who is Graham Whitmore?””
Dad's face hardened.
“Daniel's closest friend.””
Evelyn spoke again.
“And according to the documents, he may have had a relationship with Rebecca before Sky and Noah were born.””
Dad closed his eyes.
“Then we need to find him.””
Laura looked terrified.
“You can't.””
“Why?””
She whispered:
“Because Graham died six months ago.””
Dad looked at the phone.
“Then who sent the email?””
A new message appeared on his screen.
The sender's name was unfamiliar.
May you like
But the subject line made all of us freeze.
*I KNOW WHO REALLY KILLED ELEANOR REED.*
