Chapter 11: The Price of Silence
Dad called Dr. Hayes before we even left Rebecca's office.
The doctor answered on the third ring.
"Daniel! What a surprise.""
Dad's voice was cold.
"We need to talk.""
"Of course. Is Maya unwell?""
"No. This is about Eleanor.""
There was a pause.
"What about her?""
"Fifteen thousand dollars.""
Silence.
Dad continued.
"An account shared with Vanessa Whitmore. October eighteen. Does that sound familiar?""
The doctor didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "I think there's been some misunderstanding.""
Dad looked at Rebecca.
"That's what I expected you to say.""
"Daniel, financial matters are outside my professional responsibilities.""
"Then why did you receive money from my wife's medical account?""
The line went quiet.
Finally, Dr. Hayes said, "I suggest you speak with your attorney.""
Dad ended the call.
Rebecca immediately advised him not to contact the doctor again until the authorities had reviewed the evidence.
But Dad was shaking.
For five years, he had trusted that man.
He had trusted him to tell the truth.
He had trusted him to help save his wife.
And now we were looking at evidence suggesting that the doctor had received money while my mother was dying.
At home, things were even worse.
Vanessa had returned, but she wasn't speaking to anyone.
She stayed inside the bedroom she shared with Dad.
Brielle sat in the kitchen, picking at a sandwich she hadn't eaten.
I walked over and placed a glass of water beside her.
She looked up.
"Did you find out everything?""
"Not everything.""
She nodded.
Then she whispered, "Mom told me Dad was going to leave her.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"She said he was planning to divorce her because he wanted to protect your money.""
I sat across from her.
"Did she tell you that before or after the costume?""
"Before.""
"Why?""
Brielle shrugged.
"She said if Dad left, we would have nowhere to go. She said you would get the house and everything else.""
I looked toward the staircase.
"She told you I was trying to take something from her?""
Brielle nodded.
"She said your mother had made sure we would never belong.""
I stared at her.
For the first time, I understood how Vanessa had built her version of the story.
She had turned my inheritance into an accusation.
My mother's savings into an insult.
My childhood into something Brielle was supposed to compete against.
"Did you believe her?"" I asked.
Brielle looked down.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because she was my mother.""
I didn't know what to say.
Then she added, "But I don't believe her anymore.""
Before I could answer, Dad came into the kitchen.
He looked at Brielle.
"Has your mother left the bedroom?""
"No.""
"All right.""
He turned to me.
"Rebecca is coming back this afternoon.""
I nodded.
"What happens now?""
"She'll explain the legal steps. The bank is cooperating, and the authorities are reviewing the records.""
He paused.
"There's something else.""
He pulled a chair out.
"The hospital has agreed to review Eleanor's medical file.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Why?""
"Because the payment to Dr. Hayes creates a serious conflict of interest.""
I stared at him.
"Does that mean he did something to Mom?""
Dad reached across the table.
"We don't know, sweetheart.""
"But what if he did?""
Dad's eyes filled.
"Then we'll find out.""
At three that afternoon, Rebecca arrived with a new document.
She placed it on the table.
"This is a formal request for the hospital to preserve all records relating to Eleanor's treatment, including medication administration logs, physician notes, and communications.""
Dad nodded.
"Good.""
Rebecca continued.
"The authorities are also investigating the suspected financial fraud. However, I want to be careful about one thing.""
She looked at me.
"None of this proves that Dr. Hayes caused Eleanor's death. The financial transactions and the medical treatment are separate issues until the evidence establishes a connection.""
I nodded.
I appreciated that she wasn't making promises.
Then she turned toward Dad.
"There's another development. Graham provided a recording from a meeting held two days before Eleanor died.""
Dad frowned.
"What meeting?""
"Vanessa and Dr. Hayes.""
Rebecca opened her laptop.
The recording began with the sound of a door closing.
Then Vanessa's voice.
"I need the authorization today.""
Dr. Hayes answered.
"She isn't in a condition to sign.""
"I know.""
"Then the document cannot be completed.""
Vanessa sighed.
"You're the doctor. You can certify her condition.""
"That's not what I mean.""
"Richard, you promised.""
There was a pause.
Then the doctor spoke.
"What happens if Daniel finds out?""
Vanessa laughed softly.
"He won't.""
"You're asking me to put my license at risk.""
"I'm asking you to honor our agreement.""
"That's not what we discussed.""
Vanessa's voice became colder.
"Do you want the money returned?""
Silence.
Then Dr. Hayes said, "No.""
Rebecca stopped the recording.
Dad looked as though someone had punched him.
"What agreement?""
Rebecca shook her head.
"We need the full recording and original files. This excerpt raises questions, but it doesn't establish exactly what happened.""
Dad stared at the laptop.
"How much did he receive?""
"At least fifteen thousand dollars. We are checking whether there were additional payments.""
I looked toward the hallway.
Vanessa was standing at the top of the stairs.
She had heard everything.
"You're playing recordings of me without permission?"" she demanded.
Rebecca closed the laptop.
"This material was provided as evidence in a financial investigation.""
Vanessa came downstairs.
"You have no right!""
Dad stood.
"Where is the original agreement?""
"I don't know.""
"Stop lying.""
"I am not lying!""
He held up the bank statement.
"Your account received eighteen thousand dollars on the day Eleanor died. The same account had Dr. Hayes listed as a joint holder.""
Vanessa's face hardened.
"That was repayment.""
"For what?""
"For money he owed me.""
Dad stared.
"Then why did you tell Graham it was a consulting payment?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
Rebecca stepped forward.
"Mrs. Whitmore, do you have documentation proving the money was a legitimate repayment?""
Vanessa looked at her.
"No.""
"Then we will need to investigate the transaction.""
Vanessa suddenly turned toward Dad.
"You're doing all this because Eleanor made you feel guilty!""
Dad shook his head.
"No. I'm doing this because you stole from my daughter.""
"Your daughter has nearly everything!""
"She lost her mother!""
The room fell silent.
Dad's voice broke.
"She lost the one person who would have protected her from all of this. And you used that loss to make her feel unwanted.""
Vanessa looked away.
For a moment, I thought she might apologize.
Instead, she said, "I never wanted her to have all that money.""
Dad closed his eyes.
"At least you're finally telling the truth.""
Vanessa walked upstairs.
A few minutes later, a car pulled into the driveway.
It was Michael.
My uncle stepped inside carrying a small cardboard box.
He looked tired.
"Daniel, I brought everything I could find.""
Dad hugged him briefly.
Michael placed the box on the table.
Inside were old emails, letters, and a photograph of my mother.
But beneath them was a sealed envelope.
Michael looked at me.
"Your mother gave me this before she went into the hospital.""
I froze.
"Why didn't you give it to Dad?""
Michael's eyes filled.
"Because she told me not to.""
He turned the envelope over.
My name was written on the front.
*For Maya. Open when you are old enough to understand why I had to leave.*
I stared at the handwriting.
My mother had written it for me.
And when Michael opened the envelope, he discovered something none of us had expected.
There were two letters inside.
May you like
One was for me.
The other was addressed to the police.
