Chapter 12: The Secret Behind Two Deaths
I couldn't speak.
My grandfather had died twelve years earlier.
The official explanation had been heart speak.
My grandfather had died twelve years earlier.
The official explanation had been heart failure following a prolonged illness.
I remembered the hospital room.
The machines.
His weak smile.
His final words.
" failure following a prolonged illness.
I remembered the hospital room.
The machines.
His weak smile.
His final words.
"Take care of Maya.""
At the time, I thought he was simply worried about his great-granddaughter's future.
Now I wondered whether he had been trying to warn me.
"Are you saying someone caused my grandfather's death?"" I asked.
Take care of Maya.""
At the time, I thought he was simply worried about his great-granddaughter's future.
Now I wondered whether he had been trying to warn me.
"Are you saying someone caused my grandfather's death?"" I asked.
Ethan shook his head.
"I'm saying the financial records raise questions about the medical expenses and certain paymentsEthan shook his head.
"I'm saying the financial records raise questions about the medical expenses and certain payments made shortly before his death.""
James leaned forward.
"Do you have documentation?""
Ethan nodded.
He opened a locked made shortly before his death.""
James leaned forward.
"Do you have documentation?""
Ethan nodded.
He opened a locked drawer and removed a thick file.
"Your grandfather's medical account was established to pay for emergency treatment and private nursing support. But drawer and removed a thick file.
"Your grandfather's medical account was established to pay for emergency treatment and private nursing support. But several payments were made to Northbridge Medical Services.""
James examined the invoices.
"These aren't ordinary hospital expenses.""
"No several payments were made to Northbridge Medical Services.""
James examined the invoices.
"These aren't ordinary hospital expenses.""
"No. They're listed as consulting and patient-management services.""
I looked at the dates.
Several payments had been made in the final months. They're listed as consulting and patient-management services.""
I looked at the dates.
Several payments had been made in the final months of my grandfather's life.
Then I noticed something.
The largest payment had been authorized by Margaret Hayes.
My mother.
I of my grandfather's life.
Then I noticed something.
The largest payment had been authorized by Margaret Hayes.
My mother.
I felt a knot form in my stomach.
"Why would she authorize this?""
Ethan shook his head.
"That's what Emily was felt a knot form in my stomach.
"Why would she authorize this?""
Ethan shook his head.
"That's what Emily was trying to determine.""
James placed the papers on the table.
"Could these payments have been legitimate?""
"Some could have been. But the amounts trying to determine.""
James placed the papers on the table.
"Could these payments have been legitimate?""
"Some could have been. But the amounts and descriptions are unusual. There is no clear record of the services provided.""
I sat back.
For years, I had believed my family and descriptions are unusual. There is no clear record of the services provided.""
I sat back.
For years, I had believed my family had experienced two terrible losses.
Now I was looking at documents suggesting someone might have used those tragedies had experienced two terrible losses.
Now I was looking at documents suggesting someone might have used those tragedies to hide financial misconduct.
"Who was responsible for Northbridge?""
Ethan opened another folder.
"The company was registered through to hide financial misconduct.
"Who was responsible for Northbridge?""
Ethan opened another folder.
"The company was registered through a holding entity. Its director changed twice. But the original beneficial owner was...""
He paused.
I looked at him.
" a holding entity. Its director changed twice. But the original beneficial owner was...""
He paused.
I looked at him.
"Who?""
"Robert Hayes.""
James shook his head.
"That connects him to the payments, but it doesn't establish anything about the medical treatmentWho?""
"Robert Hayes.""
James shook his head.
"That connects him to the payments, but it doesn't establish anything about the medical treatment.""
Ethan nodded.
"Correct. That's why I want the original hospital records examined.""
I stared at the documents.
"Can we get them?""
James.""
Ethan nodded.
"Correct. That's why I want the original hospital records examined.""
I stared at the documents.
"Can we get them?""
James answered.
"Yes, through the appropriate legal process. We'll also need the complete medication charts, physician orders, nursing answered.
"Yes, through the appropriate legal process. We'll also need the complete medication charts, physician orders, nursing notes, and any available audit logs.""
I looked at Ethan.
"Why didn't you give these to the authorities years ago?""
His notes, and any available audit logs.""
I looked at Ethan.
"Why didn't you give these to the authorities years ago?""
His expression became tired.
"Because I was advised that the documents had been obtained through confidential company investigations expression became tired.
"Because I was advised that the documents had been obtained through confidential company investigations. I wanted to protect Emily's evidence until someone with a direct legal interest could receive it.""
"That. I wanted to protect Emily's evidence until someone with a direct legal interest could receive it.""
"That someone is Maya.""
"Yes.""
I picked up the final page.
There was a handwritten note from Emily.
**Do not let them use the same someone is Maya.""
"Yes.""
I picked up the final page.
There was a handwritten note from Emily.
*Do not let them use the same account again.*
I looked at James.
"We're requesting every record connected to that account.""
He account again.**
I looked at James.
"We're requesting every record connected to that account.""
He nodded.
"Today.""
Ethan leaned forward.
"Marcus, I need to tell you something else.""
I waited.
" nodded.
"Today.""
Ethan leaned forward.
"Marcus, I need to tell you something else.""
I waited.
"Your grandfather knew Robert was stealing money. But he didn't know how much until the final months of his life.""
"Did he confront him?""
"Yes. He threatened to remove Robert from the companyYour grandfather knew Robert was stealing money. But he didn't know how much until the final months of his life.""
"Did he confront him?""
"Yes. He threatened to remove Robert from the company.""
"Then why didn't he?""
"Because Robert had already created financial obligations that could have damaged the business if.""
"Then why didn't he?""
"Because Robert had already created financial obligations that could have damaged the business if the leadership changed suddenly.""
I looked down.
"So he waited.""
"He made a different decision. He transferred the protected shares into Maya's trust and appointed the leadership changed suddenly.""
I looked down.
"So he waited.""
"He made a different decision. He transferred the protected shares into Maya's trust and appointed you to defend them.""
I thought of the wedding.
Vanessa pushing the empty chair away.
The way she had you to defend them.""
I thought of the wedding.
Vanessa pushing the empty chair away.
The way she had looked at Maya.
It was possible she had known that the little girl she was humiliating held the looked at Maya.
It was possible she had known that the little girl she was humiliating held the one ownership interest capable of exposing everything.
My phone rang.
Margaret.
I answered.
"Mom.""
"Where are you one ownership interest capable of exposing everything.
My phone rang.
Margaret.
I answered.
"Mom.""
"Where are you?""
"With Ethan Cole.""
Silence.
Then she whispered:
"Oh, Marcus. You shouldn't have gone there.""
"?""
"With Ethan Cole.""
Silence.
Then she whispered:
"Oh, Marcus. You shouldn't have gone there.""
"Why?""
"Because he doesn't know everything.""
I looked at James.
"What does he not know?""
My mother began crying.
"ComeWhy?""
"Because he doesn't know everything.""
I looked at James.
"What does he not know?""
My mother began crying.
"Come home. Please. I can't explain this over the phone.""
"I'm tired of coming home to half the home. Please. I can't explain this over the phone.""
"I'm tired of coming home to half the truth.""
"Then I'll tell you everything.""
"Now.""
She hesitated.
Then she said:
"Your grandfather didn't truth.""
"Then I'll tell you everything.""
"Now.""
She hesitated.
Then she said:
"Your grandfather didn't die naturally.""
The room went silent.
James stopped moving.
I felt my heart pounding.
"What?""
My mother was die naturally.""
The room went silent.
James stopped moving.
I felt my heart pounding.
"What?""
My mother was crying too hard to speak clearly.
"Not the way they told us.""
I gripped the edge of the table.
"Are you saying he was murdered?""
"No. I don't know that. I crying too hard to speak clearly.
"Not the way they told us.""
I gripped the edge of the table.
"Are you saying he was murdered?""
"No. I don't know that. I don't know what happened.
But he discovered something in his medical records, and Robert made sure nobody investigated don't know what happened. But he discovered something in his medical records, and Robert made sure nobody investigated it.""
I closed my eyes.
"Mom, I need you to be precise. What did you see?""
"I found a second medical report after he died. It showed that his treatment records had been changed.""
"Changed how it.""
I closed my eyes.
"Mom, I need you to be precise. What did you see?""
"I found a second medical report after he died. It showed that his treatment records had been changed.""
"Changed how?""
"I don't know. There were medication entries that didn't match the original nursing notes.""
James immediately wrote something down.
I continued.
"Why didn't you report it?""
"Robert?""
"I don't know. There were medication entries that didn't match the original nursing notes.""
James immediately wrote something down.
I continued.
"Why didn't you report it?""
"Robert said the doctor had corrected an administrative error. He told me it was better not to create a scandal.""
I felt sick.
"Did said the doctor had corrected an administrative error. He told me it was better not to create a scandal.""
I felt sick.
"Did you believe him?""
"I wanted to.""
The words came out like a confession.
I ended the call.
James stood.
"We need to you believe him?""
"I wanted to.""
The words came out like a confession.
I ended the call.
James stood.
"We need to secure the original documents and speak to an independent medical expert. We cannot assume what happened based on these records.""
I nodded.
Then I looked at Ethan.
"Do you secure the original documents and speak to an independent medical expert. We cannot assume what happened based on these records.""
I nodded.
Then I looked at Ethan.
"Do you have anything that proves my grandfather knew about the medical account?""
Ethan opened a separate envelope.
Inside was a letter dated three days before my grandfather died.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
*Robert have anything that proves my grandfather knew about the medical account?""
Ethan opened a separate envelope.
Inside was a letter dated three days before my grandfather died.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Robert,
I have reviewed the records you sent me. The figures do not match the treatment summaries, and I will not authorize another payment until,
I have reviewed the records you sent me. The figures do not match the treatment summaries, and I will not authorize another payment until an independent review is completed.
I have also instructed Arthur Bennett to preserve the original estate documents.
You have an independent review is completed.
I have also instructed Arthur Bennett to preserve the original estate documents.
You have one final opportunity to explain what you have done.
William.
I read it slowly.
Then I looked at the signature.
My grandfather had been trying to stop Robert.
And one final opportunity to explain what you have done.*
William.
I read it slowly.
Then I looked at the signature.
My grandfather had been trying to stop Robert.
And he had died before he could finish.
James photographed the letter.
"We need Arthur to verify the original.""
I nodded.
But he had died before he could finish.
James photographed the letter.
"We need Arthur to verify the original.""
I nodded.
But my phone rang again.
This time, it was the school.
I answered immediately.
"Hello?""
"Mr. Hayes? my phone rang again.
This time, it was the school.
I answered immediately.
"Hello?""
"Mr. Hayes? This is Mrs. Collins, Maya's principal.""
My stomach tightened.
"Is everything okay?""
"Your daughter is safe, but there's a situation you need to know about.""
"What happened This is Mrs. Collins, Maya's principal.""
My stomach tightened.
"Is everything okay?""
"Your daughter is safe, but there's a situation you need to know about.""
"What happened?""
"An adult came to the school asking to collect Maya.""
I stood.
"Who?""
"She identified herself as a?""
"An adult came to the school asking to collect Maya.""
I stood.
"Who?""
"She identified herself as a relative.""
"Did you release my daughter?""
"No, sir. We followed your instructions. But she became relative.""
"Did you release my daughter?""
"No, sir. We followed your instructions. But she became upset and demanded to speak to the principal.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"What did she look like?""
There was a pause.
"She upset and demanded to speak to the principal.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"What did she look like?""
There was a pause.
"She was a woman wearing a cream-colored coat.""
Vanessa.
"Did she leave?""
"Yes. But before leaving, she handed Maya a sealed envelope.""
I closed was a woman wearing a cream-colored coat.""
Vanessa.
"Did she leave?""
"Yes. But before leaving, she handed Maya a sealed envelope.""
I closed my eyes.
"What was inside?""
"We haven't opened it. Maya asked us to give it to you.""
I ended my eyes.
"What was inside?""
"We haven't opened it. Maya asked us to give it to you.""
I ended the call.
James was already gathering his things.
"We're going.""
When we reached the school, Maya was sitting in the principal's office with her teacher the call.
James was already gathering his things.
"We're going.""
When we reached the school, Maya was sitting in the principal's office with her teacher.
She ran toward me.
"Daddy!""
I hugged her tightly.
"Are you okay?""
She nodded.
"Aunt Vanessa came.""
.
She ran toward me.
"Daddy!""
I hugged her tightly.
"Are you okay?""
She nodded.
"Aunt Vanessa came.""
I knelt.
"Did she say anything?""
"She said she wanted to take me somewhere special.""
My stomach tightened.
"I knelt.
"Did she say anything?""
"She said she wanted to take me somewhere special.""
My stomach tightened.
"Did you go with her?""
"No. I told her I had to ask you first.""
I kissed her forehead.
"You did exactly theDid you go with her?""
"No. I told her I had to ask you first.""
I kissed her forehead.
"You did exactly the right thing.""
Mrs. Collins handed me the envelope.
There was no return address.
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph of my grandfather sitting right thing.""
Mrs. Collins handed me the envelope.
There was no return address.
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph of my grandfather sitting in a hospital bed.
He looked pale and tired.
Beside him stood Robert.
On the back, someone in a hospital bed.
He looked pale and tired.
Beside him stood Robert.
On the back, someone had written:
*Ask your mother who signed the final authorization.*
I looked at James.
He examined the photograph.
had written:
*Ask your mother who signed the final authorization.*
I looked at James.
He examined the photograph.
Then he turned it over again.
"Marcus, look at the date.""
I did.
It was dated the day before my grandfather died.
And beneath the date was a handwritten signature.
MargThen he turned it over again.
"Marcus, look at the date.""
I did.
It was dated the day before my grandfather died.
And beneath the date was a handwritten signature.
Margaret Hayes.
I turned toward my daughter.
"Maya, did Vanessa give you anything else?""
Maya nodded.
She reached into her backpack and removed aaret Hayes.
I turned toward my daughter.
"Maya, did Vanessa give you anything else?""
Maya nodded.
She reached into her backpack and removed a folded piece of paper.
"She said this was from Mommy.""
I opened it.
It was a small drawing Emily had made years earlier.
A folded piece of paper.
"She said this was from Mommy.""
I opened it.
It was a small drawing Emily had made years earlier.
A house.
A tree.
A little girl holding hands with two adults.
But on the back, Emily had written something I had never seen before.
**If anything happens to me, tell Marcus that Margaret house.
A tree.
A little girl holding hands with two adults.
But on the back, Emily had written something I had never seen before.
*If anything happens to me, tell Marcus that Margaret didn't act alone.*
I stared at the words.
Then another line caught my attention.
*The person who signed the order was standing didn't act alone.*
I stared at the words.
Then another line caught my attention.
*The person who signed the order was standing beside her.*
I looked up at James.
He was already studying the hospital photograph.
And suddenly, I understood why Vanessa had gone to such lengths to keep Maya away from the family table beside her.**
I looked up at James.
He was already studying the hospital photograph.
And suddenly, I understood why Vanessa had gone to such lengths to keep Maya away from the family table.
Because the truth wasn't simply about money.
It wasn't simply about Robert.
And it wasn't even just about my mother.
Someone else.
Because the truth wasn't simply about money.
It wasn't simply about Robert.
And it wasn't even just about my mother.
Someone else had been present when those medical orders were signed.
Someone who was still alive.
Someone who had spent had been present when those medical orders were signed.
Someone who was still alive.
Someone who had spent the last four years pretending to be innocent.
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared.
**You have until the last four years pretending to be innocent.
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared.
*You have until tomorrow morning to stop the investigation. Ask Daniel what happened after he left the tomorrow morning to stop the investigation. Ask Daniel what happened after he left the hospital.*
A second message followed.
*He wasn't the last person to see Emily alive.*
I looked at Maya, then at James.
And for the first time, I feared that the person responsible for everything might be much closer to my daughter than any of us had imagined. hospital.**
A second message followed.
*He wasn't the last person to see Emily alive.*
May you like
I looked at Maya, then at James.
And for the first time, I feared that the person responsible for everything might be much closer to my daughter than any of us had imagined.
