Chapter 15 - The Doctor Who Disappeared|
Dr. Nolan's office was closed.
His website had been taken down, and the phone number listed in Zion's old records went directly to voicemail.
Detective Bennett located him at a private medical facility in New Jersey.
He agreed to meet investigators but refused to speak with me.
My attorney explained that this was normal.
"Let the police handle it."
I hated hearing those words.
Every day seemed to reveal another person who had failed my son.
I returned to the hospital.
Zion was awake, sitting against a pillow while a nurse helped him hold a soft toy.
When he saw me, he reached toward my face.
I leaned down.
"Hey, buddy."
He made a small sound.
I smiled.
For the first time in months, he looked fully alert.
Dr. Hayes entered.
"He's doing well."
"Can I take him home soon?"
"Not today. We want to observe him longer and complete the safety plan."
I nodded.
"Whatever he needs."
She looked at me.
"Mr. Whitaker, I want to say something. You did the right thing by bringing him in when his condition changed."
I swallowed.
"Someone else noticed the warning signs before I did."
"That doesn't mean you can't learn from this."
I looked at Zion.
"I should have listened."
"Yes," she said gently. "And now you can make sure he has adults around him who will speak up."
Later that afternoon, Detective Bennett called.
"Dr. Nolan has admitted prescribing a sleep-related product to Margaret."
My stomach tightened.
"Was it for Zion?"
"He claims it was intended for Margaret's personal use."
"Then why was it in the nursery?"
"He says he doesn't know."
"Do you believe him?"
"We're reviewing his records."
"Did he know Margaret was giving it to my son?"
"He denies that."
I clenched my jaw.
"What's next?"
"We're comparing his prescription records with the product recovered from your home."
I looked at the hospital window.
"Could he lose his license?"
"If the evidence supports professional misconduct, the relevant medical authorities will be notified."
Then she added:
"There's another issue. Dr. Nolan says Daniel told him you had authorized the treatment."
I closed my eyes.
"Everyone keeps using my name."
"That's why we're examining the documents."
That evening, my attorney sent me a message.
He had discovered that the company behind Silver Birch Wellness had received payments from an account connected to Daniel's personal business.
But there was a second account.
One belonging to Claire.
The transfers were small.
Too small to attract attention individually.
But together they formed a pattern.
I called Claire's attorney.
He agreed to arrange another interview.
When Detective Bennett arrived the next morning, she had a new piece of information.
"Dr. Nolan says he was paid to provide a written statement confirming that Zion had sleep difficulties."
"By whom?"
"Daniel."
"Why?"
"He claims Daniel wanted documentation supporting the use of the product."
I stared at her.
"Was the statement false?"
"That's what we're investigating."
Then she placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Daniel standing outside Dr. Nolan's office.
Beside him was Margaret.
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And between them was a man I recognized immediately.
My company's chief financial officer.
