Chapter 4 - The Woman With Perfect References|
I returned to the hospital with Emily beside me.
She had agreed to come only after I promised not to blame her for what happened.
I wasn't sure she believed me.
Dr. Hayes examined the photograph and immediately asked for the original bottle.
"We need the actual product, not just an image," she said.
"I'll have the staff preserve everything in the nursery."
"Do not handle it unnecessarily. Our team can coordinate with the appropriate authorities."
I nodded.
Emily stood near the window, twisting her fingers together.
"Did I do something wrong?" she asked.
Dr. Hayes turned toward her.
"No. You brought forward a concern. That's important."
Emily's eyes filled.
"I thought if I kept watching him, I could prevent something bad."
"You're not responsible for what another adult may have done."
I looked away.
Those words hurt because I had made Emily feel exactly the opposite.
While the doctor arranged additional testing, I called my household manager.
"Where is Margaret?"
"She left the house about twenty minutes ago, sir."
"Where did she go?"
"She said she had a personal appointment."
"Did she take anything from the nursery?"
The manager hesitated.
"I don't know."
"Check the cameras."
"Of course."
I ended the call and contacted my attorney.
Within minutes, he was on his way to the hospital.
I explained the situation, including the photograph and Emily's account.
He listened carefully.
"Marcus, we need to be cautious. An allegation is not proof."
"I know."
"Do you? Because if you accuse Margaret publicly and the evidence doesn't support it, you could destroy an innocent person's life."
I looked at the hospital doors.
"My son nearly died."
"And that's precisely why we need facts."
Dr. Hayes returned with another physician.
"We're continuing to monitor Zion. The initial findings are concerning, but we need confirmatory testing before drawing conclusions."
"Can you tell me what the substance is?"
"Not yet."
Emily stepped forward.
"Doctor, could it explain why he became so sleepy after his evening bottle?"
"It could. But we need to establish the exact substance, amount, and possible source."
I rubbed my forehead.
"How long could this have been happening?"
"We can't determine that from the initial tests."
My phone vibrated.
A message from the household manager appeared.
Sir, the nursery cabinet is open. The bottle in the photograph is missing.
I read it twice.
Then another message arrived.
Margaret returned to the house. She is asking whether you have contacted the police.
I felt my blood run cold.
"She's back at the house?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do not let her leave."
I called the manager.
"Keep everyone away from the nursery. Do not confront her. Contact the authorities and tell them we may have a missing medication container."
He agreed.
Then I turned toward Emily.
"Did you tell anyone about the photograph?"
She shook her head.
"Only you."
"Are you certain?"
Her expression changed.
"Wait."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"I found this in the laundry room yesterday. I thought it was a delivery receipt."
I unfolded it.
It was a printed email confirmation for a private courier service.
The recipient's name was partially obscured, but the delivery address was clear.
A pharmacy warehouse in New Jersey.
The package description read:
SPECIALTY COMPOUND — PERSONAL USE.
Below it was a handwritten note.
Deliver to M.C. Do not leave at reception.
I looked at Emily.
"Who is M.C.?"
She swallowed.
"Margaret Collins."
Before I could respond, my attorney's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds, then looked at me.
"Marcus, there's something else."
"What?"
He covered the microphone.
"Margaret has just called the police herself."
"Why?"
May you like
His face tightened.
"She claims Emily stole medication from your home and may have harmed your son."
