Chapter 9 - The Brother-in-Law|
Daniel arrived at the hospital the following afternoon.
He wore a navy suit and carried a leather briefcase.
He looked exactly as I remembered him: polished, confident, and always slightly impatient.
He had been close to Olivia.
After her death, he had helped me organize her estate and manage several family accounts.
I had trusted him.
That trust now felt like another thing someone had stolen from me.
"Marcus."
He reached for my hand.
I didn't take it.
"Where were you last night?"
"At home."
"Did you know Margaret was giving Zion something?"
Daniel looked toward the hospital room.
"Is he recovering?"
"Answer the question."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
I placed the copied authorization document on the table.
He glanced at it.
His expression changed for less than a second.
But I saw it.
"You recognize this."
"I've seen similar forms."
"Did you arrange the payments?"
Daniel exhaled.
"Marcus, you need to calm down."
"Don't tell me to calm down."
He looked toward Detective Bennett, who was standing nearby.
"I assume this is a police matter now."
"It is," she replied.
Daniel turned back to me.
"Then you should let them do their job."
"Why did you use Zion's trust?"
"I didn't."
"Your company received the money."
"Northgate provides administrative services. That doesn't mean I personally handled every transaction."
"Forty-eight thousand dollars."
Daniel shook his head.
"You have no idea how much money Olivia's estate was spending on private care."
I stepped closer.
"Don't use my wife's name to excuse what happened to my son."
For the first time, Daniel looked angry.
"You think you were the only one who loved Olivia?"
I said nothing.
He continued.
"She was worried about you. She told me you were becoming obsessed with work. She said Zion needed stability."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you never listened."
The words struck me.
They were too familiar.
Emily had said almost the same thing.
Daniel opened his briefcase and removed a folder.
"Margaret was hired to provide a stable routine. The wellness company offered a sleep-support program. Everything was supposed to be harmless."
"Who prescribed it?"
"I don't know."
"Who approved it?"
"Your signature is on the authorization."
"I didn't sign it."
Daniel looked away.
Detective Bennett stepped forward.
"Mr. Whitaker, I need you to answer that question clearly."
Daniel closed the briefcase.
"I want a lawyer."
"That's your right."
He looked at me.
"Marcus, don't make this worse than it already is."
I stared at him.
"My son stopped breathing."
Daniel's expression softened.
For a moment, I thought he might finally tell the truth.
Instead, he said:
"Margaret was following instructions. If something went wrong, it wasn't because she wanted to hurt him."
"Whose instructions?"
Daniel didn't answer.
Then Detective Bennett's phone rang.
She listened, her face growing increasingly serious.
When she hung up, she looked at Daniel.
"Mr. Whitaker, we have a warrant for your business records."
Daniel stood.
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"What?"
"We also have a witness who says you personally delivered the product to Margaret."
