Chapter 6 - The Doctor Who Refused to Look Away|
Dr. Elaine Foster arrived at the Ellery estate the following morning.
She was in her early forties, wore a navy coat, and carried a leather bag that looked as though it had survived several decades of difficult work.
Vivien objected to the appointment immediately.
"Dr. Harlan is Lily's physician."
"Then he can provide his records," Elaine replied.
"This is unnecessary."
"That is a clinical judgment I would prefer to make after meeting the child."
Marcus stood beside the staircase.
"You're welcome to proceed."
Vivien glared at him.
"You cannot keep bringing strangers into this house."
"Then perhaps the people already in it should start telling the truth."
Elaine didn't begin with questions.
She sat on the carpet in Lily's playroom and examined the toys.
Norah sat several feet away.
Marcus waited near the doorway.
Lily entered holding her rabbit.
She immediately looked toward Norah.
Elaine smiled.
"Hello, Lily. I'm Elaine."
The girl didn't answer.
"That's okay. I don't need you to say anything."
She placed three colored pencils on the floor.
Then she began drawing.
Lily watched her for a while before picking up a yellow pencil.
She drew a house.
Then a car.
Then a woman standing beside a door.
Elaine didn't interrupt.
When Lily finished, she placed the paper in front of Norah.
Norah looked down.
The drawing showed the woman holding a phone.
Beside her stood a man with a dark hat.
Lily had drawn a red circle around his hand.
Elaine studied it.
"Do you recognize this person?"
Norah shook her head.
Marcus crouched.
"Lily, is this your mother?"
The child nodded.
"Is this man Daddy?"
Lily shook her head.
Marcus's face tightened.
Norah looked at Elaine.
"Could this be someone from the accident?"
"Possibly. But we shouldn't assume."
Elaine asked Marcus for Lily's medical records.
He handed over a folder.
The doctor reviewed it for several minutes.
Then she looked up.
"Has anyone explained why Lily's hearing was tested?"
Marcus frowned.
"Her hearing?"
"Yes. There are notes here suggesting auditory processing difficulties."
"I was told she was emotionally withdrawn."
"She may be experiencing trauma-related communication difficulties. But these records are incomplete."
Elaine turned another page.
"Who authorized the sedative administered during her first hospital stay?"
Marcus looked at the paperwork.
"Dr. Harlan."
"And who requested it?"
He didn't answer.
Elaine continued.
"There's another issue. Lily was prescribed a medication that can cause confusion and memory difficulties in children. I would like to review why it was given and whether it was medically necessary."
Marcus stood.
"Are you saying someone drugged my daughter?"
"I'm saying the records raise serious questions. We need independent medical oversight before reaching conclusions."
Norah noticed Lily watching her father.
The girl was rubbing the rabbit's damaged ear.
Then she reached into its torn seam.
Something small slipped out.
A folded piece of paper.
Lily placed it in Norah's hand.
Norah opened it.
It was a photograph.
A woman stood beside a car.
Evelyn.
Behind her was a man wearing a dark hat.
Marcus recognized him instantly.
"Peter?"
He took the photograph.
Peter Shaw had been his father's driver for fifteen years.
He had disappeared shortly after Evelyn's accident.
Marcus called Raymond.
"Find Peter Shaw."
Raymond promised to begin immediately.
Elaine placed the medical records back into the folder.
"Mr. Ellery, I strongly recommend that Lily receive treatment outside this household until we understand the full situation."
Vivien appeared in the doorway.
"Absolutely not."
Marcus turned.
"Mother."
"You're allowing this woman to frighten everyone."
Elaine remained calm.
"Mrs. Ellery, I'm not here to accuse anyone. I'm here to assess a child."
Vivien looked at Lily.
Then at the photograph in Marcus's hand.
Her expression changed.
For one brief moment, Norah saw genuine fear.
Vivien turned and walked away.
Marcus followed her.
Norah remained with Lily.
The little girl slowly reached for her hand.
Then, in a whisper so soft that it almost disappeared beneath the clock, she said:
"Grandma."
Norah bent closer.
"What about Grandma, sweetheart?"
May you like
Lily looked toward the doorway.
"Bad."
