Chapter 12 - THE DOCTOR'S SECOND REPORT|
Luca found Dr. Samuel Harris in a private medical office outside the city.
The doctor had treated the Moretti family for nearly twenty years. He was now in his seventies, with silver hair and hands that trembled slightly when he poured his coffee.
Luca placed a copy of Caroline's accident report on the desk.
“Did you examine my wife after the crash?”
Dr. Harris studied the document.
“Yes.”
“Did you sign this report?”
The doctor frowned.
“No.”
Luca felt the room grow colder.
“Your name is on it.”
“Someone used my credentials. I told the police that years ago, but the matter went nowhere.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Dr. Harris looked ashamed.
“Your father asked me to remain quiet while the investigation continued. He said the family was being threatened.”
“My father died before the investigation ended.”
“Yes.”
“Who threatened you?”
The doctor hesitated.
“I was told that if I spoke publicly, the people responsible would target my patients.”
Luca leaned forward.
“What did you discover about Caroline?”
Dr. Harris opened a locked cabinet and removed a folder.
“The first report said she died from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident. My own examination suggested she had been struck before her car left the road.”
Luca stared at him.
“Another vehicle?”
“Possibly. There were bruises inconsistent with the initial account, and the damage to the driver's side suggested a second impact.”
“Did you identify the vehicle?”
“No. But I found traces of a dark industrial coating on the damaged panel. It was consistent with a type used on commercial transport vehicles.”
Luca's hands tightened.
“Could you identify who owned it?”
“Not from the medical evidence.”
The doctor opened the folder to another page.
“I kept a copy of my original notes because I didn't trust the official report. I never knew whether they would be useful.”
Luca read the notes.
One line had been underlined.
Patient attempted to speak before losing consciousness. Repeated phrase: “The girl must stay with her father.”
Luca stared at the words.
“What girl?”
Dr. Harris shook his head.
“I assumed she meant Sophie.”
“Did she name anyone?”
“No. But there was a second statement recorded by the ambulance crew.”
He handed Luca another page.
The writing was faint.
Patient stated that a woman had been asking about the child's legal guardianship.
Luca looked up.
“Who was the woman?”
“We never established that.”
He thought of Vanessa, Richard, and the residential academy.
Then he thought of Caroline's warning.
If Vanessa ever tries to take Sophie away from you, find the blue notebook.
The doctor watched him carefully.
“Mr. Moretti, I have spent three years regretting that I didn't do more. If your daughter is in danger, you need to be careful whom you trust.”
Luca stood.
“Did my father know about the second report?”
“Yes.”
“Did he know Caroline suspected someone?”
The doctor hesitated.
“He told me that Caroline had discovered a plan involving the family trust. He believed she was trying to protect Sophie from a legal arrangement she didn't understand.”
“What arrangement?”
Dr. Harris looked toward the window.
“I don't know. But your father said one thing that has stayed with me.”
“What?”
“He said the Moretti family had been protecting the wrong person for years.”
Luca left the office with the original notes.
Outside, Marco waited beside the SUV.
“Sir, we've received a message from Richard Bellini.”
“What does he want?”
Marco handed him a phone.
A photograph showed Sophie sitting in a chair, her injured ankle wrapped carefully.
May you like
Beneath it was a message.
Bring the original agreement. Come alone. This time, the girl will not be the only one who pays.
