Chapter 7 - A MOTHER'S LIE|
My mother refused to explain the document.
She claimed it was a routine authorization connected to Claire's medical insurance.
I called her bluff.
"Why would you sign a medication instruction?"
"It was administrative."
"Then why was it hidden?"
She raised her chin.
"Because I knew you would behave exactly like this."
I stared at her.
"What does that mean?"
Margaret walked to the window.
"Claire was fragile. Her pregnancy was difficult. You were constantly working, constantly surrounded by violence. I tried to protect her from the stress of your life."
"By interfering with her medical care?"
"I did nothing to hurt her."
"Then tell me what happened."
She turned.
"Your wife made decisions that endangered herself and the baby."
I felt the room tilt.
"Don't you dare blame Claire."
"She refused certain medical recommendations."
"What recommendations?"
Margaret remained silent.
I took the document and left.
That evening, I contacted an independent medical investigator.
His name was Dr. Samuel Reed, a former hospital compliance officer who had helped my organization investigate several fraudulent insurance schemes.
I gave him the document.
He studied it for nearly an hour.
Then he looked up.
"This isn't an insurance authorization."
"What is it?"
"A request to alter the administration schedule of a medication."
My blood turned cold.
"Could it have caused complications?"
"Depending on the medication and dosage, absolutely."
"Who approved it?"
"The signature belongs to Margaret Cole."
I stared at him.
"Was the medication actually changed?"
He shook his head.
"That's what we need to establish."
Two days later, Vanessa appeared at the estate without warning.
She found me in the study.
"Luca, we need to talk."
"We have nothing to discuss."
She placed a folder on my desk.
Inside were photographs of Grace.
Grace entering a pharmacy.
Grace standing outside a bank.
Grace leaving a building with an unidentified man.
"What is this?"
"Proof that she has been hiding something."
I studied the photographs.
"Who hired you to follow her?"
Vanessa smiled.
"Nobody."
I looked at her.
"You're a terrible liar."
Her smile disappeared.
"She isn't who you think she is."
I stood.
"Leave."
Vanessa leaned closer.
"Ask her about the money she received after Claire died."
My expression changed.
"What money?"
Vanessa opened her handbag and removed a bank statement.
It showed a transfer of fifty thousand dollars.
The recipient's name was Grace Miller.
The transfer date was September 12, three years earlier.
Less than a month after Claire's death.
I looked at the document.
Then at Vanessa.
"Where did you get this?"
"From somebody who knows the truth."
My phone vibrated.
A message from Marco appeared.
Boss, we traced the transfer. The account that sent Grace the money belonged to a company controlled by your mother.
I slowly lowered the phone.
Vanessa watched my expression.
May you like
Then she smiled.
"Now you understand."
