Chapter 9 - THE FATHER WHO NEVER CAME HOME|
My father had been dead for twelve years.
He had built the foundation of the Moretti organization and taught me that loyalty was more valuable than money.
I had spent my life trying to become a better man than he was.
Now my mother was telling me he had been involved in the events surrounding Claire's death.
I demanded the truth.
Margaret refused.
Instead, she asked me to sit down.
"Your father had enemies everywhere," she said. "He understood that powerful families sometimes needed to make difficult arrangements."
"Claire wasn't an arrangement."
"She was part of a dangerous life."
"She was my wife."
Margaret looked at me.
"And she was carrying your child."
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Explain the second medication order."
She hesitated.
"Your father had arranged for Dr. Bell to oversee Claire's delivery. When complications began, there were disagreements about treatment."
"What disagreements?"
"Claire had refused certain procedures."
"She was conscious and capable of making decisions."
"She was frightened."
"So you decided for her?"
Margaret looked away.
I realized then that she wasn't denying it.
I called Marco and ordered him to locate Dr. Bell.
Within an hour, we learned the physician had retired and moved to a private property outside Naples, Florida.
We drove there the next morning.
Bell initially refused to speak.
Then I showed him the document.
His face drained of color.
"I didn't want this to happen."
"What happened?"
He sat down.
"Claire's condition deteriorated rapidly. There was a dispute over the medication schedule. I received an instruction from the family."
"Which family member?"
He stared at me.
"Your mother."
"Did she order you to change the medication?"
"She asked me to follow an alternative protocol."
"Was it safe?"
Bell rubbed his face.
"I believed it was."
"Do you still?"
He didn't answer.
I leaned forward.
"Did the change contribute to Claire's death?"
His eyes filled.
"I cannot tell you that with certainty."
"Then tell me what you can."
He looked toward the window.
"Your wife was conscious shortly before she died. She asked for you."
My throat tightened.
"I was there."
"She also asked me to make sure her son received a particular document."
"What document?"
Bell opened a drawer.
He removed a small sealed envelope.
"I was supposed to give this to you if anything happened."
I recognized Claire's handwriting.
But before I could open it, Bell looked at me.
"There's one more thing."
"What?"
"Your mother wasn't the only person who wanted Claire's treatment changed."
May you like
He lowered his voice.
"Vanessa Hart's father was in the hospital that night."
