Chapter 3 - THE WIFE WHO PRETENDED TO CRY
Elena made a decision in less than thirty seconds.
She would let Julian believe he still controlled the situation.
She placed the metal box inside her coat.
She handed the overnight bag back to the orderly.
Then she told Serena to stand exactly where she was.
"Why?"
"Because I want him to see you."
"Elena."
"If you run now, I will assume you're part of whatever this is."
Serena stared at her.
"What if I am?"
Elena stepped closer.
"Then running won't help you."
The door opened.
Julian was conscious.
Dr. Harris allowed Elena inside.
She transformed instantly.
Her shoulders sagged.
Her eyes filled with tears.
She hurried toward the bed.
"Julian."
He looked weak, disoriented.
"Elena?"
She took his hand.
"What happened?"
His gaze moved toward the doorway.
Serena.
Panic replaced confusion.
Elena saw it.
Julian understood immediately that his two lives had collided.
"Elena, listen."
She leaned closer as if comforting him.
"Happy?"
He frowned.
She smiled.
"We finally meet in a hospital room."
His eyes widened.
Elena dropped the blue folder onto his chest.
Photographs scattered across the blanket.
Serena flinched.
"You set me up!" Julian shouted.
Elena laughed once.
"You bastard. You dug your own grave."
Then she held up the brass key.
Julian stopped moving.
"You just handed me a metal box."
His face changed completely.
Not embarrassment.
Not anger.
Terror.
"Where is it?"
Elena opened the second folder.
"You mean the one containing secret companies, stolen corporate money and confidential medical records?"
"Give it to me."
"No."
"Elena."
"You've been sleeping with Serena for eighteen months while moving millions through companies I never approved."
"Those transfers aren't what you think."
"They never are."
Julian tried to rise.
Pain overwhelmed him.
Dr. Harris pushed him gently back.
"Mr. Vance, you need to stay still."
Julian ignored him.
"Elena, give me the red folder."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Why that one?"
He knew he had made a mistake.
She opened it.
That was when Dr. Harris recognized the name Daniel Vance.
And that was when everything changed.
After revealing Daniel's medical records, Dr. Harris ordered the room cleared.
Julian refused.
"No police."
Elena looked at him.
"I didn't mention police."
"You were going to."
"Interesting."
Julian closed his eyes.
Dr. Harris lowered his voice.
"I treated Daniel Vance."
Elena turned.
"You knew him?"
"Briefly."
Julian whispered, "Harris."
The surgeon looked at him with disgust.
"You told me he had no family."
Elena stared between them.
"When?"
"Nine years ago."
"But Daniel supposedly died seventeen years ago."
Dr. Harris nodded.
"Which means someone lied."
Julian said nothing.
Elena opened the file.
Daniel had been admitted under the alias David Lane.
He suffered from kidney failure, neurological damage and what the record described as chemical exposure.
"What happened to him?" Elena asked.
Dr. Harris hesitated.
"The patient was transferred."
"Where?"
"I don't know. His transfer order came from a private medical contractor."
Elena looked at the header.
"Vesper Patient Services?"
Dr. Harris's face tightened.
"Yes."
Julian whispered, "Stop."
Elena turned to him.
"Where did they take your brother?"
Julian stared at the ceiling.
Then he said something that made Serena step farther into the room.
"Daniel wasn't the first."
Elena felt a chill.
"The first what?"
May you like
Julian finally looked at her.
"The first Vance they kept alive after the family said he was dead."
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