Chapter 10 - the order michael never signed
Michael reached Lily’s bedside seconds before a nurse connected a new medication bag to her intravenous line.
“Stop,” he ordered.
The nurse froze.
“The order came from your account.”
“I did not place it.”
Michael took the bag and read the label.
The medication was commonly used in hospital treatment, but the dose listed was inappropriate for Lily’s condition and current vital signs.
“Remove it from the room,” he said. “Do not administer anything without verbal confirmation from me and Dr. Patel.”
The nurse disconnected the bag.
Samuel stood near Lily’s bed, pale with anger.
“Was that meant to hurt her?”
Michael kept his answer controlled.
“It could have made her condition much worse.”
He checked the electronic chart.
The fraudulent order had been placed from a terminal in the executive wing.
Lenora’s wing.
Michael printed the access history.
Behind him, Lily stirred.
Her eyes opened slowly.
“Grandpa?”
Samuel moved beside her.
“I’m here.”
She looked at Michael.
“The dream doctor.”
Michael stopped.
“What did you call me?”
“I dreamed about you.”
Samuel glanced at him.
Lily’s voice was weak.
“You were outside a door, but you couldn’t open it.”
Michael sat beside the bed.
“I’m here now.”
“Are you Michael?”
“Yes.”
“Are you my father?”
The room became still.
Michael looked at Samuel.
Samuel gave a small nod.
Michael returned his attention to Lily.
“I believe I am.”
Lily studied his face.
“You look sad.”
“I lost a lot of time.”
“Did you leave us?”
“No.”
“Did you know about me?”
“No.”
“Would you have come if you knew?”
Michael’s voice nearly failed.
“I would have crossed the whole world.”
Lily held out her hand.
Michael took it carefully.
Her fingers curled around his.
“Then you’re late,” she whispered.
“I know.”
“Don’t be late again.”
“I won’t.”
Samuel turned away, blinking hard.
The door opened.
Dr. Patel entered with a respiratory specialist and two nurses.
Michael explained the falsified medication order.
Dr. Patel’s expression darkened.
“I’m taking over Lily’s medical care,” he said. “You remain as family only.”
Michael nodded.
The distinction hurt, but it also protected Lily from accusations that he manipulated her treatment.
An officer appeared at the door.
“Dr. Reed, we need to speak with you.”
Michael stood.
Samuel followed him into the hall.
The officer held the printed order history.
“The hospital says your account was used.”
“The executive terminal location is listed at the bottom.”
The officer read it.
“Who has access to that terminal?”
“Lenora Vale, Victor Cross, and members of executive administration.”
Owen approached with another officer.
“We found Administrator Vale attempting to leave through the service exit.”
“Did she have anything with her?”
“A portable drive and a stack of unsigned guardianship documents.”
Samuel’s jaw tightened.
“They planned to take control of Lily.”
Michael looked through the glass at his daughter.
“Not anymore.”
The officer raised a hand.
“We still need evidence connecting the medication order to an individual.”
Michael took out Evelyn’s ledger.
“This may help.”
Victor Cross spoke from behind them.
“You think a stolen ledger and a frightened guard will destroy a hospital?”
Michael turned.
Victor stood between the officers, still wearing his tailored black coat.
“You destroyed yourself when you locked a child outside,” Michael said.
Victor smiled faintly.
“You continue to misunderstand. Lily was not supposed to die outside.”
Samuel stepped forward.
“What was supposed to happen?”
Victor looked toward Lily’s room.
“She was supposed to enter through a door no camera could see.”
Owen’s face changed.
“The old ambulance tunnel.”
Michael looked at him.
“What tunnel?”
Owen pointed toward the basement.
“There’s a sealed transport entrance beneath the north wing.”
Victor’s smile disappeared.
Michael understood.
The message had instructed Samuel to arrive at the north entrance at exactly 11:40.
Whoever sent the envelope may not have intended Samuel to use the glass doors.
May you like
They intended him to find the hidden entrance.
And someone might still be waiting there.
