Chapter 8 - The Woman Who Had Been Gone
Emily had not spoken to her mother in almost three years.
Elaine Carter had disappeared from the family after a bitter argument with Emily’s father. She had left the city, stopped attending company events and ignored every attempt Emily made to contact her.
When Richard Carter died, Elaine did not attend the funeral.
Daniel claimed she had sent a short message saying she wanted no part of the family anymore.
Emily had believed him.
Now Elaine’s name appeared on the access list for the ICU administrative network.
“That can’t be current,” Emily said.
Mira checked the record.
“The credential was used six weeks ago.”
“My mother hasn’t worked here in years.”
Dr. Bennett looked at her.
“Your mother worked at St. Catherine?”
“She served on the foundation board. She helped establish the medical reserve after Lily was diagnosed.”
“Then she may have retained an inactive credential.”
“Inactive credentials cannot access this network,” Mira replied. “Someone reactivated it.”
“Who?” Vanessa asked.
“The request was submitted by the foundation’s executive director.”
“Name?”
“Charles Vale.”
Emily recognized it.
Charles had been her father’s oldest friend and the attorney overseeing the Carter estate.
He was also the man who had assured her that Daniel’s management authority was temporary.
Mira continued.
“The reactivation request claims that Elaine Carter returned as a private adviser.”
“She didn’t.”
“Can you prove that?”
“I haven’t heard from her in years.”
“That does not prove she wasn’t working with the foundation.”
Emily took out her phone and called the last number she had for her mother.
Disconnected.
She called Charles Vale.
He answered on the second ring.
“Emily, I heard Lily was admitted. Is she all right?”
“How did you hear?”
“Daniel called.”
“Did he also tell you that her medication was stolen?”
A pause.
“He mentioned a pharmacy dispute.”
“This was not a dispute. Someone created a reimbursement account in my name and used my mother’s hospital access.”
Charles exhaled slowly.
“You’re under stress.”
“Did you reactivate Elaine’s foundation credential?”
“That is an administrative matter.”
“Answer me.”
“I processed a request presented by the foundation.”
“Did you speak to my mother?”
“The paperwork was properly submitted.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
“Emily, focus on Lily. Let the hospital review its records.”
“You oversee my father’s estate. Money from his medical reserve was transferred through fraudulent claims.”
“That is a serious accusation.”
“It is a documented transaction.”
Another pause.
“I’ll come to the hospital.”
“No.”
“Emily.”
“Send me every estate document Daniel signed after my father’s death.”
“I can’t release confidential files without following procedure.”
“They are my family’s files.”
“They are controlled by the trust.”
“Who controls the trust?”
Charles’s answer came quietly.
“At the moment, Daniel does.”
Emily ended the call.
Vanessa stared at her.
“Daniel told me you controlled everything.”
“He told me he controlled only daily operations.”
“He tells each person the version that keeps them quiet.”
Mira gathered the documents.
“We’re suspending all external transfer access. No one, including Daniel, will be able to move further medication or reserve funds.”
“What about Charles?”
“His foundation credential is being reviewed.”
Dr. Bennett walked toward Lily’s bed.
“Emily, there is something else.”
She followed him.
“When Lily briefly woke during the night, she said someone had visited her room before the medication disappeared.”
“Who?”
“She couldn’t remember. She said the person wore a mask.”
“That could have been any staff member.”
“She also said the person called her ‘Little Comet.’”
Emily stopped.
Only three people had ever used that name for Lily.
Emily’s father.
Emily herself.
And Elaine.
Dr. Bennett lowered his voice.
“Lily said the woman promised that taking the medication would keep you safe.”
“My mother would never steal from Lily.”
“I’m not saying she did.”
“But someone wanted Lily to believe it was her.”
Rachel entered the room.
“Mrs. Carter, security found something in the visitor locker outside the pediatric floor.”
She held up a sealed evidence bag.
Inside was a red silk scarf.
May you like
Elaine’s initials were embroidered in one corner.
EC.
