Chapter 3 - The Name on the Envelope
Vanessa tried to recover.
She said Melissa had mentioned closing her accounts.
She said Grant had told her.
Grant denied it.
Then she said perhaps she had overheard Rachel.
Rachel denied that too.
Each explanation made the previous one weaker.
Finally Vanessa stopped talking.
That was worse.
Grant requested that hospital security keep Vanessa and Brooke away from Lily while the incident was reviewed.
Vanessa objected immediately.
"I'm her stepmother."
Grant turned toward her.
"Not tonight."
"Grant."
"Not tonight."
The words ended the argument.
At least inside the hospital.
But Rachel understood something Vanessa did not.
Grant was no longer trying to protect his marriage.
He was trying to understand it.
Two hours later, Lily was transferred to another private room on a secured pediatric floor.
Rachel remained with Grant.
The cut on her cheek was covered by a narrow strip of medical tape.
Her glasses had been bent but still worked.
Grant stood beside Lily's crib while she slept.
The room was quiet except for the monitor.
Rachel sat near the window with Melissa's letter copied onto several evidence pages in front of her.
There were parts Grant had not been able to read aloud.
One paragraph concerned Rachel directly.
Rachel, if this reaches you, do not assume Grant knows what Vanessa has been doing. He may be careless about people, but he is not cruel. Protect Lily first. Tell him the truth second.
Rachel read that sentence three times.
Grant noticed.
"What does it say?"
She handed him the page.
He read it.
A tired smile appeared and disappeared.
"That sounds like Melissa."
Rachel looked at Lily.
"She knew you."
"Apparently she knew my wife better."
There was bitterness in his voice.
Rachel said nothing.
Grant's divorce from Melissa had not been dramatic.
That was what made the situation strange.
They had married young.
Loved each other.
Then slowly became different people.
The separation had hurt, but they had remained close enough to prepare for Lily together after Melissa discovered she was pregnant shortly before the divorce was finalized.
Grant had met Vanessa months later.
Vanessa had seemed patient.
Warm.
Understanding.
She had even encouraged Grant to attend prenatal appointments with Melissa.
Now every kind act felt contaminated.
Grant placed the letter down.
"Why didn't Melissa tell me?"
"Maybe she tried."
"I would remember."
Rachel studied him.
"Would you?"
Grant looked at her.
Rachel hesitated.
Then continued.
"How many times did Vanessa tell you Melissa was emotional?"
Grant's expression changed.
"How many times did she tell you Melissa was overreacting because of the pregnancy?"
He did not answer.
Rachel already knew.
Too many.
She leaned back.
"Melissa might have been telling you for months."
Grant sat down slowly.
He looked at his hands.
"I thought I was keeping the peace."
Rachel softened.
"That doesn't mean you wanted this."
"It means I didn't see it."
"Then see it now."
Grant lifted his eyes.
Rachel pointed to the memory card sealed in a plastic evidence sleeve.
"We need to know what's on that."
The hospital officer had already informed them that the card could not be examined until Grant established ownership or the police obtained proper authorization.
Melissa's attorney could solve that.
Rachel called the number listed on the bottom of the letter.
The lawyer answered on the second ring.
Her name was Naomi Pierce.
When Rachel explained that Melissa was dead, there was silence.
Then Naomi asked one question.
"Has the frame been opened?"
Rachel looked at Grant.
"Yes."
Naomi inhaled slowly.
"Then do not let Vanessa Hart take anything from it."
Grant leaned toward the phone.
"This is Grant Mercer."
Another silence.
Naomi's tone changed.
"I wondered when you would call."
"You knew?"
"I knew Melissa was afraid."
"Of Vanessa?"
"Among other things."
Grant stood.
"What is box 317?"
Naomi refused to answer over the phone.
She said they needed to meet.
Immediately.
She also said something that made Grant's face go pale.
"Do not sign any hospital discharge papers for Lily until I arrive."
Grant frowned.
"Why?"
"Because Melissa believed somebody would try to transfer temporary medical authority over Lily after her death."
Rachel rose from her chair.
"To whom?"
Naomi's answer came quietly.
"Vanessa."
Grant looked at the sleeping baby.
"That's impossible."
"It should be."
"What does that mean?"
"It means Melissa found a document carrying your signature."
Grant stopped moving.
Naomi continued.
"A document authorizing Vanessa to make medical decisions for Lily if Melissa became incapacitated or died."
"I never signed that."
"I know."
"How do you know?"
"Because Melissa had it examined."
Rachel felt cold.
Grant gripped the edge of the table.
Naomi spoke carefully.
"Your signature was forged."
The hospital room suddenly felt smaller.
Grant looked at Lily.
Then at the monitor.
Then toward the secured door.
"Who has the original?"
Naomi paused.
"Melissa put it in box 317."
Grant stared at the brass key resting inside the evidence bag.
Rachel understood why Vanessa had known about the deposit box.
She also understood why a heavy wooden frame had been raised above Lily's body.
The key had not been hidden to protect money.
It had been hidden to protect proof.
Grant asked Naomi to come to the hospital.
She agreed.
Before the call ended, Naomi gave them one final warning.
"Grant, there is something else."
"What?"
"Melissa believed the forged authorization had already been entered into Lily's hospital file."
Grant's eyes moved toward the door.
Toward the nurses' station.
Toward Paul Danner's office somewhere below them.
Rachel remembered the administrator's hand on Vanessa's arm.
Too familiar.
May you like
Too reassuring.
Naomi said, "If she was right, Vanessa may already have had legal access to Lily before today."
