Chapter 7 - the signature that should not exist)
Jonathan stared at the photocopy Vivienne removed from her clutch.
His name appeared at the bottom.
Jonathan Michael Ashcroft.
The signature looked perfect.
Above it was an authorization for a private medical intervention involving Ethan.
Maya read the first paragraph twice.
"This says Ethan was considered mentally unstable."
Jonathan snatched the document.
"He isn't."
Vivienne nodded.
"I know."
"It says I authorized Mercer to evaluate him without his knowledge."
"I know."
"I never signed this."
"That is why I didn't know whether to come to you."
Jonathan looked at his mother with disbelief.
"You thought I was poisoning my own son?"
"I thought someone wanted me to believe you were."
Jonathan looked again at the signature.
"Where did you get this?"
"In Miles's office."
"When?"
"Two days ago."
Maya frowned.
"You broke into his office?"
Vivienne gave her a cold look.
"I have been breaking into rooms in this family longer than you have been alive."
Despite everything, Maya almost smiled.
Almost.
Curtis interrupted.
"We have a possible ambulance location."
Jonathan turned.
"Where?"
"Traffic camera caught it heading north on Old Mill Road."
Vivienne stiffened.
"No."
Jonathan saw her reaction.
"What?"
"The old Ashcroft clinic."
He frowned.
"What clinic?"
"Your grandfather built a private medical facility on the north estate."
"I thought it was abandoned."
"It is."
Vivienne looked at Maya.
"Above ground."
Curtis was already moving.
"Vehicles in thirty seconds."
Jonathan grabbed Maya's arm.
"You stay here."
She pulled away.
"No."
"Maya."
"Miles specifically asked for me."
"Exactly."
"He thinks I know something."
"You don't."
"Then I need to know what he thinks I know."
Jonathan stared at her.
Vivienne stepped closer.
"She's right."
He looked at his mother.
"You are the last person whose advice I want."
"Nevertheless, you should take it."
Jonathan clenched his jaw.
Curtis returned carrying a vest.
"Police tactical team is ten minutes out."
"We leave now," Jonathan said.
They drove across the north grounds in two black SUVs.
Maya sat in the back beside Vivienne.
Neither woman spoke.
The party remained under lockdown behind them.
Jonathan sat in front with Curtis.
Maya looked at Vivienne.
Finally she asked, "Why did you slap me?"
Vivienne looked out the window.
"Because you frightened me."
Maya stared.
"You have an unusual way of showing fear."
"I spent most of my life learning that fear is most useful when no one can see it."
"You humiliated me."
"Yes."
"And ordered security to remove me."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Vivienne turned.
"Because the moment you accused me, I knew Miles would understand someone had seen the bottle."
Maya considered that.
"You were trying to get me out of the ballroom."
"Out of the mansion."
"By having two men drag me away?"
"I never claimed to be kind."
Maya looked at the pearl necklace.
"You also never told me you knew my mother."
Vivienne's gaze lowered.
"Anna was brave."
"She's dead."
"I know."
"Did you help her?"
Vivienne did not answer.
That was enough.
Maya looked away.
The abandoned clinic appeared beyond the trees.
A low stone building partly swallowed by ivy.
Curtis stopped the vehicle.
"No lights."
Jonathan opened the door.
Maya followed.
Curtis objected.
"Stay behind me."
They entered through a broken side entrance.
The smell of dust and antiseptic remained despite years of abandonment.
Curtis moved ahead.
Jonathan called quietly.
"Ethan."
No answer.
They followed a corridor downstairs.
Vivienne knew the route.
At a steel door she stopped.
"This used to be records storage."
Curtis checked the handle.
Unlocked.
He opened it.
A fluorescent light flickered inside.
An ambulance stretcher stood near the wall.
Empty.
Jonathan rushed forward.
"Ethan."
A groan came from behind another door.
Maya reached it first.
She opened it.
Ethan lay on a narrow examination bed.
His wrists were strapped.
Jonathan pushed past her.
"Ethan."
He tore away the straps.
Ethan opened his eyes.
"Dad."
Jonathan held his face.
"I'm here."
Maya looked around.
No Miles.
No Mercer.
Vivienne entered.
Ethan saw her.
Fear flashed in his eyes.
"Grandmother."
"It's all right."
"No."
He tried to sit.
"She was here."
Everyone froze.
Vivienne frowned.
"What?"
Ethan stared at her.
"Ten minutes ago."
Vivienne's face changed.
"I was in the car."
"I saw you."
Maya looked between them.
Ethan shook his head.
"You stood right there."
He pointed toward the door.
"You told Mercer to increase the dose."
Vivienne whispered, "Ethan, that wasn't me."
He became agitated.
"I know what you look like."
Maya noticed a laptop on the counter.
The screen displayed a paused security recording.
She touched the keyboard.
The image showed Ethan being brought into the room.
Mercer beside him.
Miles Hargrove entered.
Then a woman.
Champagne-colored dress.
Blond hair in a high bun.
Pearls.
Vivienne.
Maya turned.
The real Vivienne stood three feet behind her.
Same dress.
Same hair.
Same jewelry.
Jonathan stared at the screen.
"How?"
Vivienne moved closer.
Her face drained.
The woman in the recording turned toward the camera.
Maya enlarged the image.
It was not Vivienne.
Not exactly.
The cheekbones were different.
The nose slightly narrower.
A woman had been styled to resemble her.
Jonathan whispered, "Who is that?"
Vivienne gripped the table.
"I haven't seen her in thirty-two years."
Maya looked at her.
"Who?"
May you like
Vivienne's voice was barely audible.
"My sister."
