Chapter 6 - Julian Wakes Up
Julian woke at 3:17 the next morning.
Clara was asleep in a chair beside the intensive-care bed when his fingers moved.
She opened her eyes immediately.
“Julian?”
His eyelids fluttered.
He tried to speak.
Nothing came out.
Clara stood.
“Don’t move.”
His eyes opened.
Confusion first.
Then recognition.
Then fear.
That frightened Clara more than the monitors had.
She pressed the nurse button.
“Julian, you’re in St. Matthew.”
His lips moved.
Clara leaned closer.
“Serena.”
Her chest tightened.
“What about Serena?”
He swallowed painfully.
“Don’t…”
The nurse entered.
Clara raised one hand.
“Give me ten seconds.”
“Dr. Vance—”
“Please.”
Julian’s eyes found hers again.
“Don’t trust…”
He began coughing.
The nurse intervened.
Dr. Rowe arrived minutes later.
Julian was exhausted but conscious.
They limited questions.
Clara waited until he could speak more clearly.
“What happened at Serena’s?”
Julian closed his eyes.
“I went there because she called me.”
“Why?”
“She said she found something.”
“What?”
“A payment file.”
“What kind?”
“Company accounts.”
Arthur’s company.
Clara sat closer.
“What was in it?”
“I don’t know.”
“You went to her apartment without telling me.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
Julian looked ashamed.
“Because she said my father was involved.”
“In what?”
“I don’t know.”
“Julian.”
“She told me there were payments to Reeve.”
Clara went still.
“How long have you known you were sick?”
His eyes shifted away.
“Three weeks.”
“You saw Reeve.”
“Yes.”
“What did he tell you?”
“At first, stress.”
“And later?”
Julian looked toward the door.
“Someone came into the room after he examined me.”
“Who?”
“My father.”
Clara felt cold.
“Arthur was at the appointment?”
“He said he was there for his own bloodwork.”
“What happened?”
“Reeve changed.”
“How?”
“He stopped asking questions.”
Julian struggled to breathe evenly.
“After Dad left, Reeve slipped me a piece of paper.”
“What did it say?”
“Don’t eat or drink anything you didn’t open yourself.”
Clara stared at him.
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I thought he was losing his mind.”
“What happened at Serena’s apartment?”
“She showed me spreadsheets.”
“What spreadsheets?”
“Payments from Vance Development to shell consultants. One was connected to Reeve.”
“And then?”
“She poured wine.”
Clara’s jaw tightened.
“I didn’t finish it.”
“Did you eat?”
“A few bites.”
“Who prepared dinner?”
“She said she ordered it.”
“Julian, did Serena know Reeve warned you?”
His face changed.
“I told her.”
Clara closed her eyes for half a second.
“Why?”
“Because I thought she was helping me.”
A sound came from the doorway.
They turned.
Serena stood there.
She had somehow passed the visitor desk.
Tears filled her eyes.
“Julian.”
Clara stood between them.
“You need to leave.”
Serena looked at Julian.
“I didn’t do this.”
Julian stared at her.
Then whispered:
“Where’s the blue folder?”
Serena’s face went blank.
Clara turned slowly.
“What blue folder?”
Serena backed toward the door.
“I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
Julian tried to sit up.
“You took it.”
“No.”
“I saw you.”
Serena’s panic became visible.
Clara stepped toward her.
“What was in the folder?”
Serena’s phone began ringing.
She looked at the screen.
And every trace of color vanished from her face.
May you like
Clara saw the caller name before Serena declined it.
Arthur Vance.
