Chapter 5 - The Missing Nurse
Officer Ortiz discovered that one nurse had been on duty during Clara’s examination.
Her name was Naomi Brooks.
According to the clinic, Naomi had resigned that same night.
Daniel and Ortiz found her at a bus station preparing to leave the city.
Naomi was frightened and refused to speak until Ortiz assured her that she could receive protection.
“I thought it was only a sedative,” Naomi finally said. “Dr. Crane told me Clara was hysterical and needed to be calmed.”
“What happened afterward?” Daniel asked.
“Her breathing slowed. Her pulse became difficult to detect. Dr. Crane connected her to a monitor, but he turned the screen away from me.”
“Was she dead?”
Naomi shook her head.
“I don’t think so.”
Daniel gripped the edge of the table.
Naomi explained that Crane had used a combination of medications capable of causing profound unconsciousness and extremely weak vital signs. Helena had pressured him to prepare false documentation claiming that Clara and her unborn child had died from a rare pregnancy complication.
“Why would he agree?” Ortiz asked.
“His clinic is nearly bankrupt. Marcus promised to pay his debts.”
Naomi had secretly photographed Clara’s monitor before being ordered out of the room. The image showed a weak heartbeat at the time Crane signed the death certificate.
It was evidence of fraud.
But it did not prove Clara was still alive.
“How long could the medication last?” Daniel asked.
Naomi hesitated.
May you like
“Possibly days, depending on the dose.”
The cremation was scheduled in four hours.
