Chapter 6 - THE DOCTOR WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Dr. Mason disappeared before police reached his office.
His receptionist said he had canceled the entire week.
His apartment was empty.
His car was gone.
Edward sat in the back of Detective Mitchell’s sedan as officers searched the clinic.
“You trusted him?” she asked.
“For twelve years.”
“So did your mother.”
Edward stared through the window.
“That’s why Victoria needed him.”
Mitchell’s phone buzzed.
She read the message.
“Your mother’s original hospital records came through.”
“And?”
“Nothing says six months.”
Edward’s jaw clenched.
“Mason altered the copies.”
“Looks that way.”
Edward wanted to hit something.
Instead, he called Julian.
“Freeze Mason’s access to every family account, health authorization, trust document, everything.”
“Already happening.”
“Find every payment to him.”
A pause.
Julian said,
“I found one.”
“How much?”
“Four hundred thousand dollars.”
Edward’s grip tightened.
“When?”
“Three separate transfers over ten months.”
“From Victoria?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Julian hesitated.
“From a company controlled by Daniel Cross.”
Edward closed his eyes.
The pieces were fitting together.
Victoria found wealthy targets.
Daniel moved money.
Mason manipulated medical records.
And the victims became sick, frightened, dependent.
Mitchell stepped out of the car when an officer waved.
Five minutes later, she returned carrying an evidence bag.
Inside was a disposable phone.
“Found in Mason’s desk.”
“Can you open it?”
“We already did.”
She turned the screen toward him.
A message thread.
V: SHE STILL WON’T SIGN.
M: THEN INCREASE THE PRESSURE.
V: EDWARD IS GETTING SUSPICIOUS.
M: KEEP HIM BUSY.
Edward scrolled.
Then he saw another message.
V: WHAT ABOUT THE FACILITY?
M: ONCE WE CONTROL IT, THERE ARE PLENTY OF CLIENTS.
Edward felt ice slide through his veins.
“Clients?”
Mitchell took the phone back.
“That word bothers me too.”
Edward returned to the hospital that afternoon.
Florence was sitting up.
She smiled weakly.
“You look terrible.”
“So do you.”
She laughed.
It was the first normal sound he had heard in twenty-four hours.
Then her expression changed.
“Edward, there’s something I didn’t tell you.”
He pulled a chair closer.
“I’m done with secrets.”
“I know.”
She looked ashamed.
“Three weeks ago, I hired a private investigator.”
“What did he find?”
“He called me yesterday morning.”
Edward leaned forward.
“He said he found someone who survived Victoria.”
Edward stopped breathing.
“Survived?”
Florence nodded.
“A woman named Caroline Bennett.”
“Martin Bennett’s daughter.”
“She believes her father didn’t fall.”
Edward stood.
“Where is she?”
Florence reached for her phone.
“He told me she was coming here.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
At that exact moment, Edward’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A woman whispered,
“Mr. Hale?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Caroline Bennett.”
Her breathing was frantic.
“You don’t know me, but your wife killed my father.”
Edward glanced at Florence.
“Where are you?”
“I’m outside your family mansion.”
Edward’s heart stopped.
“Caroline, get away from there.”
“What?”
“Leave now.”
May you like
Through the phone came the sound of breaking glass.
Then Caroline screamed.
