Chapter 7: The Last Warning From My Wife
For three years, I had believed Emily died because of a medical complication.
Now I was being told that someone might have deliberately interfered with her treatment.
And the man who had operated on her had disappeared.
I stood beside Lily's hospital bed, holding my phone so tightly that my fingers hurt.
"Detective Mitchell, I need you to tell me exactly what the doctor said.""
Her voice remained controlled.
"Dr. Reed contacted us through an intermediary. He claims James approached him several weeks before Emily's operation. According to his statement, James offered him money to alter certain medication instructions.""
"Did he say what medication?""
"Not yet. He wants legal protection before giving a complete statement.""
I looked at Daniel.
My attorney was already taking notes.
"Did James know Emily was scheduled for surgery?"" I asked.
"Yes. We found messages confirming that he had access to her medical information.""
I swallowed.
"Was Vanessa involved?""
"We're investigating her connection to the financial scheme. We don't yet have evidence connecting her directly to Emily's medical treatment.""
I ended the call.
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
Then Lily looked up from her coloring book.
"Daddy?""
I forced myself to smile.
"Yes, sweetheart?""
"Are you sad about Mommy?""
I sat beside her.
"Sometimes I miss her very much.""
Lily put down her purple crayon.
"I miss her too.""
She reached beneath her pillow and pulled out a small photograph.
It showed Emily holding her when she was two years old.
"Mommy told me something before she went to the hospital," Lily whispered.
My heart stopped.
"What did she tell you?""
Lily studied the photograph.
"She said if Daddy ever found out someone was being mean to us, I should tell him about the yellow butterfly.""
I stared at her.
"The yellow butterfly?""
She nodded.
"She said it was important.""
I looked at Daniel.
Neither of us spoke.
"Where did Mommy mention the butterfly?"" I asked gently.
Lily pointed toward the photograph.
"On the back.""
I turned it over.
There, in Emily's familiar handwriting, were four words.
Look where the butterflies sleep.
I remembered something.
When Emily was pregnant with Lily, she had bought an old wooden jewelry cabinet shaped like a butterfly garden. It had been kept in our bedroom for years.
After her death, I had moved it into the attic because I couldn't bear to look at it.
I called our housekeeper, Maria.
"Maria, do you remember Emily's butterfly jewelry cabinet?""
"Of course, Mr. Bennett.""
"Is it still in the attic?""
There was a pause.
"I thought it was, but...""
"But what?""
"Mr. James came to the house last week. He asked me to help him look for some old decorations. After he left, I noticed the cabinet was gone.""
I closed my eyes.
"Did he say where he was taking it?""
"No, sir.""
I thanked her and ended the call.
Daniel stood.
"Michael, we need to tell Detective Mitchell.""
"I will. But first, I want to know what's inside that cabinet.""
Daniel nodded.
"We'll have the police search for it.""
Just then, another call came through.
Unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice whispered, "Michael Bennett?""
"Who is this?""
"My name is Patricia. I used to work in the hospital records department where your wife was treated.""
I stood.
"How did you get this number?""
"Your wife gave it to me.""
My heart began pounding.
"Emily knew you?""
"Yes. She asked me to keep something safe in case anything happened to her.""
I looked at Daniel.
"Where are you?""
"At a coffee shop near the hospital. But I can't stay long.""
"Why?""
"Because someone has been asking questions about me.""
I lowered my voice.
"What did Emily leave with you?""
"A recording. And a copy of the original medication authorization.""
My throat tightened.
"Can you meet me?""
"Yes. But Michael, there's something you need to understand.""
"What?""
Patricia hesitated.
"Your wife didn't just suspect James was stealing money. She believed he was planning to make sure she never had the chance to expose him.""
The call disconnected.
I immediately contacted Detective Mitchell.
Within twenty minutes, two officers were escorting me and Daniel to the coffee shop.
Patricia was sitting near the back, wearing a beige coat and holding a paper envelope.
She looked exhausted.
When she saw me, her eyes filled with tears.
"You look just like her," she whispered.
I sat down.
"Please tell me what happened.""
Patricia opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph of Emily speaking to a nurse outside the hospital.
Beneath it was a handwritten note.
Patricia, if I don't make it through surgery, please give this to Michael.
Patricia placed a small USB drive on the table.
"Your wife came to see me three days before the operation. She was frightened.""
"Why didn't she tell me?""
"She said she didn't want to frighten you until she had proof.""
I looked at the USB drive.
"What is on it?""
Patricia lowered her voice.
"Emily recorded a conversation with James. He didn't know she was recording.""
Detective Mitchell took possession of the device.
Then Patricia reached across the table and gripped my hand.
"There's one more thing, Michael.""
"What?""
She looked directly into my eyes.
"Emily told me that if anything happened to her, I should never trust the official hospital report.""
My stomach dropped.
"Why?""
May you like
Patricia swallowed.
"Because the original report was changed after your wife died.""
