Chapter 8: The Hospital Report That Disappeared
Detective Mitchell arranged for the USB drive to be examined immediately.
Patricia agreed to provide a formal statement, but she insisted on one condition.
She wanted protection.
"James knows where I live," she explained.
"He knows my family. I have a daughter in college, and I'm not risking her safety.""
Detective Mitchell nodded.
"We'll arrange appropriate protection. But I need you to tell us everything you remember.""
Patricia opened her handbag and removed a small notebook.
"Emily started asking questions about the hospital records approximately two months before her surgery.""
I leaned forward.
"What questions?""
"She wanted to know why certain medication orders had been changed without her attending physician's approval.""
"Was she taking medication?""
"Yes. She had been prescribed medication to manage an existing condition. The hospital records showed a revised schedule, but Emily said she had never authorized it.""
Daniel looked up.
"Do you remember who entered the change?""
Patricia nodded.
"Dr. Reed's account was used.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"And James?""
"His name appeared in the visitor records. He came to the hospital several times, even when Emily hadn't requested a visit.""
I stared at the table.
My brother had visited my wife while I was working.
He had smiled at her.
He had probably asked how she was feeling.
And all the while, he was stealing from us.
"Did Emily confront him?"" I asked.
"Yes. I was nearby when it happened.""
Patricia took a breath.
"She told him she knew about the medication changes. James said she was confused and needed to rest.""
I closed my eyes.
"What happened next?""
"He told her that nobody would believe a woman who was already having medical problems.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Did you hear that yourself?""
Patricia nodded.
"I did.""
Detective Mitchell wrote something down.
Then she asked, "What happened to the original hospital report?""
Patricia looked uncomfortable.
"After Emily died, I was instructed to replace several pages in her file. I refused.""
"Who instructed you?""
"Dr. Reed.""
"And did you report it?""
"I tried. But before I could speak to the hospital administrator, someone accessed my office computer and deleted the original files.""
I leaned forward.
"Do you still have copies?""
Patricia nodded.
"Emily helped me make them.""
She reached into her bag again and produced a sealed envelope.
Detective Mitchell opened it carefully.
Inside were several printed pages and a handwritten statement.
The first page contained the original medication authorization.
The second showed the revised version.
The signatures were different.
I recognized Emily's handwriting immediately.
The original document carried her genuine signature.
The revised version carried a signature that looked similar but wasn't hers.
Daniel studied the two pages.
"This is potentially very important.""
Patricia nodded.
"There's also something else. The original report recorded a discrepancy in the medication administered before surgery. That discrepancy was removed from the final report.""
My stomach twisted.
"Could that have caused her death?""
Patricia shook her head.
"I'm not a doctor. I can't say that. But the report was changed, and that needs to be investigated.""
Detective Mitchell collected the documents.
Then her phone rang.
She listened briefly before standing.
"Where?""
She looked at me.
"We found Dr. Reed.""
My heart jumped.
"Where is he?""
"At a motel outside Macon. He's agreed to speak with investigators.""
I exhaled.
"Then we can finally get answers.""
"Hopefully," she replied.
Two hours later, Daniel and I were taken to a secure interview room at the police station.
Dr. Samuel Reed entered accompanied by two detectives.
He looked older than I remembered.
His face was pale, and his hands shook as he sat down.
He didn't look at me.
"Dr. Reed," Detective Mitchell began, "you requested legal protection in exchange for your cooperation. Are you prepared to provide a complete statement?""
He nodded.
"I want to correct the record.""
I leaned forward.
"Why did you change my wife's medical file?""
He looked at me for the first time.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Bennett.""
"That's not an answer.""
He lowered his eyes.
"James told me the medication adjustment had been approved. He said your wife was aware of it.""
"Did you speak to Emily?""
"No.""
"Did you verify her consent?""
He shook his head.
I stood so quickly that my chair scraped backward.
"You operated on my wife without verifying the changes to her treatment?""
Detective Mitchell raised a hand.
"Mr. Bennett, please sit down.""
I forced myself back into the chair.
Dr. Reed wiped his forehead.
"I was under enormous pressure. James had financial information that could have destroyed my career.""
"So you helped him?""
"I made a terrible mistake.""
"What happened during the surgery?""
The doctor hesitated.
"Your wife experienced complications. The medical team responded, but there were discrepancies in the medication records. I was instructed to describe the event as an unavoidable complication.""
"By James?""
He nodded.
I felt sick.
Then Daniel asked the question I hadn't thought to ask.
"Doctor, why did James want Emily's death concealed if the medical team believed it was an unavoidable complication?""
Dr. Reed looked toward the detectives.
"Because Emily had left something behind.""
"What?""
"A document.""
He swallowed.
"She had evidence that James was not only stealing from Michael's company. He had been using the stolen money to purchase properties under someone else's name.""
I leaned forward.
"Whose name?""
The doctor stared at me.
"Vanessa's.""
My hands went cold.
"How much?""
"Several properties. A commercial building, two rental developments, and a vacation property.""
Daniel opened his notebook.
"Do you have proof?""
Dr. Reed nodded.
"James showed me the paperwork when he was arranging the payments.""
Detective Mitchell leaned forward.
"Where are those records now?""
The doctor hesitated.
"James kept them in a private storage unit.""
"Where?""
He gave her an address.
Then he added something that made the room go silent.
"There's also a recording of Emily confronting James the night before her surgery.""
I stared at him.
"Where is it?""
Dr. Reed shook his head.
"James has it.""
I leaned closer.
"What did Emily say?""
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The doctor looked directly at me.
"She told him she had already sent copies of the evidence to someone he would never suspect.""
