Chapter 4: The Night My Husband Died
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Richard Cole stood near the office door, holding his leather folder. Thomas remained behind his desk, his fingers resting on the medical records.
I looked at my attorney.
"What did Richard mean?""
Thomas removed his glasses.
"Margaret, I didn't want to tell you until I had verified everything.""
"Verified what?""
He glanced toward Richard.
"Mr. Cole, I think this conversation is over.""
Richard chuckled.
"By all means. Keep your secrets. But remember, Margaret, the truth has a way of becoming expensive.""
He walked out.
The door clicked shut.
I turned back to Thomas.
"Now tell me.""
Thomas opened the folder.
"Your husband was admitted to Northside Hospital on the evening before his death. He had complained of chest discomfort and dizziness.""
"I know. Daniel called me that evening. He said Robert was being monitored and that I should stay home because the doctors weren't concerned.""
Thomas nodded.
"According to the hospital records, Daniel visited him at 9:40 p.m.""
"That's correct. He told me he stayed for twenty minutes.""
"Actually, he stayed nearly two hours.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
"That's what I haven't been able to establish.""
Thomas placed a photocopy in front of me.
It was a visitor log.
Daniel's name appeared beside the time of arrival.
But something else caught my attention.
The departure time was written as 11:38 p.m.
Under the visitor's signature was a note:
*Patient requested private discussion concerning estate documents.*
My hands went cold.
"What estate documents?""
Thomas opened another envelope.
"This was found among the papers your husband left with our office.""
It was a handwritten note.
Robert's handwriting.
Daniel came to see me tonight. He wants me to sign something concerning the land. I refused. He became angry and said Richard had already promised investors the property.
I read it again.
Then again.
"Daniel asked his father to sign away the land?""
"That's what the note suggests.""
I shook my head.
"Robert never told me.""
Thomas continued reading.
"There's another line.""
He turned the page toward me.
I told Daniel that Margaret would never be pressured into selling. I also told him I intended to explain the trust to her tomorrow.
I felt my eyes burn.
"Tomorrow never came.""
Thomas said nothing.
I pressed the note against the desk.
"Was there anything unusual about Robert's death?""
Thomas hesitated.
"His death certificate listed cardiac arrest following a cardiac event. There was no evidence of foul play in the medical records I reviewed.""
"Then why did Richard bring this up?""
"I don't know. But I intend to find out.""
My phone began ringing.
Daniel.
I answered.
"Hello.""
"Mom, where are you?""
"With Thomas.""
Silence.
Then Daniel sighed.
"Of course you are.""
"Your father visited the hospital the night he died. You stayed with him for nearly two hours.""
"I know.""
"You told me twenty minutes.""
"I didn't want you worrying.""
"Did he ask you to sign something?""
Daniel's breathing changed.
"Who told you that?""
"Did he?""
"Mom, this is ridiculous.""
"Answer the question.""
He lowered his voice.
"Dad was confused. He didn't understand what was happening with the property.""
"Your father was perfectly capable of understanding his own property.""
"Not that night!""
His sudden outburst made me sit back.
Thomas looked up.
I spoke slowly.
"What happened that night, Daniel?""
He didn't answer.
Then I heard Vanessa's voice in the background.
"Who is she talking to?""
Daniel covered the phone, but I heard him.
"Your mother-in-law.""
A moment later, he returned.
"Mom, stop digging into the past. Dad is gone. Nothing you do will change that.""
"No. But the truth might change what happens next.""
He hung up.
I stared at the phone.
Thomas closed the folder.
"Margaret, I want to request the complete hospital records, including the medication administration chart and visitor security footage, if any remains available.""
"Can you?""
"With the appropriate authorization and legal process, we can make inquiries.""
I nodded.
Then I noticed something tucked between the pages of Robert's handwritten notes.
A small photograph.
It showed Robert sitting in his hospital bed.
Daniel stood beside him.
On the bedside table was a document.
I enlarged the photograph on my phone.
The heading was barely visible.
But I could read four words.
*Revocation of Beneficiary Designation.*
I looked at Thomas.
"What's this?""
He studied it carefully.
Then his expression changed.
"Margaret, I think your husband may have discovered something about Daniel's inheritance before he died.""
"What?""
Thomas turned the photograph toward the light.
"Look at the date.""
It was stamped the evening before Robert died.
And beneath the heading was a name I never expected to see.
May you like
Not Daniel's.
Vanessa Cole.
